Ligabue - Nome e cognome (Remastered Version) (2008)

Produced by Ligabue, Fabrizio Barbacci, and Luca Pernici, Nome e Cognome is a superbly accomplished record. Not only do Ligabue regulars Federico Poggipollini, Mel Previte, Antonio Righetti, and Fabrizio Simoncioni sound tighter than ever, but the addition of guitarist Niccolò Bossini proves an inspired move, as all rock & roll cliché solos and riffs are discarded in favor of a more Radiohead-like textured approach that adds sonic urgency to Ligabue's impassioned lyrics. Likewise, there is no place on Nome e Cognome for the kind of throwaways that cluttered Ligabue's earlier efforts, resulting in an album remarkably consistent in overall sound and quality. Featuring standouts such as "Happy Hour," "L'Amore Conta," "Sono Qui per l'Amore," and "Le Donne lo Sanno," Nome e Cognome is Ligabue's most mature work to date, and quite possibly his best album ever.