Bambole Di Pezza
Crash Me

Someone wrote that Italian music is embarrassing. Well… not always. Italian music has its own peculiarities that make it something entirely unique and original… although not necessarily appreciable.

The fact is that for too long, record companies in Italy have been trying to fill their shelves with foreign-influenced records, hunting for artists who offer musical genres that can be sold at any latitude, from rock to hip-hop, but culturally born in certain geographical areas and determined only by specific socio-cultural conditions. Rock, for example, couldn't have originated anywhere but in the United States, just like bachata in South America. So, it often happens that in Italy we find ourselves with ‘local’ versions of Green Day (see Finley), or Justin Timberlake (see Meneguzzi). Not to mention the induced similarities like: Negramaro should tend towards Coldplay, or Mondo Marcio should tend towards 50 Cent (and otherwise, his changed and altered vocal timbre couldn’t be explained).

Considering that some Italian music is second-hand music, and second-hand things, as we know, can be passable, but not beautiful, no one will be surprised by the poor Italian version of the North American riot grrls...: the Rag Dolls, nothing more than a slavish imitation, starting from the name. These charming and cunning Milanese girls, who, among other things, have excellent collaborations and friendships, especially with Manuel Agnelli, debuted in 2001 with the album “Crash me.” And just because they have to play the role of feminists, the album could only start with an old-time quote: “tremble, the witches are back!” ...but calm down! ... nothing serious ... and they are quick to clarify: “bewitching/ to be adored” ... and then it’s all a continuous series of bizarre rhymes on artificially punk melodies.

The rest of the album doesn’t differ from this scheme, and only the titles are enough to understand how artificial and stereotyped the product is: “Peace&Love,” “On the Road.” “Rock‘n Roll,” “Paranoia,” “Pure State of Hate” ... catchy little songs with the presumption of transgressing on every level ... . And yes..! Gone are the days when women would take to the streets to claim gender equality; now are the times when women toy with the illusion of being able to manipulate men ... see “The Mantis”: “...if you want you can possess me, but then I’ll be the one to have you... ” ... but what could this philosophical and feminist phrase ever mean...? ... sure.. the Rag Dolls offer very free interpretations ... not to mention “Come with Me”... the title says it all... it’s a true manifesto for the movement...!

Thinking that someone had the courage to conceive such a thing, the effect is that feminism as a concept comes out substantially debased and distorted... fundamentally, after years and years, it has become nothing but the institutionalization and reintegration of ‘selling oneself’ ... and making all the reflections and mental associations that can arise whenever we are faced with an artistic product, the only thing that comes to mind about the Rag Dolls is one and only one ...

The album is highly recommended to those who celebrate March 8th in the company of former reality TV stars. True riots!