Effedia: Sulla mia cattiva strada cover

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

  • →
    La cattiva strada Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    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.
  • →
    Bocca di rosa — The narrative explores themes of love and societal prejudice, encapsulating De André's signature style of blending storytelling with social commentary.
  • →
    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.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

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
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

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

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata