MALEDETTI

After the accessible "Crac !" album, AREA head back into the Avant-garde territory of "Caution Radiation Area" with this release. This is not for the faint of heart, but more for those who are adventerous and are looking for a challenge. The subject matter is as usual political and social in nature, but since the lyrics are in Italian i'll just talk about the music.

"Evaporazione" is a short intro track where we can hear someone whistling and talking. No music. "Diforisma Urbano" is just a joy to listen to with all those intricate sounds coming and going. Very jazzy. It's hard to even highlight one instrument because they all sound amazing.Then vocals and piano arrive 3 1/2 minutes in. Back again the instrumental work that continues to be incredible. "Gerontocrazia" opens with vocals and percussion. The sax makes some noise, but there really isn't much going on. Then the tempo picks up 3 minutes in as we get some cello then a middle-Eastern flavour. This sounds much better. The bass before 4 1/2 minutes is chunky as the soundscape changes to a jazzy motif. Great sound. Vocals return before 6 1/2 minutes as it ends with that middle-Eastern vibe. "Scum" is my favourite, it opens with piano as drums join in. Nice bass lines follow. The piano work is fantastic, a little dissonant you might say.The drumming is outstanding. Love this track ! Organ 4 1/2 minutes in. A calm before 5 minutes as spoken words come in to the end.

"Il Mascacro..." features a string quartet. A short classical piece that is very impressive. "Giro, Giro,Tondo" opens with some strange vocal sounds from Demetrio for 1 1/2 minutes. Then a jazzy, uptempo section takes over. Vocals come in a minute later. The tempo picks up 3 1/2 minutes in. Just a terrific sound as piano, bass and drums astound. It ends in an almost spacey manner. "Caos (Parte Seconde)" is the 9 minute closer.It begins with very bizzare vocal sounds. This is actually very entertaining and funny. Sax is in the background. This is weird even for Demetrio. Avant-garde instrumental sounds follow. Yes, this is experimental folks. Vocal melodies 4 1/2 minutes in. Demetrio sounds likes he's lost it 6 minutes in. Haha. A dissonant horn melody ends it.

Very much recommended to Avant Jazz fans.