Foschia – Dalla Città al Cielo

Recensioni

1. 

   Rockit – 15/11/2019

   fonte: https://www.rockit.it/recensione/45717/foschia-dalla-citta-al-cielo

   L’esordio dei Foschia, “Dalla Città al Cielo”, racchiude tanti mondi. Ridipinge il vissuto che i giovanissimi membri del gruppo hanno sperimentato in prima persona, ma anche, sicuramente, ciò che hanno ascoltato tramite le opere firmate da chi è nato prima di loro. Tramite accenni multipli al cantautorato classico, all’indie, alla psichedelia e al rock alternativo inglese, con timidi riferimenti alla sperimentazione prog, viene presentata l’ascesa di un ipotetico personaggio, in termini sia fisici che psicologici. Non c’è un brano che primeggi sugli altri ma emerge un discorso generale e continuo, come una sorta di racconto costruito sartorialmente cucendo tra loro quelle che sono state le pagine più importanti della storia della musica.

   Tutti nati tra il 1999 e il 2000, i bolognesi Foschia hanno unito influenze artistiche apparentemente lontane (tra loro e da loro), riuscendo a farle convivere e creando un ventaglio di possibilità che spazia dal jazz all’hard rock, fino ai cantautori italiani, con qualche divagazione strumentale. L’“Entrance” lisergica sfiora i dieci minuti di durata ed è uno spettro completo dell’essenza della band, complessa e varia. “Dio della morale” e “Dalla città al cielo” omaggiano i classici mentre “Different ways” li mette alla prova con una ballata in lingua inglese. Si potrebbe migliorare ulteriormente la scrittura, già buona, ma questo inizio ha sicuramente delle buone potenzialità.

   Mara Guzzon

2. 

   DPRP.net – 15/03/2020

   fonte: https://www.dprp.net/reviews/2020-016#foschia

   I’m no expert on Italian prog, which is why I wanted to review Dalla Citta Al Cielo by Italian band Foschia. The album title translates to “From the City to the Sky”, a stunning and imaginative name. The band’s name translates to “mist” or “haze”, another imaginative name. The style of music they play actually fits well with the name. The six members of the band are rather young, which makes the fact that the music is so well-crafted and mature all the more enjoyable.

   Dalla Citta Al Cielo is a progressive rock album in the purest sense of the word. It has jazz elements, such as on Il Delirio (translation: “The Delusion”) with the piano and soulful guitar. It has metal elements, such as on Ombre Scure Alla Stazione (“Dark Shadows At The Station”) with the heavy breakdown halfway through the song. The synth elements throughout give it a prog overtone. The album pulls from these various influences to be a well-rounded rock album. It is altogether progressive, without falling into any “prog” stereotypes.

   Most of the lyrics are sung in Italian, but the album is filled with long instrumental sections which gives it a strong pacing. When there is singing, I find vocalist Giacomo Grande’s deep voice rather haunting. Since I have no idea what he’s singing, his voice acts as another instrument for me, and it fits very well with the music. His vocal work on Vite Appese Ad Un Filo (“Screw Hanging On A Wire”) is particularly moving. The long instrumental passages ensure that the album is very well paced, even though it is almost an hour long. There is no filler here.

   The tenth track, Different Ways, has English lyrics. The song talks about two people walking down different roads; they are unable to look beyond their own lanes to see their similarities. They think that they are so different that they couldn’t possibly have anything in common, so they avoid each other to avoid conflict. They will spend the rest of their lives walking this way, but in the last verse the band comments: “But after looking in their eyes / In a moment they’d throw / their weapons behind / so they could finally realise / They walk on the same way.” This is certainly an apt commentary for our times.

   The variety of guitar tones and styles of playing throughout the album, demonstrates that the two guitarists, Riccardo Gallerani and Francesco Reni, are incredibly talented. The gentle acoustic work on Vite Appese Ad Un Filo is beautiful, and the electric solo is simple but moving. It fits the song perfectly. The guitar solo on Il Paroliere is fantastic. It is David Gilmour-esque, which fits the song exceptionally well considering it has a Pink Floyd vibe.

   There were a few moments on the album where I thought the guitar work could’ve been a little more polished, but that was only a couple of times. With time, all of the musicians will get even better at their craft, which makes me excited about future releases from Foschia, since this one is so good.

   I’m glad I decided to move outside my reviewing comfort zone a little bit and give Foschia a chance. This album is quite spectacular, and I think these guys could be very successful. There is certainly precedent for Italian progressive rock bands experiencing success outside their country, and I hope Foschia are able to experience the same success.

   The album has subtle influences of Pink Floyd, yet it has a sort of Big Big Train calmness to it. It does get heavy at moments, but the band always brings it back down to a contemplative moment. The album has soul. The result is rather stunning, and you’d be doing yourself a favour in checking it out.

   Bryan Morey: 9