The Tango Saloon
Transylvania

My relationship with this website is very peculiar. I write a review once in a blue moon and jot down a few lines, perhaps improvised, without a plan or any kind of preset idea. And every time it happens that two or three unfortunate souls read it and even give me good ratings because I use swear words (since people on this site are filthy and feel satisfied reading about genitals and other questionable things). Not to mention that I always end up talking more about my personal stuff than the actual work, which if I had dared to do in an essay in middle or high school, my teacher would have violently shoved several F grades up my backside without anesthesia.

But recently I have the time and desire to write, so screw it. So BOOM, two reviews in three days.

Picking up the thread of the arbitrary spontaneity of my writings, I write this review after seeing one by Elfo Cattivone on an album called "Crossing the Fiery Path" by a band called Necromantia (now I'm even promoting other people; I should start asking for a kickback every time). I open the review. I read it. Nice. I'm about to rate it, but I see the cover of the work and something comes to mind. Mmmmh. I've seen it before somewhere. But we're talking about black metal here, the album I listened to wasn't of this genre. I can't remember the name. I search the Internet: "Dracula Cha Cha Cha." I scroll through the pages and find what I’m looking for: The Tango Saloon.

Ok, wow. This band is simply WOW, and even though it presents itself as just another one of the countless unknown bands at the mercy of that orgasmic label which is Ipecac, it manages to stand out from the crowd, offering music that masterfully blends the fresh and the dated. I won’t hide it: I learned about this wonderful project only thanks to my devotion to Mike Patton, which pushed me to listen to several works by artists/groups from his record label, Ipecac, precisely. Several albums disappointed me, quite a bit. But I also remember some gems. Among these is Transylvania by (as previously mentioned) The Tango Saloon. The highly peculiar mix of tango and experimental music is pleasant, and hard to tire of. There are moments of pure improvisation (the title track), of great emotion ("The Vampire Sleeps"), and some where you immerse yourself in eerie jazz rock melodies that almost verge on heavy metal ("The Chase"). But my favorite track on this album, and also the first one I listened to, is the one (guess what) featuring Mike Patton on vocals: "Dracula Cha Cha" (with only two cha's, not three). A cover of an Italian song by someone named Bruno Martino (I'd like to say something about him, but I have no idea who he is), dating from 1960 or thereabouts. Listen to it, for heaven’s sake. It has a hilarious lyric, it's catchy, and Patton sings in Italian. What more do you want?

Now I'm off to rate Elfo Cattivone's review. Bye.