TRIANA [AKA: UN MAL SUEÑO]

This is really not an essential one of them, I would say. Most of the songs are sounding rather mainstream-alike, without almost any elements interesting for a prog-fan. A quite typical spanish pop-rock album from my view. Only song a bit outstanding from the rest is "Y que voy a hacer con tu sonrisa" , which is a nice blend of flamenco with progrock. But apart of this one, nothing worth mentioning, mainly nice ballads, but nothing special. Not enough to qualify if for a recommendation. 2 Stars, only for die-hard fans of the band!

This is an early 80s album from the latter stages of Triana's career. The flamenco-rock for which the band was renowned is less evident here, since a new early 80s euro-AOR vibe has crept in, with more washes of synth and mid tempo balladry. However, the songs are still well-crafted and melodic and the fiery flamenco meets rock electric guitar soloing is still an important feature of the band's sound. Though this is not by any means an essential release, even for Triana fans, it is by no means a black mark on their record. Admirers of Spanish prog who don't mind a bit of pop mixed in would not be disappointed with this album.

This fifth Triana album opens on a fine track which could give the impression that the band was gaining some steam after the average Un Encuentro.

Un Mal Sueño is an upbeat and mainstream rock-song but vocals are catchy and more than anything, it features an excellent guitar solo in the final part. It is one ohe best stuff available on Triana.

Unfortunately, it is followed by some extremely weak Es Algo Tan Maravilloso (it is something wonderful). I bet ya! It is some sort of Spanish-reggae piece which is really best avoided.

Their leader, De La Rosa, gets back to some more inspiration with Una Vez. The song features some heavy beat but mixed with his so distinctive vocal range and flamenco style. In a way, it sounds as if the band got back into their Andalusia fragrance. And I like that.

There is also such mix during Y Que Voy a Hacer Con tu Sonrisa (what am I going to do with your smile). Spanish acoustic guitar and flamenco mood are again on the rendezvous, and the whole doesn't sound too bad. The addition of some great electric guitar part is an asset as well.

I don't know if the band went on holidays in Jamaica a few months before this release, but there is another poor Spanish-reggae here: Una Noche de Amor Desesperada. Press next of course.

I far much prefer the sweet Por El Camino: a very well crafted rock ballad with languish vocals and which features again a superb guitar solo from Eduardo Rodriguez. It is close to a Carlos one, really. It is only a pity that it ends so abruptly.

And what to say about the closing track? I am voiceless. Corre must be the worse of their recording so far. It is an infect electro-pop song; you know like Banco did in the eighties. Awful.

This album holds some fine songs but it is mixed with the worse of their music as well. Too bad otherwise this album would have been rated as a good one. As such, two stars.

Reading the reviews, I did not have much hope.

The first track really confirms this. Nothing here of any interest. The guitar solo is OK. The second track is pop music and of no interest whatsoever. The third track Una Vez is OK with some flamenco guitars. The fourth track also have some interesting prog rock parts. The fifth track is best forgotten. Both the sixth and the seventh track is horrible pop music.

I believe Triana did a Genesis on this album and got themselves some commercial success. The formula from the first album is no longer evident on this album.

Maybe this will go down well on a beach on Mallorca. In a freezing cold flat in Scotland, this is not the case. 2 stars.