4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Album - Los Lobos meets Matmos meets Arab Strap, August 30, 2001
This review is from: Arde (Audio CD)
I don't know much about this band, but the album, with it's traditional Spanish music infused with eerie ambient samples and Abel Hernandez's Leonard Cohen/Tom Waites/Arab Strap lead singer vocals make this album haunting and timeless.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Moody and Seductive Soundscapes, October 22, 2005
This review is from: Arde (Audio CD)
Knowing that I am a big fan of Tindersticks, a knowledgeable clerk at an Encinitas music store I visit when in California recommended Arde to me when I was in last week. Since they had it on sale for only a dollar, the choice was easy: buy it and try it. Am I ever glad I did!
I'd never heard of this Spanish group before, and when I looked up the band on this site, it was apparent that not too many others have either. A pity, indeed. I didn't find the Los Lobos similarity or much of the Leonard Cohen that the first reviewer did, but I did find a good touch of Arab Strap. Those of you who listen to this may find touches of Tindersticks, Chroma Key, and Calexico as well. That last resemblance is particularly strong on instrumental numbers.
The vocals are moody and brooding, while the instrumental numbers are seductive soundscapes slightly suggestive of spaghetti-western soundtracks. I particularly enjoy El Caballo del Malo, La Espera, and Cuatro Estaciones.
I plan on exploring some of Migala's other recordings. They certainly deserve to be better known. If you have not heard Migala, and are a fan of any of the bands I mentioned, or you just happen to like somber atmospheric music, then you won't go wrong buying this. Give it a shot!
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