In my explorations of independent music I have come to the conclusion that Italy may be the next hot spot for innovative rock music. Whether the venue is punk, progressive, psychedelic jam rock or just plain weird, There are more than a fair share of Italian bands that are presently out of the public’s awareness but ready to ride an Italian pop music tsunami.

And if that does happen, Confusion is Next is ready to ride the crest. This band plays a heavy but accessible alt.rock generously tinged with punk and grunge. One can hear traces of Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins in their songs but there is also a sense of joyful experimentation that is theirs alone. They have two albums available for free and legal downloading.

Lost in Dark Days is their newest release It is high quality alternative music complete with the powerhouse drumming and over-the-top vocals one would expect. “Furiously Indie” starts the album on the right track and the tension rarely lets up. “Spore” and “Spectrophobia” are also good tracks with virtuoso playing and tight if somewhat psycho-dramatic vocals.

Spread The Spirits is a earliest release (2006) and sounds like it. It is more punk in spirit and there is more emphasis on vocals and lyrics. There is not the complex energy of Lost in Dark Days although there is still a lot of energy and plenty of hard-driving guitars. But it is still an exceptional release with the track titled “Steam” being one that stands out. Those who want high energy rock with more melodic focus may like this album a little better than the other one. Personally I prefer Lost in Dark Days but I like both. Each album is a showcase for an imaginative band and is highly recommended for those into hard edged rock.

Download
Lost in Dark Days
Spread The Spirit