Verdena
Requiem

I know, I know that many have already reviewed this album and therefore I might come off as boring for this reason alone. However, my intention is not to review an album that many of you already know and have had the chance to judge. I might digress a bit with my discourse, but I want to propose a topic for reflection: in which direction is Italian music heading?

I find myself agreeing with those who say that the monopoly of music produced in this country belongs to Afterhours, Marlene Kuntz, and Verdena (sic). The first mentioned bands, in the past, brought a fresh rock breeze which over time and with their switch to major labels, turned into the usual warmed-up leftovers... but what about Verdena? What have they added/removed from the national music scene?

Can any of you honestly say that this trio knows how to play? Let’s set aside the fact that technique in music isn’t everything, can someone tell me what fresh breeze and energy have shaken the territory since these three guys started their career? Doesn't anyone find it shameful that by the fourth album since 1997 the bassist still can't play? Doesn't anyone find it indecent that the singer can't drop that open “e” and therefore can't sing in Italian or at least in a manner intelligible to most?

But let’s talk about the music in this “Requiem”... the way I see it, Verdena would have done better to remain anchored in their “Valvonauta” trinkets, which is what young people with little ear for music expect, namely a catchy pop-rock song without any claims... already the previous “Il Suicidio Del Samurai” was a sign of change, with the introduction of the Farfisa or some sound effects taken, mind you, just when the 70s revival and cheap modern psychedelia were happening worldwide, which they sometimes continue to peddle as novelties... now Verdena has taken things even further... overdrive cranked up, nonexistent bass simply because it’s drowned out by sounds that if listened to for more than half an hour make you want to throw the CD down the toilet along with crap and songs that last more than the bearable 4 minutes... bearable for such insignificant bands, I mean...

And then what is the meaning of this fourth album: who knows? What is beyond the usual theme of the maladjusted, unlucky drunk/drugged person who is in love with whom or what? How can these Verdena dare to reference in a title the Pink Floyd, who would crap on their chests including the late Syd Barrett? Is there syntax in the lyrics? Is there a thread? Is there poetry? What drives all this besides today’s little brats who think this is grunge music and see in the bassist the symbol of the riot grrl (only to be tied to the sellout Samuel of Subsonica)?

Consider this review as a rant about the precarious state of our homegrown music and above all as my opinion, whether you agree with it or not.