Silly Synthesizers Etcetera by Lo Turco Montebianco: A Quirky Sonic Adventure
If you’re into music that doesn’t quite fit in a box, Silly Synthesizers Etcetera by Lo Turco Montebianco is the album for you. Released under Conroy Eurobeat and hailing from the UK, this record dives headfirst into a delightful mishmash of Electronic and Jazz genres, with styles ranging from Experimental to Ragtime and even Leftfield. It’s not your everyday listen, but that’s exactly what makes it so memorable.
The album kicks off with "Ducky," and let me tell you, it sets the tone perfectly. The track feels like being stuck in a retro video game where all the characters are throwing a party. There’s this playful synth line bouncing around while jazzy undertones sneak in like an uninvited but welcome guest. You can almost picture cartoon ducks waddling across your screen—hence the name, I guess? It sticks with you because it’s just so darn fun. No pretentiousness here, just pure quirky joy.
Then there’s “Wah-Wah Willy,” which hits differently. This one leans more into the experimental side, with wah-wah effects layered over what sounds like a drunken brass section trying its best at a late-night jam session. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it does. The groove grabs hold of you, and before you know it, you're tapping your foot or nodding along like some sort of involuntary reflex. It’s chaotic yet strangely satisfying, like biting into a weird sandwich combo that turns out to be unexpectedly delicious.
Tracks like “Charleston Days” and “Can Can Galop” bring back hints of old-school ragtime vibes, giving the album a nostalgic twist without feeling too kitschy. Meanwhile, cuts like “Tivoli Nights” and “Feather Boa” lean heavily into lush, cinematic territory, as if they were composed for a vintage film score that never existed. Each song has its own personality, making the album feel less like a collection of tracks and more like a cast of eccentric characters.
What stands out most about Silly Synthesizers Etcetera is how unapologetically it embraces its weirdness. In a world full of polished pop tunes and formulaic beats, Lo Turco Montebianco dares to do something different. Sure, not every track will resonate with everyone, but isn’t that kind of the point? Music should surprise us sometimes, take us places we didn’t expect to go.
As I wrapped up my second (or maybe third?) listen, I found myself wondering: Who is Harriet, and why is she always in such a hurry? Maybe she’s running late to catch the last trolley in Tivoli Nights, or perhaps she’s chasing after those mice messing around in the Moog. Either way, her story—and the rest of this oddball masterpiece—is worth sticking around for.
