SECOS & MOLHADOS

4.5 stars. I'm rating this the same as their followup but I slightly prefer this one, more consistent even if my favourite song by them is on the second album. Both albums are in the same style with lots of acoustic guitars along with male and female vocals. Again plenty of short tracks and a folky vibe but the songs are so meaningful and well done, I just love their sound. A three piece but with seven guests filling out their sound.

"Sangue Latino" opens with bass and drums as strummed guitar and female vocals arrive. She has such a nice voice. "O Vira" has some distorted guitar to start as it kicks into an uptempo, catchy sound with male and female vocals. Hard not to move to this one but it's far from a favourite. We get a guitar solo after a minute and accordion late.

"O Patrao Nosso De Cadia Dia" opens with bells ringing out before some warm acoustic guitar takes over then female vocals. Flute after a minute as the vocals step aside. Contrasts continue then bells end it. "Amor" has strummed acoustic guitar before the bass and drums kick in. Multi-vocals follow. Great sound! Love that bass too. Harmonica before 2 minutes followed by vocal melodies. The bass continues to be upfront. Nice.

"Primavera Nos Dentes" is one of my favourites. The piano tinkles away as the bass supports before the drums join in then guitar. They seem to jam here in a relaxed manner. Male vocals 3 minutes in. So good! "Assim Assado" opens with drums and percussion as the bass and flute join in with fuzzed out guitar. Female vocals then multi-vocals. It picks up after 1 1/2 minutes instrumentally as the vocals stop. It settles with female vocals. Flute and percussion end it.

"Mulher Barriguda" features drums and upfront bass before the piano and vocals kick in. A festive mood here as female vocals lead the way. Harmonica will come and go. Some vocal melodies late. "El Rey" has strummed acoustic guitar and female vocals. What a beautiful sound and we get some flute as well. "Rosa De Hiroshima" is mainly flute, acoustic guitar and female vocals.

Prece Cosmica" has a catchy sound with male and female vocals. Violin a minute in as electric guitar follows. A cool tune. "Rondo De Capitao" has these vocals and flute that almost trade off but they do overlap as we also get some picked acoustic guitar. "As Andorinhas" opens with rolling drums followed each time by outbursts of sound before female vocals and piano take over.

"Fala" is such a good closer with piano, female vocals, bass and a beat. I like the vocal melodies. Some adventerous sounds too with that violin, synths and orchestral movements. A great way to end this fantastic record.

Yes I am so into their sound that I forget I'm not into short tracks and folky music. What can I say, this must be magic.