VOLUME 7

I have to confess that I was never a huge admirer of VIOLETA DE OUTONO, although their early efforts were neatly soaked into Syd Barret's PINK FLOYD era (which I like immensely) - well, I don't know the reason, maybe some kind of sound sweetening or different perspective made me disdain VIOLETA's work until recently. Something sparked on me after listening to their 2005 release named "Ilhas", not a marvelous piece, but containing certain points that really caught my attention, and so I decided to have a look at "Volume 7" and the result was very close to what I wished - a fine production, indeed.

VIOLETA keep many of the 60s and 70s flair but this time they explore new paths much in accordance with the newest trends. Their natural inclination to act as FLOYD tributary remains but this time added with spices from other bands like KING CRIMSON, JADE WARRIOR, OZRIC, PT and even vintage acts like late BEATLES or early MUTANTES, joined with a final touch of band's proper personality, finally unveiled. The blend works neatly and in the end "Volume 7" goes well-crafted and homogeneous in spite of so many influences perceived.

'Além do sol' opens the album in a high mood; here the band's signature is clearly discernible - a plethora of keyboard sounds, heavy drumming action, discreet guitars and vocals like coming from a box or from somewhere out there, certainly a delicacy for space rock fans and admirers and also catchy enough to please all tastes. The next song, 'Caravana', shows a dosing of old psych tunes and some modern fusion atmosphere; a plain and average track. The opening duo is trimmed by the first album song sung in English (the first two are sung in Portuguese), 'Broken legs', a track that could fit doubtlessly in a 1967 release done by The Beach Boys or The Hollies; fair, almost cheesy but meaningless.

The second song where VIOLETA uses the English language, 'Eyes like butterflies', is probably album's highest moment, a 6' real top-notch track, which is followed by another fine song, 'Em cada instante', soft and pungent and displaying a vigorous and surprising tempo changing that maintains the album in its peak. 'Pequenos seres errantes' brings some of the most Floyd-esque (circa 1968, I mean) segments in the whole release, and it's agreeable and audible; there are some synth tunes extremely pleasant reminding the hearer of past classics of the prog-rock scenario; also for the first time, guitar chords appear in their plenitude - a track to compete with previous 'Eyes like butterflies' to be honored as album's best.

Album closing tracks include the short 'Ponto de transição', truly an amusing transition point for the longest and final song, 'Fronteira', and where the trains almost derails, due to the poor lyrics (in Portuguese) and the over-repetition of space rock clichés that brings some dullness feelings to the listener. The heavy rock segment near the song's end saves the track and at least yields a fair good- bye to the whole release.

My rating oscillates between the 'good-but non-essential' and the 'excellent addition', but since broken ratings cannot be awarded I'll upgrade the mark as a tribute to a band that has managed to survive for almost a quarter of a century amidst so many obstacles. Total: 4.