FROM A DISTANCE

Not a Good Sign's sophomore effort disappoints. There is just something lacking here that the debut had. Energy. Enthusiasm. It's as if the band is often caught going through the motions, as if the spirit and conviction of the effort is missing. I felt this from the first two listens through the album--even before I found out that this was to be Francesco Zago's last work with the group. Nothing feels finished, polished, fully developed. There are parts of songs that just plod along--as if it's an effort just to get through the next measure. The continued excellent voice and vocal performances of LA COSCIENZO DI ZENO's Alessio Calandriello are not enough to save this one; each of the other contributors seems unable to work as a team, or to get excited for the end product. Perhaps Francesco's immanent departure was known before or during the creation of this album. I don't know. I just know that nothing, no song has nearly the fire and strength of 2013's debut. Whatever it is that Paolo "Ske" Botta, Alessandro Cassani, Martino Malacrida, and Francesco Zago do next, I wish them well. They are without doubt extraordinary artists--all of them. I've just come to expect better of Not a Good Sign than this.