HOMBRE, TIERRA Y ALMA

Due to the political situation in the 70's the best Spanish progressive rock albums haven't been released before second half of the decade when the heyday of Prog was already long gone in other countries. Unlike other great Spanish bands like CRACK or TRIANA being mainly influenced by jazz or flamenco Bloque was using rather an approach closer to Italian symphonic rock bands from that period. Their second release "Hombre, Tierra y Alma" was certainly their most coherent and best work being absolutely on par with albums by better known bands in that genre.

"Humanidad indefensa" opens the album in a quite apocalyptic atmosphere with the sound of splintering glass followed by some children's crying and bombastic keyboards. The song continues in the best tradition of 70's Italian symphonic rock with staggering vocals accompanied by psychedelic electric guitar and tasteful keyboards. "Ya no hay nada en la calle" is kept in a more gentle and ballad-esque vein with acoustic guitar and mellow keys. "El llanto del poeta" has nicely sounding poetic lyrics sung by a children's choir combined with a great electric guitar solo. Next three short tracks represent in fact a mini-suite which starts rocking off in a quite heavy vein especially in its last part "El infierno esta aqui?" before Mellotron-choirs are segueing subtly into "Meditacion parte I" consisting of solemn and mystic synths sounds. This one actually forms together with "Descubrir el sentido terrible de la vidale" and "Meditacion parte II" another mini-suite. The same goes for the last three tracks presenting excellent dual guitar and keyboards combined with some partly spoken poetic and haunting lyrics.

As a conclusion I just can recommend this concept album highly to any lover of Italian symphonic Prog. If you want to check out this band go for this one first!