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Rating: Yes, in this review we will talk about the first album of J. Ax as a solo artist, the evolution of what was the singer of the group Articolo 31, which recently split up.
Very realistically, the group parted ways due to the now clear different "musical vocation" of the two: indeed, I'll dispel the myth here that J. Ax recorded this album to sell more records with music that's "more commercial" than before, because from the album, it becomes clear that our good rasta singer is not just a rapper, he loves hip hop but also enjoys writing melodies and songs between rock and pop, unlike the other singer of the former group, who has instead embarked on a much more classically rap path as a solo artist.
The album, as we were saying, resembles the pop-rock turn of the Milanese duo, the album "Domani smetto," and it's a pleasant mix of three musical genres: hip hop (clearly in the minority, J. Ax indeed wanted something else) pop, and punk-rock, but let's take a closer look at the tracks one by one:
1- As the opening track, we find "''S. N. O. B.'' (Senza Nessun Obbligo Baciaculistico) a track on which my very debatable evaluation is quite conflicting: in fact, I find the musical part very successful, both the base and the chorus; while the text sends a strong message, but sometimes it is a bit too harsh, even if it says things that are ultimately close to the truth. Still, a nice track overall, the CD starts well…
2- The second song is "''Escono i pazzi''," coincidentally another song on which I give a very "mixed" opinion; the text is very nice and fun, the original message is truthful, but the musical base presents a disconcerting banality, typical of the worst Italian pop-rock (see Finley) and contributes to transforming this track into a second-tier piece.
3- The third track in order is the first single released, ''Ti amo o ti ammazzo'' which, in my opinion, is very well done because it combines a text that is a bit sui generis with a nice and well-crafted chorus that stays in your mind. One of the best songs on the album, perfect as a single.
4- In fourth place, we find "''Le chiavi di casa''" a fun story about the alcoholic adventures of people who are now advanced in years and theoretically "respectable," which for me is also very well-crafted music-wise, indeed the sounds, especially in the verses, are truly enjoyable, perhaps the most hip hop track on the album, except for the chorus. Very well done.
5- In the fifth position, we can listen to the title track, "''Di sana pianta''" which has a very "normal" but quite impactful text, a nice musical base, and a beautiful chorus, decidedly dignified. Next single?
6- Number 6 I really like a lot; we are talking about "''Buonanotte italia''," the track that tells the story of Italy in the times of J. Ax's childhood, and which is rather slow, but with a nice chorus. Positive note for the text.
7- Track number 7, ''Fabrizio fa brutto'', is the most particular of the album, the one with the harshest message, even if in the end not completely misguided, surrounded by a pure punk-rock base that increases its effect. It doesn't exactly drive me crazy, but I think it's more than interesting as an exception to the rule, inserted in this context. Worth listening to.
8- The piece 'number eight' is '''Sei un grande'', it outlines the typical figure of the rich lazy bum Italian, which as text would not even be too bad, however, this song has something "lo-fi", banal that certainly doesn't make it stand out among the others.
9- Very honestly, I have to say that number 9, ''Piccoli per sempre'', is the song that fascinated me the most out of the whole album, because it combines a text that is very interesting to me and with many facets with a nice sonic section, both verses and chorus. Personal opinion? With this track, J. Ax would have won Sanremo, but of course, our handsome rasta doesn't care to know it…
10- Right after the best comes the worst. Logical, isn't it? Well yes, ''Aqua nella scquola'' is really poorly done, both as text, ugly and clichéd, and musically with one of the most banal choruses of the entire album. Come on, Alex, you can definitely do better!
11- ''Sei sicura'' is a nice slow song, quite touching, well-placed as an intermezzo between so many (still often pleasant) rock and fast-paced tracks.
12- ''Tua mamma'' I find very interesting because it combines a funny and "anti-hypocrisy" text with a very lively, electric, and electronic melody, perfect for dancing whenever you want. Just right for summer.
13- ''Se mi sposo'' is very sad because it talks about the death of a friend of J. Ax who will thus not be able to be present at his wedding. Beautiful and very touching text, cute and well done even the musical section.
14- Number 14, ''Quanti anni'' is not really the best, neither textually nor musically. Filler.
15- Very beautiful instead is the last song of the album, "''Generazione zero'' which is a splendid portrait of today's generation of young people and adolescents, very well done.
To conclude, I would say an overall rather refined and musically original album, which also often offers many reasons for reflection (an important function of music in my opinion)
RATING: just to clarify my evaluation criteria, each star has its own meaning.
-one star for the technical value\ execution\ musical choices: without a doubt the album deserves it.
-a star for the overall originality of the work: here too we are there
-one star for the texts\messages\ the singer's ideology: they are not always positive, but I grant it without a doubt.
-another star motivated by the subjective and public opinion\ duration over time\ inspiration for future works: here too I would say we're there.
-the last one for the emotions\ positive feelings from the album: here I do not feel like putting the dollar.
greetings to all, prince22
p.s. courteous comments please!
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