Part Bull
My recent dalliance with an Italian band was a poor one. With names like Inno Fabrio (Vocals) and Bruno Di Medio (Guitars), they have to be Italian, surely? Hailing from Montreal, Canada, Fabbro and Di Medio were both involved in music early on in their adolescent lives. Fabrio never strayed from his first love of the written word, accrued numerous accomplishments as an aspiring poet. On the other hand Di Medio continued to refine his guitar playing. As usual for these things, several fellow artists insisted that the two amalgamate their talents to bring their efforts into fruition. The result of that moment is this, ‘Impossi-bull’, an album reaching in vein for its classic rock tendancies. Hit and miss in equal parts; from the half decent in songs like ‘Impossi-bull’, and ‘Burn!’ to the dire and bland ‘Con-form-itty’
Joining them on Impossi-bull are Gilbert Fradette on drums, Domenic Romanelli on bass, Peter Ranallo on keys, Marc Angers on violin and Julien Bouchard / Danny Ranallo on additional guitars. The album, recorded at Woodshed Studios in Montreal was produced by Peter Ranallo. The sound is predominantly bluesy /classic/ melodic rock mixed with a basic recording ‘back in the shed’ feel to it. Apart from the odd exception it's down-to-earth, no-frills music with the emphasis on KISS (keep it simple, stupid!) attitude. Brilliant it aint!
The title track kicks things off. The Hammond organ in the background underlays a simple song with a solid classic rock, basic early 8o’s style. Its an OK opener, but doesn’t set the world alight, but its difficult not to stop you from tapping your feet. 'My Friend Matt' is a slower track which is ok, but nothing ‘nice and tingly’.'Burn' is a livelier track and is almost a replica of the title track. Again the choruses drag the songs out of the doldrums and this in effect is another catchy song.
The first real decent song is the acoustic-guitar-influenced 'Picture Of You'. Whilst being a relatively solid performer, singer Inno Fabbro has raspy, gravelly tone which can be monotonous in parts and I feel that he could offer so much more. 'Con-form-itty' is a piss-poor track with equally piss-poor lyrics; "and to beautify, the Pope must ratify" and on it goes. 'Edge Of Time' is the heaviest that Fabbro and Di Medio get. 'Hypnotized in Heels' is plain wierd. I can only imagine its influenced by early Van Halen tomfoolery. Again Hammond organ influenced and is taken from the ‘I-Spy book of Hair Metal Rude Lyric Writing’.
Impossi-bull isn't bull by any imagination, but it is part cow-pat. As I’ve stated before, in a genre flooded with bands and even more cds to compete against, it takes something to stand above the parapet. Unfortunately this isn’t it.