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Catalogue Issue

Among the many independent Italian labels, one of the most commendable has certainly been the Florentine IRA. Founded by Alberto Pirelli in 1984, the IRA (Immortal Record Alliance) aimed to promote the development of a solid national underground scene based on bands that, defying the prevailing fashion of the time, preferred using Italian over English in their songs, as evidenced by the slogan "la nuova musica italiana cantata in italiano".

The calling card of this newly born label is the album "Catalogue Issue", featuring the first 4 bands signed by the label.

The album opens with the melancholic guitar arpeggio of "Siberia" by Diaframma, still led by Federico Fiumani and Miro Sassolini. Both this and the following track "Delorenzo" are heavily influenced by Joy Division, complemented by a singer-songwriter vein in the lyrics: applause-worthy is the one from "Siberia", "Aspettero' questa notte pensandoti, nascondendo nella neve il respiro, poi in un momento diverso dagli altri copriro' il peso di queste distanze..." Fiumani’s minimalist guitar play leaves ample space for the rhythm section, led by the Cicchi brothers, who do not simply accompany but enrich the sonic fabric, rendering it varied and dynamic. These two versions are the same ones that can be found in the band’s first album "Siberia", also released in 1984.

Next up are the Monza-based Underground Life, veterans of the Italian new wave scene, having debuted in 1977, led by singer and guitarist Giancarlo Onorato. Both "India" and "Glasarchitektur" are evocative tracks, rich in oriental-style keyboards and cadenced rhythms, giving a nod to New Order, with Onorato’s captivating voice standing out: all this makes listening almost a mystical experience, making one truly feel transported to the places evoked by the group, difficult to describe even in words.

The same oriental atmospheres can be found in IRA's leading group, the Florentine Litfiba. Present with their classic lineup (Pelù, Renzulli, Aiazzi, Maroccolo, De Palma), the two unreleased tracks "Onda Araba" and "Versante Est" demonstrate the band’s prowess. Both have a strong exotic flavor, but while the first is full of accelerations and decelerations, making it very pyrotechnic with all instruments giving their best, especially the keyboards and bass, the second is perhaps one of Litfiba’s masterpieces from their early period: rivers of keyboards, obsessive bass, and a beautiful refrain perfectly delivered by Pelù ("Una parte di me per sempre resterà qui/ Mentre la mia anima vola sul fronte est"). Also noteworthy is the fact that these tracks feature Gianni Maroccolo behind the console for the first time.

The album closes with newcomers Moda, also from Florence, featuring singer Andrea Chimenti and guitarist Francesco Barbacci (future producer for the likes of Ligabue and Negrita), with "Nubi d'Oriente" and "La Voce". Unlike the previous bands, Moda makes less use of keyboards (though still present), preferring to blend all instruments without one overshadowing the others. While this significantly lightens the compositions, it also loses the evocative character that marked Underground Life and Litfiba.

A must-listen then, not only for lovers of Italian new wave but for anyone wishing to discover the roots of Italian rock.

RATING = 8