Fiction Plane
Left Side of the Brain

It's the sad story of the support bands of big names. And who listens to them? You're worried, in order, about finding a decent spot, avoiding getting crushed, and wondering if you'll ever find the car you left at the parking lot...

It happened to me at the POLICE concert (no kidding) in Turin a few years ago. I enter with the right delay just as three dashing lads, with the sun still high making the phantasmagoric lights prepared for the event of the year useless, take the stage amidst the indifference of a Delle Alpi already in fervor. And they start playing.

I pay a bit of attention because I'm polite, and say: "well, I've heard worse". As the minutes go by, however, my ears and those of most people present, made snobbish by the promise of the imminent explosion of the Police's music, get accustomed to the somewhat rough but just right pop sound of the trio that "nails it" brilliantly. WELL DONE, truly. Great rhythm, beautiful melodies, the right attitude on stage. And that voice, so peculiar... heard somewhere before. But then they say goodbye, the magic of Gordon Sumner & Co. starts... and there's no more room for anyone else.

Only later, online, do I discover that it was "FICTIONPLANE"... "Fiction what?".

Unknown to most, they don't appear in official European discographies. Oh well. The challenge begins, and it takes me almost 3 years to find their CD, in Los Angeles, on sale, no less. I proudly place it in the rental car CD player and realize that there, everyone really knows them. Mysteries of the global discography.

Getting to the review, I won't prolong. Excellent sound, mainly based on very rhythmic riffs (almost funky in certain parts) with slightly distorted guitars. Very American sound, very "west coast", perhaps just a tad repetitive if summarized over 13 not too dissimilar tracks. Great voice, with high pitches that make you envious, yet with the right harmonic nuances; simple but solid rhythm section, prominent guitars without overdoing it, bass not too prominent.

The standout hit is "Two Sisters", which I recommend everyone listen to at least once because it immediately gives a clear idea of what we're talking about, allowing those quick to criticize to throw shade swiftly, and for the music-curious who like niche to appreciate some young talent.

Beautiful "Death Machine", good "Anyone", but it's the entirety of the album that strikes; it's easy to listen to, and some melodies stick immediately in your head, forcing you to "rewind" often and gladly. There's also a hint of acoustic with "Drink.", really well-structured and captivating, showcasing mature compositional talent, able to navigate agilely in the turbulent and dangerous sea of the much-maligned POP.

For the record, I point out a couple of slightly shaky fillers, and some melodies perhaps even a bit pretentious, as in "It's a Lie" (here I understand myself...).

The CD did not betray my very personal expectations and, even though it didn't revolutionize my existence, I recommend it to all lovers of pop, a little pop, maybe a bit grunge, fairly rock, little roll, very little folk.

Oh right, the singer is Sting's son... just for the record (and there's the revelation of where I heard that peculiar voice before...). Credit to them for not flaunting it.

Kiss the hands.