Gianluca Grignani
Romantico Rock Show

I always thought that if Gianluca Grignani had died after his first album, he would have become an icon… and tracks like "Destinazione paradiso," "Falco a metà," and "La mia storia fra le dita" would be generational anthems. Maybe a death as a rockstar (which he is not), involving drugs and barbiturates or with a shotgun in his mouth, in a squalid hotel… like a homegrown Jimi Hendrix or Kurt Cobain. I imagine the commemorative specials, the regrets for what he could have contributed to Italian music, and copies of "Destinazione paradiso" sold at auction as memorabilia.

Okay, maybe I exaggerated, but if you think about it for a moment… my thought isn't entirely unfounded… Have you reflected??… Good, you can continue reading.

As we well know, the reality was another: good Gianluca is alive and well, he has released several albums, made money, become a sex symbol, and good for him, he also started a family. Of course, humanly I am happy for him, no doubt… but alas, the inspiration has gradually faded over the years, giving way to the so-called "little songs" for Sanremo and Festivalbar.

The premises were different, and from that scruffy, handsome, and so precocious young man… I expected another career. That wasn't the case, our friend chose the easier path, the one of money and popularity.

Too bad. Talent was on his side.

"Romantico rock show"

Released on January 29, it is his eighth studio album, which I decided to give a listen to, attracted by the title and hoping for something good. The lead single is "Sei sempre stata mia," it will certainly be a hit, but it is so banal it makes you shiver. The title track starts well then loses its way at the end; "Un anno come un'ora" is a terrible song, a jumble of predictable rhymes like "sole - cuore - amore." Moderately catchy are "Il più fragile," "Sei unica," and "Più veloce del suono"; the slow ones "Rimani acqua di mare" and "Amica mia" are the most dignified tracks, the rest is well below passable.

Another failure and another missed opportunity.

Gianluca, it's too late to die now...

Rating: two out of respect.