IF. . . SOUNDS

It once was "If", now, they are "Ifsounds"

Ifsounds are an Italian band that was formed in the 90s, though their first album was released in 2004. Their name was If, but after releasing four studio albums and realizing that there were other bands with the same name, they felt the urge of changing their name. So in 2009 the name Ifsounds appeared and has given the band its own identity, I mean, besides the musical fact, the change in their name was something intended in order to create the only ifsounds "label" and sound.

This free compilation released in June of this 2010, is like the moment of true change of both names, actually if you look at the title "If?Sounds" it is like leaving in the past all that they once were and start a new era. All the songs here belong of course to the If era, though the first track entitled "Don Quixote" was the only new composition, however, I believe the decision of choosing this track as the first one, was intended in order to open the gates to the new band's name and era.

If?Sounds is a two-CD compilation album that features probably their most representative songs, different compositions that show their eclecticism and use of diverse styles. Songs taken from four different albums where one can appreciate their progression as a band, and actually I can say that it is noticeable the direction of some songs from their first album, from songs of their latest one. The first CD contains tracks like "Loser", "Background Noise", "Naked" and "Morpho Nestira Part 2", according to the booklet, they say that this last song is maybe their most progressive, I fully agree, and actually I could say it is my favorite.

The second CD features also songs from their four albums: "In the Cave"; "If"; The Stairway"; and "Morpho Nestira". My favorite songs here are "Like a Bird", "Oceans of Time" and "Thirsty", though the most of the songs are pretty good here. This absolutely free compilation album is worth downloading and listening, the only thing you have to do is to go to their website, become a member and download it, of course, if you are interested.

I have had a good time listening to this young band, and now I am eagerly waiting for their upcoming production "Apeirophobia", an album that for sure I will get and review. My best wishes for Ifsounds and the start of this new era. My final grade for this pretty nice compilation will be three stars.

Enjoy it!

It has been some years since I first came across Italian band If, but I remember enjoying their 2008 album 'Morpho Nestira'. That was actually their last album under the name If, as they changed it to Ifsounds a few years later and after signing with Melodic Revolution Records in 2010 they released this double disc compilation, which brings together songs from their first four releases as If, plus a new number as Ifsounds. Earlier this year I saw a post from head honcho and top hat aficionado Nick Katona celebrating the tenth anniversary of this album, and that it was being made available free of charge to download (just go to the MRR website and search for it) so I decided to renew my acquaintance with the band.

Over the course of their first four albums the band released 40 songs, and there are 17 of these on this set, so it is possible to hear virtually half of all the albums they had released to this point. But what is strange is the lack of continuity overall, which can often be an issue with compilation albums spread over a large number period of time, but apart from the new song, opener "Don Quixote", all the material here was from just 4 years. The change in styles and recordings means this is actually a hard album to get inside and really enjoy, although individual songs definitely do stand out. Generally, their sound is very melodic, very crossover prog, but when they do let themselves go a little such as the much more rocking "Background Noise" it works very well indeed. "Loser" is one of the highlights, with gentle piano and vocals, and strangely I discovered that if I just came in and out of the album for individual songs I got way more from it than playing it from beginning to end.

Overall this is a good way of discovering the band for those who have yet to come across them, especially as it has been made available free of charge by the band and the label, but I would use this more as a way of hearing them and then going back to the original albums to hear them in the original setting.