Minutemen -Bean-Spill EP
Constant evolution, unstoppable improvements of an already excellent material from the start. You can tell that this EP from 1982 was recorded when the second "full-length" album (so to speak, since it's the Minutemen), "What Makes a Man Start Fires" (which was yet another step forward compared to the first two EPs and "The Punch Line") was already ready and just postponed. In 6 minutes (for five sound shards), there is an impressive variety of styles, and Hardcore-Punk is increasingly just a fragment of the incredibly rich offering. Alongside the irreverent and sarcastic lyrics, this brilliant trio from San Pedro adds a musical fantasy where in a matter of seconds a jazz rhythm can make love to the irregular noise-punk clatter of the guitar ("Split Red"), where an outstanding bass constantly flirting with funk (Mike Watt becoming even more amazing, who also sings in three out of five tracks here) joins melodic openings or post-punk riffs and guitar lines, and on top of that, many other little things. In a total duration of 6 minutes. One of the most distinctive and overflowing inventive bands of their generation. more
The Chieftains -The Chieftains 1
Guys, what can I say? This album is the Alpha and Omega of traditional Irish-Celtic music, the folk revival of the Emerald Isle, the Big Bang of its genre in its years. The center of it all and the starting point (though a whole discussion could be made about Sean O'Riada and the Ceoltóirí Chualann, of course). An absolute milestone. Traditional pieces of every kind (heart-wrenching Slow Airs, Jigs, Reels, Polkas, Uilleann Pipes solos—whatever you can think of: dances and tears) played and arranged by these rigorous and wild archaeologists of Irish music, packed into Medleys that have the magical ability to transport you to a distant Ireland in time, yet with them, it becomes incredibly close in space. Indescribable sensations. Traditional tunes played, among others, by a band of extraordinary musicians not only for spirit and heart but also for technique and instrumental skill—true virtuosos of their instruments, capable of elevating heart-rending dances and melodies like few others, led by the immense Paddy Malone (arranger, incredible player of the uilleann pipes and thin whistle) and known as Sean Potts (with his extraordinary thin whistle, which I could listen to for days without stopping), Martin Fay (fiddle), Michael Tubridy (flute and concertina), and David Fallon (the bodhrán, the Irish drum). One of the greatest bands (folk for sure, but also beyond) of all time for me. more
Paolini
It's missing a lot; it made the news more entertaining. Now we have that idiot with the pen in his mouth... more
Sting
I give it 4 instead of 5 because as a solo artist he has never fully convinced me, aside from a few well-crafted songs here and there. But with the Police, he was truly great and important; 5 splendid and inspired albums, not to mention the fact that he has a unique voice. more
Bon Jovi
Unbearable, among the most annoying things ever "heard" by the human being. Songs like It's My Life or Always make me break out in hives just by hearing their names. more
The Police
A handful of beautiful albums (Ghost in the Machine and Reggatta de Blanc remain my favorites) and an avalanche of memorable tracks. Great musicians. I can't settle for less than 5. more
Andrew Stanton
A master of storytelling to whom I will be devoted until I kick the bucket. more
99 Posse
99 Posse that Posse the good time when you let loose more
Daniele Silvestri -Il latitante
Listening to it again, I realize that as an album it barely works. It jumps around too much in quality, going from substantial tracks like Mi persi or Sulle rive dell'Arrone to really trivial stuff like Che bella faccia (a critique of the sterile and uninteresting berlusca) and in between, there are nice, cheerful songs that don't stick with you. It's quite strange for a Silvestri album; even the less interesting tracks usually leave an impression. A solid 5; I recommend listening to only the singles released, it's really not worth taking an hour out of your time to listen to this album. more
Corrado Augias
The spy that Rai was overpaying. more
Max Pezzali
Dead from pussy more
Juventus
Rubentus et Dopandus more
Canzone per Seveso
That "so then kill us all" still sends shivers down the spine. more
Inter
The International Milano, pulled out of the sewers by Ei Fu Guitto Rossi more
Minutemen -Joy
Incredible how the Minutemen managed to sound so complete, so full, while being simultaneously ferocious, sharp, sarcastic, and even "refined," musically stimulating, all within songs lasting between 40 and 70 seconds. This second EP is the epitome of urgency, featuring 3 fragments of Hardcore-Post-Punk for a total duration of 3 minutes, and in these three bursts of song, there's EVERYTHING. Everything that needs to be there, including the musicians' technical ability, in communion with the communicative urgency of Punk-Hardcore, the scathing lyrics, and the (also very "post" punky) dissonant vocals of Boon. "Black Sheep" contains everything in one minute. Perfect, full, plump. Yet it ends before you even realize it started. Mike Watt and George Hurley, however, are a rhythm section that will leave you in tears and pulling your hair out, my favorite of the '80s, personally speaking, of course. What a band. more
Lucio Dalla -Viaggi Organizzati
It is still a masterpiece. When I listened to Aquila again, I almost cried. more
Lucio Dalla -1983
My story with this album is still complex today: two years ago I went from considering it decent to re-listening and seeing how much it actually had to offer. Today... it remains a beautiful album. Pecorella and Noi come voi still sit heavily on my stomach, especially Pecorella, but the rest is very valid. I’ve already wasted enough words on the title track; you all know it’s fantastic. Solo ripped my soul apart, and I wasn’t expecting that. L’altra parte del mondo is very nice, as is Camion. Yes, beautiful album. more
Isao Takahata
He is the one who brought into the world my favorite movie of all time and one of the best films about World War II. Takahata was a precious figure for world cinema, and I will keep saying it until I kick the bucket. more