C.S.I.
Noi Non Ci Saremo Vol.2

As always, I won't be brief.
Defining this genre is impossible. When Nirvana broke through in the States, they too were unclassifiable, so a genre was invented just for them. And that's the case with every unclassifiable group or individual. In Italy, it's not like that. You can do the most innovative thing ever, yet remain sophisticated, reserved for a few intellectuals. This was the misfortune of C.S.I., who disbanded between 2001 and 2002. This second volume is the definitive farewell of this group, before the bitterest breakup: the one between Zamboni and Ferretti, who were inseparable until then. This album contains rarities, experiments on official songs, and lots of live performances.

The album begins with "Maledirai," written in 1993, where Ferretti, accompanied by a punk rock full immersion worthy of the CCCP, prophesizes that "maledirai la Fininvest," the total decay Italy was about to face shortly after. It's a catchy track but not one of the best. Next is "Finestère," one of the punk rock tracks from Ko De Mondo. "human life lasts but an instant, we should spend it doing what we please, in this fleeting world like a dream, living in anxiety is madness. But I will not reveal this secret of the trade to young people, given how things are going in the world, they might misunderstand me". It's Ferretti speaking, opening "Linea Gotica" in a live version, the title track of the homonymous album (1996), dedicated to the partisan known as Comandante Diavolo. Musically light, the song perfectly accompanies Ferretti's sung-spoken words. "my little homeland behind the Gothic line knows how to pick a side" concludes Giovanni, pressing on the memory of what has been, to prevent it from happening again. Ginevra Di Marco concludes with a series of solos "never like now." Unfortunately, between 2001 and the last elections, these recommendations from Ferretti-Di Marco were not heeded (the new right remains powerful; let’s not forget we barely escaped by that one percent or a little more). Next is "Irata," a splendid track, once again live, about the consistency of life choices "I will never go back to before," sings Giovanni, in a very beautiful rock-acoustic-alternative round. He also gifts us one of his gems "today is Sunday, tomorrow we die, today I dress in silk and candor." "Charmain Mao" is a tribute to Robert Wyatt (who, in response, sings in the first volume "Del Mondo" by Consorzio). Sung in English with two voices, this time the leading one is Ginevra Di Marco (as in "Ederlezi" by Goran Bregovic contained in the first volume). The role exchanges between the two are very well done. "Brace" is one of the most significant songs from the hit "Tabula Rasa Elettrificata," also live, and is at the same time a rarity. Indeed, it is played with a string quintet and two voices (Di Marco-Ferretti), again with Di Marco as the lead voice, although the roles will often reverse throughout the song. This track impresses with its sinuosity, epicness, strength, and the grace of the splendid union between music and lyrics. Something marvelous and unique, which unleashes a multitude of breathtaking emotions within you. It speaks of the soul, exhausted, austere, beautiful, and gentle in each of us. Heartrending and wonderful. "Buon anno ragazzi" is another live rarity, a track dedicated to the readers of the "Maciste" magazine.

Despite the banality of the purpose, the unclassifiable rock of C.S.I. sounds wonderful, and Ferretti's lyricism is among the best ever. It also carries a message: "since they know what they're doing, I don't forgive them," those aware of their actions know what they're doing and shouldn’t have to justify themselves afterward. Then there's "Polvere," a track over eleven minutes long. A wonderful rarity, a light and hypnotic sound, for five minutes exclusively instrumental, immersing us in an atmosphere very similar to that in some Pink Floyd pieces. The intensity increases as the track progresses until Ferretti's intervention, which, with his usual masterful lyricism, enchants the listener. "Polvere", or the transience of everything, which is ethereal and elusive. Just like this music. "Non Torna" in pure acoustic rock was written by Ferretti during the first signs of division in the group, during 2001. It's sung in double voice with Di Marco, this time as the accompanist. The track is a life lesson on what is left behind: "nothing returns to me, nothing ever returns." Things, events, people, music must be lived in the moment, then they pass. And when they pass, they don't return; chasing them, regrasping them is unnatural and only creates more suffering, and all this is due to the relativity of everything. "above is like below, outside is like inside, to the side like at the center." "Vicini" is one of the most beautiful tracks of "T.R.E." A song that speaks of differences and distances and how often they are ephemeral. In psychedelic rock-electro-punk style like the whole album from which it is taken. "Nessuno Fece Nulla" is the recitation of a story by Nedzad Maksumic taken from "Scattered Road Signs," recommending what to do in case of war. Ferretti recites the track with a voice that grows in strength, chant-like and alarming, within the theatrical work "L'Apocalisse di Giovanni." The most important periods are marked and repeated. Seven minutes that empty you, shock you, annihilate you, and move you. Closing the CD is "Mongolishe," a song from the Mongolian tradition used as the closing track for the "T.R.E." tour concerts. A rarity for ethnic music lovers but also a melancholy track because the choice of a tour closing song also closes the last CD of C.S.I., and thus the story of one of the greatest, most complete, and wonderful "alternative" groups, if they can be called that, in Italy.

Painfully unnoticed by most people, unfortunately, but left a hole in the stomach, a void of air, a heart in the throat of those who loved them. Rhetoric aside, one of the best intervals in Italian culture. And it deserves more attention.