COMPILADO 2008

This is the second free compilation album that Argentinean band Espíritu offers in their website. So if you are interested in getting stuff from one representative band from the Latin American scene, you have to check this out.

Nowadays, it is a great advantage for us, the listeners that musicians are closer to the technology and internet sites, so now we can listen to their music if we just visit their sites and click on some link, as easy as this. It is also a strategy that some bands use in order to fight piracy, so it is better to offer some (just some) music for free. Espiritu, in a wise decision decided to put in our hands (or ears) these two compilation albums that will lead us to know their music in a deeper way.

Now, the only thing I did not really expect, was that they did not include music from their first two albums: "Crisálida" from 1975 and "Libre y Natural" from 1978, those two albums includes some of their best music in my opinion, it would have been nice if songs like "Sueños Blancos Ideas Negras" or "Libre y Natural" were included. Actually, here there is a live version of "Deselectriza tu Mente" but I prefer the studio version this time.

So, as the previous compilation, this one also offers tracks from "Espiritu III"; "En Movimiento"; "Fronteras Mágicas"; and the live album "En vivo 2004". The music is mostly symphonic rock with that Argentinean flavor, but with keyboards and guitars that in moments will remind you to some RPI bands, or even some 70s acts from England.

My favorite songs here are "La Casa de la Mente" which is the longest song from the two compilation albums, and that shows their creativity and intensity; "Ella de Visita" which starts as a soft ballad, but later turns rockier and more interesting, with great guitar riffs; and "Frío" which is a more experimental, yet interesting song.

To be honest, I prefer a little the first 2006 compilation, but this is also nice, another good album that can help people get involved in Espiritu's music. So again, I recommend you to go and download them. My final grade, three stars.

Enjoy it!

It seems like this compilation album is mostly concentrated on the final half of their albums. Albums which is more in the Italian pomp pop tradition than in the RPI tradition. I am not a fan of Italian pomp pop, btw. Some of the other songs here are also more in the classic British prog tradition (Genesis springs to mind) and RPI tradition (Banco springs to mind). This blend still makes this compilation album from this Argentine band an interesting listen and should spur people onto discovering the rest of their albums. Which I have done.

In this world wide web age, can we get more of free compilation albums like these, please ? I believe Espiritu (and Ifsounds and Elegant Simplicity) will benefit greatly from free compilation albums like this. After all, they cost next to nothing to put out on the net.

In the meantime, enjoy this album and discover a band from Argentina which is well worth your attention. I am sure there is something on their two compilation albums most people will love.

I am now moving onto their studio albums. Something I would not had done without these two compilation albums.

3 stars