Customer Reviews

A Nova Aurora

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Though I loved Teresa Salgueiro as the front-woman for Madredeus and I am a big fan of the band, I for one am not the type of fan who judges a new album based on previous releases. Every release is a different world of its own and so, why not leave it at that? Before I review the album, I'd like for everyone to know that I think we American/Canadian fans got shortchanged because Madredeus & Banda Cosmica has an album (Metafonia) that precedes this one and it is awesome (includes some bluesy tracks), but I don't understand why it was not released in the U.S.? I've checked Amazon and other sites but couldn't find the album.

That is the real reason I did not want to get this album, because I was hoping Metafonia would be released in the U.S.! Oh well, A Nouva Aurora does not fail me one bit; however, it is not a direction I prefer Madredeus take (not complaining though). It is not Fado, but then again Madredeus strayed away from pure Fado a few albums back. The album is pop and that dreadful label "mainstream" but Madredeus has such a small following here in the U.S. that the label mainstream is cancelled out! Some of the old instruments are still there (though I did not hear any accordion) but the album lacks the authenticity of the old worldliness, simplicity, and raw beauty that made classics out of Madredeus' albums like "O Espirito Da Paz" and "Existir". Nevertheless, it is no surprise that Madredeus has become a pop music band as their later works showed all the signs they were moving in that direction. They wanted to experimented and have had success with it (I still listen to Electronico), despite hardcore fans of Madredeus disliking this new style.

There are two women who share the vocal load Teresa left behind and they do a wonderful job. The music has a lot of influences that extend from Brazil to Africa and seems to lack anything remotely native i.e. Portuguese. It sounds like an album you'd hear if you were going to an island.

"Suspenso no universo", for example, sounds like a Caribbean-influenced song, and you have to love that chorus (specifically the backing vocals)! An example of more pop music flavor would be Noutra dimensao. It is a sad song, and for me lacks the sort of subtlety that came with a sad song early Madredeus presented, and of course, Teresa. However, this is not a bad thing. It is just that because the early songs had a touch of stoicism, these new songs are more, for the lack of a better word, emotional or touching.

The irony of this album is that Teresa Salgueiro, who left for a solo career, is also experimenting with different styles as well. Shame Madredeus and Teresa Salguiero could not do it together! But all good things must come an end. I love and will support them both.

I don't mind change because it is inevitable. "A Nova Aurora" does not do it for me like the older albums. Maybe I love Fado too much, the simple instruments and production, the angelic voice of Teresa, the Portuguese influences and essentially hate pop music. This is still a good album on its own that moves me, which is the key to any album. In any case, I will stick with my old Madredeus' albums, but will add this album along with them. :)

Its a very good record -- fans of the Teresa Salgueiro version of Madredeus should fasten their seatbelts (that airbag may well go off!), but once you get over the fact there are drums and electric guitars and NO TERESA -- you'll find this is worthy of the MADREDEUS canon. Not better.... just different!

The first album with the new band was a bit tentative and heavy-heanded (imho) but this has more life and vibrancy.... and better songs.