Robert Wyatt
Rock Bottom

"Rock Bottom" is many things: some consider it the greatest album of all time, while others deem it overrated...but what is it ultimately? It's not easy to define. Probably, when it comes to discussing the ultimate masterpiece of Robert Wyatt, former drummer of the Soft Machine (a pivotal band for the glorious Canterbury scene), it's best to define it as the ultimate representation of man in an inner dimension. You might say that before this, there were already notable instances of inner music, such as "Pink Moon" by the unfortunate Nick Drake (pure and simple music to represent the inner complexity that dominated within his sweet and fragile character) and "Starsailor" by Tim Buckley (a pure and chaotic depiction of the singer's internal turmoil). But why is "Rock Bottom" special? Probably because it's the most current album my ears have ever had the opportunity to listen to, the only one capable of moving me in its bittersweet 40 minutes, complex yet at the same time accessible, unpretentious with brilliant ideas... While, to be a bit more objective, no album has ever had such a collective and universal value, it wasn't a message related only to Wyatt's experience, but in fact it concerned all of us: finding within one's soul the desire to live.

I first came across Wyatt in December 2015, on the site of the loved/hated critic Scaruffi (I hate you so much, bastard!), who gave it a solid 9.5. I listened to it...I was very disappointed, nothing to do, I found it quite horrible. Thankfully, I listened to it again in March 2016, in the car, while returning from Carezza (province of Bolzano), and I was thunderstruck. On the third listen, I burst into tears, something that rarely happens to me while listening to an album: it is needless and obvious to say that it immediately became my favorite rock album...probably even with my future listens, I couldn't find a musical wonder capable of offering me such a vast array of musical emotions...

In 1973, Robert Wyatt fell from the third floor of an apartment (the effects of alcohol), and forever lost the ability to walk...he would say goodbye to his beloved drums...at this point, there were only two possible options: to commit suicide or cling to faith...NO. After the accident, Wyatt rolled up his sleeves and began to compose his ultimate creation, shouting to the world his scream of freedom and joy for life.

In "Sea Song" (the greatest love song ever), Wyatt declares his love for his beloved, as the keyboards accompany him, with small but decisive percussion (played by Wyatt)...the final vocalizations already scream an unconditional love for life, but they cry of a sadness yet to be repressed...

Then comes the moment of "A Last Straw", in which Wyatt's singing becomes more melancholic...he has just immersed himself in the turbulent waters of his soul...the definitive psychedelic/jazz/progressive piece...the piano becomes softer until the sax intervenes...

And here comes the delirium..."Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road" features an unusual rhythm, with bass, piano, sax, and voice intertwining, in a chaotic and delirious encounter: Wyatt is descending ever deeper into his soul, and a stream of consciousness torments him through the various phases of his existence (love, will to live, etc.)

The track ends, and immediately another touching moment starts, "Alifib". Wyatt has just reached the bottom of his soul (Bottom), he has entered his consciousness, and marks the time with his gentle voice, whispering the name of his beloved Alifib (Alife, thus Alfreda, the woman of Wyatt's life). Wyatt, therefore, dedicates a beautiful love song to his beloved, in which the romantic Robert describes her as his "dispensary" (probably a "dispensary" of happiness).

In the track "Alife", complementary to "Alifib" like guanine to cytosine, Wyatt continues with a delirious singing, until Alifib responds, telling him she is not his dispensary, but his guide, making it clear that Wyatt doesn't need someone to feed him happiness, but someone to lead him to it.

Unfortunately, the album concludes with "Little Red Robin Hood Hit The Road". Wyatt has resurfaced, returns to the real world, ready to face it and shout his desire to live...the piece ends with a mega-galactic solo by Mike Oldfield and a short 3-minute viola solo... A decided male voice concludes everything, describing (apparently) unusual daily actions that allow man to enjoy the pleasure of life. The album's ending features a little laugh, marking definitively the regained happiness.

In conclusion, what is Rock Bottom? Who are we? I believe the answers to these questions lie only within this practically perfect musical work, and only by listening to it can one fully soothe the wounds of a restless soul...

Wyatt teaches us many things, inadvertently proving himself a life teacher, but above all, the most important lesson is: NEVER GIVE UP ON LIFE.

After all, "we're not alone" (WE ARE NOT ALONE)...

P.S.: If you spot any spelling mistakes, I apologize, but with the tablet keyboard, it's difficult.