The solo career of
Litfiba's
Piero Pelù has oscillated between duplicating his former band sound and branching out into new directions.
Fenomeni, his fifth solo album in only eight years, ostensibly belongs to the first category. Most of the record finds
Pelù basking in the good old template of drums, bass, and very loud electric guitars. Sure, a lot of those rousing choruses, riffs, and solos are little more than clichés by now, but
Pelù's sincerity and inner fire are as undeniable as they are infectious. Lyrics howl out
Pelù's dissatisfaction with contemporary society's ills, such as the overwhelming banality of the media, racism, hedonism, and greed. Highlights include first single "Tutti Fenomeni" as well as "Mamma Ma-Donna," "Zombies," and "UFO Su Firenze," all sure to become concert favorites. There is also room for a few ballads (even an electric tango!) dealing with more personal matters, such as his strained relationship with his teenage daughter. The album closes with a new version of "Il Mio Nome é Mai Più," the monster hit
Pelù recorded together with
Jovanotti and
Ligabue back in 1999. The 2008 solo version is a much harder-rocking version than the original, as if to fit the overall tone of
Fenomeni. A solid, if unexceptional, record. ~ Mariano Prunes