FREAK

I want to congratulate Alejandro on this his most recent album called "Freak". I felt his previous record "Persona" had it's moments but it was too inconsistant. I was encouraged after reading Memowakemen's review because we have similar tastes, and thankfully my expectations have definitely been met. It's another concept album but as usual for me it's all about the music, especially when the lyrics are in Spanish (haha). I like how there is this similar sound and mood throughout.

"Falso Primogenito" opens with strummed guitar and vocals. It kicks in nicely before a minute as drums and organ standout. Great sound here. It settles back 2 minutes in with vocals. Love the relaxed guitar solo before 5 minutes. Vocals are back as that good heavy sound continues. "El Mas Alla" opens with percussion, light guitar then reserved vocals around a minute. Mellotron-like sounds 3 minutes in when the vocals stop, then it gets fuller. It's spacey after 4 minutes then it kicks in heavier than ever. Nice. It turns spacey again and blends into "Agujero De Suenos" where it continues to be spacey then the organ followed by vocals take over. It's spacey with a beat before 3 1/2 minutes then the vocals return. Spacey to end it.

"Verde Por Dentro" is spacey to start as reserved vocals join in. We get some brief heaviness before 2 1/2 minutes as the contrasts continue. Violin before 4 1/2 minutes with a spacey atmosphere. "Veneno Ilustrado" sounds great after a minute when it gets heavier. Piano then guitar before 3 minutes. Vocals late. "El Infierno De Los Buenos" is the almost 19 minute epic. Fragile vocals and piano to start. The guitar replaces the piano around 2 minutes. Drums join in.The synths before 5 minutes are brief.The electric guitar before 6 1/2 minutes sounds really good as the vocals stop.Vocals are back after 8 minutes when the guitar stops. Organ 8 1/2 minutes in then spacey synths roll in and dominate. It's kind of haunting as reserved vocals arrive. Drums and guitar after 11 1/2 minutes as it builds. It's heavier a minute later. A calm 14 minutes in with piano, light drums and bass. Electric guitar a minute later as it gets heavier again. It's spacey 18 minutes in. What a track !

"La Pasion Segin El Canbal" has relaxed sounds with vocals. It picks up after 2 1/2 minutes then it gets heavier. A calm after 5 minutes with synths. It blends into part two of this track. It picks up then synths come in followed by guitar. Organ before 4 minutes. "Invernadero De Preguntas" is such a cool track with all the atmosphere with voice samples. "El Resto" kicks in quickly then settles some when the vocals arrive as contrasts continue. Some nice relaxed guitar 2 1/2 minutes in then it turns heavier before 5 minutes. "Sombras Sin Filo" is the short concluding track with acoustic guitar and reserved vocals.

An enjoyable listen throughout and worthy of 4 stars.