Still Smiling/Heavy Gatefold Sleeve

Description

The collaboration between Italy's Teho Teardo, founding member of Meathead and composer of film scores (Paolo Sorrentino's *The Family Friend* and *Il Divo*, Gabriele Salvatores' *Denti*) and Blixa Bargeld, leader of Einstürzende Neubauten and former member of The Bad Seeds alongside Nick Cave, is, to say the least, unique and quite unexpected. They met during the staging of *Ingiuria*, a play for which they were co-creating the soundtrack, giving birth to the track "A Quiet Life." They naturally came to the idea of continuing this collaboration through a joint album that would bring together classic songs and more experimental pieces. This approach is particularly evident in the diverted use of "classical" string instruments (cellos, violins, guitars), which blend harmoniously with electronics for a result that is both original and emotionally charged. Recorded between Rome and Berlin, *Still Smiling* includes 12 tracks, including a new version of "A Quiet Life" and a cover of The Tiger Lillies' "Alone With The Moon." Many guest artists appear, such as The Balanescu Quartet and cellist Martina Bertoni. Blixa's intimate yet visionary lyrics are sung alternately in English, German, and Italian.