Renato Zero
No! Mamma, No!

THE REVIEW

In 1973, the first album by Renato Zero was released. Known to everyone for his distinctive and eccentric style, Renato Fiacchini began to make his way in the music world. To be honest, the album came six years after his first musical recording. Many believe this LP to be a live album, but it is not so; in fact, the applause and shouts heard in the background of some songs were added later because the album did not have much success upon its release. The album's tracks total 11, for about 40 minutes of excellent music.

The record opens with the poetic "Paleobarattolo" in which a voice explains the song's lyrics, telling us what happens when a man is closed in a jar for 20 years and 30,000 centuries, then comes out and watches amused as other men complain and remain locked in their jars. Musically, it is very delicate, with acoustic guitar and electric bass blended into one dreamy melody. The second track, "Nonsense pigro", is very fresh and fun, featuring a lovely piano playing along with the guitar, electric this time, until the break where the latter dominates with a great riff. A trumpet sounds and the third track, "Sergente no!", begins, which in my opinion is an anti-war song. The piece lists the reasons why a young man, who is the protagonist of the song, does not want to join the military, offering various trivial reasons like: "I hate grey-green, this helmet messes up my hair, with my physique I could only be a model", but also serious reasons: I love the world and will not bring war to the world, I do not shoot, I have no enemies. Musically very charming. "Tk6 chiama torre controllo" is a nice funky piece with extensive use of the Wah-Wah. And moving on to "0/1023" a very blues song which, in my opinion, is the least appealing of the LP. If track number 5 always leaves me somewhat wanting, the same cannot be said for track no.6, "Nell'archivio della mia coscienza". The track is very touching, it is a journey into memories. A journey where everything lived, said, or thought about certain people is examined. A song that, if listened to with the right emotional participation, could even move, especially when Renato's warm voice sings memories of childhood (There is a dusty tall ship that as a child I called with the name of Hope).

But one must shake off melancholy and sadness because with "Dana", energetic, beautiful, super cool, extremely edgy(?) :-) rock'n'roll, there is only room to let loose. A pounding bass line, guitar à la "Johnny B. Goode" from the best Chuck Berry, saloon-style piano, ironic and simultaneously suffering voice make this one of the album's best tracks. "Ti bevo liscia" with a beautiful initial riff and a following funky guitar complements "Tk6 chiama torre controllo" and like this one is beautiful. "Make up, Make up, Make up" is an ode to makeup and colors (change the face of the world with Make up!!!). It is the concluding moment of the album and before the final song which gives the title to the album it's time for "Sogni nel Buio". A song against abortion, it develops as a monologue (the speaking voice is the child in the mother's womb) recited over a piano background. I invite everyone to read the lyrics because this is a song worthy of being called such!!! The song ends tragically because all the dreams the child had about his future life end with the heart-wrenching and terrifying scream: NO SHE KILLED ME!!!. From here, the title track begins which is, at the same time, an attack on the mother, probably the mother who killed him (no mama no it is only your fault) and a desperate need for affection and help (don’t you remember? At night you held me tight, I fear when you can’t protect me).

The album and my first review end here. I hope you enjoyed it and didn’t find it boring. Greetings to all De-Readers... Until next time...