John Cale
Shifty Adventures In Nookie Wood

LA RECENSIONE

Many might be more than familiar with the musical adventures of this Welsh gentleman. He isn’t exactly a likable person. He even gets angry when you photograph him. Now he’s a bit calmer, probably because he has realized that today’s image culture demands that any random person with a phone has at least 8 megapixels at their disposal to capture him with a click. I can understand him, though. At a recent concert, he appeared so drained by the serum of life that, honestly, with that face, I expected more that they would close the register rather than turn on the microphone for him. Anyway, long live the king, of course, God forbid.

His new work – shortly after a beautiful EP with 5 (or 7) tracks – confirms that, as my father always says at ninety with considerable interest, some people should never die.

Maybe there aren’t any more grand insights, but the edges are all smoothed, and the fluid flows from the remaining life to the ears. And back. 

My friend Gianni dismissed it as "well-made electronic pop," but I see and hear something more... this isn’t simple electronic rock... this is something indefinably different (I think of Bob Mould, always the same but always beautiful, always different from the last time - which, by the way, was already beautiful), exquisitely personal, there's the secret. The trademark is always there, and it’s what makes it unique. It took me a long time to understand it, but in the end - whether by chance or merit, I’ll never know - I did: certain musicians make a difference because what they do is theirs, only theirs, solely theirs, and there’s nothing you can do, if you want that stuff, you always buy it only from the same corner of the street.

Allelujah.