No Strange
Armonia vivente tra analogie e contrasti

The No Strange, a historic name in Italian psychedelia, seem to enjoy renewed artistic inspiration as demonstrated by the recent Universi e Trasparenze reviewed by me on DeBaser. Even “Armonia vivente tra analogie e contrasti,” the 2014 album, is very good and is perhaps the most complete of their career. The No Strange are to be considered a fundamental group in the history of Italian psychedelia. Within the '80s Italian garage-rock and psychedelic revival scene, they were certainly among the most important groups. Their leader, the legendary Salvatore “Ursus” d’Urso, is a true connoisseur of the subject and Alberto Ezzu a competent and prepared musician.

The approach of No Strange to psychedelia is profound and concerns cultural and philosophical aspects, not limiting itself only to music but also exploring visual arts and the East. A "vision" in sharp contrast with the superficial and consumerist aesthetics of the modern world. Ursus himself is the author of the visionary covers of No Strange's albums. Thus, psychedelia becomes a true lifestyle. Musically, the influences are numerous, ranging from Krautrock bands like Amon Duul and Ash Ra Tempel to historic names like the Pink Floyd and the early Battiato, to Italian beat (of which “Ursus” is a devotee and expert).

Little classics like the fantastic first album or “L’Universo” deserve to be reissued but unfortunately bureaucratic issues with their first label – the Toast – for now make this joy impossible. The new record continues the discourse of the previous worthy “Cristalli sognanti” (2011), establishing itself as one of the cornerstones of their discography. The sound is liquid and mystical, and the instrumentation has expanded. Particularly, emphasis is given to ethnic and medieval sounds using medieval lute, duduk, hurdy-gurdy, and sitar.

In the first disc, there are some long tracks that represent the more dreamlike and lysergic side of their sound like the oriental “Contrasti,” the dreamy “La città ubiqua,” and the cosmic “Fori elastici” where echoes of Pink Floyd and the Corrieri Cosmici can be heard. There are also compositions that approach acid-folk like “Armonia vivente,” and the spirit of Italian beat is revisited in a personal way in “Tu non lo sai” and “Il burattino di un’altra commedia.” The second disc, on the other hand, presents some old recordings of their repertoire that form a sort of common thread with the present of No Strange. Closing this monumental album are “Voli sonori” and “Le Fond Marin – In Train,” two tracks recorded live. “Armonia Vivente tra analogie e contrasti” is an unmissable album for all cosmic travelers and lovers of psychedelia.