Genre/Influences: Experimental, dark-chanson, cinematographic, industrial.
Background/Info: It took 4 years for Canaan to achieve their 8th full length album, was released 20 years after their unforgettable debut work “Blue Fire”. Set up and driven by the creative spirit of Mauro Berchi (also the label owner of Eibon Records) this album also is the first one in 4 years.
Content: I can’t say that Canaan reinvented its own sound, but this album clearly moves through new experiments. The sound remains experimental, but there’s a surprising and noticeable ‘chanson’ approach, which I didn’t really know by this band. It sounds dark and sometimes pretty dreamy-like. The half-spoken vocals are sung in Italian. You sometimes get the impression this music was composed for an imaginary soundtrack.
Some parts are more intriguing and even a bit tormenting for moving into real spooky passages.
+ + + : No doubt about it, “Il Giorno Dei Campanelli” is for sure one of my all time favorite Canaan albums. There’s an intimate touch hanging over the songs while the dark-chanson style has been constructed with great electronic- and industrial sound sculptures. It also becomes a diversified work covering multiple influences, and where all songs have been cemented by this captivating and exciting ‘chanson’ style.
– – – : I think that the lyrics are quite important so it’s a pity there’s no translation in the booklet. I now and then noticed a kind of experimental ballad style, which is not exactly my cup of tea.
Conclusion: Canaan strikes back with a true masterpiece, which remains a minimal and experimental experience in sound. This is the kind of sound ravishing fine music tasters who are listening to what others don’t hear!
Best songs: “Due Specchi”, “Canzone Per Il Nemico”, “Se Un Giorno”, “Libero?”.
Rate: (7½).
Label: www.eibonrecords.com / www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Eibon–Records/113898028620718
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