One Dimensional Man
You Kill Me

While traversing my tortuous and schizophrenic paths of musical discovery, one fine day I stumbled upon a name that was mysterious to me: "One Dimensional Man". Had I not been forewarned that behind this moniker were hidden three Italian musicians, I probably never would have realized it. In fact, it only took one listen for me to realize that, musically speaking, this group has nothing Italian about it. The only clue about their origins present on the record in question is an isolated verse from a song (“Porca miseria! Proprio a me doveva capitare” - "It Hurts"). Too little, and on the other hand, even John Cale's latest album ("Hobosapiens") contains a few dialogues in Italian. For the rest, "You Kill Me" offers no other clues and catapults the listener into a rock universe that appears to mimic American models. Someone who really knows their stuff told me it's a band born in the wrong country. Never was a definition more apt.

The story of "One Dimensional Man," though not very long, is truly rich in events. The group was formed in the mid-'90s by Pierpaolo Capovilla and Dario Perissuti, later joined by guitarist Massimo Sartor. In 1998 they released their self-titled debut album characterized by a violent, noise, and intensely rhythmic sound. They began touring Italy, performing concerts almost everywhere, and had the opportunity to play with bands many of you will surely know better than I do, such as Blonde Redhead, The Cows, Kepone, Fluxus, Uzeda, Deus, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and Demolition Doll Rods. In the meantime, Massimo Sartor left the group and was replaced by Giulio Favero, with whom "One Dimensional Man" recorded a new album ("1.000 Doses Of Love"), this time also infused with a fierce blues.

We find the same lineup, Giulio Favero (guitar), Dario Perissuti (drums), and Pierpaolo Capovilla (bass, guitar, and vocals) in "You Kill Me” (Gammapop records 2001), the band's third studio endeavor, a fine example of the unjustly little-known vitality of the Italian rock scene. A fine record, a true exhilarating ride through a minefield. The explosions present on the record are continuous from start to finish, amidst fierce guitar riffs and a frantic rhythm dictated by the bass, drums, and Pierpaolo Capovilla's voice. They are fast, dynamic, angry, yet at the same time engaging. They manage to transmit intense sensations and make you want to spin, jump, run, dance, or sing. During the execution of their songs, they leave no room to breathe, except for an irreverent jeer (“Inferno”) or in the void that precedes a sudden acceleration, as at the beginning of "It Hurts". However, there are moments of apparent calm ("You Kill Me") that serve as an intelligent counterbalance capable of creating a rhythm alternation on the record.

Noteworthy is the track that closes the album, a real cruel waltz complete with sardonic laughter in the background, featuring a significant verse: "THAT'S HELL MAN". If it weren't for the distortion of the guitar, it could seem like a piece taken directly from a Kurt Weill score. Not bad at all. In conclusion, "You Kill Me" is a fine piece of work, and this group deserves more attention. We shall see what the future holds. A new album is on the way for the band, which has once again changed its skin. Giulio Favero has recently been replaced by the very young guitarist Carlo Veneziano. We await with hope.