Vasco Rossi
Gli Spari Sopra

THE REVIEW

Vasco is changing, and not only the fans are noticing it... Musically, he is improving: much more rock, much more anger, whereas before it was about mocking society, this time it's about going heavy while maintaining his original ironic style in the lyrics.

In 1993, this new album was released, which for me is one of the best of Vasco from the '90s. A fairly rock album, rich with great sounds that also vary into pop, well-arranged lyrics, and great energy. The album starts with "Lo Show," presenting itself like an epic stage entrance (note the historical introduction of "Child In Time" by Deep Purple at the beginning), then exploding into an aggressive and gritty rhythm. It follows with "Non Appari Mai," a track that criticizes television: here too, good lyrics and almost hard rock music, then moving to the title track, a successful cover of An Emotional Fish: ear-splitting music, one of Blasco’s meanest and "ferocious" lyrics (note in the chorus that the words "Gli Spari Sopra" recall "The Party Is Over" present in the chorus of the original song); it always surprises live. With "Vivere," Vasco creates another gem in his career, with very simple but grand lyrics, with almost Olympic music and a wonderful final guitar solo, in short...a masterpiece. "Gabri" is a beautiful romantic ballad, "Ci Credi" is a delightful pop song, much underrated, "Delusa" is a track to be listened to at full volume through the speakers, with lyrics talking about women and their vices: excellent interpretation, even if live it's much more loaded and powerful. Then it moves to "...Stupendo," another masterpiece of the album, where Vasco vents again with great lyrics and a chorus that is already history and a terrific atmosphere. It continues with another rock hit "Vuoi Star Ferma!," though of a lower level compared to the previous ones, moving to "L’uomo Che Hai Di Fronte," an authentic six-minute poem. Then there's "Occhi Blu," a weak pop song saved only by the final solo, and "Walzer Di Gomma," amusing but nothing memorable.

In short, this is Vasco's most "angry" record before his slow decline, when he still knew how to write meaningful pieces and manage to bring out the anger he had inside, like a true rocker. Even if it features many beautiful and catchy pop songs, although slightly cumbersome, "Gli Spari Sopra" is considered primarily a rock album, or better, Italian rock.

When Vasco could still "rock." Rating 8/10