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Rating: They started off on the wrong foot in 2003 with a single, "Dedicato a te", ideal for the soundtrack of a Moccia film (am I exaggerating?), the Milan-based band Le Vibrazioni have gradually shown, especially with their third album "Officine meccaniche," that they are not just a chart-topping band, but something more. Certainly, they may never appeal to those who listen exclusively to rock (in the purest sense of the term), but personally, I consider them a valid pop-rock band.
"Le strade del tempo", released on 22 January 2010, is their fourth studio album. Eleven enjoyable tracks, no evident drop in tone and some truly interesting peaks.
The first three tracks ("Va così", "Parlo col vento", and "Senza indugio") are undoubtedly potential hits, yet they are credible and engaging. "Respiro", the first single, is a slow ballad with a nostalgic spirit, composed between piano and strings, it begins to reveal the band's evolution, which had never before experimented with such orchestrations. The following "E volar via", while cute and catchy, is a song I would have discarded; I find it disconnected from the rest, an avoidable filler. The title track takes us into more alternative realms, the use of synths and a lively crescendo make it absolutely successful, and the same goes for the brilliant "Oggi no".
The tracklist now presents the peaks I mentioned at the beginning of the review.
"Le sirene del mare": it begins gently with the notes of a harp, only to be overturned by a deadly groove that accompanies the entire track. Surprising.
"Malie": is the jewel of the album and also the best track ever composed by the band, a classic rock piece enhanced by an extended guitar solo. Remarkable.
"Ridono gli dei": is the longest track, with its six minutes, it reexplores those vaguely progressive territories of the previous album. Inviting.
These three segments might convince the usual detractors about these guys' abilities. I hope so.
The epilogue is left to the reflective "Come ieri", a tribute to those fans who have constantly supported them over the years.
A work that improves with each listen and hardly bores. Excellent sound and arrangements. A commendation for the vocal performance of the talented Francesco Sarcina, who is in top form, but also the rest of the band meets admirable standards.
Le Vibrazioni: one of the few Italian mainstream entities that deserve success.
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By Frana77
This work won’t bring anything new to music as it draws from an already well-mined and explored genre.
At least these 10 songs will make for an enjoyable hour for all us 70s rock aficionados.
