24 Grana
Loop

The very first album by 24 Grana, this small masterpiece skillfully encapsulates all the original Mediterranean essence of this Italian group that we should be proud of...
I must say that for obscure reasons this is the only CD of theirs that I know, but since the distant 1997, it continues to draw me to listen whenever it happens to be on hand... perhaps because during those times, in the midst of my adolescence, everything had a particularly special flavor; happiness or sadness, carefreeness or melancholy still left a deeper mark on a heart that was still very tender and inexperienced... this was the case with this CD that I purchased almost driven by divine will (like many others that left and still leave a mark in my life).

The explicit image of that orange pierced by a myriad of needles (present in the CD booklet along with the lyrics), has over time taken on more and more meaning in my life, as have the lyrics which, except for "Loop," are entirely sung in Neapolitan.
There is no room for carefreeness in this album... the skill of these guys is a means to paint dark, tormented atmospheres, drenched in sweat and tension... the sensations of sweet and warm oblivion are aware that they will have to give way to inevitable restlessness and pain; this is undoubtedly the central theme of the entire album which nevertheless reserves a couple of tracks, "Vesuvio" and "Lu Cardillo" to give thanks and celebrate the eponymous volcano and love.

Musically, we're talking about great reggae/dub rhythms enriched with electronic touches that complete and give color and depth to all the tracks of this "musical autobiography" capable of deeply touching the listener's heart (especially those who have had certain life experiences)...
I don't want to add more, but I want to leave you with the lyrics of the magnificent "Loop," a highly atmospheric track that opens the album:

"In my opinion, the soul
Is something that moves slower than our thoughts
It floats slowly
And the mind's game
makes it distant from the truth

Aside from this, the word
Has always addressed its rapid programming
To images it has always used to recall
In my opinion, the soul
Walks as fast as the rhythm
in a very slow mix

It sublimates me to think
Of the circular motion
Of the waves...

In the sea, I find the language of the rose
Pushed by an underlying current
Leaves the waves to argue
Something that the head, or at least my head
Enjoys imitating
From the frost to the sea foam

Apart from this, I return to thinking
That to understand, one must dilate reflections
Make us participants in processes, complex
of the emotional state
Always under pressure
And the effort to act becomes a mere reason
An excuse in which instinct can take refuge

I continue to think
Of the circular motion
Of the waves..."