No Strange
Armonia vivente tra analogie e contrasti

LA RECENSIONE

Those who do not know No Strange do not know Italian psychedelia, a group also highly appreciated in Japan, a country where they have recently performed. Within the Italian '80s garage-rock and psychedelic revival scene, the No Strange 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 is a skilled and well-prepared musician. Armonia Vivente tra analogie e contrasti belongs to their current artistic phase, which sees them continuing with great dedication and commitment, without worrying about current musical trends.

The approach of No Strange to psychedelia is profound and concerns cultural and philosophical aspects, not limiting itself to music but also exploring visual arts and the Orient. A "vision" in clear contrast with the superficial and consumerist aesthetic of the modern world. Ursus himself is the author of the visionary album covers of No Strange. Thus, psychedelia becomes a true lifestyle. Musically, the influences are numerous, ranging from Krautrock groups like Amon Düül II and Ash Ra Tempel to historical names like Pink Floyd and the early Battiato, up to the Italian beat (of which "“Ursus”" is an aficionado and an expert).

Small classics like their fantastic first album or L'Universo deserve to be reissued, but unfortunately, bureaucratic issues with their first label – Toast – currently make this joy impossible. In this album, ethnic and medieval sounds are highlighted with the use of the medieval lute, the duduk, the Symphonia, a sort of more ancient hurdy-gurdy, and the sitar.

The first disc contains some long tracks representing the most dreamlike and lysergic side of their sound, such as the Oriental "Contrasti," the dreamlike "La città ubiqua," and the cosmic "Fori elastici," where echoes of Pink Floyd and the Cosmic Couriers can be heard. There are also compositions that approach acid-folk like "Armonia vivente," and the spirit of Italian beat is reinterpreted in a personal way in "Tu non lo sai" and "Il burattino di un'altra commedia."

Instead, the second disc features some old recordings from their repertoire that form a sort of "fil rouge" with the present of No Strange. This monumental album concludes with "Voli sonori" and "Le Fond Marin – In Train," two tracks recorded live.

Armonia Vivente tra analogie e contrasti is a must-have album for all cosmic travelers and psychedelia enthusiasts. Available on Bandcamp: https://areapiratarec.bandcamp.com/album/armonia-vivente-tra-analogie-e-contrasti.