PABLO "EL ENTERRADOR"

This 1983 release from Argentinian band PABLO has a pop-GENESIS sound and feel to it?due primarily to the Tony Banks-like keyboard sounds and styles used by the two keyboard players. As a matter of fact, this album could very well be treated as a companion to the Brits' 1980 release, Duke. The album's weakness comes in its poor quality of sound.

1. "Carrousell de La Vieja Idiotez" (5:40) solo electric piano opens this one before the rest of the band joins in and José begins to sing. A pleasant song with a feel like something that could have been on GENESIS' And Then There Were Three or Duke. The various soli of guitar and synths are where this band distinguish themselves from their British heroes. (8.5/10)

2. "Elefantes de Papel" (5:06) opens with strumming electric guitar and cymbol play while José sings a plaintive tune. By the time the chorus comes, the rest of the band have joined in at full volume. How like Tony Banks is the sound and play of this Yamaha CP 70 electric piano! The lyrics sound as if they could be powerful but the song never really gets too complex or dramatic in support. (8/10)

3. "Quien Gira y Quien Sueña" (5:45) a sedate, fairly quiet ballad sung in a higher male register with masterful sensitivity and emotion. (9/10)

4. "Ilusion En Siete Octavos" (4:51) an instrumental with a rather straightforward rhtyhmic structure over which some truly wonderful soling occur from the guitars and keys. Nice way to end Side One. (8.5/10)

5. "Accionista" (3:17) opens Side Two with the theatricity and sounds of Duke. Too bad for that murky sound-- especially for the drums. The vocal here is more similar to those of BANCO DEL MUTUO SUCCORSO's frontman, Francesco di Giacomo but I don't like it so well as the previous song's approaches. (8/10)

6. "Dentro del Corral" (6:03) this song has trouble engaging me. From the opening strains the business of the instrumental layers feels too busy, more than is truly necessary. Plus, the murkiness of the sound is really getting to me on this one. The band is trying to be powerful and dynamic, I can tell the instrumental performances are strong, but the sound is . . . really bad! (7.5/10)

7. "Espiritu Esfumado" (3:53) more Duke-like sound and structure, this song would fit right in next to "Duchess" or "Duke's Travels." Nice work, great instrumental performances and cohesiveness. (Too bad about that sound!) (9/10)

8. "La Herencia de Pablo" (7:17) organ, synth, cymbol play, and MiniMoog bass open this one. Great intricacies and weaves of difficult multiple instrumental passages--including bandoneon! Very impressive and upbeat end to very nice album. (9/10)

Great songwriting in the Genesis/Tony Banks tradition with top notch performances from all musicians but THE SOUND is TERRIBLE! I find it quite difficult to separate this fact when rating these songs. Were they clear and crisp it might be a different listening experience.