"ITALIA: ULTIMO ATTO" @ DARKLIFE (UK/D) & RE-ISSUES NEWS! by Il Levriero Staff
01/04/2010 at 22:23
Great review @ DARKLIFE (UK/D) by Gianfri
"IANVA continue their journey through thematics strictly related to Italian history in their second full length release, coming now to contemporary themes, covering some dramatic events of the WWII and up to the end of the previous century. The band outlook lies on the many wrongdoings that have punctuated the history of the country from many sides and across the political spectrum. Their poetic approach to the subjects is surely one of the most interesting aspects of their work, which is a direct heritage from a large portion of the country’s most popular music tradition, to which the band subscribes heavily. In terms of music, we find the rich orchestrations the band has accustomed us to, enriched by the competent use of a wide range of instruments, many of which belong to the classical tradition, like trumpets, accordion, prominent classic guitar, intricate drum and percussive patterns or synth strings movements and, when compared to their long-playing debut Disobbedisco! there’s a clear move on from folk sonorities and martial drumming to more cinematic themes, while the melodramatic element is still solidly present throughout the work. Also notable is the mired use of samples that increase the filmic feel across the album. The virulent vocal contributions of Stefania D’Alterio bring a touch of cabaret noir, while Mercy upfront dark male vocal work is very akin to poetry recitation. There’s a lot of emphasis on the lyrics and the vocal work in fact, as the album is essentially a collection of stories melancholically relayed by the protagonists in turn or sometimes by the humble observer. Italia: Ultimo Atto is musically more subtle, more dramatic and less sparkling that the predecessor Disobbedisco! and it tends to reveal its sophisticated details over the course of repeated listening. The task of putting to music the fluent lyricism of each track is by no means a trivial one and I think IANVA have put themselves through a gigantic task here and I am glad to confirm that they have come across well and solid on their feet, provided you take the time to let this grow on you. Obviously the language barrier might lead to different stimula if you can’t quite follow the plot, but still I think there’s isn’t quite anything that sounds like IANVA regardless of the lyrics and I feel that their heavy weight popular drama message still comes across sharply even if you’re not able to appreciate the lyrical content".
(Gianfri - Darklife Zine - Issue ’09)
Our biggest thnx to Gianfri & all Darklife Zine Staff!
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OUT NOW!!! Re-issues available!!!!
"Italia: Ultimo Atto" new jewelbox edition and "Disobbedisco Bonus Edition" 2nd
re-issue are finally available. Get your copy now!
Only a few copies left of "Italia: Ultimo Atto" original digibook deluxe edition!
Info: http://www.illevriero.it/acquisti
Shops & Wholesale, please contact Sebastian at Audiglobe (export@audioglobe.it)
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