ANO VELOZ OUTONO ADENTRO

This is the debut album by Brasilian five piece band Pocos & Nuvens. Their sound is a captivating blend of folk and symphonic rock: the one moment you are dreaming away on a violin, acoustic guitar or bandolim (Latin-American accordeon), the other moment you will be stunned by exciting accellarations featuring fluent drums, fiery electric guitar, Jehtro Tull inspired flute work or flashy synthesizer runs. Other interesting elements are instruments like the Krumhorn (UK band Gryphon used it often) and the trombone. The 13 compositions sound tasteful and elaborate so if you are up to a Latin- American discovery, this one is recommended!

Progressive rock needs bands like this one!POCOS & NUVENS were formed in 1986 in the city of Santa Maria in Rio Grande do Sul,South Brazil and started as a trio,before becoming a quintet through the years to come.The blending of progressive rock with traditional Brazilian and generally Latin-American tones was quite imaginative,however it wasn't until 1996,when the band entered the studio to record their first release.This would come up under the title ''Ano veloz outono adentro'' in 1998.

An excellent album indeed,in ''Ano veloz outono adentro'' every single instrument is carefully used in order not to spoil the album's balance between folk rock and symphonic rock.Violins, flutes, accordeons and plenty of acoustic guitars create a mellow and dreamy soundscape for lovers of pastoral musicianship with influences coming from compatriots BACAMARTE and even Italian prog legends like PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI or CELESTE.Those Brazilian folk melodies are absolutely majestic and -according to the band's members -the fact, that they live near the borders with Argentina, had also a big impact on their sound.All this traditional sounds are supported by the symphonic flavor created by Gerson Werlang's smooth guitar playing and sensitive solos,the slow piano passages and the nice synth work,not far from the style of TEMPUS FUGIT.The combination is definitely more than charming,the interplays between electric and acoustic instruments show a band with great talent and you should also add both the male and female vocal work in a very emotional style to complete a stunning first step for the band into the progressive rock field.

POCOS E NUVENS are definitely a band to watch and one of the few bands around with the potential to create a future masterpiece!Definitely essential,followed by a solid 4 star rating!

Originally released in 1998, this Brazilian album has just been made available for download by Progshine Records. Featuring G'rson Werlang (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic and classical guitar, mandolin, percussion), Edgar Sleifer (lead vocals, flute, cromorne, electric guitar, brazilian 12 string viola, piano), Irvin Faller (bass), S'vio Werlang (keyboards) and Rafael Bisogno (drums, percussion), this is a light progressive album which has quite a lot in common with the Italian style of prog, although not quite as heavy on the keyboards. The band are certainly layering on the harmonies, bringing together some Brazilian folk influences as well as elements of bands such as Jethro Tull, along with plenty of early Seventies symphonic styles.

Although it is quite an interesting listen, there are a couple of places where this album falls down for me. The first is the vocals, as I have never been a fan of G'rson Werlang, as although this is the first time I have come across this album I have previously reviewed some of his later solo works. His falsetto and high vocals don't ever really sound true, as if they are either slightly off-key are about to be, and that always causes major issues for that. Secondly, for some reason for most of the album the bass is way too low in the mix which gives quite a one-sided overall sound which is simply unbalanced. It isn't an album which has travelled well in terms of time as it would have sounded dated back in 1998, and now that is even more so. All power to Progshine Records for making it available, as I know this band did gain a lot of support outside their native Brazil and now it is once again easy to find, but it's just not for me.