Assenza
Stelle e strisce [promo ep]

The group Assenza brings to my attention their first recording of original material; the EP (self-produced) is titled "Stelle e strisce" and, as the name already suggests, the musical reference point for the group is the gritty and direct American rock from the likes of Springsteen, Tom Petty, Creedence Clearwater Revival & Co.

Assenza adds the melody and catchiness typical of Italian rock to the American rock, and the reference to big Italian names in this genre seems clear: Ligabue, Negrita, and Vasco Rossi, primarily. This combination is made possible mainly through the arrangements of the songs, which, perhaps deviating somewhat from the "pure rock" of great American bands of the past, nods to Italian pop.

The 5 tracks featured in "Stelle e strisce" are all packed with electric guitars and rhythm. The EP opens with "Gira e rigira", which starts right off with a nice electric guitar phrasing, and then the whole group joins in, providing from the very first seconds of listening an impression of how the entire CD from Assenza will sound: strong vibrations, joy, and easy listening: at times, it seems that you can almost imagine yourself in front of a stage during a concert, shouting at the top of your lungs (especially while listening to "Un vecchio sano rock'n'roll). The track that convinces the most is "Piano piano", both in terms of the lyrics, the actual structure of the piece, and the arrangements and sounds: if I had to choose a single among the songs present, I would have no doubt. Closing the EP is the ballad "Quello che vuoi adesso", which, after an acoustic guitar and harmonica start, evolves into a track that is at times quite melancholic.

Even though at times one has the impression of a certain "naivety" when listening to "Stelle e strisce", we are, nevertheless, faced with a very well-crafted offering, not only musically speaking, but also in terms of the recording quality, which seems really high, and the care with which the CD has been produced in terms of graphics and packaging (a luxurious digipack).

A debut for Assenza that is undoubtedly positive, which seems to promise something really good in the pop and rock realm.

       Assenza "Stelle e strisce"

       tracklist

       1. "Gira e rigira"
       2. "Stelle e strisce"
       3. "Piano piano"
       4. "Un vecchio sano rock'n'roll"
       5. "Quello che vuoi adesso"

The Assenza are:

    Claudio Cilemmi: vocals and acoustic guitar
    Sauro Gaggioli:   electric guitar and backing vocals
    Andrea "Drino" Egidi: electric bass and backing vocals
    Ivan Arena: electric guitar and backing vocals
    Samuel Tognoni: drums 

Online references:

    www.assenza.com
    www.myspace.com/assenzarockband