ANDALUCIA

Medina released two good albumS featuring a fine symphonic prog music (tinted with some hard spices) and there were little fears that they wouldn't go on like this for they third opus Andalucía.

With such a title, this album is surely meant to praise a great combination of local folklore and the enjoyable prog music of their early days. At the end of the day, there are only two years which separates Esquina del Viento from this one.

But believe me! There is a world of differences.

It all starts with the pop-rock Me Pregunto. At this stage one thinks: OK, this is only the beginning, just a warm up. But unfortunately, the next one is an insipid reggae oriented song Sobre El Cristal. The best thing to do is to press the magic key (next of course).

And I wonder how it is possible to produce such an ugly and popish song as Es Increíble (which means: it is unbelievable). I bet you! It is difficult to evoke the eighties syndrome since the band started their career only in '79. Still, the sound has dramatically changed and has turned into main stream pop-rock.

At times some fine synthesizers break are providing some breeze of fresh air like during Una Estraña Pesadilla. For your information it means: a strange nightmare!

The first fine song is the title track. At least it sounds fully symphonic! Keys have a leading role, conveying some spacey and pleasant atmosphere which is combined with typical vocals which provide a nice flamenco feel. At last, one good song! To be complete, I would add that Quisiera Saber also holds some good guitar which raise the level of the track (but to a broader extent, to the whole album. As usual I would say).

This album is best avoided. Some songs are saving it, but let's be frank: it is not at all a good work. Some fine guitar breaks as usual, a few interesting keys moments and some good vocals from Manuel Rodriguéz. This is not too much, right? The line-up hasn't changed, but the music is totally different.

Two stars (and I'm generous).