The latest release from Italian singer/musician Franco Battiato is an interesting mix of pop with classical elements, drafting in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a high-budget performance that nonetheless knows when to rely on understatement. The classical elements are seamlessly integrated into most of the songs, especially as Battiato's own vocal performance easily drifts from mellow singing to semi-operatic as often, and his duets with a female singer are mostly satisfying, even though 'Era L'Inizio Di Primavera' ends up sounding more like it belongs in a Disney film. The grandeur of the orchestra does present a problem in a few songs, particularly ...  Read the complete review