Scott' Song by Song #39: Marco Mattei - Age of Fragility

 Originally posted to Facebook on July 8, 2025

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Welcome to issue #39 of Scott’s Song By Song (#scottssongbysong).For more information about this series, click here: https://www.facebook.com/share/Gc2VkwHQWGLdeaDd/?mibextid=oFDknk

Today I’ll be featuring Italian progger Marco Mattei, who came to my attention via mutual friend Andy Toomey (I have reviewed 2 of his recent releases, linked below). Marco provided a digital copy of the album in exchange for the review. Marco is a guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/composer who seems to have some amazing musical friends! He released his first album “Out of Control” in 2021 on Trey Gunn’s (King Crimson and others) 7D label, as is this release, his second, “Age of Fragility”. On “Out of Control” (which I have not heard), the special guests include: Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel), Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates), Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, XTC), Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth), Clive Deamer (Portishead, Radiohead, Robert Plant), Fabio Trentini (Le Orme, Markus Reuter). On this one, the list is just as impressive: Duilio Galioto (keys) and the classic Peter Gabriel rhythm section featuring drummer Jerry Marotta and bassist Tony Levin. Guest appearances on the album include Tony's former King Crimson bandmate Trey Gunn and spoken word from Jennifer Maidman (David Sylvian, Boy George).

According to his Bandcamp page:

At its core, Age of Fragility is a concept album that examines themes of isolation, indifference, emotional dependency, fragile relationships, self sabotage, and depression. Through evocative storytelling and poignant lyricism, Mattei paints a vivid portrait of the complexities of the human experience, making this album a deeply introspective and thought provoking journey.

This album is dedicated to all people struggling to fit in today’s society.

And according to his website:

Marco Mattei, born and raised in Civitavecchia, Italy, has been deeply passionate about music from an early age. As a teenager, he studied jazz guitar with Max Rosati while developing a strong affinity for the creative complexity of progressive rock. He joined the local prog band De Blaise, contributing to their EP By Common Consent and performing live for several years. He also co-founded The Snowdogs, a tribute band dedicated to Rush.

Alongside his musical pursuits, Marco earned a Master’s degree in Electronics and an MBA, while also diving into sound engineering and music production, attending advanced audio programs to refine his craft.

Here is the full credit list on the album:

Marco Mattei: Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Guitar Loops, Bouzouki, Backing Vocals, Additional Percussion, Keyboards, Celesta, Samples and Programming

Duilio Galioto: Piano, Wurlitzer, Rhodes Mk1, Hammond B3, Mellotron, and Memory Moog, Lowrey Organ, Vox Continental, Farfisa Compact Deluxe

Tony Levin: Electric and Upright Bass

Jerry Marotta: Drums and Percussion

Vocals: Dave Bond (1), Fabio Trentini (2,9), Malena Ramonet (3), Tino Boley (4), Jeff Kightly (6,8), Joe Edelmann (7)

Jennifer Maidman: Voice (5)

Trey Gunn: Warr Guitar (5)

Peter Voronov: Violin (6)

María Betania Hernández: Cello, Viola and Violin (7, 8)

Michele Boni: Cavaquinho (9)

Katrin Romanova: Harp (9)

So now that we know a bit about Marco, let’s listen to his music:

Track 1 - Just Tired

Interestingly, there are two versions of this song on the album, but contrary to what normally happens, the shorter version is the main album track, and the longer one is the bonus track. The song begins with a low drone and distant vocals. The proper vocals begin soon after, We are in a moderately slow 4-4, but the beat is engaging. He has gotten tired of the pace of the world, it seems. The production is incredible on this one. There is a lot of space in the music. The top flight rhythm section provides a dreamy foundation to build the music upon. The music has room to breathe. The second half of the song is instrumental, and is just beautiful. The instrumental sounds intertwine and float in and out of one another. Well done–a very enjoyable track.

Track 2 - You Don’t Deserve It

While this one begins in the vein of the first one, it builds up quickly and rocks harder. The vocals by Fabio Trentini really stand out. The percussion adds a nice touch. I love the false ending! I think this would be a great radio hit! Love it!

Track 3 - Human Again

It begins with wonderfully echoey piano, joined by vocalist Malena Ramonet. The sound is ethereal. Once again, the percussion gives the sound another dimension. Just after the 3 minute mark, there are news reports regarding the Isreali/Gaza war. This track is hauntingly beautiful.

Track 4 - Wrong

After a brief synth build-up, Tino Boley starts the vocals with the word “Love” and I was reminded of the “Love Boat” theme…lol. But really, it is nothing like that! A 6-8 rhythm is the foundation for the song. In the song the lyrics are a plea for someone not to leave. At 2:30 the music explodes to a powerful new dynamic level, with organ that reminds me of “Eclipse”, the closing track from Pink Floyd’s DSOTM. Wow! There are sounds of a couple arguing near the end. Strong track.

Track 5 - Insomnia

This begins with sustained sounds and beautiful shimmering guitar. The production on this album is deep and paints amazing soundscapes. The sound is full and warm. Just before the 2 minute mark, the stellar rhythm section begins an awesome groove. A male voice with a British accent discusses what it is like to have insomnia. Marco’s guitar playing is very emotional and thoughtful. This is a very unique track and I really think he nailed the feeling of insomnia.

Track 6 - A Trick of the Mind

It sounds as though we have entered a large room with many people talking, then an acoustic guitar begins playing. Jeff Kightly provides vocals that evoke an older man telling stories. The song slowly builds as we proceed. The violin solo adds a nice touch, played by Peter Voronov. Every song on this album has such a warm, engaging sound. Simply beautiful. This may be my favorite one so far.

Track 7 - Watermark in my Heart

We begin with an electric piano using a vibrato effect that wobbles from one ear to the other. Joe Edelmann is the vocalist on this one. We are in 3-4 time. This gives an underwater feeling. The drums open up more near the end of the song. It ends with the sound of a faucet dripping. This album really transports the listener to different moods and feelings though its brilliant sound design.  

Track 8 - So Fragile

Jeff Kightly’s distinctive vocals return here. The dripping faucet from the previous track returns and helps to create the rhythmic foundation. I keep getting lost in the sounds. This is such a peaceful and thought provoking album. Stunning track

Track 9 - End of the Line

A cymbal roll and harp takes us further into a dream state. Fabio Trentini returns for the closing track of the album proper. This is kind of an appeal for the human race to stop and smell the roses. “Breathe in…..breathe out….” is the mantra. But as has been the case, the musical soundscape on which it is built is absolutely beautiful. There is a long, dreamy fade out as the album reaches its conclusion, excepting the extended version of the opening track mentioned earlier.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

(I am writing this as I listen to the extended version of “Just Tired”)

Not what I was expecting at all. I was expecting virtuoso guitar flash, as it comes from a young, highly trained guitarist. But not at all. And I was really drawn into this expansive musical world that he and his all star rhythm section. Of course, with him performing with Peter Gabriel’s esteemed rhythm section, some comparisons are unavoidable. Take PG’s “In Your Eyes” as a starting point, and you will get an idea of the world you’ll enter on this album. The music is laid back, yet rhythmically engaging. I am very impressed, and want to go back and listen to his first album. I’ll give it an easy 4.5 out of 5 stars. I really hope this album finds a wide audience, as Marco Mattei has a lot to like here. Please, go check him out on Bandcamp. All of the pertinent links are below.

(And BTW, the extended version is worth listening to!)

Thanks for reading. If you enjoy my content, please react, comment, share and follow my page. See this link for all of my reviews and spotlights: 

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Also, I have now compiled all of my reviews and spotlights going back to the 100 Greatest Prog Albums challenge on my new Blogger site. I hope you’ll check it out here:

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Use the labels tab to navigate the site for the best experience!

LINKS FOR LISTENING (and ones referenced above):

At least 2 tracks are on YouTube:

“Just Tired”

https://youtu.be/MAAPogLV98w

And

“You Don’t Deserve It”

https://youtu.be/WQxS8VnwIwY

His website:

https://marcomattei.art/

His Bandcamp page:

https://marcomattei3star.bandcamp.com/

And my reviews of Andy Toomey, through whom Marco reached out to me:

https://scottssongbysongandspotlights.blogspot.com/search/label/Andy%20Toomey