Elio E Le Storie Tese
Italyan, Rum Casusu Cikty

The first time I listened to a track by Elio E Le Storie Tese, called "Il Rock And Roll," I was amazed by their immense talent, and after listening to "Shpalman" and "Born To Be Abramo," I decided to discover them step by step.

I listened to their albums and live performances: they literally left me speechless. Not only are they exceptional artists, but they are also very funny without ever becoming too monotonous or boring: from Elio, a somewhat funny character but with a beautiful voice, to the great guitarist Cesareo (whom I also had the honor of meeting), the excellent bassist Faso, and the fabulous keyboardist Rocco Tanica, with a perfect sound that greatly resembles Pink Floyd and Genesis.

After releasing very good albums in 1992, the band created what I consider to be their highest point: here comes "Italyan, Rum Casusu Cikty," an interesting album from a compositional standpoint, where each musician gives their best. The cover immediately surprised me: it was a clear parody of Pink Floyd's "Atom Heart Mother"; then I started listening to it all in one go, then listened to it again and again... until I fell in love with it. After an introduction from the film Rocky V (the mere voice of the great Ferruccio Amendola moved me in those twenty seconds) and a very short choir of Bulgarian women, "Servi Della Gleba" arrives, the first bombshell song of the album. The song talks about a man who is treated like a serf by a woman: splendid, with a beautiful chorus and a vulgar but very funny text. With "Arriva Elio" the band creates a cabaret atmosphere, perfect for starting a tour (and "Arrivederci" is excellent for ending). "Uomini Col Borsello," sung with Riccardo Fogli of Pooh, is a beautiful song, one of the best: the participation of Pittura Freska and guitarist Cesareo is also very beautiful, delivering an amazing solo. Beautiful also are the various quotes like Vasco Rossi's "Toffee" and Queen's "I Want It All" (toward the finale with the solo).

"Il Vitello Dai Piedi Di Balsa" is the most absurd song of the entire album but one of the main symbols: in the first minute, the band dresses like Jethro Tull and creates a delightful typical '70s atmosphere; then it enters a typically progressive rock atmosphere, with quotes from Pink Floyd and the Beatles. The result is more than good: beautiful also is the participation of Enrico Ruggeri in the part of one of the calves. "Cartoni Animati Giapponesi" is one of the most peculiar: rocking, with a text that talks about everything except the title topic, except at the end with a very punk sound. "Cinquecento" is a one-and-a-half-minute song completely slowed down with a chord progression that greatly resembles the songs of Gino Paoli and Finardi. And here is "Supergiovane," the most spectacular track of the album, an authentic parody of superheroes in the world of politicians, or matusa. Divided into many parts, this song is a mix of rock, progressive rhythms, and James Brown-style R&B in a wonderful finale: it almost seems like a theatrical performance, with the participation of Diego Abatantuono. "Essere Donna Oggi" is one of the most progressive in the album, also divided into various parts, and contains various quotes from Toto and cartoon-like atmospheres (in the first stanza). "Pork & Cindy" is a clear parody of the TV series "Mork & Mindy" with Robin Williams with various quotes from rock bands like Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. "Pipppero" is the most well-known track of the album that is never missing in live performances: Elio sings under a jazz swing drum base and Cesareo's guitar riff that recalls "I Feel Fine" by the Beatles: the participation of the Bulgarian choirs from "Servi Della Gleba?" is very fitting. "Il Vitello Dai Piedi di Balsa Reprise" is a continuation of the calf's adventures, which then accompanies the listener to the most underrated song: "Urna." It is the most rock track of the album, with a very funny text about death. Magnificent is Cesareo's solo. Finally, Claudio Bisio's joke introduces "La Vendetta Del Fantasma Formaggino," a masterpiece on the same level as "Supergiovane," and perhaps even more. It is a reinterpretation of the famous joke, full of quotes (from Gianni Morandi to Neapolitan melodies to Jesus Christ Superstar): Diego Abatantuono plays the God of the joke, a very fitting role for him in this album, in my opinion.

Whether you believe it or not, we are facing a masterpiece by the best band (because calling them a "rock band" would be too little) of recent years in Italy: a musical work that is a masterpiece, especially in the texts, funny and fitting. The Elii in perfect shape, the musical pride of our country.