This what goes 6 minutes so it is a cheat song, but it sounds really good and I like it and wanted to include it.

This one is not on PA, but Nicolas Quinteros does have a band "Q" on here, so I thought, what the heck might as well include it.

Of course, these guys should be included in a Heavy Hitters bracket, but I decided to include them here.

Happy listening!  This concluded the first round of brackets.  I will return tomorrow with Heavy Hitters #2.

Oh what a great selection. Knew Lazuli and Banco beforehand, but also really like the others (you see: it's possible ! )

Regarding Banco (how I miss Francesco Di Giacomo's voice...) and Tunel Eterna, I guess it is too modern-proggy to find a mainstream audience. Malady, I'm afraid, sounds a bit too outdated for a contemporary (pop) audience.

Logos is a real good discovery to me: only based on this track I will buy the album, because listening to this, the rest of the tracks can not be bad. Love the combined vocals! But I guess the song is a bit too soft and subdued for the big reach.

So, my vote goes to Lazuli. I not only like everything they offer, but this song has also the most "pop"-leanings of the five tracks in this selection.

Again, great selection and thanks for leading me to Logos.

Malady - Tiedon kehtalaulu  This one is more upbeat initially in feel, but there is a hint of melancholy in the flute.  Very pleasant, drifty music.

Logo - Il Sarto  Nice organ beginning the piece.  Sweet-sounding vocals, sounds like a sentimental song with pretty orchestration.

Túnel Eterna - Lo Que Viene Bien  Ah, a heavier driving piece.  Get the feeling there is some sort of jealousy thng going on with these friends, the woman who examines the mask, is she thinking that everyone is false?  You definitely get a feeling that this could turn out strangely.  I would not have gotten that without the video, however. 

Banco del Mutuo Soccorso - Lo sciamano  I do know OF this band, but have not heard much, if any, before.  Maybe way way way back, but not in my memory.  Another kind of heavy feel, with very processed (meaning through some kind of phaser or another?) vocal choir thing going on.  Then very strident vocals, goes well with the music.

I do not speak any of these languages, but I do love etymology, so can pick up bits and pieces, certainly not the entire true meaning, however.  I do listen to a lot of music from around the world, so not understanding the language in and of itself is certainly not a deterrent for me. Emotionality is important in determining whether I enjoy it or not, primarily, then.  Do the vocals reflect the music, even when I don’t understand them?  

Snicolette wrote: Lazuli - ...Kind of ended abruptly, not sure if it was intentional or a mistake on the part of the YT entry....

This is a YT mistake, on the album it fades out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R-LaImcsho" rel="nofollow - Here is a live rendition of the same song. It also shows, by moments, the use of the "Léode", played by Claude Léonetti, on the left (of the screen).

Re the léode, I translate (partly) from their website :

The léode - contraction of "Léonetti" and "Claude" - is a kind of electronic Lapsteel guitar. As Claude says with humour "It is the fruit of the improbable mating between a guitar, a synthesizer, a melodic saw, an Onde Martenot and a piece of wood. I am the best player in the world! I am also the only one."

In the board, their are 4 channels reacting to the movement and the pressure of the fingers. The Midi controls the tuning, the velocity and the aftertouch...