CUENTO REAL

In this album they follow the style taken in "Serranio", playing with pop elements without leaving musical virtuosity aside and mixing (more than ever) peruvian folk and progressive elements. "Cholita Linda (1:33)" and "Ceja de Selva (1:16)" are both peruvian folk oriented instrumental songs, with interesting flute, quena and ocarina playing by Octavio Castillo, the first one is more Huayno (peruvian folk style) oriented while the 2nd is more an atmoshpheric track with wind and peruvian native percussion instruments. "Cuento Real (4:45)" stands as one of their best songs i've heard, with great guitar playing by Luis, a great song!. "La Guerra del Quien Soy Yo (7:21)" also is one of the best songs of the album, a small epic, with various passages, great intro and with the 5 members at its best with its instruments, specially Tavo Castillo with keyboards and Luis Valderrama's guitar. "Se perdieron los Niños (4:39)" is a cool poppy song with a reggae air and a very felt presence of keyboards the reminds me of Santana's songs. Then comes "La Historia de Adelaida (4:58)", a great song with a story told with theatrical moods of the charismatic and versatile voice of Andres Dulude and good intrumentation as part of the fictitious ambient of the story; this reminds me of Genesis' "Harold the Barrel", but it's not to be taken as a copy by any means, it just follows that same idea, as the story takes place on a peruvian rural atmosphere it tells of the persecution of Demian, a young man accused of the violation of a 15 y.o. girl. Then comes "Mirando a través de un Cristal (4:08)" and "Tiempo de Resurrección (3:24)", both fine balads, the first one with a great emotive explosion of heavy guitars at a moment and the second is a slow song that reminds of Genesis' "Entangled" and "Dusk", with not very much musically to offer but Octavio Castillo's mandolin fine playing. The edition of the album that I have, has also two extra tracks from "Avenida Larco": "Lizy" and "Hombres Solos (El Caiman)", both the exact versions of that amazing album. I give it 3.5 stars for being not essential but an excellent addition to any prog music collection. HIGH SPOTS: "Cuento Real", "La Guerra del Quien Soy Yo" y "La Historia de Adelaida (best appreciated if you know spanish!)".

- Octavio Castillo: Synths, Steel Guitar, Mandolin, Flute, Quena, Hammond B3, Ocarina, Peruvian Percussion and Backing Vocals - Lucho Valderrama: Electric, Classic and Acoustic Guitars - Andres Dulude: Vocals, 12 and 6-string Guitars - Jorge Durand: Drums, Percussion, Peruvian Percussion and Backing Vocals - Cesar Bustamante: Bass, 12-string guitar, Mellotron, Electric Piano, Peruvian Percussion and Backing vocals

There are not a lot of Peruvian bands so even if this effort needs to be mentioned, one will not spend a memorable moment listening to this work (whatever you may or not understand the lyrics).

The intro "Cholita Linda" is a kind of tribal rock track (whatever this might mean) and really a bad opener. "Cuento Real" is much better though : nice vocals, good melody and complex theme. "La Guerra del Quien Soy Yo" starts like a Genesis track (when they were three) and like most of it, it is not brilliant.

Again "Ceja de Selva" can be categorized into the "tribal genre" and could be avoided. "La Historia de Adelaida" has a reggae influence and is above average for this album. "El Caiman" and "Lizy" are short, mellow tracks (à la "Talk to the Wind" from KC).

"Mirando a Travez de un Cristal" is my fave here : starts real slow and builds crescendo with nice background guitar. The highlight. As you see, not much to retain from this album. Two stars only because I guess that they had to "fight" a lot to be able to publish their work in a country that is not known for its rock music history.