CARTOON

A larger problem is the fact that the constraints of a rock opera don't feel to me like the best fit for Cartoon's quirky, riotous sound - and as far as rock operas go, it's a bit overlong and flabby, with my attention inevitably fading partway through. It's competent enough, but it's not flat-out revolutionary.

Cartoon was one of the most promissing and interesting Progressive bands in Brazil. All of their albums were weird and at the same time catchy, full of great songs, great melodies and really interesting concepts in their lyrics and stories.

Now, first things first. If you look at this cover and asked yourself: "What the hell, they're Bee Gees now?" Well, I cannot blame you for thinking like that, this cover is trully horrendous and doesn't fit their music AT ALL. At the same time, the band went into a huge change when it comes to their sound, thus the new looks.

Cartoon changed a lot in these last 5 years, they've been trying the big audience, even participating, and going into the finals, in one of those 'Have Talent' kind of shows from the Brazilian TV called Breakout (probably the show is also worldwide, I dunno).

Unbeatable (2013) is not necessarily a horrible album, some 'old' Cartoon songs like 'The Golden Chariot', 'Lazaru's Feet' (the only not written by vocalist bassist Khadhu), 'Time Is Running' and 'On The Judgement Day' show us the good Cartoon and how they could have recorded a very good album.

On the other hand you have songs like 'Until I Found You' (a lame love song), 'She' (that besides the great bass line is just a pop tune), 'Promises' (a The Who ballad), are just unbearable (no pun intended) or simply plan.

But after all, there's no more the once great Prog Rock band, even on the good songs!

A sad continuation for their career, they'll probably find some more fans (not really, they're still singing in English and for Brazilian market this will not work) but we certainly have lost a good band.

If you wanna to comprove my words, you can listen to the whole album (the others too) on their website: bandacartoon.com.br/site/album/unbeatable/

4(-), as usual here, nice bass work. Smooth and clean.

But intentionally, for a purpose. Interesting, much more shapeshifting than chameleon (country, did somebody said anything about it yet ? no ? ok, forgot it, nothing about it.

Classical compositions, metal, rock, acoustic, a capella singing, solos (on various instruments), medieval music (you know, folk fairs) and by the way also folk and many more styles. Divide it by 73 minutes and you have result). Believe me, it sounds consistent enough to interest you.

5(-) if I am able to loud out voice my opinion.

EDIT May 10 - Let's enhance this rather short review. Ratings stands, the more I listen this album the more I am confined that I will stay faithful to this album and will like it.

It's long album, 74 minutes long. This would often turn into fiasco, blatant work that has little to offer. But in this case, I'm very glad It's virtually unknown (was this band marked as Prog Related when I posted this review, not as Eclectic as it is now).

Bass guitar is quite prominent here, handles by main vocalist (how are they teamed together can be seen for example on youtube video). Funny thing is that they lack electric guitar on this particular concert, instead they are using acoustic version.

What I said before about elements / influences this album uses, I thing I wasn't exact. This album uses almost everything that is available in connected genres (no rap, but for example folk). Tracks are also orchestrated sometimes. Probably synths, but still it's advantage.

Reminds me Beardfish, group with which Cartoon shares "crazy" factor ("haunted by pirates and seaguls on the main street"). I can really recommend this to everyone, as most people will find something good here. And I suppose that majority will like it. If only more people knew this album.

02. From The Hands Of God Here it begins the narrative, vocal simply marvellous near the keyed guitars and guitars doing an almost imperceptible 2nd, but essential plan. Many details in the bottom. A 2nd heavier part enters, to turn a calm and calm melody. Many voices enter on the stage. To turn Rock with vocal irreproachable. Ground of guitar very well 'talked' to the base.

03. Knights Nightmare Beautiful introduction to wool Rush. Why Khadhu interprets several characters of the history, enchanting melody, I catch myself when several times are singing this refrain in the day! Great keyboards! ' I just wanna be king! ' in order that enter guitars and synthesizers of the most legal and ' duels ' doing bed for the grounds. Vocal and. I go flat of sax.

04. King's Song Marvellous! The most energetic and sensational beginning for a song that soon is followed of a brilliant riff and grand melody. Rock 'n' Roll! Vocal what!

05. King's Fugue Classic guitar, echoes of Steve Hacket in the Wind and Whuthering (Genesis) in all the guitars of this music, cello accompanying. Flutes, cello, piano, guitar, completely at a time.

06. She Smiled Sweet. Moroccan influence, I drive, vocal in falsetto, adorable! Violins, vocal, guitar, keyboards. The melodies are mixed in a dance that it was not possible to predict. To finish in almost Norwegian Wood (The Beatles).

07. Guinevere Genesis! Certainly the beginning reminded of me. The grand melodies. Touching I join Cello. Lovely melody!

08. Marriage Celebrate! It is a marriage. Swim more just than to have a 'party-going' beginning soon to celebrate the union in love! And the priest celebrates the marriage.

09. Show Me Where Love Lives Ballad of piano I distill Arnaldo Baptista (Mutantes), with a vocal one somewhat more serious (us two senses). Beautiful instrumental lines (including the cello).

10. Lily Fears Perfection blues composed of guitar, synthesizer between the melodies. A ballad in the best sense of the word. Vocal? Vow that is a man singing? Marvellous what .

11. The Warning . reprimand stuck in Lily Fears, so that the violin plays the principal part together with the bases of keyboard and beautiful melodies of bass. Progressive entry in the last one so that the ground of guitar shines! I find that to more 'Progressive of the album. Two guitars guitar duelando. marked, broken and hypnotic battery.

12. March Of Despair a) She's Coming It begins in the best style Monthy Piton, with a beautiful melody of bass.

b) Cool Down Emily! Honky Tonk, Night club, is lowered by me wha wha. Vocal macabre! Monthy total Python of the time of In search of the Sacred Glass.

c) Song Of Despair Sambão, and of the good ones, with the synthesizer doing the base, and the people amusing while it touches.

13. Apocalypstic Man It begins already eletrizante and exciting, vocal duelados and riffs weighed. Refrain of 'sticky' melody and vocal quite worked. A vocal sequence totally influenced by Gentle Giant. And more Rock of Riffs.

14. Alberich's Blues Vocal beginning. Beautiful work of guitar and piano, a perfection differentiated Blues. And the circus arrives in the city! Progressive energetic and vital rock for the entry of .

15. Letter you it Marion Beautiful 'swinging' in this music. Marvellous and simple refrain of melody. And the bass continues in his journey because of creating the perfect atmosphere so that the cither between and it gives an about-turn in the sound. And since the disc is commanded by the guitars several of the melodies are done by him. Effects of 'aged' voice give a lovely tone for a part of the letter. Why between one more rock of voices.

16. In The Gates Of Hell Prog, total jazz/fusion oriental style Mahavishnu Orchestra with cither and everything. An introduction percussiva for the entry of .

17. The Last Battle The truthful prog 70's of the disc with his 9′29 of duration, a bass what it sends to John Myung (Dream Theater). After the vocal part, violin enters and more rebirth, with beautiful vocal. Jazz or almost! At least like the Cartoon. And a perfection prog with epic proportions follows it with straight everything that an instrumental far-reaching debit to have, emotion on the surface of the soul. Part of magisterial close

18. The Great Gates Of Freedom To shut the disc in it swims better (for a bear I eat) of what a ground of lovely, melodious and sensational bass to begin the music. Keyboards announce: the entries of the perception were opened. Follow that a guitar what one is not Steve Hacket I give up! Shutting in in almost the Brazilian Indian epic poet marches marvellously!

Melodiously beautiful, vocal completed, instrumental when the Rickenbacker de Chris Squire (Yes) so sharpened how much, this disc of the Cartoon was deserving to be between the great ones of the progressive one, and also it should have more distinction mundialmente if he spoke.