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Agnus - Pinturas Y Expresiones CD (album) cover

PINTURAS Y EXPRESIONES

Agnus

 

Symphonic Prog

3.52 | 48 ratings

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apps79
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Agnus functioned mostly as an organization than a regular band.This Argentinian act was formed in 1973 in Santa Fe and worked outside the common practices, refusing to be adapted by any label and building a strong fan base, which was characterized by invitations in lives and updates to fans via mail or phone.The original line-up consisted of Danilo Baroni on drums, Pacu Bailon on guitars/vocals, Alberto Mantaras on bass/vocals and Luis Saez on guitars/vocals, but the core changed constantly over the years, resulting to an impressive line-up of 10 musicians and singers by the end of the decade, with only Saez remaining from the original crew and an armour of guitars, bass, flutes, keyboards and violin.Their only album ''Pinturas y expresiones'' was recorded in summer 1980 at Estudios Recordex in Buenos Aires and was released indenpendently the same year.

Musically they played a romantic Symphonic Rock with strong folky underlines due to the solid and consistent use of flutes and the presence of some mellow guitar textures.The album is dominated by three long suites with the original version of the title-track consisting of five movements but presented here with only three of them in a 15-min. long version.As with many Argentinian bands close to the aforementioned style, they sounded a bit like the Symphonic/Folk Rock groups of the Italian movement (PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI and the likes) with links to compatriots M.I.A. during the more Classical-drenched parts, when the keyboards come in evidence, and some references to looser acts like FOCUS, which did have a jazzy orientation.What sets the group apart from the mass of Symphonic Rock bands are some slightly improvised guitar solos, appearing every now and then between the symphonic sections, and the solid singing parts, led by series of beautiful female choirs.There are lots of great interplays between electric guitars and flutes, the keyboards are only sporadically used, adding some nice depth to the compositions and the atmosphere alternates between technical plays and softer soundscapes with a rural edge.Old-fashioned sound in general, that has nothing to do with the 80's, and reminding above all fellow neighbours BACAMARTE.The last and shorter piece ''Nace el dia'' shows the band moving away from its electric style and flirting with a deeper Prog Folk style, characterized by the crying violin and the sweet flute themes.

Several live shows followed the release of the album, in one of them Agnus co-existed on stage with M.I.A., and some even included theatrical plays, actos and dancers, but as expected the sound of the band was far from the trend of the time and it appears that they demised not long after their brief success.

Solid Symphonic Rock with jazzy and folky ovetones.Nice flute work combined with charming electric guitars, not particularly exciting, but the long, instrumental parts are certainly rewarding.Recommended.

apps79 | 3/5 |

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