Roberto Cilia
Rue Des Bardes

Among the musical groups formed in Italy in the last 40 years, Litfiba are unanimously considered pioneers, a band without which much of what followed probably wouldn't have existed.

Their unique sound, combined with lyrics that were often true poetry, reshaped the Italian rock landscape, effectively creating an Italian new wave movement that had nothing to envy from those of other European nations.

Just as the music of Litfiba has often lent itself to reinterpretations by cover bands, and not only, the lyrics can also inspire art forms different from the original one. This is the case of this book by Roberto Cilia, illustrated by Luisella Brenda, whose story (in verses) is entirely inspired by the songs of the Florentine band.

Fortunately, Roberto didn't compile the usual collection of commented lyrics, which have almost become a banality as they can be found everywhere, but chose to embark on a journey, or rather "an adventure teetering between reality and nightmare," from which many characters, cities, moods, and very familiar cultural clichés to fans of the Florentine band emerge: Rue Des Bardes tackles in each chapter a different scenario based on Litfiba’s albums, from Desaparecido to Infinito, describing both the lyrics and musical emotions.

Those who have known and deeply listened to this band, especially the first three albums, the so-called "trilogy of power," will have no difficulty recognizing passages, atmospheres, and quotes directly from those songs. The work of Roberto Cilia (which takes its title directly from the address of the legendary rehearsal room of the band, from which the name LITFIBA derives, subject over the years to thousands of different interpretations) is undoubtedly a fine challenge, as Antonio Aiazzi says in his introduction, first and foremost for the choice to use rhyming verses, but above all for the attempt, fully successful, to draw new lifeblood from songs that are now 25 years old, giving life to a book that is both fun and reflective, just like the music that inspired it.

Roberto Cilia’s book is published by Edizioni Montag and is on sale for just 10 € at these addresses:

http://www.ibs.it/code/9788895478715/cilia-roberto/rue-des-bardes.html

http://www.edizionimontag.com/shop/scheda.asp?id=189

http://libri.shop.it/poesia/rue-des-bardes/dettaglio/id-2265484/

http://www.webster.it/libri-rue_des_bardes_cilia_roberto-9788895478715.htm

For more information, the official website of the book