Davide Van De Sfroos
Pica!

That he was talented was known. And in these years Davide Bernasconi, known as Davide Van De Sfroos, had fully demonstrated it. A series of successful albums: from “Breva e Tivan” to “E Semm Partì”, passing through “Laiv” (a strictly local title) and arriving at the splendid “Akuaduulza”.
And yet until “Akuaduulza”, this author seemed to me an honest craftsman, someone who had found his path, who had delivered some nice hits, some very fun to sing along with friends… because even if one is from Emilia, that rustic dialect is easily understood. And those characters are similar to those you see in many taverns of the Apennines.

“Akuaduulza” was something else. A precious, tenacious album. Bound by a narrative ability that brought its structure close to that of a concept album. All adorned with wonderful songs like the titular “Akuaduulza”, “Fendin”, “Il Libro del Mago”. An album greatly appreciated by many. One of those albums that compel the author not to make a misstep in the next one.

And then, two years later, comes “Pica”.

“Pica” represents best what Italy can no longer do: first to stop and observe, then to think. “Pica” is the definitive consecration of a still too underrated singer-songwriter.
Van De Sfroos has always been a skilled storyteller, but in this album, his greatest merit is reaching a level of observation that makes the album seem like a single painting. Or perhaps a film, a bit in color and a bit in black and white.

The entire album is a pleasant succession of stories of courageous men. Like that of Cimino who dives into Lake Como to avoid being caught by the finance police. Result: “dolphin dive, impact like an orca and he even broke Maiorca's record”.
But courage is also that of two boys who have loved each other forever and have never had the strength to kiss. The lyrics of this song, “Luna de Picc”, are a strange mix of dreamlike and realistic poetry at the same time: “I love you even if you have a butt like a fridge / I love you even if I will never tell you…”.

Another song, already heard in some of the singer-songwriter's live performances, is “Il Minatore di Frontale”. An intense ballad. A cry that reaches the heart, pounding like the chorus. We are still in Lombardy, but we could be in America (it could be an Amerigo) or even in Belgium. Pain knows no borders. And it always strikes hard.
The closeness to a world of humble people, to little pieces of unique and painful stories, is evident. "Pica" is an album to absolutely have, to make one's own to approach things with a courageous gaze. It becomes a kind of medicine against the ruined world. Even if “needles will rain from above and we will be voodoo dolls pierced at every point by now”, the trumpets in New Orleans must sound again.

John Fante wrote: “the desert was a patient white animal, waiting for men to die and civilizations to falter like flames before going out entirely. I then realized the courage of humanity and I was glad to be part of it”.

Van De Sfroos' words help one hope, even if this damn valley of tears seems never-ending. The rest is music. To dance. Without thinking about anything.