This is an absolute treat! A very important, outwardly "weird and wild" work as some of the 73-74 period Italian albums would become, "Terra in bocca" is a sort of rock-opera concept album, basically consisting of two long suites, each occupying an entire side of the LP. Full of tension from the first to the last moment and beautifully produced, this record had everything it takes to make I Giganti rise above the crowded Italian pop scene of the early '70s, but the subject chosen as concept - the mafia honor killing - precluded them any promotional outlet. Led by Mino Di Martino later joining Franco Battiato in Telaio Magnetico and then in Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale, this beautiful album is now presented in a faithful LP replica of the original version, complete with a reproduction of the attached poster. "Terra in bocca" was also made, in terms of concept and graphic layout, in collaboration with Gianni Sassi, that would soon found the historical Cramps Records. In a single word: essential!
But it is no less rewarding. The music rests on a bed of emotional, spicy piano playing and soft mellotron. The acoustic guitars are crisp and vibrant, played with a bold passion while electric leads have a gritty yet reserved bite, a compressed distortion. While not a consistently hard rock album they certainly dig in their heels in a few places. Occasionally flutes add a nice touch to the edges. Layered so beautifully and always moving from one charming moment to the next Terra is like watching a very good film. It seems quite traditional on the surface with folksy storytelling and melodic appeal but soon you begin to notice that Giganti moves beyond folk and beat influence into the origins of the Italian progressive sound. There are unusual shifts, twists, and turns in this musical adventure as they inject an avant feel without ever abandoning the warmth and passion of this very accessible music.