Alberto Fortis
El Niño

Alberto Fortis - "El Nino" - 1984

In my opinion, 1984 was the true turning point of an era and marked the definitive victory of the 'new' eighties over the last vestiges of the past. All our great authors have more or less evident drops in inspiration, new protagonists appear on the music scene. The journey of those who had only recently emerged into notoriety becomes more difficult and often comes to a halt. Alberto Fortis had been in the limelight for a decade, having already released 4 albums of growing success but, perhaps, of decreasing quality. The sounds and grotesque themes of the excellent debut (the self-titled album of 1979) and the long suite "Tra demonio e santità" included in the self-titled CD the following year, had given way to successful yet more easily impactful songs ("La nena en salvador", "Settembre", "Fragole infinite", "Ti dirò") alongside pieces that in my opinion were less interesting. The interpretation was also changing, the high-pitched tones became gradually dominant, and the pieces convey atmospheres ranging from acidic to ethereal, favoring the blend of sounds with the singing over the intelligibility of the lyrics.

However, the point of no return is the next album, "El Nino" of 1984. Here Fortis unleashes all his creativity and creates a work where all the elements of the previous albums take a leap in quality. The high-pitched tones at times become sharp, desperate screams for a truly unprecedented interpretation for our songwriter music. The lyrics recover the grotesque elements of the first album, the soundscape is pressing and rhythmic or maximally expanded.

Exceptional are the first two pieces "Brian Francisco" and "Plastic Mexico", the sensational "La Sedia Elettrica", even the single "Svegliati amore con me" represents an author at the peak of his abilities.

A gem to rediscover.