One Dimensional Man
LIve@NewAgeClub 30.10.10

THE REVIEW

On Saturday, October 30th, the annual gathering of the "SSdNE (Sbarbatelli Spilungoni del Nord-Est)" association took place at the New Age Club in Roncade (TV).

Given that I have nothing against gatherings or tall people (perhaps I just have a slight envy for the latter, being only one meter and so many hopes tall...), I wonder: does everyone really have to stand right at the front of the stage?!? And as if obstructing the view for all the average-height people present, as well as the photographers attending to do their thankless job, wasn't enough, do they really have to jump around like grasshoppers?!? You're already tall, you're in the front row, what the heck are you jumping for, disrupting the experience for everyone behind you?!? Rude!

Ok, brief rant over.

On Saturday, October 30th, also at the New Age Club in Roncade (TV), besides the aforementioned gathering, the penultimate concert of the mini-tour by One Dimensional Man took place.

By some miracle, I managed to carve out a tiny spot in the second row, from where I could only glimpse the right side of the stage, silently cursing the tall ones in front of me (ok, pinkie swear, I’ll stop complaining now!).

The challenging task of warming up the crowd fell to the Brescia-based trio "AUCAN," a visual/dub/psychedelic band (definition taken verbatim from their "My Space"), with a notable sonic impact, who kindly tortured my eardrums, preparing them well for what was to follow.

Once the "AUCAN" show was over (which I didn't understand a darn thing of, unfortunately not my kind of music) and after a brief (.....) equipment change on stage, finally it was time for One Dimensional Man.

I've been listening to ODM for about two weeks, so as a very last-minute fan, I will try to express my impressions without sounding overly enthusiastic (ri .....)

In the first part of the concert, the beautiful "You Kill Me" was played in its entirety, sung and performed almost in one breath, with urgency and anger, as if to offer everything immediately, without hesitation or reservation, with very brief interruptions here and there, during which Mr. Capovilla not only inquired about the audience's well-being but also informed them of the fact that in Italy there is no law against torture (!). These declamatory intermissions by Capovilla might seem pompous if not for the fact that this Man focuses attention on themes and problems that need to be brought to everyone's awareness, yet too often go unnoticed or are passed off as "facts of life" we cannot oppose, whereas they are not and should not be, something can always be done. It is sad, then, to see that most people do not care about any of this, they are only interested in making noise.

After the first part of the concert, the drummer literally threw himself onto the front rows of the audience, unfortunately failing to maim or, at least, break the legs of the very charming Watussi present, almost crashing into me who didn’t see him coming (but I forgive Him, not the Watussi).

In the two encores, they reprised various tracks from the band's remaining three albums, also angry, shouted, powerful.

What to say about the performance of the three: firstly, the skill and mastery of these musicians are unquestionable, Favero among all, real war machines.

Secondly, Favero and Bottigliero, abilities aside, could have been anyone to me, as both were completely hidden by the heads of the giants in the front row, and no matter how hard I tried to stand on tiptoes like Carla Fracci and stretch my neck like a Modigliani painting, I could not see a thing!

Thirdly: although I expected a more dynamic show from Capovilla, I must say that even still, that man exudes charisma, rocks hard, and can bewilder you with just one intense and devilishly charming glance, he loves what he does and conveys it with his whole self, with a passion and desire to communicate that shakes you to the core of your body (sorry, but I just can't contain my enthusiasm!).

In conclusion, the concert was loaded, gritty, and sweaty, a joy for my starved ears yearning for good music.

(I know I didn’t keep my promise, ranting repeatedly against the "beanstalks" in the crowd, so I am a SINNER, gonna go to HELL, but not in the SODOMITES’ CIRCLE, although that’s how life goes!)