COMPOSITORIES

This is really a mixed bag. Compositores (songwriters) is an odd album. After the success of the "international" CD Time Travelers, on which they sang in english for the first time, and an equally well received live record with an orchestra, the group - or should I say Sérgio Hinds and Luiz De Boni, the only remaining members from that line up - decided to record this rather disjointed collection of songs. It´s all sung in portuguese again and the selection of composers and styles varied wildly. There are just about everything here: new recording of old stuff (Deus, from their second LP), brazilian music classics (Sangue Latino, Elza), new stuff from the band (Menino De Rua, Às Vezes), new songs from other writers and even another one from ex member Flavio Venturini (P.S. Apareça).

As usual with the band the overall quality of all the tracks is very good, although the reason why they were changing musical directions so often remains a mystery. This album is closer to brazilian MPB than anything they had released from the 80´s on. Some of the tunes would fit easily on their early 70´s material like the poignant Mãe Terra or O Braço Da Minha Guitarra. Sometimes they don´t fit at all (Sangue Latino is a good example of a failed cover version), but none is crap. The album is also notably for having several guests and even some ex members sang (uncredited) on their contributions. The production and the performances are excellent.

Conclusion: good, even if a bit uneven on parts and quite unsual even by O Terço standards. Not exactly the kind of album one should expect after such well received CD like Time Travelers. Fortunately, the tradition of recording fine stuff, whatever the genre involved, remained. Whether you may call them, versatile or fickle, you have to admit they are good.

Rating: 3 stars.