Release Date: June 8, 2010 Label: California Dreaming Records Producer: Rooney   Style: Pop Rock, Powerpop Related bands: The Beatles, The Click Five, The Beach Boys, Weezer

[voto: 3.5][EN]

Intro
Little "power" and a lot of "pop" are included in the come back of the "When Did Your Heart Go Missing"’s band.

Best tracks
Holdin’ On, Not In My House, Don’t Look At Me, The Hunch

Notes
When I first listened to this new CD I was very disappointed from the overall album.
What I enjoyed from the first two albums seemed to have disappeared: (almost) no more sparkling songs accompanied by simple but memorable arrangements of keyboards and electric guitar, inspired by 70s and 80s sounds. The melodic and energetic songs of the last EP "Wild One" were just a beautiful memory.
Since the first single "I Can not Get Enough" I was unhappy, in fact I find it is one of the less successful pieces.
Finally, after many listenings to "Eureka", I concluded that, although it is not up to the Californian band previous production, we are facing a more than pleasant record.
Schwarzman and company certainly know their stuff when it comes to composing melodies that leave a mark, just hear the opener "Holdin 'On" or "Don’t Look At Me”.
The album as a whole is much more laid back and sunny than the previous ones, acoustic atmospheres and vocal melodies that bring to mind the Beatles, the Beach Boys and more generally the Westcoast bands of the 60s, are the leitmotif of almost the entire platter.
A slightly different trend comes thank to "The Hunch”, sung by drummer Ned Brower, the Billy Joel inspired "Go On" and "Not In My House" where peeps out the spirit of Marc Bolan.
Not Rooney’s best but a good job indeed.

Band

• Robert Schwarzman – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Ned Brower – drums, vocals
• Taylor Locke - guitars
• Matthew Winter - bass
• Louie Stephens - keyboards

Tracklist

• 01. Holdin’ On   4:07
• 02. I Can’t Get Enough   3:06
• 03. Only Friend   3:51
• 04. Into The Blue  3:33
• 05. All Or Nothing   3:55
• 06. The Hunch   2:30
• 07. I Don’t Wanna Lose You   3:10
• 08. Stars And Stripes   4:00
• 09. Go On   3:20
• 10. You’re What I’m Looking For   3:37
• 11. Not In My House  3:29
• 12. Don’t Look At Me   3:59 

Discography

• Rooney (2003 Geffen)
• Calling The World (2007 Geffen)
• Wild One EP (2009 Independent release)
• Eureka (2010 California Dreaming Records)

Suggested links

• Rooney on myspace
• Rooney Official Site

Release Date: June 8, 2010 Label: California Dreaming Records Producer: Rooney   Style: Pop Rock, Powerpop Related bands: The Beatles, The Click Five, The Beach Boys, Weezer

[voto: 3.5][EN]

Intro
Poco “power” e molto “pop” nel come back della band di “When Did Your Heart Go Missing”.

Best tracks
Holdin’ On, Not In My House, Don’t Look At Me, The Hunch

Notes
Al primo ascolto di questo nuovo CD sono rimasto oltremodo deluso dall’andamento globale dell’album.
Quello che mi aveva fatto apprezzare i primi due album pareva essere scomparso: niente più (o quasi) frizzanti canzoni accompagnate da semplici ma memorabili arrangiamenti di tastiere e chitarre elettriche ispirati da sonorità a cavallo tra i ‘70 e gli ‘80. I melodici ma energici brani contenuti nell’ultimo EP “Wild One” erano solo un bel ricordo.
Già dal primo singolo “I Can’t Get Enough” sono rimasto scontento, infatti lo trovo uno dei pezzi meno riusciti.
Alla fine, ascoltando e riascoltando “Eureka”, sono giunto alla conclusione che, pur essendo inferiore alla precedente produzione della band californiana, siamo davanti a un disco più che gradevole.
Schwarzman e compagni sanno sicuramente il fatto loro quando si tratta di comporre melodie che lasciano il segno, vi basti ascoltare l’opener “Holdin’ On” o “Don’t Look At Me”.
L’album nel suo complesso è molto più rilassato e solare dei precedenti, atmosfere acustiche e melodie vocali che portano alla mente Beatles, Beach Boys e più in generale i gruppi WestCoast degli anni ’60, sono il leitmotiv di quasi tutto il platter.
A variare leggermente la tendenza del CD, ci sono “The Hunch”, se non altro perché cantata dal batterista Ned Brower, la billyjoeliana “Go On” e “Not In My House” in cui fa capolino lo spirito di Marc Bolan.
Non è il meglio dei Rooney ma rimane un buon lavoro, ad essere sinceri.

Band

• Robert Schwarzman – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Ned Brower – drums, vocals
• Taylor Locke - guitars
• Matthew Winter - bass
• Louie Stephens - keyboards

Tracklist

• 01. Holdin’ On   4:07
• 02. I Can’t Get Enough   3:06
• 03. Only Friend   3:51
• 04. Into The Blue  3:33
• 05. All Or Nothing   3:55
• 06. The Hunch   2:30
• 07. I Don’t Wanna Lose You   3:10
• 08. Stars And Stripes   4:00
• 09. Go On   3:20
• 10. You’re What I’m Looking For   3:37
• 11. Not In My House  3:29
• 12. Don’t Look At Me   3:59 

Discography

• Rooney (2003 Geffen)
• Calling The World (2007 Geffen)
• Wild One EP (2009 Independent release)
• Eureka (2010 California Dreaming Records)

Suggested links

• Rooney on myspace
• Rooney Official Site

Release Date: April 21 (Jap.) – May 28th (Europe),  2010 Label: Avalon (Jap.), earMusic (Eu.) Producer: Michael Vail Blum   Style: AOR, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock Related bands: Europe, Treat, Toto, Giant

[voto: 3.75]

Intro
Second album for the young Swedish rockers, who deliver another good record.

Best tracks
Who Will Stop The Rain, Beg Beg Beg, Black Night, Shelter, Stay, Everybody Wants To Be Someone

Notes
Unfortunately, a few weeks after that "Freedom Rock" was released in Europe, departure of singer Kenny Leckremo has been made official. He has been an important player for the sound of one of the best bands of the genre that emerged in recent years.
But ... "the show must go on", so the remaining five components are already looking for their new frontman (I would like to see Erik Martensson of Eclipse, who already fronted H.E.A.T at Firefest 2008, replacing Kenny Leckremo who had been hospitalized).
Speaking about the disc, I must start by saying that the self-titled debut album released two years ago was one of the nicest surprises in years, in my opinion. Songs were not that original, sure, but they had the right melodies and the hooks to enter the heads and the hearts of the few but loyal melodic rock fans.
It was not easy, therefore, to perform again at the same level but I can not say they have not tried.
Many are the songs that will fit into my "best of" of 2010, but there are also a few fillers too; it is a crime that a wonderful song like "Tonight" is included only in the Japanese release, when it could have properly replaced a filler (eg. "Danger Road" or "High On Love").
At last, the choice to release "Freedom Rock" in a double CD package accompanied by their debut album (the second edition with "1000 Miles") for the price of a single CD is to reward.
Go out and buy this CD soon!

Band

• Crash: drums
• Kenny Leckremo: vocals
• Eric Rivers: guitar
• Dave Dalone: guitar
• Jona Tee: keyboards
• Jimmy Jay: bass

Tracklist

CD1 "Freedom Rock"

• 01. We're Gonna Make It To The End   (Crash) 4:10
• 02. Black Night (ft. Tobias Sammet)   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 4:01
• 03. I Can't Look The Other Way   (Jay) 4:14
• 04. Shelter   (Tee) 3:28
• 05. Beg Beg Beg   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 3:01
• 06. Danger Road   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 2:59
• 07. Stay   (Tee) 3:24
• 08. Everybody Wants To Be Someone (Dalone, Tee) 3:32
• 09. Nobody Loves You (Like I Do)   (Dalone, Leckremo) 2:55
• 10. I Know What It Takes   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 3:03
• 11. Cast Away   (Rivers, Leckremo) 4:04
• 12. High On Love   (Dalone) 2:27
• 13. Who Will Stop The Rain   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 4:08

CD2 "H.E.A.T"

• 01. Intro   0:20
• 02. 1000 Miles   (Stenmarck, Jarl) 2:57
• 03. There For You   (H.E.A.T) 3:29
• 04. Never Let Go   (Dalone, Tee) 3:11
• 05. Late Night Lady   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 3:15
• 06. Keep On Dreaming   (Dalone, Tee) 4:12
• 07. Follow Me   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 4:08
• 08. Straight For Your Heart   (Dalone, Jay) 3:27
• 09. Cry   (Dalone, Tee) 4:23
• 10. Feel It Again   (Leckremo, Crash) 3:27
• 11. Straight Up   (Dalone, Leckremo, Crash) 4:21
• 12. Bring The Stars   (Dalone, Tee) 3:35
• 13. You're Lying   (Dalone, Tee) 3:18
• 14. Feel The Heat   (Leckremo) 3:56
• 15. 1000 Miles (USA Extended Mix)   (Stenmarck, Jarl) 4:10

Discography

• H.E.A.T (2008 StormVox)
• Freedom Rock + H.E.A.T (2010 earMusic)

Suggested links

• H.E.A.T on myspace
• H.E.A.T Official Site

Release Date: April 21 (Jap.) – May 28th (Europe),  2010 Label: Avalon (Jap.), earMusic (Eu.) Producer: Michael Vail Blum   Style: AOR, Melodic Rock, Hard Rock Related bands: Europe, Treat, Toto, Giant

[voto: 3.75][EN]

Intro
Secondo album per i giovanissimi rocker svedesi, i quali pubblicano un altro buon lavoro.

Best tracks
Who Will Stop The Rain, Beg Beg Beg, Black Night, Shelter, Stay, Everybody Wants To Be Someone

Notes
Purtroppo, a poche settimane dall'uscita europea di questo "Freedom Rock", è stato ufficializzato l'abbandono della band da parte del cantante Kenny Leckremo, sicuramente una pedina importante per il sound di una delle migliori band del genere nate negli ultimi anni.
Ma…"the show must go on", così i restanti cinque componenti sono già alla ricerca del nuovo frontman (ci vedrei bene Erik Martensson degli Eclipse, che già si esibì con gli H.E.A.T al Firefest 2008, loro debutto internazionale, sostituendo all'ultimo un Kenny Leckremo ospedalizzato).
Venendo al disco, devo premettere che l'omonimo debutto di due anni fa è stata una delle più belle sorprese degli ultimi anni, per il sottoscritto. Canzoni certamente non originali ma che possedevano le melodie giuste e il tiro adatto per entrare nella testa e nel cuore dei pochi ma fedelissimi appassionati di melodic rock.
Non era facile, dunque, ripetersi agli stessi livelli ma non posso dire che gli non ci abbiano provato.
Diverse le canzoni che entreranno nel mio "best of" del 2010, però ci sono anche un paio di filler di troppo; peccato poi, che "Tonight" sia uscita solo nella versione giapponese dell'album, avrebbe potuto sostituire degnamente un brano meno riuscito (ad es. "Danger Road" o "High On Love").
Da premiare, infine, la scelta di far uscire "Freedom Rock" in doppio CD accompagnato dall'album di debutto (nella seconda edizione con "1000 Miles") al prezzo di un singolo CD.

Band

• Crash: drums
• Kenny Leckremo: vocals
• Eric Rivers: guitar
• Dave Dalone: guitar
• Jona Tee: keyboards
• Jimmy Jay: bass

Tracklist

CD1 "Freedom Rock"

• 01. We're Gonna Make It To The End   (Crash) 4:10
• 02. Black Night (ft. Tobias Sammet)   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 4:01
• 03. I Can't Look The Other Way   (Jay) 4:14
• 04. Shelter   (Tee) 3:28
• 05. Beg Beg Beg   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 3:01
• 06. Danger Road   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 2:59
• 07. Stay   (Tee) 3:24
• 08. Everybody Wants To Be Someone (Dalone, Tee) 3:32
• 09. Nobody Loves You (Like I Do)   (Dalone, Leckremo) 2:55
• 10. I Know What It Takes   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 3:03
• 11. Cast Away   (Rivers, Leckremo) 4:04
• 12. High On Love   (Dalone) 2:27
• 13. Who Will Stop The Rain   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 4:08

CD2 "H.E.A.T"

• 01. Intro   0:20
• 02. 1000 Miles   (Stenmarck, Jarl) 2:57
• 03. There For You   (H.E.A.T) 3:29
• 04. Never Let Go   (Dalone, Tee) 3:11
• 05. Late Night Lady   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 3:15
• 06. Keep On Dreaming   (Dalone, Tee) 4:12
• 07. Follow Me   (Dalone, Tee, Leckremo) 4:08
• 08. Straight For Your Heart   (Dalone, Jay) 3:27
• 09. Cry   (Dalone, Tee) 4:23
• 10. Feel It Again   (Leckremo, Crash) 3:27
• 11. Straight Up   (Dalone, Leckremo, Crash) 4:21
• 12. Bring The Stars   (Dalone, Tee) 3:35
• 13. You're Lying   (Dalone, Tee) 3:18
• 14. Feel The Heat   (Leckremo) 3:56
• 15. 1000 Miles (USA Extended Mix)   (Stenmarck, Jarl) 4:10

Discography

• H.E.A.T (2008 StormVox)
• Freedom Rock + H.E.A.T (2010 earMusic)

Suggested links

• H.E.A.T on myspace
• H.E.A.T Official Site

Date: July 15, 2010 Venue: Piazza Grande – Moon And Stars Town: Locarno (Switzerland)

[voto: 4.5]

Moon And Stars is an event that is held since 2004 in the picturesque Piazza Grande in Locarno, a few dozen meters from Lake Maggiore. Each year, many artists of international status come here and for two weeks Locarno becomes a city of music (and not a single inhabitant of the town collect signatures against these concerts) and this year, the evening with Toto and Earth Wind & Fire co-headlining is undoubtedly the most meaty to me.

"Boogie Wonderland" opens literally the dance with the twelve Earth, Wind & Fire musicians playing wild and ready to rock the crowd. Funky and 70s disco hits follow one another almost without a pause, the set is composed by a compilation of their most famous songs: "September", "Fantasy", "After The Love Has Gone" and "Sing A Song" among others.
One hour and twenty-five minutes of great fun offered by an ensemble of unexceptionable and vocally resounding musicians. Thinking that some of them are now in their sixties is truly incredible.

After a twenty minute break, it comes the moment I eagerly awaited for. I have attended several Toto concerts but I never had the chance to see Joseph Williams with them, the singer of "The Seventh One" (and "Fahrenheit"), the record that made me discover them when I was a boy and that is within my ten desert island cds.
The circumstances, unfortunately, are not happy, since this temporary reunion and the short European tour are organized to honor the historic bass player Mike Porcaro who contracted Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as ALS.
Legendary bassist Nathan East, known for having played with Phil Collins and Eric Clapton among others, has been called to stand in for Mike in this tour.

The band strikes up with the epic and pompous instrumental "Child's Anthem" and we are soon able to catch the excellent shape of the musicians and their desire to become a single entity with the crowd, with Steve Lukather who demands and urge the audience's chorus. After the instrumental introduction, here comes Joseph Williams on stage and since the first vocalizations of "Till The End" the impression is that this will be a great night indeed, his throat is in good shape. The harmony between the various members of the band is palpable and seeing for the first time on stage Steve Porcaro and Joseph Williams was really exciting for me.
Luke is histrionic as always, David Paich is a scene stealer when he does not "hide" behind the keys and a true maestro when he plays, the groove imposed from East and veteran Simon Phillips is pure passion and I should also mention the great voices of the two back-up vocalists Jory Steinberg and Mabvuto Carpenter.
The long instrumental parts performed during the last tours are not played except for a short keyboards solo; maybe because of the short setlist but this time the songs are at the core of the show: "Pamela", "Home Of The Brave", "Georgy Porgy" (with the intro "stolen" from EWF's "Can't Hide Love" and to them dedicated by Luke), "Stop Loving You".
The setlist covers only the first ten years of Toto career, with songs pulled out from the 1978 debut album to the 1988 "The Seventh One"; if I have to complain about something, I have to say that I would have liked a few more songs from Williams' two records even if some classic should have been dropped. "Only The Children", "Straight For The Heart" or "Could This Be Love" would have been perfect for me.

In the next months a DVD should be released with the whole concert held in Copenhagen a few days later, I recommend the purchase to all the fans who could not reach Locarno.

A last thought goes to the great Mike Porcaro, a player who gave Toto so much both on stage and live.

Band:

Joseph Williams - lead vocals
Steve Lukather - guitars, lead vocals
David Paich - keyboards, lead vocals
Steve Porcaro - keyboards
Nathan East - bass, backing vocals
Simon Phillips - drums
Jory Steinberg - lead & backing vocals
Mabvuto Carpenter - lead & backing vocals

Setlist:

01. Child's Anthem
02. Till The End
03. Afraid Of Love
04. Lovers In The Night
05. Pamela
06. Georgy Porgy
07. Somewhere Tonight
08. Keyboards solo
09. Stop Loving You
10. Africa
11. Rosanna
ENCORE
12. Home Of The Brave
13. Hold The Line

Date: July 15, 2010 Venue: Piazza Grande – Moon And Stars Town: Locarno (Switzerland)

[voto: 4.5][EN]

Moon And Stars è una manifestazione che da sei anni si tiene nella caratteristica e centralissima Piazza Grande di Locarno a poche decine di metri dal Lago Maggiore. Ogni anno passano di qui artisti di caratura internazionale e per due settimane Locarno diventa città della musica (senza che nessun abitante della cittadina raccolga firme anti-concerti e proteste varie) e quest'anno, la serata da co-headliner di Toto ed Earth, Wind & Fire è senza dubbio la più succosa, per me.

Le note di "Boogie Wonderland" aprono letteralmente le danze con i dodici musicisti degli Earth, Wind & Fire scatenati e pronti a loro volta a far scatenare la folla. Hit funky e disco anni '70 si susseguono praticamente senza sosta, una compilation delle loro canzoni più famose ha composto il set: "September", "Fantasy", "After The Love Has Gone" e "Sing A Song" tra le altre.
Un'ora e venticinque minuti di grande divertimento prodotto da un ensemble di musicisti ineccepibili e vocalmente strepitosi. Pensare che alcuni di loro sono ormai sulla sessantina è davvero incredibile.

Dopo una ventina di minuti di pausa arriva il momento da me tanto atteso. Ho assistito a diversi concerti dei Toto ma non avevo mai avuto l'occasione di vederli con Joseph Williams al microfono, il cantante di "The Seventh One" (e di "Fahrenheit"), il disco che me li ha fatti scoprire da ragazzino e che rientra nei miei dieci dischi da portare sull'isola deserta.
L'occasione, purtroppo, non è delle più felici, infatti questa temporanea reunion con relativo mini tour europeo sono stati organizzati in onore dello storico bassista Mike Porcaro il quale ha contratto il morbo di Lou Gehrig, tristemente noto anche come SLA.
Al posto di Mike è stato chiamato un altro leggendario bassista, Nathan East, noto per avere suonato con Phil Collins ed Eric Clapton tra gli altri.

La band attacca con lo strumentale epico e pomposo di "Child's Anthem" e già traspare l'ottima forma dei musicisti e la loro voglia di diventare un'unica entità con il pubblico, con il leader Steve Lukather che chiama a gran voce il coro del pubblico. Finita l'introduzione strumentale, ecco salire sul palco Joseph Williams e fin dai primi vocalizzi di "Till The End" l'impressione è che questa sarà veramente una grande serata, la sua ugola pare in ottima forma. La sintonia tra i vari membri della band è palpabile e, per me, vedere per la prima volta sul palco Steve Porcaro e Joseph Williams è emozionante.
Luke è il solito istrione, David Paich mattatore quando esce dal "nascondiglio" delle tastiere ma maestro assoluto quando si cimenta allo strumento, il groove imposto da East e dal veterano Simon Phillips è passione allo stato puro e menzione va pure alle grandi voci dei due coristi Jory Steinberg e Mabvuto Carpenter.
I lunghi momenti strumentali a cui ci avevano abituato nelle ultime tournée non vengono eseguiti a parte un breve solo di tastiere; saranno i tempi "ristretti" ma, questa volta, sono le canzoni ad essere al centro dello show: "Pamela", "Home Of The Brave", "Georgy Porgy" (con tanto di citazione di "Can't Hide Love" degli EWF e loro dedicata da Luke), "Stop Loving You".
La scaletta copre solo i primi dieci anni di carriera dei Toto, con brani che vanno dall'omonimo disco d'esordio del 1978 fino a "The Seventh One" del 1988; se proprio devo lamentarmi di qualcosa, devo dire che avrei preferito qualche canzone in più dai due dischi di Williams anche a discapito, eventualmente, di qualche classico. "Only The Children", "Straight For The Heart" o "Could This Be Love" ci sarebbero state proprio bene.

Nei prossimi mesi dovrebbe uscire il DVD del concerto tenuto a Copenhagen qualche giorno dopo, consiglio l'acquisto a tutti i fan che non hanno potuto raggiungere Locarno.

Un ultimo pensiero va sicuramente a un grande come Mike Porcaro che tanto ha dato sul palco e in studio a una band storica come quella dei Toto.

Band:

Joseph Williams - lead vocals
Steve Lukather - guitars, lead vocals
David Paich - keyboards, lead vocals
Steve Porcaro - keyboards
Nathan East - bass, backing vocals
Simon Phillips - drums
Jory Steinberg - lead & backing vocals
Mabvuto Carpenter - lead & backing vocals

Setlist:

01. Child's Anthem
02. Till The End
03. Afraid Of Love
04. Lovers In The Night
05. Pamela
06. Georgy Porgy
07. Somewhere Tonight
08. Keyboards solo
09. Stop Loving You
10. Africa
11. Rosanna
ENCORE
12. Home Of The Brave
13. Hold The Line

Release Date: July 20, 2009 Label: Powerage Records   Style: Hard Rock Related bands: Skid Row, Guns N'Roses, Taking Dawn, Hinder, Burn Halo

[voto: 3.5][EN]

Intro
Hard rock made in England.

Best tracks
In The Fading Light, On Fire, Seven Nights Seven Bodies, Moth To The Flame

Notes
Non appena ho scoperto chi fosse lo special guest del concerto londinese dei Bon Jovi a cui avrei assistito, ho voluto approfondire la conoscenza di questo "nuovo aggeggio". I New Device sono cinque musicisti che, a dispetto della giovane età, prendono a piene mani dalle grandi band hard'n'heavy del passato come Motley Crue, Guns N' Roses e Skid Row aggiungendo quel tocco di modernità che rende tutto più piacevole da ascoltare oggigiorno, alla stregua di band come Burn Halo o Hinder.
"Takin' Over", uscito nel 2009, è il loro album di debutto e si compone di dodici tracce granitiche ma melodiche, in cui a farla da padrone sono i riff 80s oriented e soprattutto la voce pulita ed ampia del cantante Daniel Leigh, bravissimo su disco quanto dal vivo, come ho potuto constatare.
Belle le power ballad "In The Fading Light" e "Moth To The Flame" che si alternano a pezzi più veloci come "On Fire" e "Seven Nights, Seven Bodies" in puro stile 80s hair metal.
Promossi al primo tentativo, credo ci siano comunque margini per un miglioramento dal punto di vista complessivo delle composizioni, dovranno forse cercare di rendere ancora più fresco il loro sound per essere competitivi in questo genere.

Band

• Daniel Leigh  - vocals
• Gaz Bolan - lead guitars
• Shane Lee - lead guitars
• Andy Saxton - bass
• Rozzy Ison - drums

Tracklist

• 01. Make My Day   3.30
• 02. Never Say Never   3.44
• 03. You've Got It Comin'   3.39
• 04. In The Fading Light   5.01
• 05. On Fire   3.22
• 06. Pedal To The Metal   4.18
• 07. Until The End   3.26
• 08. Moth To The Flame   5.08
• 09. Seven Nights, Seven Bodies   3.13
• 10. Heaven Knows   3.02
• 11. Hope Is Not Enough   3.32
• 12. Takin' Over   3.46

Discography

• Takin' Over (2009 Powerage Records)

Suggested links

• New Device on myspace

Date: July 3, 2010 Venue: Parco San Giuliano – Heineken Jammin' Festival Town: Venezia

[voto: 4.5]

They're back!
Back after a six years and back for the second time in Italy in few months.
Finally, I add.
I have always appreciated The Cranberries and I have always believed that, after all, they were only the support band for Dolores, frontwoman and outstanding singer. Instead, after two anonymous solo album released by the thirty-nine year-old singer, I had to change my mind. Evidently, the mixture and magic between Dolores, the Hogan brothers and Fergal Lawler is such that every single member is essential for the band.

Under the burning sun of one of this summer's hottest days, at 19.30 the four Irish musicians come on stage. The Cranberries is the second main band of the first day of the Heineken Jammin' Festival 2010.
Although they have been very recently in Italy, although they should have performed three other dates (in a few days will play in Rome, Perugia and Turin, the last two concerts have been cancelled due to Dolores' illness) and, above all, despite they have to play before giants like Aerosmith, who are not playing in Italy since many years, there are many fans for them. And those fans were right, because we enjoyed a memorable concert.

In the past I've seen tv live performances by Dolores and not always she sang well like she is able to do in the studio, but this time she sang divinely, managing to carry on stage all the energy and pathos contained in the studio albums. She interacted with the audience between songs having a high time, even suffering the hot and oppressive sky of Mestre like us in the audience.
The stage was obviously her own but, as already explained, the chemistry between the four guys (plus multi-instrumentalist Denny DeMarchi, who already worked with his brother Steve, with Alias and Dolores) made it even more energetic and magical.
All the band's career was taken into consideration with songs from all five albums plus two songs taken from the singer's solo albums.
So many are the hits that thrilled the twenty thousand people in the crowd, but euphoria reached the highest peak with the conclusive "Dreams" and especially with the classic song "Zombie" which, despite of its lyrics that tells of wars and deaths, was able to trigger a happy and entranced audience. How good not to speak English!

The Cranberries proved on stage that they're back at the top, now we only have to wait and hope that the same miracle will be recreated in the studio.. maybe for a long time. 

Setlist:

01. Analyse
02. Animal Instinct
03. How
04. Ordinary Day
05. Linger
06. Wanted
07. Just My Imagination
08. When You're Gone
09. Switch Off The Moment
10. Desperate Andy
11. Time Is Ticking Out
12. I Can't Be With You
13. Ode To My Family
14. Free To Decide
15. Salvation
16. Ridiculous Thoughts
17. Zombie
ENCORE
18. Shattered
19. Still Can't…
20. Dreams