TODO PASTORAL

This compilation samples the all too brief career of this sweet sounding folk duo with substance. While protest folk rock seems to be the template, enough progressive and pop characteristics are present to make PASTORAL worth exploring especially if you are into Latin music. The earlier part of their output seems best, particularly those tracks drawn from their 2nd and 3rd albums, "En El Hospicio" and "Humanos", including the sublime title tracks of each. "Humanos" is ably backed by some prog heavyweights from that time period, yet retains a commercial savvy, widening its appeal and explaining their success, and "Me Desprendo de tu vientre" is dramatic with an open sound, worthy of the group moniker. But even some of the later output is noteworthy, particularly "Atrapados en el cielo" and "Peleandose", showing that Alejandro de Michele and Miguel Angel Erausquin never lost the touch, and could have been part of a later revival had tragedy not cut the story short. A good place to start.