Betularia
La stanza di ardesia

Today it's their turn, the Betularia.

From the very first notes of "Una notte fioca di lume" the album captures my attention, with the Italian words very well used, the sweet density of the enveloping sounds, the new harmonies, incomparable to anything else. Intriguing, truly.

It continues with pieces that are very simple rhythmically, but elaborate in harmonies, and almost never repetitive. Even with the very peculiar intervals of "Sagome" my esteem for this album does not diminish. Then, as always, the weak point arrives: "Tutto a mio modo" is a rather banal track in terms of groove, harmonization, and it doesn't engage me at all. The beginning of the next track seems to try to make amends, beginning with very sweet strings, soon joined by bass and drums, a very sweet groove even if steady. Fluid ether flows... A slightly "stretched" text, metrically quite daring.. All in all very interesting.

With "L'esodo dei girasoli" rather annoying distorted rhythm guitars pop up, which do not help to improve the song, already quite poor by itself. The following tracks don't excite either, they are quite repetitive, also in terms of the use of synthesizers, delay with the same exact time and style on various tracks... What a shame. It started very well, the first tracks are very valuable, the following ones become a bit tiresome. They recover ground with "La Calma e l'Immenso," with a distant and vaguely distorted voice, atmospheric guitars, and a softly driving drum. Beautiful voice overlays, with different effects.

Even the following "Misture" stands out from the rest due to heavier distortions, a more angry text even if the tone of voice remains light and calm.. 'non esistono misture, o sei o non sei'. The next track attracts me already from the title, "Breve Riflessione", indeed valid and attractive. What a pity.

What a pity for that 'middle album' too predictable.