SENTIDO DE LUCHA (AKA PABLO EL ENTERRADOR - 2)

I just can't understand why the weak reviews and comments about "Pabo el Enterrador 2" aka "Sentido de Lucha", if I hadn't seen the band playing some tracks of this album on stage, would have never bothered buying it and that would have been a shame because it's brilliant.

"2" is one of the most pure expressions of Symphonic Prog from Argentina, the beautiful and soft piano blends perfectly with the delicate vocals and the splendid guitar that makes us remember they can really rock, a perfect combination of sweetness and strength.

I understand that English speakers have a hard time with lyrics in foreign language but...Hey guys....If the rest of the world cares to search for translations of songs in English, doing the same won't kill you, specially when the translation is available in the cover of the album.

"2" starts with the piano and synth intro of "Nariguetas" that almost instantly blends with the beautiful voice of Jose María Blanc making incredible poetry (This would be lost in the translation of course), the influence of bands like Genesis with a touch of Italian Symphonic is very clear, but nobody can doubt of the originality, excellent track.

"La Ciudad Eterna" is my favorite song from "2", again starts with piano and then vocals but this time with a more Latin influence, the jazzy drum soon joins while the song goes in crescendo until the whole band takes part in a very elaborate fantasy of music only interrupted by piano and keyboard solos, even better song than the previous.

"Emigrante" is a dark ballad absolutely Symphonic and melancholic, the piano performance is dramatic and charged with passion that is provided by the guitar and bass, not as strong as the previous but still very good.

"Sentido de Lucha" is the track for which this album is better known, starts almost in the vein of "Emigrante" but with a sound that reminds some material from "SERU GIRAN" and SUI GENERIS" but Charly García could never add as much drama and personality as José María Blanc. "Sentido de Lucha" can't have more power, the final section when the symphonic keys combine with a solid guitar and bass is breathtaking, great song.

"San Vicente" is a lighter selection, after two depressive (but excellent tracks) is time to perform in a clear Latin style with a touch of Argentinean/Cuban Folk, probably inspired of such great musicians as Mercedes Sosa and Silvio Rodriguez, not only for the sound but for the lyrics that talk about South American reality, at the end a nice Moog section a la Keith Emerson followed by a ethnic sound make the perfect closing.

"Solo Viento" another melancholic song but this time the "SUI GENERIS" influence is more than obvious, but of course the synths make the difference, the lyrics are absolutely poetic.

At this point the PABLO EL ENTERRADOR change their approach, instead of the pristine Symphonic atmosphere with Argentinean sound, the bands tries different styles, "Mitad X Mitad" is very jazzy, the violin (Yes I can listen a violin but don't know if it's played with a synth) sounds a bit like Jean Luc Ponty, they tried something totally different and did it well.

They follow the change of style, with "Accionista" it's time for Rock, clear and evident Argentinean rock sound, not bad but neither a great track, I believe they were able to make something better. "2" ends with "Fotografía", now a poppy track, this time reminds of Genesis but not of the great band we love, instead of that they went closer to the Invisible Touch era, simply I can't understand why the guys from "PABLO EL ENTERRADOR" made such a dramatic change at the end of the album, seems like they ran out of material and added some weaker tracks.

If they wanted to make something different, they could have done this in the middle of the album and close it with the Symphonic "Solo Viento" or the jazzy "Mitad X Mitad", "Fotografía" is the only really weak song..

If it wasn't for the last track, I believe the album would deserve 5 stars, but having it (And the not bad but weak "Accionista") I have no alternative than limit myself to a solid 4 stars rating, something that bothers me because the first seven tracks are so good that if they stopped there or even before "Fotografía", "2" would have been as strong as their debut release and get the maximum rating.

Each and every Symphonic fan should get "2" evenif not able to understand the lyrics, the music is incredible and making a small effort with the translation, the lyrics are also enjoyable.