Stella

Stella, Uzeda's return from a hiatus that began after the tour supporting 1998's Different Section Wires, serves up more of the band's arty, ugly-beautiful noise rock. In some ways, it sounds like almost no time has passed in Uzeda's world since the release of their last album. They're still remarkably adept at switching from sharp and spiky to thick and sludgy -- and back again -- within their songs. They've also reunited with longtime producer Steve Albini, who follows the band's lead ably throughout Stella (Albini fans will especially like the roomy drums on "This Heat"), and their greatest strength is still Giovanna Cacciola's compelling voice: On tracks like "What I Meant When I Called Your Name" and the aptly named "Wailing," her whispers and bellows cut through the churning noise of her bandmates effortlessly. However, during Uzeda's eight-year break, Cacciola and drummer Agostino Tilotta played with Bellini, and some of that band's more nuanced, expansive approach seems to have rubbed off on Stella. "Steam, Rain & Other Stuff"'s hypnotic restraint and sudden dynamic shifts reflect the greater ebb and flow Uzeda uses on this album. Sometimes, as on the anguished but meandering "Time Below Zero," the band's energy feels a little scattershot, but "Camilo" and "From the Book of Skies" show how formidable (and even catchy) Uzeda can be when their power is focused. By the time "Gold" brings Stella to a furious close, it's clear that neither the nearly 20 years since Uzeda formed, nor their lengthy time apart, has blunted their edge any. ~ Heather Phares