Italian composer and musician Claudio CATALDI have released material as a solo artist since 2008, and and according to his self-description he records material diverse in style but with a similar mood capturing the end results “with a small microphone and a half-broken amp”. So far he has two full albums, a split release and three EP’s to his name. “Here She Comes Now” is the most recent of the latter, and is set for an April 2016 release through UK psychedelic rock specialist label Fruits de Mer Records.
The common denominator throughout this EP is material that by and large can be filed under the singer/songwriter description: Songs that either has been initially created by one man and his acoustic guitar or that sounds like they have been made with that specific approach.
The title track is a Velvet Underground cover, featuring layered wandering acoustic and electric guitars in support of the lead vocals, with a twisted, distorted electric guitar adding a darker psychedelic undercurrent. Second track All My Friends Are here is a less elaborate affair, with a mournful, textured hovering electric guitar presence post rock style coming and going as a supplement to the acoustic guitar and lead vocals that are the dominating aspects of the song, featuring a brief phase midways where drums and percussion adds a bit more intensity. Third track Final is the most sophisticated of the lot, with a careful fluctuating keyboards presence, drums and percussion providing momentum throughout, and clever slide guitar solo details adding a psychedelic presence on top of the lead vocals and acoustic guitar foundation. Concluding piece Ropes and Strings is more of a basic, lo-fi affair, instrumental at that, combining a firm plucked acoustic guitar with a sleepy accordion sounding texture in a nice and elegant manner.
As far as psychedelic rock goes, this EP by Cataldi comes across as one that should interest those that enjoy this type of music best when approach from a folk music context in general and a singer/songwriter tradition in particular. A charming production of it’s kind, with a laid back mood and feel to it as a general tendency.
My rating: 80/100
