DEBRIS

"Debris" is the second album released by Italian composer and multi instrumentist Lorenzo Monni. It's an interesting blend of rock, electronic and classical music. Perhaps it's a little bit difficult to appreciate this work on the very first listening but if you like the complex "soundscapes" of Robert Fripp, the unconventional and challenging ethno-folk of bands like Oregon or the scary atmospheres of bands like Goblin I'm sure you'll find it pretty good. The album is completely instrumental and the sound quality is good, even if it's a self produced work. There are less melodic and symphonic passages than on Lorenzo Monni's previous album "Death Of Future Men", but don't worry the result is not pure avant-garde or concrete music and you'll find here some very good musical ideas...

In my opinion the highlights are the mysterious and exotic "I Met The Craftsman", the hypnotic "The Dawn Of The Young Dolls" (almost baroque with an Eastern flavour), the acoustic, delicate and dreamy "Naked Dialogues", the solemn and mystic "Mont Saint-Michel (featuring church like organ and a sampled monks choir) and the long and haunting "Gone". Nonetheless the other tracks are also worth listen to, like the bizarre "Ciel Brouille" (featuring in the background the sampled voice of the Italian singer song-writer Giorgio Gaber), the opener "Embrace" or the dark and creepy "Shapeless"...

"Debris", like its predecessor "Death Of Future Men", has been released under Creative Commons Licence and can be legally downloaded for free from the official website of the artist. Have a try!

Eclectic, modern musical impressionism

Lorenzo Monni was born in Cagliari in 1986 and is a multi-instrumentalist and composer of modern sound. He is still in college at the moment and already has released his third album of original material . He studied classical music for years but eventually switched to the guitar and the quest to create completely original forms of sound. This, his second album, is a great example of that ambition and a fine recording. Monni seems to be looking to blend post-rock and electronic music with some classical influence, ambient, and a dose of avant-garde experimentalism. While firmly rooted in the modern some older RPI artists come to mind when trying to describe Monni, who is a true musical chameleon. Micky had mentioned Battiato, and I would add Rocchi for his works like "Essenza" mixed with later electronic work, and Basso for his classically infused 2nd album. Mappe Nootiche comes to mind for their colorful ambient soundscapes. I think one could also mention Steven Wilson the solo artist. "Debris" is more abstract than "Insurgentes" but there are some style similarities at times. The solo work of Fripp and Belew may also be influences, this album reminds me of "Desire Caught by the Tail."

The tracks are richly developed pieces covering a variety of moods, almost always with luxurious melodies and only occasionally dissonant. The backgrounds are constructed with keyboards and simulated orchestrations, or, droning guitars and programmed (but good) drumming. Leading work is primarily the work of Monni's guitar and he is a gifted guitarist. He uses his guitar for painting colors and emotions, sometimes in rhythmic patterns, and occasionally will peel off some very nice solos. The tracks will then be dressed by all manner of sound effects, acoustic guitar, hand percussion, and sampled choir, operatic vocal, strings, and there's a bit of what sounds like church organ on one track. If it sounds to you like all of this could add up to one of those messy albums with lots of sound but little heart, think again. While the album takes a while to fully absorb it's clear he has a talent for making it accessible to people who may not be huge fans of impressionistic music. Monni is a gifted sound architect with a promising future.

Do take the time to check out his music, available in several format from his website.