EL ECO DEL SOL

El Eco del Sol is their first release in 40 years! My interest was of course piqued as I became familiar with their first, Anabelas (1978, to make it clear), frankly a near-unsung essential in second-wave Prog. Reformed in 2016 with new membership, this Argentinian band then released a 3-song EP, its contents all available here.

Grandiose, angelic vocals introduce the album on "Resplandor", not unreminiscent to me of Yes harmonically, but also making me think, especially as the song moves around minute 1, of modern Zeuhl beloveds Universal Totem Orchestra. I'm really looking forward to this. Excellent song. Dark, complex, featuring horns and strings, not to mention once more the epic group vocals.

Of a softer tone, "El Eco del Sol", near-cognate for 'The Echo of the Sun', builds within the first half. Great, classic track. The quieted shift around the midpoint is a definite highlight. Around minute 6 is yet another shift. Great beat, great melody--likewise at its end.

"Ariel" was lovely. What else is there to say? haha. Appropriately followed by the at first even-more-mellow "Omer". Feels like light Van Der Graaf? The song then picks up with the whole ensemble. Very nice. The middle section is very modern yet timeless. All the more lovely in my opinion.

The low mix for "Cielo Negro" is a very odd choice. Sticks out like a very muddy sore thumb. Very tense instrumentation set atop a rolling bassline. The sax solo around minute 4? Very nice. The song itself is quite good; I love the composition. Just odd production-wise... Perhaps never remastered for the LP release (as this is one of, and the last of, the 3 tracks originally on the aforementioned EP).

No comment on the title "Penas"... Although, I guess me introducing it so is a comment in itself haha. It means 'Penalties' in Spanish, and indeed, rightly tense to fit that theme. Indeed, the first 3 minutes are a soft build driven by bass and a steady rhythm on the ride. The build and the tension is worth the wait, as it breaks at minute 3 (exactly?) to intense groove. Given its more static composition, I'm delighted to say this is a favorite for me, first listen. Specifically, in the second half, there is a riff that rolls, exchanged by the guitar, violin and sax to produce a wonderful effect.

"Por la mañana" is another that delightfully mixes older progressive idioms with freshness. Excellent composition, excellent melodies once more. Especially as it builds to end. And finally is "La Vaca Roja", a song of shifting feel and shades. Certainly a phenomenal closer.

I wasn't necessarily expecting more, so I was very pleased with this latter-day album. I'm just excited to see what else they may do in the coming years, as it's already been 3+ years since this release.