Linea 77
10

The story arc of the Piedmontese band Linea 77 seemed already written on the eve of this 10. They exploded in Italy and partly abroad with their first two albums "Too Much Happiness Makes Kids Paranoid" and "Ketchup Suicide," which rode the nu-metal/crossover wave that was barbarically in fashion those years. With the third album, "Numb," they finally delivered a work worthy of the name (Fantasma is, according to this writer, a small gem). What followed were the much-discussed pop turns of the modest "Available For Propaganda" and the disastrous "Horror Vacui" (which included a horrifying collaboration with Tiziano Ferro, one of the most absurd ever heard in musical history). Now, probably our guys, ruthlessly demolished by the vast majority of the critics (and fans), aware of hitting rock bottom, have tidied up their ideas a bit, ended their relationship with the historic metal label Earache, and flew to California to the inevitable Toby Wright to prove they still have something to say. The result? Let's see it together.

Let's start with the cover: though well done, it's as banal as we could find (over the years, they have accustomed us to having bad taste in this aspect) as much as the title, which, at least when reading the website, assumes easily discernible meanings that symbolize a new route for them. Cover and album name: the premises are indeed not very comforting. As the first piece unfolds in my ears, I take a look at the songs, which, as announced, are all in Italian; decidedly courageous on their part and enjoyable for all those who (including me) were embarrassed by the heavy Italian accent of their English (somewhat burlesquely a source of success in anglophone countries). But let's return to the first track: "Muezzin" stands in a sort of post-rock filled with conspicuous "Toolian" references with sudden and furious explosions of adrenaline: not very personal but truly an excellent start. "Vertigine" is the first single and - alas - brings to mind the last five years of Emo and company: hyper-melodic and more focused on song form than anything else: the chorus, fortunately, is truly well-conceived and elevates the song above mediocrity. "Il Senso" follows, a song inspired by the story of Eluana Englaro ("...a silence lasting 17 years..." "...I feel no God here, I feel no forgiveness..."), truly heartfelt in its attempt to scream to the world the inevitability of individual choices and the respect they should demand. On "A noi," a not very convincing emo-punk facet emerges, and the song, even after multiple listens, does not fully convince me, presumably a victim also of its placement: indeed, the subsequent "Aspettando Meteoriti" is, ultimately, the best of the bunch: unbeatable lyrics (a chorus with a kind of list of Italian absurdities in an ironic sauce, garnished in the verse with denunciation phrases about institutions, especially justice) and simple yet successful instrumental solutions; guaranteed mosh pit material live. "La Notte" is beautiful in its now poignant, now aggressive progress (the earthquake-like finale is one of the platter's gems). "Come Vipere" and "Au Revoir," tracks 7 and 8, cannot match the previous pieces and, while remaining enjoyable, significantly lower the quality standard, while "Tank" (here we talk, as can be easily understood, about weapons and war in general, with positions not quite politically up-to-date) shines for its undeniable longevity. A special mention goes to the concluding "L'Ultima Volta," a track on the edge of hardcore-punk, which wisely enriches this sixth delivery from the Turin-based band with more creative points.

Noting that the line-up, now consolidated, still features Emo and Nitto on vocals, Chinaski on guitar, Dade and Tozzo on bass and drums respectively, I want to close by heartily congratulating Linea 77; not so much for the album's value, which alternates good parts with reckless drops in tone (but fortunately, there are more of the former), but rather, as mentioned above, for the courage and humility shown, as well as for the commendable self-criticism and maturity that truly bode well for the future.

To all those who have "killed" them in recent years, I want to propose an impartial listen to this 10, reminding them that in life, it is FUNDAMENTAL to recognize mistakes and be able to turn the page to start a new chapter in life.

Linea 77 did it. A round of applause.