Search - Estra :: Metamorfosi

Estra: a bright new talent

Daniele | Italy | 06/22/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...Winners of the contest ROCK TARGATO ITALIA in 1995, they get noticed there by a famous italian songwriter, Massimo Bubola, who becomes so keen on this newcomer band that decides to produce their debut album. There?s a lot of talent shown in these 14 now rough, now sadly quiet songs. The lyrics by Giulio ?Estremo? Casale, voice and guitar, stand out by their intensity, and have a poetic level which is definitely high, being so simple but so highly evocative at the same time. If we should define Estra? s music with just a single word, ?intense? would be perfectly suitable; whether the band chooses the ways of the ballad (?Intimo?, ?Non canto? ? to me the absolute apex of the record - , ?Giulia?) or a rather harsh rock (?Signorina?, ?Troppe regole?, ?Va meglio?), all the songs have the taste of a not restrained sensitiveness, of a huge expressive urgency. Even if Estremo looks like the fulcrum of the band, being the author both of the lyrics and the music, we must not forget to mention Abe?s guitar, and the very precise rhythmical section, with the bassist Eddy and the drummer Nicola. I?m not able to find any comparisons for this band, even if the broad lines of the singing remind me vaguely of Ligabue, and some songs look like they have been written by Steve Wynn during the ?Kerosene man? period. So, this is a really good debut. Estra still use to play, during their beautiful live shows, at least ?L? uomo coi tagli?, which has become a classic. This group is pure, intense and poetic. By this debut they have soon become one of the biggest names of the new italian rock. Even if five years later, I have welcomed Estra in my CD collection. My advice is to do the same!"