Storia di un impiegato cover

Storia di un impiegato

Fabrizio De André · 1973

35 min · 9 tracks · traditional folk music

A poignant blend of folk melodies and narrative-driven lyrics that encapsulate social critique and personal introspection.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Canzone del maggio Start here — This track serves as a rallying cry for social justice, blending traditional folk elements with powerful imagery that reflects the spirit of the May Day protests.
  • →
    Il bombarolo — In this song, De André tells the story of a bomb thrower grappling with the moral implications of his actions, capturing the internal conflict prevalent in political activism.
  • →
    Verranno a chiederti del nostro amore — This haunting ballad deals with love amidst turmoil, showcasing De André's ability to intertwine personal emotion with broader existential themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's narrative-driven songs and folk melodies create a cohesive exploration of social themes.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a spoken introduction that sets a narrative tone, followed by tracks that blend storytelling with melodic folk arrangements.
  • Each song features a distinct structure, often alternating between verses and choruses, with some tracks incorporating instrumental interludes.
  • The lyrics are dense and socially charged, often reflecting on themes of alienation and political unrest, which are woven into the fabric of the melodies.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

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
8/10

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

  • steady narrative progression throughout
  • poignant reflections on everyday struggles
  • theatrical storytelling with emotional depth
  • engaging lyrical themes of life
  • thought-provoking moments for introspection

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer fast-paced listening experiences
  • seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Marked a shift to politically engaged themes, enhancing De André's recognition.
Themes
May 1968 revolution· Italian working-class struggles· psychological violence imagery
Career context
By the time Fabrizio De André released Storia di un impiegato in 1973, he was transitioning from his earlier commercial success to a more politically engaged and introspective phase. This album followed his previous work, Non al denaro non all'amore né al cielo, highlighting his evolution as an artist willing to tackle complex societal themes.
Stylistic neighbors
Lucinda Williams· Nick Drake· Leonard Cohen

Tracklist

  • 1 Introduzione 1:42
  • 2 Canzone del maggio Start here 2:24
  • 3 La bomba in testa 4:01
  • 4 Al ballo mascherato 5:12
  • 5 Sogno numero due 3:13
  • 6 La canzone del padre 5:14
  • 7 Il bombarolo 4:20
  • 8 Verranno a chiederti del nostro amore 4:19
  • 9 Nella mia ora di libertà 5:09

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata