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SCINTILLA

NoSound

Psychedelic/Space Rock


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NoSound Scintilla album cover
3.65 | 58 ratings | 4 reviews | 14% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2016

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Short Story (2:24)
2. Last Lunch (7:00)
3. Little Man (4:38)
4. In Celebration Of Life (5:34)
5. Sogno E Incendio (4:44)
6. Emily (3:19)
7. The Perfect Wife (7:27)
8. Love Is Forever (2:51)
9. Evil Smile (4:33)
10. Scintilla (6:27)

Total Time 48:57

Bonus BD from 2016 SE release:
1-10. Surround mix (48:57)
11. Sol29 (Video)
12. Kites (Video)
13. Constant Contrast (Video)
14. Wherever You Are (Video)

Line-up / Musicians

- Giancarlo Erra / vocals, guitar, keyboards, producing & mixing
- Paolo Vigliarolo / guitar
- Marco Berni / keyboards
- Alessandro Luci / bass
- Giulio Caneponi / drums, percussion, vocals

With:
- Vincent Cavanagh / vocals (4,7)
- Andrea Chimenti / vocals (5)
- Marianne De Chastelaine / cello
- Giovanni Pontarelli / French horn
- Lorenzo Caloi / trombone
- Pier Luigi Porrega / trumpet

Releases information

Artwork: Giancarlo Erra with The Bench Music

CD + BD Kscope ‎- KSCOPE327 (2016, Europe) Bonus Blu-Ray contains 24bit/96kHz PCM stereo and DTS 5.1 surround sound album mixes plus 4 Videos

2xLP Kscope ‎- KSCOPE885 (2016, Europe)

Thanks to mbzr48 for the addition
and to Quinino for the last updates
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NOSOUND Scintilla ratings distribution


3.65
(58 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(14%)
14%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(40%)
40%
Good, but non-essential (33%)
33%
Collectors/fans only (12%)
12%
Poor. Only for completionists (2%)
2%

NOSOUND Scintilla reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Rivertree
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions
3 stars And now NOSOUND from Italy are present with a new album in September 2016. 'The emphasis is placed firmly on feeling rather than technique', announces the label KScope, a subdivision of Burning Shed. Somewhat true, but then again, one thing does not rule out the other, we know. In contrast to the band name as such, you'll be faced with an atmospheric sound here on 'Scintilla'. Vocalist/guitarist Giancarlo Erra is acting as the driving force of a quintet, additionally supported by vocalists Andrea Chimenti and Vincent Cavanagh of Anathema fame as well.

And then not to forget Marianne De Chastelaine on the cello, she basically enhances the melancholic flow with her instrument. There's a real profundity to state concerning the tracks, which expresses a longtime song-writing experience. Interesting approach - the excellent Last Lunch shows a rather dominant drumming. Due to The Perfect Wife they are slightly drifting into a heavier direction yet. Finally, the title track shines with melancholy pure, including a fine soaring guitar and well put piano lines, later turning into something like a marching band.

This is mellow, relaxed overall, composed and implemented akin to Steven Wilson, No-Man, maybe Airbag and Marco Ragni too if you will, even provided with leanings to shoegaze and art pop. Lyrics are predominantly in English, the song Sogni E Incendio albeit differs. 'Scintilla' is a well-made album for sure. While missing something on fire or really innovative on this occasion, for me personally it's a bit too repetitive over the course. Everybody though who's absolutely keen on dreamy psychedelic tinged singer/songwriter stuff, will be convinced, I'm sure.

Review by BrufordFreak
COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars I have loved the soundscapes created by Giancarlo Erra since I first heard them with 2008's wonderful LightDark, but, I have to admit that with each successive release (or discovery--as in the back logue of Sol29) the NoSound sound began to feel old, stale, monotonous. Scintilla offers a bit of a change in direction for Giancarlo Erra and company--more emotional range expressed through sometimes more acoustic, more bare, less electronically filled soundscapes. I like this. A lot. In fact, next to LightDark this is now my favorite

1. "Short Story" (2:24) simple and so sparse in its opening 50 seconds, yet simply gorgeous. When drums and other instruments join in it does spoil the established mood--especially the marching band-like Sigur Rós-like drums. (9/10)

2. "Last Lunch" (7:00) great empty atmospherics and awesome final minute with drums, bass, and distant vocal. My favorite song on the album. (10/10)

3. "Little Man" (4:38) opens with promise as a nice glockenspiel-like keyboard tinkles around, but then drums, guitar and voice enter and it becomes a very typical NoSound song. The chorus is nice and the following return to the simple innocence of the opening keyboard sound is reassuring. Really cool guitar/slide guitar solo in the fourth minute followed by a breakdown into wonderfully sparse simplicity to the end. (8/10)

4. "In Celebration Of Life" (5:34) opens very spaciously with slow, deliberate notes and chords from both electric piano and acoustic guitar. Piano, bass and drums add a nice foundation without taking away from the mood. Giancarlo and Vince Cavanaugh sing of the abundance of life before one of Giancarlo's searing guitar solos takes over. Kind of set up as an instrumental, this is the perfect NoSound song. (9/10)

5. "Sogno E Incendio" (4:44) is a wonderfully romantic song sung in Italian (grâce à Andrea Chimenti). To me, this exemplifies all that is unique and wonderful about Italian pop singers. I would like to hear Giancarlo sing in Italian. I like the guitar tone chosen for the solo in the third minute and then the other screaming one for the finale. More! (9/10)

6. "Emily" (3:19) Though I like the drum, cello and trumpet synth work here, the song sounds weird, tired, and redundant. (8/10)

7. "The Perfect Wife" (7:27) opens with electric guitar arpeggi that sound like they're right out of some classic rock ballad. Then the typical slow-paced rhythm section joins in. Giancarlo sings in a quite, almost folk tone, but then the chorus amps things up--including multiple tracks of Giancarlo's vocal. Nice change up but, in the end, the song does nothing extraordinary. Piano and cello part is okay. (8/10)

8. "Love Is Forever" (2:51) piano based with haunting synth working in the background as Giancarlo sings plaintively, maybe bitterly, between and within. Reminds me of Jacques Brel's "Ne me quitte pas." (8/10)

9. "Evil Smile" (4:33) opens with two drum hits before acoustic guitar, bass, drums, voice and piano complete the ensemble. There's something special about this one that I can't put my finger on--something in the chord or key structure. Or perhaps it's just that more acoustic sound. (9/10)

10. "Scintilla" (6:27) opens with acoustic guitar and 'distant' synth and spacey electric guitar notes. Piano joins and the buzz-saw-like synth sound moves forward causing the soundscape to start to thicken. Singing does not commence until the two minute mark. Giancarlo's stark, untreated voice is front and center but kind of buried by the instruments--a very cool effect! Around 3:35 the voice starts to get a bit overpowered by the instruments but then, as if purposefully, the song switches to a foundation of arpeggiated piano chords--and Giancarlo is finished singing. Sadly, some marching band snares and fake sounding trumpets diminish the song's mood and beauty. Could've been great had they left it alone. (8/10)

A very good album offering a new, more stripped down sound for the NoSound fans.

Review by Windhawk
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Italian band NOSOUND was officially formed in 2005, albeit with roots going back a few more years, and the originally as the creative vehicle and one man band project of Giancarlo Erra. It didn't take all that long before Nosound became a regular band venture however, and in 2008 they were picked up by UK label Kscope for the release of their second album "Lightdark". A further three studio productions have seen the light since then. "Scintilla" is the most recent of those, and was released in the early fall of 2016.

The music of Nosound is, from what I can gather, about atmospheres and moods to a much greater extent than style. The latter is rather hard to pinpoint and define as a matter of fact, while the former is a rather less demanding task. That we're dealing with a variety of progressive rock is rather certain, although one could argue that a description inside an indie rock context might be just as appropriate.

The moods and atmospheres explored revolves around various forms, shades and variations of melancholy, sadness and sorrow. Those who prefer their music to be positive and uplifting can safely move along, as this band, at least on this production, shies well away from anything even remotely jubilant overall. A few details here and there does add a more joyful tinge to the proceedings true enough, but then always inside of a greater context of melancholy or sadness.

The core foundations musically throughout are relatively slow music compositions where gently wandering acoustic guitars, floating keyboard textures, careful piano motifs and the haunting presence of a cello are just about equally important. The bass and drums tend to be on the dampened side of things as well, as are the lead vocals on a general basis. Occasional impact oriented instrument details are used to good effect, as are arrangements ebbing and flowing in intensity. Expanding the canvas ever so slightly is the use of rhythms with something more of a jazz-oriented style from time to time and elegant, gently and slowly soaring guitar solo details of the kind that comes naturally with a crying association. As a one-off, and one that makes a noticeable impact due to that, are higher intensity vocals and firm, hard guitar riffs in the chorus section of The Perfect Wife, one of a few songs on this album where the melancholy and sadness of the atmosphere are also expanded into a more tension-filled albeit dampened feeling of anger and aggression.

Those who have a tendency to find melancholic, atmospheric laden music focusing on emotional impact to be of general interest, and rather prefers music of this kind to be explored within a sophisticated context where the inspiration and to some extent orientation is more or less firmly in the direction of progressive rock, comes across as something of a key audience for this production. I'd imagine that some equally fond of sparse singer/songwriter type of songs and the gentler creations of a band like Pink Floyd might be the kind of person who'll find this album to be fairly perfectly aligned with their taste in music.

Review by The Rain Man
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars Scintilla is the 6th album by Italian alternative band Nosound. The way I got into Nosound was a bit random. I was in a record shop and came across a Kscope records section. I knew of the likes of Steven Wilson and Blackfield were attached to this label. Then "LightDark" came across my eye which was Nosound's second album. I had never heard of them but it had nice packaging and I figured if it was they were on the same label as Steven Wilson they must be doing something right so I bought it. I instantly liked it and all of a sudden I was buying Nosound's discography including this album "Scintilla".

Nosound is the brain child of front man, Giancarlo Erra. During earlier albums it was just him. But as Nosound grew in popularity and the demand came for live performances, the band formed and would also appear on records to this date as well as in live performances. I think one thing the band would hate is to be pigeon holed into a genre. I've seen various musical outlets do this, coming under prog rock, alternative rock, post rock, electronic, ambient and probably many more. In particular I would struggle to call this prog rock or post rock. Prog rock would put them in a category with the likes of Porcupine Tree and Yes etc. This doesn't really have the same feel to it as to me rock means you are rocking and this is to me is not a rock record. Also the song lengths are shorter with only 3 out of the 10 songs on this album over 6 minutes. I would say for a band to be considered prog 50% of the songs or over need to be over 6 minutes. I realise some folk may argue that prog is not just about length but being progressive in terms of being different to what is out there. But I disagree with that. To me that is experimental rock. And then Post rock to me is purely instrumental music with guitars. This record has got singing on every song so I wouldn't put them in this category either.

The category I would put them in, which I don't think is really even an offical genre is ambient music. Scintilla really is a nice listen. I wouldn't put this on through the headphones as I'm going to work as I need something more hard hitting and catchy. But see when I am just chilling out at home or even working in the house. This record is excellent for it. Erra's vocals are just so soothing and relaxing. For example on Sogno E Incendio, he actually sings in Italian for the only time on the album. I often find with artists that I find it difficult to connect with a song if it's in a different language even if I don't have a connection with the lyrics. But it's the mesmorising vocals that do it for me. Another highlight of this track is the majestic guitar work which is so pure sounding.

I think it's the use of various instruments that really set Nosound apart from other bands and keep them interesting. The violins used on the likes of "Last Lunch", "Little man" and "Emily" especially are superb and its nice to see a band using this instrument so prominantly on these tracks. It gives them an extra dimension to their music and makes the album more deeply layered. As well as violins and the obvious guitars, they also use keyboards. I think the best use of this and my favourite track on the album, is album closer and title track "Scintilla". The keyboards are used throughout and come to life about half way through the 6 minute track and along with what sounds like a trumpet builds upto a climax for an absolutley wonderful finish to an album.

Overall this is a well put together album from start to finish. There is a mixture of short and long tracks which are mixed up to make the album flow well. I have emphasised the different use of instruments on this album which all come to the foreground at different points to really make this album come alive and means at no point are you thinking that track was the same as the last track. Having listened to many of Nosound's albums now, they all seem to be of a very high standard and this one is no exception.

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