ALEXL

Brazilian composer Alexandre Loureiro was born in 1967 in Rio de Janeiro.Parallel to his courses as an electronic technician, he studied music at the Villa-Lobos School of Music, where he started getting in touch with 70's music.In late-80's he started composing original material, while soon he became involved in various local groups such as Raika and Turangalila and worked as a professional musician.He even worked as an actor, before returning to university during the 90's to take courses on composition.From 1997 and on he focused on recording his own music, a process which lasted over 6 years with pieces being recorded in various studios and with the help of numerous musicians.Finally in 2004, having already adapted the nickname of Alexl, his sole album ''Triz'' saw the light on Musea Records.

Six years of hard and patient work were eventually translated into a lovely Progressive Rock album with strong inspirations from Classical and Folk Music, using an army of musicians, who could handle different string and wind instruments and building the sound on the principles of 70's Progressive Rock with leading instruments being the bass, guitar, drums and keyboards.Alexl's only release reminds me of his compatriots TERRENO BALDIO, a group heavily influenced by GENTLE GIANT, as the music is based on elaborate acoustic lines, polyphonic harmonies, gentle keyboard textures and complicated instrumentals.The traditional elements are more than evident through these acoustic textures , the use of flutes, xylophone and violins and the creation of rural textures.But Alexl delivers also a strong essence of Chamber Music through series of string and wind sections, where the Progressive Rock attitude is still present through the bass and drum executions.His most complicated ideas are reminiscent of YES: Tricky keyboard themes, massive electroacoustic changes, angular use of electric piano and synthesizers and endless breaks from melodious moves to chaotic instrumental forces with technical yet convincing plays.Great arrangements with a rich instrumental enviroment and even some light jazzy vibes here and there, while even the multi-vocal parts are worked to the last detail.

An impressive work along the lines of GENTLE GIANT, containing the true spirit of progressive music.Strongly recommended to say the least...3.5 stars.

To claim that Triz fails as a great Prog Rock Album because is not rock is a blasphemy. Other than the "newcomers" of prog metal and others who don't want to pass as "progressive" to catch with the new Renaissance of Progressive Rock most of the music in the Prog Rock is FUSION coming from real musicians who went into rock but being as they were trained pros (Jazz, Classical, Ethnic, etc.) they wound up producing something different from what we normally call "Rock" (Led Zeppelin, etc.) Getting back to AlexL: He produces amazing music mixing Ethnic, Rock, Jazz, and most of all Classical music. Not Rock? Give me a break? Get Led Zeppelin and move on to another field to be a critic of. Either you are a progressive and open as a human being or you are stuck with just one genre. Progressive Rock as ProgArchives has shown/taught/spread all over the world, for years now, covers a huge amount of types of music and from all over the world. Just read the history provided here: That what this is for. Just read and think. AlexL is a pro and a great at Progressive Rock and Triz is a fabulous Album: Buy it and listen to it several times as if you have bought an Art Masterpiece. PD: In the beginnings of Prog Rock: the UK and Italy dominated the field but the US had zilch in Art and Symphony Rock but most of everything in Jazz Rock/Fusion. Now a days the US wants to make believe it has everything of everything and only but the best and that is not true. Just look at the many countries covered by ProgArchives with fantastic Groups that are originals and copy nobody. So, please stop the bias and open your minds so that your ears can hear well.

I received and listen this one yesterday, on behalf of various reviews -others than on this site where the two previous critics are somewhat tiedous, and due to promotional presentation of Musea by which i ordered it. While i come on a daily base on this site, that is the first time that i send a review because i feel this one truly deserve a better rating than 3 stars. One can feel the Gentle Giant approach in vocals harmonies but that' s about it for any plagiarism, as Alexl is composing music without the complexity, the occasional dissonance or the rocking attitude of the "Schulman connection". Unless you compare Triz to a song like "On Reflection", on Free Hand if i'm not wrong, we're not talking about the same kind of music. After a single listening, i am reminded of gorgeus melodies (how come one can say it failed in that domain...), not complex but yet very subtle, a cristal clear production, the predominant acoustic guitars and instruments taking the first benefit of it and the warmth typical of brasilian sensibilities. It may be this last element that, for all instances, suits this music well for me and not for others. People fond of acoustic and folk prog, melt with a dose of ethno fusion and a zest of influences, Gentle Giant and Frank Zappa mainly should have a listen to this one.

My first review may not be the last, after nearly of 36 years of good prog music!

Bertrand Côté

Triz is an album recorded by Alexl which is a Gentle Giant wannabe from Brazil. These guys really true to be as good GG, however , they fail to do that! The singers really try to be like the guys of GG, and they actually don't suceeded in doing that. Its selection of instruments is rich, but it doesn't make me like this album. Do not understand me incorrectly, these guys play good, but they should try to find their own style or atleast rip GG off successfully. In a nutshell, I recommend you buy this record only if you are a die hard fan of GG that can never have enough of them =)