Lena's Baedream

So what has Italy contributed to the international rock stage over the years? Other than veteran rocker Vasco Rossi, I’m struggling to think of any other noteworthy Italian rock bands. So with some trepidation, along comes Lena’s Baedream, but their new album is a pleasant surprise.


Hailing from Parma in Italy, more famous for its architecture, fine surrounding countryside and ham, Lena’s Baedream are unlike any of the classical composers or artists to have spawned from the region over centuries passed.


Lena's second album Memo is a more sophisticated and accessible follow-up to their thrashy debut Self Attack And The Following Facts, and is drenched in the alternative rock sound of 90s and noughties bands like Incubus and Paramore with hints of Kyuss and Soundgarden. So of course, they sound distinctly American. The album was even mastered at Marcussen Studios in Los Angeles, where the likes of AC/DC, Deftones and Incubus have worked.


The album chronicles the good, the bad and the ugly nature of love and life which we can all relate to and there’s so many influences seeping out from it. From the opening twangs of Chewing Switchblades, you could easily be mistaken for thinking this is Beck’s Loser, but it quickly morphs into Ian Thornley via Soundgarden riffing and once the whole band kick in, we know this album is gonna be a power house - drummer Gabrielle Anversa is particularly impressive and uses some great fills and pounding rythms.


Musically, the band is tight and has produced a powerful second album that harks back to some great alternative rock from the 90s/00s, but you can’t help feel they are struggling for their own unique sound. Vocalist Cristian Ferrari sounds across between Brandon Boyd with a hint of Morten Harket – which segues into Scott Weiland on tracks such as 'D’. It’s certainly not the next, big unique vocal – but that hasn’t affected Josh Homme! And even a cover of Everything But the Girl’s international dance hit, Missing, is transformed into a pretty good rock version (endorsed and appreciated by the original writer Ben Watt).


Standout tracks such as Message to Jolene, Chewing Razorblades, Attitude to Cry and Overture certainly prove that Italian rock can throw up some suprise packages and Lena’s Baedream have a good chance of forging a good following with a busy tour schedule coming up.


Memo is available for download via www.rainboot.co.uk/download