The World Became the World:

Premiata Forneria Marconi. (Manticore Import). Reviewed by David Maclennan.

Several weeks ago, Phillip Hay reviewed PFM's previous album, "Photos of Ghosts". This was a fine review in all respects, as befitting such a brilliant album.

"The World Became the World" is a worthy successor to "Photos of Ghosts". It is quite different from its predecessor, but it's still PFM to the core. The line-up has changed slightly: Ian Patrick Djivas replaces Giorgio Piazza on ban, Flavio Premolis kreyboards do not dominate as much as on "Photos of Ghosts", though they are still prominent, Franco Mussida's guitar work is brought more to the fore, and where "Photos of Ghosts" was a beautiful quiet, almost pastoral album, this one is more funky and heavy. Lyrics are once again by the one and only Pete Sinfield, the best lyricist around these days.

There are six tracks in all. Side one opens with "The Mountain", the longest and most unusual (unusual for PFM, that is) track on the album, utilizing the services of the choir of the Academia Paolina di Milano. The track that highlights Mussida's excellent guitar-playing. The next cut, "Just Look Away", is more typical of PFM. It is a sad little song about old age, and the depressing tone of the lyric is contrasted with the pleasant, relaxing mood evoked by the tune, which contains a catchy little chorus.

The first side closes with the title track, the best on the album. It contains all the elements that made "Photos of Ghosts" what it was, e.g. Premolis surging keyboards work, rising and falling like a bird in flight. The louder this is played, the better it sounds!

Side two kicks off with "Four Holes in the Ground", which was released as a single in Britain. This jaunty little number starts off with some lively violin and synthesiser work, then quietens down again before coming back with a dteady rocking beat. "Is My Face On Straight" follows, highly amusing lyrically, and containing some smooth accordion work from (I presume) Premoli, adding a continental touch to the song. Magnifico, as they say. The album closes with an instrumental. "Have Your Cake and Beat It", which starts off with the bass on its own (sounding like he was warming up before a jam), and just when you think it's going to be a nice quiet piece like "Old Rain" off the last LP, in comes the rest, with some blistering violin work from Mauro Pagani. A great finish to a great album.

PFM are destined for the big time, make no mistake about it. They are every bit as good as the likes of Yes, King Crimson and Gentle Giant, and I sincerely hope they get the recognition they deserve. "The World Became the World" is one of the more important album releases of 1974, and you would be well advised to get hold of it — when it is released here, which may be a little while yet. While you're waiting, though, there's still "Photos of Ghosts"... 10 out of 10!