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After only three years after their birth, reach the coveted goal record the onset nostrani Vidocq. If you are already disgusting as you think it is too short a period of time, keep in mind that we are not talking about kids beginners, but a group of musicians have been run and feet firmly on the ground. Proposed by the rock quartet features sounds pretty powerful and tinged with shades that recall the best traditions of Italian progressive.
It is no coincidence, of course, that among the many guests on the disc appear Aldo Stonecutters, the historical component of Le Orme, and Vittorio De Scalzi, a founding member of the New Trolls. A good business card, but we have learned over time that is not always mixing quality ingredients you get an amalgam just as good. However, it is interesting to see how many have lent themselves to collaboration with a band that, for now, it certainly does not have much commercial appeal. A simple courtesy between friends or is there something more? Do not worry, we’ll find out soon!
The character that gives its name to the disc Eugène-François Vidocq, thief and swindler French lived during the revolutionary years of the Republic and became, later, head of the Sûreté, a branch of the police force made up of former criminals infiltrated within the environments criminals. Among daring escapes, murders and forced labor, the figure of the famous “French” as it is defined by Melville in Moby Dick, is certainly one of those who managed to win the popular imagination thanks to his exploits and adventures of his actions, always situated between crime and legality. The entire production is inspired by the biography of Monsieur Vidocq and the age in which he lived, creating a fresco varied ranging from unconventional piratical exploits the proto-decadence of Baudelaire, through the folk music tradition of the Alps, characterized by a profusion of organs and accordions.
The parts in Vidocq move along two parallel and distinct: on the one hand, we have a series of tracks hard rock, where there is a clear predominance of biting riffs and sounds energetic and on the other, there are also pieces more harmonious and melodic, which have their roots in the Italian progressive ’70s. Examples related to the first category are songs like Black Heart, Fra Diavolo or Gunpowder. It should be emphasized, in this case, the presence of guitar solos by Simone Folovo, already in force in Elektradrive, which contribute not a little to thicken the overall structure of the song. The second category, however, we can ascribe musical rehearsals as Genesis, Flight or Welcome (Remains Of The Gods), in which the elements more ethereal and catchy choruses are underlined by the presence of and rarefaction of sound.
An honorable mention goes especially to Flight Of The Hawk, the song with the participation of Stonecutters behind the microphone and De Scalzi, I do not know whether it is with the help of weight, but in this track aftertaste medievalizing the quartet can to pull out something extra to make a piece of poetry and inspired particularly successful from the point of view of architecture harmonica. Surely, the spearhead of the entire CD.
He wins the black shirt, instead, Welcome (Remains Of The Gods), not so much for the quality of, always in a good level, as well as for its repetitiveness. A thrust load that clashes a bit ‘in a wider context otherwise consistently high caliber. Small side note for the title track: they will be the topics discussed or suggestions produced by the instruments used, but I challenge anyone to deny a certain similarity with the initials of the second series of Lupin III. A nice analogy, of course, puts in a good mood and helps foretaste optimally the two bonus tracks in which, with great courage, the quartet engages in a tribute to Franco Battiato and Tour of Mutual Aid. The comparison with the original is heavy, but the band still managed to lavish a pleasant realization, two soft acoustic ballads which further embellish the CD.
And finally comes the time of claim, lace synthesis trying to fix in a few words the sensations produced by listening. The self-titled debut album of Vidocq is a product of discrete, well done both from a purely technical point of view and from that of ideas. The musicians know definitely do their job and there are no major missteps during the execution and the final product is a powerful and vigorous rock and roll, classic in its basic setting, but can come up with some flashes of ‘ remarkable talent. The many appearances, then, give the CD a touch of pepper in more that makes it even more enjoyable. We certainly have not in my hands an album that will make music history, but it certainly is an interesting product and a purchase that you can evaluate peacefully. Vidocq expect the gap to the possible confirmation of their talents.
Damian “kevlar” Fiamin
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Tracks:
1. Black Heart
2. Gunpowder
3. Flight
4. The Flight Of The Hawk
5. Fra Diavolo
6. Tanto Tempo Fa
7. Welcome (Remains Of The Gods)
8. Genesis
9. Against Time
10. Vidocq
11. 750,000 Years Fa .. The Love (bonus)
12. No Time No Space (bonus)