Italian band Marlene Kuntz have long been adored for their live shows, a forum in which they can show off their experimental sensibilities while still presenting singable, accessible rock songs. Their first live album, H.U.P. Live in Catharsis, came out in 1999, but it wasn't until 2006 that their next one, S-Low -- titled after the tour of the same name, and culled from performances during the early part of the year -- that fans were able to relive their concert experiences again on disc. Marlene Kuntz has nothing if not a dedicated following, and the enthusiasm of the audience is clearly heard; in fact, it practically acts as another instrument, another layer to the band's swirling sound, especially on tracks like "La Canzone Che Scrivo Per Te" and "Infinità." Every song on S-Low can be found originally on one of the group's studio releases, starting with their 1994 debut Catartica and ending with 2005's Bianco Sporco, which means that there are a few repeats between the two live albums ("Come Stavamo Ieri," "Nuotando Nell'Aria," "Lieve," "Infinità"), but because Marlene Kuntz is always able to -- and aware of the need to do so -- add new elements to the pieces, to change, to keep things interesting and involved, there's nothing repetitive here (something aided by the presence of C.S.I. bassist Gianni Maroccolo, who took over after Dan Solo left in 2004). The songs can be long -- "L'Inganno" reaches past eleven minutes, five of which are just noise -- but the intensity and energy of the band are palpable and engaging enough that nothing drags on. While it's true that S-Low (and most live records, really) is meant for those who are already dedicated, knowledgeable fans, the album still offers something for those less-familiar with Marlene Kuntz's work, a passion that doesn't take knowledge of the next phrase, the next chord, to understand.
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