Music has this wonderful ability to evoke intimate memories but even more to induce sensations.

Undoubtably certain songs can create a relaxed atmosphere and others can easily rouse us up.

This band from Rome takes inspiration for its name from a popular drug in use in the ’60s; a barbiturate used today for epilepsy treatment.

Based on this fact one would expect Luminal to be a “quiet” band but is not as such.

Luminal is a wicked band; definitely energetic music with post-punk and grunge roots, with inspiration, or if you prefer influences, in Anglo-Saxon and Italian alternative rock.

Luminal’s members Alessandra Perna, Carlo Martinelli, Alessandro Pieravanti and Alessandro Catalano gave life, with the enthusiastic production contribution of Disciplinatha’s former leader Cristiano Santini, to a very beautiful album released at the end of 2008.

Canzoni di Tattica e Disciplina was the cherry on the pie for a truly wonderful 2008 (and 2009 is not the less).

This album is an amazing debut. Luminal were able to create 11 tracks (plus the live ghost track) that move between good to excellent quality and that can move you both musically and lyrically. Modern sounds that, as we said, have at the same time far back roots.

Frankly I don’t know if the influences I hear in this album are intentional references or simply something that comes from the soul and from musical tastes but the fact is that, without imitating anyone, Luminal bring back to mind the Pixies, Massimo Volume, Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Soundgarden and the CCCP, but we also find hints of Circus Mort (the bass in particular) and X; especially in the vocal lines where tributes to both Giovanni Lindo Ferretti and Kim Gordon stick out. Moreover the lyrics, which are not secondary, are absolutely appropriate and need to be heard.

I also finally found, after so many years, someone who is not afraid to bring back a Siouxsie and the Banshees’ sound, and to hint (even if slightly) to the Bauhaus of The Sky’s Gone Out. It was about time.

Maybe I am the only one to perceive these influences while Luminal didn’t even remotely thought about it.

I’ll stretch out and say that Canzoni di Tattica and Disciplina despite being an excellent album is not be the best Luminal‘s album, I think these guys have much more to say in the future.

For the moment let’s enjoy a great gift.

Absolutely recommended! Your stereo is waiting for it anxiously. Play it as loud as you can. Oh yes, I believe the Black Fading / Action Directe by Cristiano Santini is undoubtedly proud to have produced Canzoni di Tattica e Disciplina.

Last remark: I found the ghost track beautiful; maybe it reminds Sonic Youth to someone, but I prefer to think of The Jimi Hendrix Experience live.