Eugenio Finardi
Millennio

With inevitable comparisons to Finardi, the same thing happened that occurred with Dylan in 1976. Was it possible for a fan to dream of an album almost more beautiful than "Blood on the Tracks"? No. Yet the "prophet" of "Duluth" churned out "Desire." An acclaimed and honestly unique record that managed to overshadow his "real" masterpiece from just a year before for a long time.

So it is for Finardi. After the explosion of "Forza dell'amore," which brought him back to the center of the scene after a decidedly shaky decade, came the new album of original songs. "Millennio." An extraordinary record. Unexpectedly as perfect as the previous one.

The album touches the heights reached only by the legendary "SUGO" of '76, the one with "Musica Ribelle," so to speak. In fact, in "Millennio" (1991), there is a new rebellious music, and it is the title track. A piece of strong protest against an Italy losing its way, increasingly in the hands of banks and "stylists" (a prophet indeed). The sweet and perfect "Mio cucciolo d'uomo," dedicated to his son born the previous year. Perhaps the most beautiful melody ever written by the songwriter. This is followed by the sanguine blues of "Nell'acqua," the "sanremese" "Che uomo sarei," the moving "Il vecchio sul ponte" (hair-raising), the masterpiece "Mezzaluna" (another absolute pinnacle) inspired by the imminent Gulf War. Rock, soul, pop, blues, melody, baroque hints. This album masterfully contains all these genres without ever sounding pretentious but maintaining in all the tracks an underlying sincerity (typical of Finardi) that makes the album one of his most beautiful ever.

Small footnote.

Inexplicable how it's possible that an album of this level, moreover a bestseller, is unfindable. Never reissued on CD. Embarrassing.

Enjoy listening..