BLOQUE

Spanish band Bloque's first album was quite a solid record in terms of guitar-dominated melodic rock but not to be compared with their second one for example exhibiting much more resemblance with 70's Italian progressive rock acts like PFM. First track "Undecimo poder " could be described more or less as plain energetic guitar-dominated hard rock though having as well some nice Hammond organ sound. "Albelardo y Eloisa" is mostly kept in a mellow and romantic vein with atmospheric keys and a blues-tinged guitar before it starts rocking off towards its end. One could think of some earlier, more blues-inspired Floyd work as a reference point. "Salvacion por la musica" is a rather short instrumental piece mainly dominated by keyboard playing reminiscent of some of Emerson's solo works. "Joven levantate" is actually the first really interesting track in terms of Prog on here and a really well-done pleasant song with excellent interplay of guitar, bass, keys and drums. Vocals which are obviously presented by several singers and in Spanish language throughout the album are by the way very much appealing. "Consultando el tarot", the longest track and an all instrumental is after the previous one another highlight of this overall rather weak album. It's offering great keyboards with lots of rhythm changes and nice sound effects. After three very short rather unspectacular tracks, two of them being instrumental we get to hear "La noche del alquimista" offering some excellent electric guitar and bass play slightly reminiscent of country fellow band TRIANA. Last one "Conociendo a Abraxas" is the most chaotic and weird sounding one with some strange synth effects,mouth organ, awesome guitar/bass play and some furious vocals. This one is certainly another highlight and saving this album from being considered as one "for completionists" only.

Overall this debut is for sure not an essential addition for any Prog collection but still a fairly good one and might be interesting for those fellows oweing already their later releases.