It’s perhaps odd that we try to explain music through the medium of words, as if it is not already communicating with us in the perfect language. Yes, I know that there is no small amount of irony in me saying that, given that it is my job to put pen to paper on music’s behalf, to try and capture its nature and nuance in letters and words, clever turns of phrase, and descriptive prose. As the saying goes, “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture,” and anyone who has tried to explain the stark beauty of Boston City Hall through interpretive dance will understand exactly what I mean.
But here I am, this is the task before me, I’m going in…
Decadent Heroes is actually the solo instrumental rock project of Italian guitarist Luigi Chiappini, and as soon as you hear the opening track, “The Dragon,” the influence of Joe Satriani’s precision and Carlos Santana’s feel is apparent. If a lot of rock music is merely about groove and grit, Climax is about the pursuit of perfection. (Through not at the expense of groove and grit…as well as grace and grandeur and gravitas.)
“Minutes Away” shows that restraint and sublime sonics are just as important as the raw energy of “Hype” and “Pickup War” is about as funky and bluesy as any southern rock boogie-merchant, just as “Here Comes The Rain” taps into an accessible, not to mention infectious, pop-rock ethic.
As my introduction laid out, words generally fail when trying to capture the most poised and perfect, sublime and seductive music, and that is what this album contains, but hopefully I have done enough to make you want to spend more time with this album…it takes guitar music to new heights, it’s a thing of beauty, and you need it in your life.
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