Violante Placido is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Italian women, sexy, wealthy, and famous as an actress. What was the need for her to release a record? A cunning move for the sole purpose of making money? Perhaps this is the first thought many had upon seeing "Don't Be Shy" on the shelves of record stores. What kind of music will she play? mmmh... given her well-built physique... the usual pop crap? Another thought of the naysayers, linked to the first.
Then you find her on brand new, and you're taken aback. How could you have dared to speak ill of such a talented girl just because of her sweet face? It's useless to deny it: despite her physique and acting ambition, Viola proves to be an excellent singer and songwriter. Starting with the first track, the beautiful "Together," a sweet and melancholic song whispered over a guitar that seems to pluck you. The lyrics are trivial and silly, but the song captivates and enchants, making you want to listen to it again. Then "Still I," the single that at the time of its release (2005) was all the rage on MTV's night programs (Brand New, Insomnia), is a frivolous acoustic ditty that makes you smile, despite its simplicity. The album continues like this: very simple songs, always accompanied by the gentle acoustic guitar of the beautiful Placido. Nevertheless, there are several pure rock interventions (the second single "How To Save A Life" or the lovely "Poor Little Girl," reminiscent of the best Alanis... from "Jagged Little Pill"), which are nonetheless light rock-folk that captivate and hypnotize, up to the point of stunning. The reprise of "Together" unexpectedly adds a new ambient-electronic version of the beautiful initial song, followed by "Niente Si Muove," a beautiful ballad in Italian that manages to move.
"She's really good, the songs flow by so pleasantly, but most are whispered... something more dynamic would be needed" the naysayers would continue, but Viola manages to surprise once again, delivering a rock outburst called "A Zero," with one of the most angry and pessimistic lyrics ever seen on the Italian rock scene, where the beautiful Viola doesn't refrain from using a few swear words. The track makes an impact and proves to be the most successful of an album that surprises, concluded with the subdued intimacy so much prewar folk of "With U."
In short, an album that perhaps does not add to what has already been contributed by many American and other rock singer-songwriters, but one that the Italian music scene absolutely needed.
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