Review: Twenty Four Hours ‘At The Edge Of Faith’
When I embark on the sonic journey of a new album, I constantly search for that elusive signal that reveals the creative wellspring from which a band has watered its garden. Yet, with Twenty Four Hours, the path to understanding their myriad influences is rarely straightforward, although immensely rewarding.
Hailing from Fano, in the Marche region of Italy, this band, arguably still the best-kept secret of Italian psych-prog art rock, immediately enveloped me in a deep sense of relaxation. Their music acts as a medley, intertwining various carefully crafted melodic elements of contemplation, surrealism, and romanticism – an undeniably eclectic blend that transcends conventional boundaries.
Indeed, the endless fusion of their musical palette is tantalisingly reminiscent of the symphonic grandeur of early Genesis, the avant-garde eccentricity of Tuxedo Moon, the intricate, almost theatrical complexity of Cardiacs, and even the brooding intensity of Joy Division – a band whose name, incidentally, has nothing to do with the Joy Division song, but rather with their relentless, restless musical exploration.
Their musical journey, beginning in the early 1980s and led by multi-instrumentalist Dr Paolo Lippe, is a paragon of uncompromising artistic expression and a relentless pursuit of diverse soundscapes. Here we have a band, driven by an innate desire to express themselves both musically and lyrically, who quickly seized every opportunity to perform live as a full four-piece, with their archival recordings on their Bandcamp page.
Their prolific output, which includes ten exquisite albums, began in 1991 with the release of their debut, The Smell Of The Rainy Air, a sixteen-track masterpiece that blends elements of prog and post-punk to create a captivating musical magnetic field. Subsequent releases unleash a breathtaking variety of genres while maintaining their solid roots. This evolution sees them explore experimental sounds with a clear and orderly progression, beautifully exemplified by their spectacular seventh album, Ladybird, a veritable showcase of experimental rock infused with Van Der Graaf Generator vibes.
Further demonstrating their extraordinary versatility, they embarked on space rock adventures with Rubbish, offering a compelling reinterpretation of the Pink Floyd classic Careful With That Axe Eugene, before culminating in their most intriguing expression with Free Rock Project, where they fearlessly delve into surreal free jazz with three breathtaking, unrestrained movements. This ongoing exploration underscores their identity as a band that’s constantly redefining their sound with innovative moves.
Listening to At The Edge Of Faith is like entering a world you can live in, a carefully constructed maze of melodies and rhythms crafted by a band celebrating four decades of music. This tenth album feels like their own journey, a monument, built brick by brick from years of collaboration and shared passion. The album was made possible thanks to their fans’ support, who, through crowdfunding, helped them return to their favourite creative haven of a charming trullo. A traditional Apulian house in Locorotondo, Italy, nestled within the AgriturismoIl Ciliegieto, was already used on a previous work back in 1995. Its unique architecture provides an extraordinary acoustic environment, a natural echo chamber that shaped the very sound of the album, adding a layer of warmth and authenticity that can’t be replicated in a sterile studio.
This seminal album is beautifully woven from creative threads both familiar and fresh…
The band, apart from brothers Paolo and Marco Lippe, the driving force behind their sound, is completed by the skilful Antonio Paparelli on lead guitar and the steady hand of Gìo Lombardi on bass. This tight-knit group forms the foundation upon At The Edge Of Faith is built. But the album is also enriched by the contributions of talented collaborators. Ruggero Condò’s saxophone adds a layer of soulful sophistication, weaving in and out of the melodies like a gentle breeze. Paolo Sorcinelli‘s electric bass and guitar work provide textures and depths, colouring the soundscape with a vibrant palette. And finally, Taty Farroni’s vocals, gracing a select number of songs, bring a captivating human element, adding a narrative voice that enhances the emotional impact of the music.
Embarking on a captivating sonic odyssey, the album unravels a melodic landscape of sound and sentiment, where each track works as an invitation into an immersive world. As the intoxicating sound of the opening track, Kept In Wine, fills the room, its inspiring narrative voice, accompanied by slow and seductive psychedelic blues, guides us into a world of natural calm and contrasting senses, where Paolo‘s soft whisper reveals, ‘I walk an invisible path where colours fade into grey. Every memory is a ghost that never fades.’This initial tranquillity soon gives way to the rousing keyboards and post-punk bass of DECENZA (Decency), reminiscent of The Cure and Marillion, before delving into the dark psychological terror of mobbing with the symphonic and penetrating Complimenti (Well Done), a song designed to provoke reflection on one of the world’s most chilling evils of mobbing.
The album then explores human vulnerability in Some Face The Dark Alone, whose faint nocturnal atmosphere perfectly captures the themes of dignity, memory, and grief, resonating deeply as ‘this is your story,’ followed by a refreshing change with the sophisticated and mellifluous jazz-rock fusion of HOLES IN THE EARTH (Kolwezi and Picher), evoking the intricate charm of Steely Dan.
A more soothing, bluesy serenity graces It Eclipses The Sense Of Life, gently preparing the air for the touching emotional release of the vinyl’s closing track, Il Mistero Della Vita non è Dio (The Mystery Of Life Isn’t God ), where a piercing saxophone cry encapsulates the profound pain of a changed life, with tender lyrics like ‘The days pass, slowly the body gives way, but your eyes never lie, and that strength you once had, today falters, and I find myself guiding you,’ offering a deeply meaningful farewell.
As the vinyl version concludes this journey, the CD and digital editions expand it with three additional tracks: Applauso al Buio (Applause In The Dark), a remixed version of Lament, and the experimental La Consapevolezza Delle Cose (The Awareness of Things), further enriching the album’s diverse soundscape.
This seminal album is beautifully woven from creative threads both familiar and fresh, enriched by their enduring musicianship and inspired collaboration, all meticulously melting into a uniquely atmospheric context. And, most importantly, it is an album dedicated to their longtime bassist Nico Colucci, who passed away last year after a long battle with a neurodegenerative disease.
Like many other rock bands, Twenty Four Hours used crowdfunding to finance their new album. If you like them and want to help, you can find it here.
Label: Andromeda Relix
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify
Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo
