Pessimi Elementi – Pagani e Malfattori – Review

“E’ Valtellina Rock’n’Roll”: no phrase is more appropriate to introduce the latest work of Pessimi Elementi, referring to the place where Pessimi Elementi come from. Group born as far back (?) as 2007 with three albums already published, they have distinguished themselves not only in the valley of origin but also in some cities of northern Italy, including Milan and Pavia, sharing the stage with famous Italian punkbands like Gerson (in a famous club near Milan called Honky Tonky !!), Dogs and Totale Apatia (to name a few) and have moved up to play in Spain. “Pagani e Malfattori” (“Pagans and Criminals”), released in December 2012, soon had great success in the small music scene in the province of Sondrio. The themes of the songs are often social critics, presented with a sarcastic tone and accompanied by a certain nostalgic folklore: this is the case of the first track, “Valtellina R’N’R”, in which stereotypes and prejudices, related to music or in general to lifestyle, caused by the closed-minded in this small community of Valtellina are recounted. It’s a very strong and scratchy punk, with ska influences noticeable in several songs like “La Mia Generazione” (“My Generation”), which is an invective against the ideals of the youth of today, and “Dio Benedica i Pagani” (“God Bless the Pagans”), which is a critic to the Christian religion and its contradictions. In this critical climate, there are even more personal and introspective songs like “P.M. and “Mi Mancherà” (“I Will Miss Him”). The sixth track,”Dada-Punk” is instead a hymn to Dadaism and the rejection of artistic conventions and morality: in this song the music starts relatively quietly (we are still talking of  a tight snare and important bass-lines) and culminates in a very strong punk during the last chorus. Overall it is a very promising band that slowly, despite the music scene of origin, which is practically non-existent, is getting noticed among emerging bands. They might be Pessimi Elementi (Bad Elements), but they are very good Punk-rockers!

TRACKLIST WITH RATINGS:
01 – Valtellina R’N’R – 8,5
02 – Pessimi Elementi – 7,5
03 – La Mia Generazione – 7,5
04 – Mi Son Sbronzato . 8,5
05 – Mi Mancherà – 8
06 – Dada-Punk – 8
07 – P.M. – 8,5
08 – Dio Benedica i Pagani – 7,5
09 – Come le Rondini – 7,5
10 – Tarantella della Rabbia – 8,5

ALBUM RATING: 8

KEY SENTENCE:
“Non ce ne frega di essere importanti
Non ce ne frega di essere attraenti
Non ce ne frega di essere alla moda
Non ce ne frega se sbagliamo una nota […]
Noi, noi, noi Pessimi Elementi
Voi, voi, voi ipocriti viventi” – Pessimi Elementi

Reviewed by D.C.