Customer Reviews

Alla Mia Età

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I was first introduced to contemporary Italian music through the magic of Laura Pausini a few years ago. How I never noticed the voice of Tiziano Ferro on the duo's re-make of his 2003 hit 'Non Me Lo So Spiegare' (featured on Pausini's 2006 album "Io Canto"), I have no idea. But I've noticed it now in a huge way. I wasn't sure where to start when listening to Ferro's music, so I began with his most recent album, "Alla Mia Età" ("At My Age"). There's really only one word to describe it: mesmerizing.

For a guy who first made a name for himself singing R&B and hip-hop in Italian nearly a decade ago, Tiziano Ferro's latest album is surprisingly calm and delicate. There are several musical styles here, with songs like 'Il Tempo Stesso' and 'Per un Po' Sparirò' more reminiscent of his earlier albums. 'La Traversata Dell'Estate' is a catchy, addictive song about summer, while 'Scivoli di Nuovo' presents a painful, almost heart-wrenching look at the bad aspects of life. And 'Indietro' channels Pachelbel's 'Canon in D' in a song about the speed of love.

To really appreciate the songs, however, you have to look at the lyrics. If you don't speak Italian, find a translated version of them. Even with some meaning lost in translation, the words here are pure poetry. The title track, 'Alla Mia Età', is about the need to forgive not only others but yourself as well. And 'Il Regalo Più Grande' ('The Greatest Gift') may quite possibly be the best love song ever written - even if you don't speak a word of Italian, it sparkles. Perhaps the greatest lyrical achievement is 'Breathe Gentle', the English version of 'Indietro' (and featured as a duet with Kelly Rowland). According to an interview with Ferro, he wrote the song in English first and then struggled to re-write it in his native Italian. There are hundreds of English-speaking artists who can't match these lyrics - and he's doing it in an adopted language!

But great songwriting and excellent lyrics mean nothing if you don't have the voice to go with it. I'll admit, it took awhile for Ferro's voice to grow on me - he's much deeper and rougher than most of the voices out there. But he's got that indefinible quality that keeps you hooked. And once you start listening, you become mesmerized.

After being madly smitten by Tiziano's stellar debut Rosso Relativo and his sophomore follow-up 111 Centoundici, I was underwhelmed by his third album Nessuno è Solo. That all changed when I heard the early positive reviews of Alla Mia Eta, which was released in Italy in November 2008.

The thirteen songs (twelve originals and one bonus English-language translation starring a duet with Kelly Rowland) are a mix of ballads, a smattering of hip hop, and uptempo. Indietro / Breathe Gentle is strongly influenced by R&B, while Il Tempo Stesso is a nod to the 1980s. La Traversata Dell'Estate opens with a mesmerizing horn section that morphs into synth-heavy vocal acrobatics reminiscent of his first album. Per UN po' SPARIRÒ is the purest nod to Tiziano's rapid-fire rhyme from earlier tracks such as Rosso Relativo (and the opening police sirens practically caused me to pull over while merging on the highway...it freaks me out every time!).

Tiziano is clearly moving towards ballads and away from his earlier roots in R&B and hip hop as seen on his first two albums. However, his lyrics and music are evocative and have the smooth flow of poetry. If I had to sum up the mood it would be pensive and bittersweet; there are layers of hurt here under the sweet sounding chords or punchy tempos. I still can't say that I love this more than Rosso Relativo, which I discovered while living in Spain in 2002, but it's definitely growing on me. The Spanish version is also available, but I prefer to listen to the songs in the original Italian (A Mi Edad also features a duet with the Mexican group RBD).

Note: I have the original Italian CD, and there are NOT fourteen tracks as listed: there is no acoustic remix of Alla Mia Eta (although it can be purchased from iTunes Italy if you have an Italian credit card). The last track is the English version of Indietro with Tiziano and Kelly Rowland (Kelly even sings a few lines in Italian at the end). The CD is also equipped with Opendisc, where you can access several Tiziano wallpapers, music videos, and live performances.

Perhaps time and maturity have meet in this fine album.
Of the 4, this is the stand out. His voice and range are super, the music is both delighting and haunting, and the overall effect and results are a fantastic musical experience.
Although the Italian version is hard to find, I prefer listing in the original and the effort to find it was well worth the time.

This album is excellent!! By far his best yet! The song with Dulce and Anahi is amazing... and each of the other songs follow suit! There is a great variety to the sound on the album... and the vocals are great as always!!

This was the first time I've heard Tiziano Ferro's music. It was one of Amazon's recommendations. I listened to samples and liked what I heard. I immediately fell in love with it. He has a wonderful voice and a great talent. In a way he reminds me of Eros Ramazotti. If you like Eros, you certainly will enjoy TF. You won't be disappointed.

I only started listening to T.F. a few months ago, buying Rosso Relativo upon the suggestion of a cousin in Italy. I liked it a lot, so then bought Alla Mia Eta, and have found it to contain far deeper substance. Bottom line, it is a great mix of tekno-funk-R&B. This guy is very talented!