Diaframma
Anni Luce

THE REVIEW

I step away from the '80s to talk about an artist who nonetheless left more than a mark during that era, with albums among the most beautiful and important in the history of Italian music ("Siberia" is a masterpiece!).

The album "Anni luce" is far from the New Wave that characterized the group in its early years. After "Box" in 1988, which saw the debut of composer, guitarist, and poet Federico Fiumani on vocals (in that splendid piece "Caldo"), Diaframma splits up.

However, in '89 Fiumani releases an EP, "Gennaio", under the name "Diaframma", but from that old project, only he remains, accompanied by session musicians who throughout his career will rarely become fixed points. Thus "Diaframma" becomes the new name of Federico Fiumani, who gives a singer-songwriter twist to his "solo" career, without forgetting his love for Punk.

So, after the beautiful "In perfetta solitudine" (perhaps his best album in his new life), in 1992 comes "Anni luce". The album, whose cover echoes that of "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan", is less sparse than its predecessor and, alongside the bass, drums, and guitars, sometimes sees the addition of keyboards and piano.

The record is highly enjoyable and, despite a slightly off-key voice (yet distinctive and effective), features memorable tracks like "L'odore delle rose", "La mia vita con una dea", and "Romantico". Rock is less present; there is a lot of acoustic guitar, and the arpeggios are of great impact and creative vein; the lyrics, as always, are fascinating and courageous.

Melody and rock meet with originality and deliver us an album to cherish over time.