Search - Renato Zero :: Zerolandia

Powerful Pop-Rock

Pieter | Johannesburg | 01/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since the 1970's the Italian musician Renato Zero has been making highly original pop and rock music with meaningful and intelligent lyrics. Zerolandia (1978) is one of his most satisfying albums. The melodic, hook-laden "La favola mia" (My Story) open the album on a high note, being one of those poprock powerballads that becomes addictive after the second listen. "Io uguale io" (I equals I) is equally catchy, while "Triangolo" is a fast number with lovely strings and soaring vocals. "Sesso o esse" impresses with its unusual synth effects, while "Fermati" is a gentle ballad. "Amaro Madely" starts like a radio playing an old song from the 1930's before developing into a dramatic ballad. "Una guerra senza eroi" (War without heroes) with its marching beat is another catchy song, and the sax-heavy "Uomo, no" concludes his varied and enjoyable album. Zero's great talent lies in his integration of the tension and urgency of rock with the melodicism of the Italian popular song."