Customer Reviews

Salt

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can't add substance to the reviews above, but I would like to note that this album is magical and transforming -- as in, I listened to it this morning during drive time and floated through the traffic, scarcely noticing it and not being bothered by it. And as in, I've been playing it continuously now for about five days. It's that good.

Though he can probably put out a relatively good CD every year for the next decade or so, the recent output of Arto Lindsay has been solid but disappointing. So it's a pleasure to report that Salt is his best work since Mundo Civilizado. It helps that he has his metaphysical lyrical bent under control, and concentrates on the body. Eroticism never seems to fail him; nor do his eccentric rhythms and innovations on the Brazilian sounds of the day.

Arto Lindsay is not afraid of challenging his listeners, as has been evident in all his work. Though this album is probably the least challenging of his catalog, at least in terms of the atonal, terse (and wonderfully composed) skronk that finds its way into all his recordings, "Salt" is easily his most cohesive work to date. As always, the seamless mixture of electronic beats and soundscapes with lilting tropicalia and samba riffs is present here, but on this album, some may say it is even danceable. Though American xenophobes will probably write this album off as just another world beat disc, if it wasn't so labled by msucial ignoramuses, I could easily see many of its tracks finding its way into hipster lounge/clubs across the country. As always, Lindsay's feathery, well anunciated lyrics float above the textured percussion and a trebble clef populated by guitars, synthesizer and a string section. I would definitely recommend this to those who appreciate inventive truly inventive music-making. This is one of those CDs you'll play while driving with a friend, and they will inevitably turn to you and ask, "Who is this? This is great."

Arto Lindsay succeeds in effortlessly crafting an amazing mix of musicial genres that might seem incongruous in the abstract. Initially I was turned off after listening to the first two track. The first, habite em mim, didnt appeal to me but has improved upon subsequent listenings. The second, Kamo-dark stripe, I still feel is unbearably icky. But having got that out of the way, this is one of the most superb albums Arto has made in his solo career. Personagem incorperates a catchy theme of bouncing electronica played over an interesting guitar riff. Twins is perhaps my favorate track on the album. It begins with a studder-stepping riff which is joined by a floor shaking beat. The song continues to studder musically while Arto lays ontop his smooth vocals. Guitar noise joins the mix at exactly the right time. Arto punctuates the mostly English lyrics with a really catchy lyric in Portuguese. The next song, Into Shade, is beautiful, simply stated. The classical guitar interlude and close are breathtaking. jardim di Alma is nice and also notable for a bizarre refrain sung in what I assume is Japanese. this track and De Lama Lamina also employ guitar noise to great effect. The final two tracks are sexy and great as well. Barring the first two songs, this would be on my top 20 all-time album list.
~Alex