Subsonica's Eden

Subsonica is a music group from Torino that was formed in 1996 through a union of some exponents of the Torinese alternative music scene:  Max Casacci, Boosta, Samuel, Ninja and Pierfunk.  Their music is not easily labeled, but it is essentially a form of pop music but "contaminated" by electronic, dance, rock, reggae, dub and acoustic influences.  They are an extremely eclectic group, and their melodic abilities are extraordinarily remarkable.

Two of their best releases, in my opinion, are Microchip Emozionale and Amorematico.  The first is really the most perfect:  rock, dance and electronic unite to perfection.  Their musical inspiration is at its peak, and this can be seen in their splendid ballad, "Tutti i miei sbagli", a hallmark of their musical output.  Electronic and rythmic along with an orchestral backing a listenable motif sung with great emphasis by Samel.  Everything is supported by a simple and suggestive text on the destructive effects of love.

"Discoteca Labirinto", "Colpa di pistola", and "Aurora Sogna" are tracks that leave their mark.  The last song, "Aurora Sogna" is a "biography" of adolscent unhappiness with a "disco-like" feel that is rarely so engrossing and never so ardent.  "Amorematico" is, instead, musically more dark and atmospheric, and it has a more experimental musical bent with its sound choices and structures of the songs.  This is evidenced by the dance melody of "Nuvole Rapide", the rarified atmosphere of "Dentro i miei vuoti" and with the 'breezy' and vaguely retro melodies of the 1980's funk as seen in "Nuova Ossessione".

Subsonica's Eden is the sixth disc in their sixteen year career as a group and differs from its darker predecessor, L'Eclissi.  On this disc, the songs makes use of more successive pop themes and sounds.  The title track of the CD, "Eden", has a Radiohead-esq feel to it, fragmented rhythms, psychodelic moods from the guitar, along with a sinuous song that creates an almost sensuale melody.  This track is a great start to the disc!  The second track on the disc, "Serpente", has a submissive start, almost uncertain but then transforming into a more refined melody accompanied by a dubbed rhythm a dark and repetitive cut.  "Benzina Ogoshi" has a frenetic rhythm and a song with ironic lyrics, taking its cue from the most common criticisms from fans and journalists.  The track is swinging and exhilarating and full of energy that, surely if performed live, would have a huge impact on the audience. The disc also features many references to the much loved 80's as seen in the track "Sul Sole" that re-echoes "The Head on the Door" by The Cure while "La funzione" is a tribute to the electro-pop of the 1980's with Subsonica's collaboration with the i Righeira, known for the hit songs "Vamos a la playa" and "Non tengo dinero".

The first single and video from the disc is the song, "Istrice", which is perhaps the best track of them all.  Light touches on the piano and guitar coupled with an orchestral introduction, give way to a mid-tempo ballad that describe very well a sense of nostalgia towards the past or someone from the past ("Chi ci ricorderà?/ Chi ti farà ridere?/ Per chi ti smarrirai?/ Chi userà lo sguardo tuo?/ Chi lo fa al posto mio?/ Io dove sarò?").  The track is worthy of being "stuck in your head" -- just try to listen to it and see if you can't stop yourself from humming it.  Better yet, perhaps your state of mind, too, will be just a bit more nostalgic for it.

If you prefer the CD, you can purchase it from ibs.it or your favorite store!

written by Marcello Gammella