Piero Pelù
In Faccia

Finally!!!

This is the first thing that comes to mind after listening to "In Faccia", the fourth solo album by the ex-frontman of Litfiba, and the first under the Sony label. It might be the change in the record label (Pelù has publicly stated multiple times that he was "prisoner of WEA"), or perhaps the modifications to the new band (Cris Maramotti out, and the excellent Saverio Lanza, former Rock Galileo, in on guitar), but in this CD there's a breath of fresh air, definitely an improvement compared to before.

Sure, the single 'Tribù' doesn't suggest this, as it's the classic "trailblazer" track, with a captivating yet commercial and not entirely convincing pace. The breath of fresh air arrives with 'Velo', the second track on the album, which once again I'm tempted to say finally shows Piero in top form in all aspects.
The voice is indeed not that syrupy one that we've been absorbing since "Infinito", it's more (much more) gritty, confident, incisive. The lyrics are simple but never banal, addressing the theme of intolerance that often exists towards cultures different from our own, in this case towards women who wear the veil. Musically too, as with the rest of the CD, I like the track.

Then follows the lovely ballad 'Lentezza' (if you liked Dea Musica this one is much better) and the first "energetic" track, 'Sorella Notte'. This song doesn't fully convince me, but despite this, it deserves a solid pass, and on any of Piero's previous albums, it would have been considered a masterpiece. We then arrive at 'Fiorirà', the first but not the only masterpiece on the album. The track echoes Morriconian atmospheres, creating an ambiance that transports us to the desert, enchanting us. In the lyrics, Piero finally manages to live up to himself. The song is dedicated to those who fight against the mafias (a topic previously addressed by Litfiba in "Dimmi il Nome" on the 1993 album Terremoto).
'Segni 'n Faccia' is a spirited, energetic track with cute lyrics that in some parts resemble a slogan. 'GHLM' or 'Grand Hotel La Muerte' to be more precise, is the second masterpiece on the album. Beautiful and significant lyrics, excellent arrangement. The track discusses the senseless cruelty hidden behind the monster of the death penalty (a topic Piero had addressed with Litfiba in "Louisiana" in 1988).'Dottor Gion' is dedicated by Piero to his father, with whom he's had numerous misunderstandings but has recently drawn much closer. The track has a Black Sabbath-style intro, the lyrics fall into banality in some points, but overall the song is more than listenable.

The ninth track on the album is 'Istinto', some might consider it the third masterpiece of "In Faccia", I prefer to consider it a beautiful song. The album closes with 'Orso Cristallo', a big ballad with surreal lyrics that highlights an oxymoron in the title: The Power of the bear against the fragility of crystal. On the first listen, the track can baffle, but after a while, it becomes fascinating and very engaging.

In conclusion, if you loved the Litfiba of "Spirito" or at most "Mondi Sommersi", you will surely like this album. But if you fell in love with the various Toro Loco, Amore Immaginato, Prendimi Cosi, etc... then steer clear, this album will be for you a real punch "IN THE FACE"....