Üstmamò
Tutto bene

As the title suggests: well-being.

It is the same sensation felt when listening to their previous works that one experiences when listening to the latest studio effort from 2001 by the band from the Reggio Apennines. That bomb called "Stard'Ust" had already made a mark within me, presenting itself as an ambient version of "Ust," even tending towards sounds that, in my opinion, had nothing to envy from what the old Liam Howlett once produced.

Here, however, it is a bit different. This is a sort of third "Ust," more played compared to the previous ones. It is like a trilogy that concludes with less electronics and more guitars.

To understand this, just listen to "Come Me", quality pop with an introductory guitar reminiscent of the Red Hot Chili Peppers... very catchy... or "Lunga Vita", one of the best tracks on the CD, perhaps the one most connected to the style of previous works, devastating electronic rock. Or even be left speechless when listening to an unimaginable fusion, even employing the banjo, between funky and rock with "Sempreverdi"... the only song sung almost entirely in English and another highlight of the CD. And it doesn't end here: this instrument will also return in the other gem "Bank Of Fuck Off", one of the singles released at the time (the video was sensational too), a denunciation aimed at fraudulent bankers, the classic electro-folk we're accustomed to without ever being disappointed.

There is even the hand of former Scisma member Paolo Benvegnù within "Secondo Incantesimo" and "Tre Volte Noia" (the only song where Mara Redeghieri will only handle the backing vocals). His contribution makes these songs very close to what our artist would later accomplish with his solo works, especially for the first one. While the second one is closer to the sound of "Sempreverdi". These echoes can also be heard in the excellent "Per Gioco", in the ballad "Anima Persa", and in the heaviness of "Bum" (perhaps the angriest song of the entire work).

In conclusion, the aforementioned well-being is also intimacy. Why do I say this? Just listen to "Nell'Aria", another single from the work, pure romantic pop (but the serious kind, not the repetitive stuff we already know!), "Brava & Buona", acoustic and electronic at the same time, and especially the final "Mi Fai" (a return to the sound of the second part of "Onde Sulle Onde" from "Ust" released in 1996?), to feel another of the "facets" of the entire album, a facet capable of hitting the heart (in a positive way), relaxing, cradling, all with that angelic, fairy-like voice that Mara possesses.

Unfortunately, that same well-being that the band once felt was no longer felt at the time of the breakup occurred in a November of 2002. And that is why "Tutto Bene" can be considered a sort of artistic testament of Ustmamò. Or maybe one day, following various reconsiderations, the band that moved me so much and contributed so much to my musical formation will return? I personally hope for the second option. But as Battisti used to say... we will only find out by living.

Or... who knows... we might find out "right now".