Gran Turismo Veloce is one of the exciting new breed of RPI artists coming online who prove the modern scene is vibrant and not simply a regurgitation of the retro sound. They formed in Grosseto in 2008 and are named after the exotic Italian sportscar. The band began playing live, writing original music, and winning national competitions. They were noticed by Samuele Santanna of Raven Sad and assisted by Loris Furlan of Lizard Records. Their 2011 debut is a fantastic success as well as a superb example of the great RPI still flowing. GTV certainly have heard classic Italian prog and they sound influenced by it. The first thought that popped into my head as I listened was that this was like a young Banco-influenced band with lots of modern edge. All of the drama of the classic sound is there, with the beautiful piano runs and passionate Italian vocals. But also present are hard-hitting and powerful blasts of alternative rock and heavy, spacey progressive rock, sometimes bordering on metal. It is absolutely refreshing and quite original, infectious and very well executed. The songs are vital, energetic and accessible, containing plenty of quirky diversions and change-ups. You will not be bored and you will not be skipping tracks. Large and generous keyboards and piano, distorted rock guitars, a bitchin' rhythm section, and good vocals. I'm most excited by the songwriting however. I sense with GTV a band who will have a long future of diverse and creative albums which will experiment while always retaining the interest of the 70s RPI fans.