Defining a genre in which to pigeonhole Kafka's music on the beach is not easy, nor would it probably make sense. As well as nonsense are some of their lyrics (and the titles of some songs).
As well as Kafka e Nakata, the main characters of the novel by Murakami - from which the group takes its name, they go in search of a place, not knowing what their destiny will really be, I assume that even our musician friends have set a goal, without knowing exactly if and when they will reach it. Assuming it really makes sense to achieve it.
The ultimate meaning of the record is the condemnation of the world we live in and of ourselves. A bare and raw tale of all the ugliness that surrounds us that, almost always, we create. The bitterness of life, of lost loves, of those never born.
The lyrics are ramshackle and at times a little "ignorant", but for this very reason poetic.
Let's proceed with order.
The bitterness in the mouth - perhaps - speaks of a story of love and sweat, but also of loneliness.
[...]
Look at me a little longer
The sweat cannot be seen
Who doesn't know that life has a smell?
And whoever stays always leaves you with a good taste
[...]
Ken Do onaini, the result of a wrong search on Google he still speaks to us of love and its suffering. For those wondering Ken Do onaini, in the mind of Luca Maria Stefanelli - singer and lyricist of Kafka sulla Spiaggia - would mean "light of my eyes". In agreement with him you can replace the meaning with any other phrase, such as: "young flower of the field", "my soul (come back to your house)", "obsession of my dreams", or others at will.
[...]
Ken Do Onaini you really think he doesn't see you anymore
A kiss on the mouth
One from the door
I greet you with my hand
Like the day I said I love you
[...]
The old story, for a change, he speaks of the loneliness generated by love.
Antihistamine, I want to hope - indeed, I like to imagine, it is a tribute to Sergio Caputo of whom I am a great admirer.
[...]
It's three o'clock and you are here
And a good movie ended
Allergy and dust, the effect it has
An antihistamine will help us
[...]
The poet of the snow, it's a game of trust. If I let myself go will you take me? Throw yourself in, don't worry, I'm there to watch. come on!
[...]
Walking on a wire
It can't make me fall
If I'm sure basically
You will always be there to watch
[...]
To close the disc is there Shut up (away from here), which describes the bitterness of things not said, not done, not lived.
[...]
If we really escaped
I would think today
How often do we
In front of the sea
We would have trusted
Each other
[...]
Writing the review of this record is a great effort, because everything is implied, unspoken, interpretable according to one's state of mind and mood. But maybe that's the beauty of it. Make words and emotions your own.
A great job.
The album is produced by Kafka On The Beach in collaboration with the label Octopus Records.
Recorded and mixed, at Key-Lab, by the producer Giuseppe Fontanella, founding member and guitarist of the historic band from Campania 24 Grain with Massimo De Vita of the BINDUR. Mastering is by Paul Alberta, sound engineer of Bold type, which boasts collaborations with Luciano Ligabue, Lorenzo Jovanotti, Francesco Renga, Edoardo Bennato, Roy paci and many other big names in Italian music.
The disc is embellished with the voice of Fabiana Martone, Neapolitan singer of great talent, known for his solo projects and current member of Nu Guinea.
For some time the record label Octopus Records has spoiled us, proposing particular and original “packages”, teaching us - or rather making us remember - that the container has equal importance of the content. Also in this case he wanted to surprise us with a silver sliding cover, on which the name of the disc is carved, which leads us to reflect on what we are doing: we are opening the package of a disc to put it in the CD player and listen to it. Preparing the soul for careful and aware listening.
David Visca
Tracklist:
- The bitterness in the mouth
- How do you see it
- Ken do onaini
- The old story
- Comete
- The most beautiful in the world
- Antihistamine
- The poet of the snow
- Enemy enemy
- Shut up (away from here)
Previous albums:
New beat (2016)
Useful Information
Artist: Kafka on the Beach
Albums: History a History
Label: Octopus Records
Release date: September 22, 2019
Training:
Luca Maria Stefanelli: voice, guitar, piano
Domenico Maria Del Vecchio / Nikkio: drums, voices
Giorgio Magliocco / Joy of Living: guitar, vocals
Pierluigi Patitucci: bass, voices
Speakers:
Fabiana Martone: voice
Giuseppe Fontanella guitar in the song " The old story"
