Fare soldi
Sappiamo dove abiti

Fare Soldi are musically comparable to the very concept of their name for many people: many would like to do it, few succeed. Italians from Udine, in my opinion, they are extremely enjoyable to listen to. Formed by Luca Carnifull (Carnifull Trio) and Santana Pasta (Amari), they are a kind of extremists of originality. Electronic music that sounds quite good, but that sheds that air of seriousness and dons a t-shirt of silliness and a denim jacket with padded shoulders.

The first time I heard them I absolutely never would have thought they were Italian, let alone contemporary. The songs have a slightly retro taste reminiscent of the '80s (not by chance the cover of "Survivor" by Mike Francis) but with wisely measured doses of loops and catchy funky riffs: funky is indeed the common denominator of the entire album, but not in an extreme manner, rather optimally mixed with electronic sounds of the new millennium in addition to extremely eighties nuances. The album consists of 16 songs, and from their titles, one can understand what they are about to listen to. It begins with "Sappiamo dove abiti," the title track that will immediately set you on the right wavelength for listening to the record. Breathlessly it moves on to "Dolo Boys," in my opinion, a masterpiece of genius for its structure, the tempo changes, subtle but well-marked, and for the lyrics (non-existent!). The third track, "Survivor," is indeed the cover of the late Mike Francis and takes on the task of popularizing a song now only played at over '40s parties along with Righeira and Den Harrow, and transforming it into a potential hit for today's dance floors. The "faresoldesca" vision of "Survivor" does not revolutionize it, but merely adapts it to the new millennium. A small intermezzo occurs, "Tribunale Midi," which indeed expresses the thought of those listening to the album, and serves as an intro to "Puff Dandy," a song that starts the titles "à la Skiantos," with wordplay and assonance. The song is simply splendid, and the vocal track is borrowed from "Ah, Wildness!," a rock group also from Riotmaker, precisely from the song "Puff Off": I liked the "Puff Dandy" version better.

"Il vecchio e il mullett," with a title that slightly recalls Hemingway, is another blast. It's been a long time since I've listened to an album with the first 6/7 songs all spectacular! Then "Pagagheddon" kicks in, with a more suburban sound, with a stunning chorus line ("Great ideas don't pay bills, but money do!") and right after "(Take Me To) Zingales." Then follow "Message in Abbado," with a title that very much evokes "Police - Message in A Bottle," and its follow-up "Acid in Abbado." Another intermezzo with "Fare soldi va a Milano" and then "The Radler Song" with a stunning saxophone and an upbeat rhythm, then "Il lato B del mondo," which doesn't say much to me, I find it a bit dull. That dullness is quickly replaced by a nice "Palazzo dei Cigni," followed by "I Wanna Feel Collins," one of the most absurd and brilliant titles of the last 20 years. The album closes with "Fessi Vivono" which recalls one of the best early EeLST, a sort of refurbished "Rum Casusu".

Thus ends an excellent record, an excellent Italian product for the Italian, but not average. Only refined palates can understand the intentions of Fare Soldi and can do nothing but praise them: which is not the same as saying that they must please those who understand music, but quite the opposite. Those who understand music can rightly express their appreciation/disgust. But they absolutely cannot say that the record is something already heard, that it smells stale, that it doesn't work. One cannot deny that this record looks to the future by taking inspiration from the past. "It doesn't matter if you're a lion or a gazelle, start Making Money." Full score.