Lost Souls
Spaccanapoli (literally "Split Naples," named for a street that bisected the city) are an outgrowth of the legendary workers' collective E' Zezi, whose sounds of revolution and struggle came strongly based in the traditional music of southern Italy. And Spaccanpoli too have the tarantella andtarrurriateas their musical foundations. It's folk music, but like the best folk through the ages, it represents the history and problems of the working classes, as in "Sant' Anastasia." Other songs deal with pollution ("Mare") and loss ("A' Ferriera"). But there's also some joy to be found in material like "O' Rinillo O' Rinello," which exhorts people to have a good time. Think of this band as a folkier, more acousticChumbawambaand you're getting close to the heart of what they're about.--Chris Nickson