Review: ALAN+ ‘S.A.L.I.G.I.A. Le 7 vie del vizio’
‘The universe breathes. Like an infinite diaphragm that swells and contracts, the universe has a name. And a sound. There is a natural law that governs the universal breath of life. This law is called “mystery”. But there is also another law that does not accept the rhythm of the universe and that challenges its rules. The pride of those who follow this rebellious law can only lead to death. This law is called Rock’. (The Boy Who Changed The Sound Of The Universe – extract from Superbia (Pride) by Laura Tabegna)
The passage you have just read is the introduction to Superbia (Pride), the first of the seven stories in the book that accompanies the new CD album S.A.L.I.G.I.A. Le 7 vie del vizioby the multifaceted experimental post-rock duo Alan+. The album is their first instrumental offering whose title is an acronym representing the seven deadly sins: Superbia (pride), Avarizia (greed), Lussuria (lust), Invidia (envy), Gola (gluttony), Ira (wrath), and Accidia (sloth), which are part of the nine circles of Hell in Dante’s Inferno.
This concept work delves into these timeless human vices through the duo’s innovative and genre-blending sonic approach. The two musicians behind Alan+ are pure-blooded Tuscans with deep roots in the region’s alternative music scene. The duo of guitarist Alessandro Casini and bassist/writer/composer Tony Vivona have both previously been integral members of influential underground art-rock political satire bands Deadburger and Deadburger Factory. Casini has also collaborated with celebrated composer Vittorio Nistri’s Ossi, while Vivona is an acclaimed poet and author, as well as a founding member and lead composer of the theatre project No One Orchestra.
As Alan+ they have made two albums before their latest release, which demonstrate a remarkable ability to explore a wide range of musical styles and themes. Their 2010 debut album, Il Suono Di Soho, (Soho’s Sound) is a prime example of their adventurous and eclectic approach. The album, which contains some instrumental tracks, meticulous use of spoken word and vocal sampling, takes listeners on a journey through a tapestry of genres, seamlessly blending elements of jazz, post-punk, experimental and cinematic atmosphere.
Tireless as ever, having left Alan+ on hiatus, apart for working on other projects, they formed a new five-piece alt-rock band, Le Jardin De Buits, releasing their debut, Assoluzione, in 2017. Their second, Cuore Di Cane (Dog’s Heart), was released in 2023. However, eleven years after their debut release, Alan+ returns with their highly expected second album, Anamorfosi, marking their first foray into the revered Italian label Urtovox.
This ten-track offering, showcases the group’s remarkable evolution, delving into a profound realm of dark, introspective lyricism that captivates the listener with its raw human intimacy. The poetic prowess of the lead vocalist Vivona, transcends the confines of mere words, plunging headfirst into the depths of the psychological landscape. Musically, the album is a captivating blend of introverted introspection, enigmatic atmospherics, and psychedelic distortion, evoking a sense of experimental exploration that is both unsettling and mesmerizing.
The sonic textures draw, at times, comparisons to the work of Rome bass player Maurizio Iorio’s Distorsonic project, known for its ability to conjure a profound sense of unease. However, this is no mere imitation – the group has forged its own distinct sonic identity, one that is as challenging as it is compelling. Listeners are warned that the album’s overwhelming emotional content may be too much for those already prone to melancholy, as the music delves deep into the darkest corners of the human condition.
a profoundly moving and cinematic musical journey, evoking a range of emotional textures and sonic landscapes that resonate deeply within the listener…
Back to S.A.AL.I.G.I.A. This is a captivating new multimedia project commissioned to the creative duo ALAN + in 2020 by the esteemed LIVE ART cultural association. Exploring the timeless theme of the seven deadly sins, this ambitious work takes the form of seven distinct theatrical monologues presented in a video format, forgoing a live audience. To bring this conceptual vision to life, a team of talented writers crafted stories exploring the deeper meanings and manifestations of each vice.
Complementing the visual component are a series of original musical compositions, entirely conceived by the duo. Drawing inspiration from the symbolic representations of these immoral acts, their instrumental pieces seamlessly blend diverse musical styles and textures, further enhancing the emotive power of the project. To fully realize their artistic vision, they also enlisted the contributions of five additional musicians, whose skills helped to expand and elaborate upon the duo’s initial musical ideas.
The album’s exploration of the subject matter is a profoundly moving and cinematic musical journey, evoking a range of emotional textures and sonic landscapes that resonate deeply within the listener. The Intro is a dark experimental piece, as if it wanted to say ‘Abandon all hope, ye who enter here’. The album continues with the heart-wrenching melancholy and screeching, Fripp-esque guitars of Superbia (Pride) that strips away any sense of serenity, to the jazzy, nocturnal atmosphere that permeates the melancholic Avarizia (Greed).
Each track is imbued with a palpable sense of emotional weight and psychological intensity. The frantic, bone-chilling sound of Lussuria (Lust) gives way to the terrifying industrial noise of Ira (Wrath), creating a visceral, almost physically unsettling experience. In contrast, the lush, dance-like interplay of sounds in Gola (Gluttony) beckons the listener to venture beyond the confines of the ego, while the emotionally turbulent Invidia (Envy) both captivates and liberates.
The album reaches its haunting conclusion with Accidia (Sloth), a psychotic, slow-motion descent into the depths of the soul, punctuated by a mournful trumpet that leaves a profound sense of solitude in its wake. Ultimately, the album’s Outro provides a moment of respite and reflection, allowing the listener to contemplate the profound emotional journey they have just experienced, akin to emerging from a strange, dark cinematic reverie.
Through this holistic, multimedia approach, ALAN + have created a multifaceted work that delves into the dark, complex realms of human nature and moral failings, utilizing a combination of evocative visuals, captivating narratives, and a hauntingly resonant original score. Just as the Divine Comedy ends… ‘And then we went out to see the stars again’.
Label: Libri di Mompracem
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo
