Tazenda's "Ottantotto": A 2012 Landmark in Sardinian Ethno-Pop
The year 2012 marked a significant chapter for the legendary Sardinian band Tazenda with the release of their ninth studio album, Ottantotto. Released on April 24, 2012, through Vida Records, the album represents a definitive shift toward a more modern, pop-oriented sound while remaining deeply rooted in the band's Mediterranean heritage. The Sound of 2012: From Tradition to Modernity
Ottantotto (Italian for "Eighty-eight") serves as a bridge between Tazenda's folk-rock origins and a newer, electronic-influenced aesthetic. While the band preserved their hallmark polyphonic singing styles—blending tenor, baritone, and bass vocals—this album introduced a heavier reliance on synthesizers and keyboards.
The production, recorded between 2011 and 2012 on the island of Sant'Antioco, features a mix of Sardinian (specifically the Logudorese dialect), Italian, and even brief English verses. Lead Single: "Mielacrime"
The album was preceded by the single "Mielacrime," released on April 4, 2012. This track perfectly encapsulated the album's mood: a "bittersweet" blend (as suggested by the title, a portmanteau of honey and tears) of melodic pop and ethnic identity. Complete Tracklist
The album consists of 12 tracks, all written by founding member Gino Marielli: Bennennida (3:37) Tre piccoli avvoltoi (4:20) Perdera o costera (3:51) Ischidados (2:49) Sa luna noa (3:25) Mielacrime (3:47) Vengo da un altro mondo (3:41) 88 (3:26) Trenos de iberru (3:40) God save Maria (feat. Mamoiada) (4:52) Il mostro e la libellula (1:56) Traos (3:51) Context in Tazenda's History tazenda ottantotto mp3 2012 new
Ottantotto was the final studio album to feature lead singer Beppe Dettori, who joined the group in 2006 following the passing of original vocalist Andrea Parodi. Dettori left the band shortly after the album's release due to creative differences, paving the way for the entry of Nicola Nite in 2013. Release Date April 24, 2012 Label Vida Records Genre Pop Rock, Folk Rock, Ethno-Pop Lineup
Beppe Dettori (Vocals), Gino Marielli (Guitar), Gigi Camedda (Keyboards)
Whether you are looking for the "Ottantotto" MP3 or seeking to explore the 2012 evolution of Sardinian music, this album remains a critical piece of the Tazenda discography, capturing a unique moment of "resistance" and creative reinvention.
The album Ottantotto, released by the Sardinian ethno-pop-rock group Tazenda in 2012, represents a pivotal moment of artistic maturation and cultural preservation. Named "88" in Italian, the record serves as a bridge between the band's historical roots and a modern digital era, specifically through its widespread availability as a high-quality MP3 release that brought Sardinian sounds to a global audience. A Fusion of Language and Sound
Linguistic Heritage: The album is a masterclass in the use of the Logudorese dialect of the Sardinian language. In tracks like "Bennennida" and "Ischidados," as heard on Spotify, the band uses music as a vessel for linguistic survival, ensuring that a minority language remains vibrant in the 21st century. The Birth of “Ottantotto”: More Than Just a
Musical Evolution: By 2012, Tazenda had refined their signature "power-folk" sound. The album blends traditional instruments like the launeddas with modern electric guitars and synthesizers. This creates a sonic landscape that feels both ancient and contemporary, a theme explored in the track "Mielacrime ottantotto" available on YouTube. The Impact of the 2012 MP3 Era
Accessibility: The release of Ottantotto coincided with the peak of the digital music transition. By offering the album in MP3 format, Tazenda broke through the geographical barriers of the Mediterranean. Fans no longer needed to find physical imports; the "new" 2012 digital standard allowed for immediate global distribution.
Production Quality: Despite being a compressed format, the 2012 MP3 masters of Ottantotto retained the atmospheric depth of the band's vocal harmonies. The trio's ability to layer voices—a hallmark of Sardinian "cantu a tenore" traditions—remains the emotional core of the record. Legacy and Significance
Cultural Identity: Ottantotto is more than just a collection of songs; it is a political and social statement on the value of local identity in a globalized world.
Artistic Longevity: For Tazenda, this album proved they could thrive without their original frontman, Andrea Parodi, by leaning into the songwriting strengths of Gino Marielli and Gigi Camedda. Support Artists: Always try to purchase or stream
In conclusion, Ottantotto stands as a definitive document of Sardinian rock. It transformed traditional folk motifs into a digital-ready format, ensuring that the soul of the island could be heard on every MP3 player and streaming platform from Nuoro to New York. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Before we hunt for the MP3, we need to understand the soul of the song. Ottantotto was originally released by Tazenda in the early 1990s, a period when the band was solidifying its place in Italian music history with their vocalist, the incomparable Andrea Parodi (who later left the band for a successful solo career before his untimely passing in 2013).
The title Ottantotto refers to the year 1988—a pivotal time for Sardinia and for the band members themselves. The lyrics, sung in the Logudorese dialect of Sardinian, speak of love, distance, and the burning desire to return home. It is a song steeped in the concept of sa nostalgia—that untranslatable longing for one’s land, people, and past.
Unlike the band’s more commercially successful hits like Spunta la Luna dal Monte or Mamoiada, Ottantotto is a slow-burning, emotionally charged ballad. It features soaring vocals, delicate acoustic guitar arpeggios, and a chorus that swells like a wave crashing against the cliffs of the Sardinian coast.
For fans of world music and Italian cantautorato, Ottantotto is considered a hidden gem—a song that didn’t always dominate the radio charts but has dominated the hearts of those who have heard it.
"Ottantotto" embodies the classic Tazenda sound, characterized by a blend of rock, new wave, and elements of Italian musical tradition. The album features a collection of tracks that are both nostalgic and forward-thinking, with lyrics that explore themes of love, social commentary, and personal introspection. The band's musicianship is on full display, with compelling guitar work, a robust rhythm section, and distinctive vocal performances.
While each track on "Ottantotto" contributes to the album's overall cohesion and charm, some songs have particularly stood out to listeners and critics alike. These include: