Fans of the first hour were not exactly pleased with the musical turnaround that the Italian band Lacuna Coil made during their last two albums: from dark gothic to more melodic nu metal. But it certainly did not harm the band, led by eye-catcher Cristina Scabbia. A continuation of this development on Shallow Life was therefore inevitable. The sound on Shallow Life can best be described as pop metal
… (does that actually exist?). And with that the album title is, undoubtedly unintentionally, quite spot on. Shallow Life goes in one ear and out the other. Scabbia shares the lead vocals with Andrea Ferro, who with his clumsy, quasi-tough scream resembles that bald singer from Aqua, calling for Barbie in the hit song of the same name. The role of Barbie this time, of course, goes to the lovely Scabbia. A breakthrough in America was already lurking and will undoubtedly continue with Shallow Life. But for the real metal fan, there is not much to get at Lacuna Coil. (MR)more