Released 18 years ago this October
Effedia: Sulla mia cattiva strada
Fabrizio De André · 2008
154 min · 37 tracks · traditional folk music
A reflective tapestry of traditional folk melodies intertwined with poignant storytelling, echoing the struggles and beauty of Italian life.
Top tracks — play these first
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La cattiva strada Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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La guerra di Piero — This track powerfully reflects on the futility of war through the lens of personal loss, showcasing De André's ability to evoke deep emotional responses.
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Bocca di rosa — The narrative explores themes of love and societal prejudice, encapsulating De André's signature style of blending storytelling with social commentary.
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Amore che vieni, amore che vai — This song beautifully captures the transient nature of love, employing poetic imagery that resonates with listeners while demonstrating De André's lyrical prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends classic and new material with strong arrangements, though its length affects cohesion.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word segments, enhancing the storytelling aspect and providing context to the music.
- The sequencing alternates between upbeat and reflective pieces, creating a dynamic flow that maintains listener engagement throughout its extensive tracklist.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- poetic storytelling for reflective moments
- melodies for intimate gatherings
- wave-like pacing for easy listening
- long sessions of immersive exploration
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification from music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Released shortly before his death, it showcases a culmination of his life's work.
- Themes
- Italian folk storytelling· anti-war sentiment· small-town tragedy
- Career context
- Released in 2008, just a year before Fabrizio De André's death, this album serves as a culmination of his life's work. It revisits and reinterprets many of his classic songs alongside newer compositions, marking a significant moment in his illustrious career as he delved into themes of love, loss, and social justice.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lucinda Williams· Nick Drake· Leonard Cohen
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Bella se vuoi volare 1:00
- 2 La cattiva strada Start here 4:33
- 3 La città vecchia 3:05
- 4 Dolcenera 4:55
- 5 Le acciughe fanno il pallone 4:43
- 6 Quello che non ho 5:50
- 7 Il gorilla 2:57
- 8 Le passanti 3:48
- 9 Amore che vieni, amore che vai 2:48
- 10 La ballata di Michè 2:52
- 11 La canzone di Marinella 5:01
- 12 La ballata dell’eroe 2:33
- 13 La guerra di Piero 3:16
- 14 Sidún 5:19
- 15 Fiume Sand Creek 4:12
- 16 Girotondo 3:08
- 17 Cielito lindo 1:31
- 18 Canzone del maggio 4:08
- 19 Il testamento di Tito 6:46
- 20 Bocca di rosa 4:29
Disc 2
- 1 Maria Giuana 1:23
- 2 Via del Campo 3:09
- 3 Crêuza de mä 5:35
- 4 Khorakhané (A forza di essere vento) 5:26
- 5 Monti di mola 7:16
- 6 Andrea 5:43
- 7 Rimini 4:06
- 8 Hotel Supramonte 4:29
- 9 Ho visto Nina volare 3:52
- 10 Un malato di cuore 4:17
- 11 Don Raffae’ 4:21
- 12 Preghiera in gennaio 3:17
- 13 Se ti tagliassero a pezzetti 4:57
- 14 La domenica delle salme 6:10
- 15 Ottocento 4:10
- 16 Amico fragile 8:02
- 17 Dai monti della Savoia 1:34
What to play next
Sogno nº 1
2011
Continues the reflective storytelling with new sonic textures and themes.
In direzione ostinata e contraria
2005
Sets the stage with similar introspective folk elements and lyrical depth.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Songs of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Shares poetic storytelling and melancholic themes, blending folk melodies with profound lyrical depth.
Diamonds & Rust
Joan Baez
Features traditional folk sounds with reflective lyrics, often touching on personal and socio-political themes.
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Combines intimate folk instrumentation with evocative storytelling, creating a similarly haunting atmosphere.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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