ESTIRPE LÍTICA

This is an amazing collection of diversified songs each of very complex and unpredictable structures and moods. From the very first listen I was literally blown away by the power, the complex weaves of the high quality musicianship, the raw power of the female vocals, and the broad spectrum of sounds and styles used by this group--in each and every song! The contrasts between song--from each and every song to the next--is incredible! An album that simply must be heard to be believed.

1. "Simun" (6:04) opens with a very jazzy drum, bass and electric guitar interplay with singer extraordinaire Eliana Valenzuela's voice calmly and confidently providing the glue to hold it all together. Singing in Spanish, Eliana's (somewhat Shakira-like) voice is truly amazing. Her confidence and control are extraordinary--evoking such powerful emotion so effortlessly. The song definitely turns rocker--even metalish. Awesome opener! (9/10)

2. "Ciudades de Piedra" (5:21) opens with some gently strummed electric guitar jazz chords. Then the full band kicks in--joined by a haunting violin in the background--while Eliana again toys with our emotions with a sultry vocal. The virtuosic drumming on display is remarkable! So fluid and clear! And fine performances on electric guitar and bass--bringing in quite a Latin flavor to this polished rocker. The drum and heavy guitar interplay in the final minute are wonderful! (9/10)

3. "Insano Devenir" (4:58) is a rocker with a little harder edge and less development or signatory sound than I'd like. Maybe that's why it's called something like "becoming insane." Until the singing begins it could well be a heavy metal song from the 80s. (7/10)

4. "Desde las cumbres al mer" (5:00) begins as an instrumental build around a two chord electrified acoustic guitar three note arpeggio. Then suddenly at the two minute mark it burst forth as a very cool, very emotional violin-accompanied vocal. (9/10)

5. "Shalagram Shila" (7:16) is a Indo-Raga influenced piece that I adore. Great use of voice and electric guitar and violin. (9/10)

6. "Eterno retorno" (8:43) opens like a jazz-period SANTANA piece from his jazzy-jam period (Caravanserai to Moonflower) but develops as so much more! Into Omar Lopez-Rodriguez (The Mars Volta) territory and beyond! The horns are so awesome contrasted with the blaring guitar and roiling percussion interplay! And what drum and bass play! Outstanding jam! (9/10)

7. "Cabeza de Piedra" (4:30) starts so powerfully--almost metal-like--until the song settles into support for the A Section of Eliana's vocal. The chorus finds the music returning to the awesome heaviness--including the amazing power that emanates from Eliana's voice! Despite all this the song kind of misses something. It's like a Stevie Nicks song gone over the top. (Except for the amazing drumming.) (8/10)

8. "Mi roca interna" (3:57) opens with some percussive instrument that sounds folk-traditional and develops into a vehicle to accompany an amazingly controlled and sensitive vocal from Ms. Valenzuela. Awesome atmospheric keys and volume-controlled guitar play accompanying the vocal. (9/10)

9. "Adoquines queretanos" (5:11) opens with some ominous electrified acoustic guitar and ultra-deep bass tones before the song bursts into what sounds like an electrified folk melody. The traditional folk feel persists throughout this song--with an awesomely delicate instrumental collective occurring in the fourth and fifth minutes. (8/10)

10. "Estirpe l'tica" (6:34) opens with some awesome slow volume pedaled electric guitar chords before the song bursts into full metal. Again the drums are really on display here. Great rhythmic interplay and weave among the drums, bass, and guitarist. At 1:30 when Eliana comes in things calm down--but this is only a feint as 20 seconds later everybody kicks it back into full drive. Eliana is kick-ass powerful yet sultry. How does she do this?!

11. "Salar" (3:31) opens with the sounds of seaside gulls before hand-held box & tongue marimba, muted trumpet solo over hand percussion and beautiful, sensitive acoustic guitar strumming and picking. Beautiful relaxing song. (9/10)

12. "Magma" (8:26) is a wonderful Latin song sounding very much like LAGARTIJA's "Particelle" except for the fuzzed vocals and finger-tapped guitar play during the choruses. It even has some heavier, almost-Zeuhl sounding parts (instrumental sections beginning at 2:50, 4:30 and 6:26). Really a masterful song--not too heavy, nor too jazzy--more like UNIVERSAL TOTEM ORCHESTRA with a little Hendrix or Clapton thrown over the top. (9/10)

A powerful collection of intricately composed and virtuosically performed songs. 4.5 stars bumped up for originality!