Verdena & Ronin

You can read a review I wrote for Italian webzine Rockit, on Milanese trio Verdena, here (it's in English too, for all you non-Italians). A loose description of their sound would be something akin to Muse jamming with Reef (whatever happened to them?) or The White Stripes. Although, not something I would normally listen to, their album "Reqium" was enjoyable, with some monster-sized riffs and grandiose arrangements, that did remind me quite a bit of Muse.

Interested?. Stream These.

However, I think I would have been more at home reviewing Ronin's "Lemmings" album. This was given to another blogger, who made a very good job of getting me excited about hearing this band:

"Like some kind of indie Ennio Morricone, Italian post-rockers Ronin compose the kind of languorous instrumental pieces you would expect to find in a modern spaghetti western. At times akin to Calexico, at others reminiscent of a less guitar-dependent Texas blues, the band is at its best when the various pieces come together to reminiscent images of a romantic past. Accordion, tuba, singing saw – all evoke the parched landscapes and rugged characters of Sergio Leone"

Read the rest of the review here.

Update: Just checked out Ronin's myspace page, they seem to have around 26 members!. An Italian version of A Hawk and a Hacksaw?