Artist: Bellini
Title: Small Stones
Catalog # TRR87
Format: CD / LP
Release Date: September 6, 2005
Label: Temporary Residence Ltd.
UPC:
CD:

LP:

CD NOT EXPORTED TO JAPAN

The players:

Giovanna Cacciola

Alexis Fleisig

Matthew Taylor

Agostino Tilotta

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

In the case of Italian-by-way-of-NYC/Austin quartet, Bellini, truer words have never been spoken. With only one

album and an infamously nearly-aborted US tour under their belt, they have endured enough drama to cripple a
dozen bands.

It all began in late 2000 when Sicilian guitarist Agostino Tilotta (of Uzeda) formed Bellini with Damon Che (Don

Caballero). Originally conceived as an instrumental duo, the two soon expanded the group to include Tilotta's wife
Giovanna Cacciola (also of Uzeda) and Matthew Taylor (of The Romulans). They embarked on a small tour on
the way to Chicago to record their debut album, Snowing Sun, with longtime friend Steve Albini at his Electrical
Audio studios. In 2002 they toured Italy and the US in support of Snowing Sun. After enduring a string of
cancellations at the hands of Hurricane Lilly, the band could not withstand the wrath of Hurricane Damon. Midway
through their set in Athens, GA, Che quit the band in a well-publicized on-stage breakdown, literally leaving the
band stranded with no vehicle or drummer. This is where the band calls it a day and catches the next flight home,
right? Not quite. Taylor called his old friend Alexis Fleisig (Girls Against Boys, Soulside) to ask for help.
Incredibly, Fleisig answered their cries for help. Having just walked in the door from an extensive GVSB tour when
he got the call, he headed right back out the door with the GVSB gear and headed out on tour with Bellini,
replacing Che only two days after the Athens meltdown. Learning all the songs in one day by listening to the CD in
the van, Fleisig and Bellini got along famously, so much so that by day three he was a permanent member of the
band.

That brings us to Small Stones, the second Bellini album, and the first to feature Fleisig on drums. Recorded in a

whirlwind 5-day session in a dilapidated studio in Austin, TX (much of which was spent watching Albini repair
neglected recording equipment), Small Stones is the sound of a band made stronger. More melodic, more
rhythmic and more intense than anything Cacciola and Tilotta have ever been involved with, Tilotta's guitar stabs
punctuate the relentless rhythm section, and more than ever before. And Cacciola sings, her voice exuding an
assured power and effortless sexiness that eludes most contemporary vocalists. If Bellini had to endure tragedy
before enjoying triumph, Small Stones is as brilliant a reward as they could have ever hoped for.

Track Listing:

1. Room Number Five

6. Chaser

2. Fuck the Mobile Phone

7. Smiling Fear

3. The Exact Distance to the Stars

8. The Switched Lovers

4. The Buffalo Song

9. Raymond

5. Not Any Man

10. Agatha

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