RESET

Reset is ifsounds' album of reinassance, while the line-up is quite completely different from the previous Red Apple album. And the sounds are very different too: more classic rock than prog, but everything is crafted with ability and good musicianship: the main issues with previous ifsounds' works were quite weak vocals and a slight sensation of a good but somehow "artificial" project. But in Reset the music sounds more direct and powerful: at least new ifsounds sound as a "real" band and Runal's vocals are powerful and warm. Fabio De Libertis on bass and Gianni Manariti on drums provide a solid, aggressive and brand new rhythm section, driving Dario Lastella's guitars and Claudio Lapenna's keyboards to a different approach. For the very first time in ifsounds' history, the band released an Italian version of the album, which is the same of the English one but the lyrics. I think that the highlights of Reset are the stunning opening "When I was born again", the sweet acoustic ballad "Laura" featuring gothic band Hexperos on strings, and "Run away" with a PFM's feel on the synth riff. All in all a very good and surprising effort by new ifsounds. Maybe 4,5 out of 5, but I'll round up to 5 to award the band's new era.