Customer Reviews

Viaje De Copperpot

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me start with this... I do not listen to rock/pop as much as I used to. But What can I say about this band... except this is probably the most brilliantly crafted rock/pop album of last/this year with no competition except Coldplay's Parachute (Britain) and Powderfinger's Odyssey No 5 (Australia). Unlike other reviewers I have not heard Dile Al Sol. La Oreja De Van Gogh's music is so refreshing and so consistently excellent I am going to have too... I do not see much influence from the US at all in this CD at all. They owe their influences more to the Brits as well as infusing it with their own bent... I have to say quite an outstanding and different sound. I am not sure if I have ever heard anything like it. Such a pity the Anglo world refuses to listen to music not in English... they are missing out on so much. Spain has one of the most vibrant music scenes in the world today. I will definitely pass this one around to my friends like I did with Alejandro Sanz - El Alma Al Aire, Rosana - Luna Rotas, Presuntos Implicados - Version Original (which they all adored). Also, check out Estopa!

Adios

Sadly, I rarely listen to Spanish music, even though I'm from Madrid. As it often happens with most genres, it has become repetitive, monotonous, predictable and - to say it all in one single word: commercial. My musical tastes range from varied classical music (from Mozart to Schostakovich) to nowadays most contemporary sounds such as Massive Attack, Prodigy or Chemical Brothers. Without forgeting outstanding music authors impossible to find here at Spain such as Phish, oldies like Elton John, and indeed everything that is WELL DONE. Well, after this introductory info about my musical background, you'll probably better evaluate my review about LODVG.

El Viaje de Copperpot is a good example (a very good example indeed) of how to compose good pop music without falling into routine. I've read some reviews giving out little stars to this group, and often making reference to other Spanish or Latin groups. That is in my humble opinion a big mistake since LODVG, although under the pop-rock sound movement, is unique. Their lyrics are unique, and their music is unique. If listened to all of the songs' album carefully (it happens the same on their next album) it is possible to detect a big influence in each song from a different well known group. I personally found many hidden references out of Supertramp style, though when listened for the first time they're difficult to spot.

They needn't complicated - often badly chosen - synth sounds or innovative fx to create the desired athmosphere. Yes, they have keyboards, and indeed they are very very well implemented, but this group is mainly acoustic. They utilize their resources carefully achieving clean, well designed songs, easy to listen and remember, but with harmonies, themes and scores in general well, very well made, varied, non-repetitive but preserving their astounding style.

If you think this might be too much for you, then return to Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin. Otherwise, I highly recommend you give them a chance.

Lots has been said about L.O.d.V.G., most of it good but not without it's critics. First of all I'd have to say this a gentle, smart, lyrical , melodic, easily accesible bit of bouncy pop. This is not exactly what I would call alternative Spanish music or rocnEspanol; it's popnEspanol, which is not a bad thing . The songs are highly polished, a bit retro, especially since they use a moog, semi-Gwen Stefanish, more Debbie Harry in her hey day to my ears, music propelled by the non-threatening voice of Amaia. These are sweet songs of the heart shaped candy variety. The lyrics are often of love and love lost. Take "Tantas Cosas Que Contar" for example, a repetitve phrase used is "ven vuelve a dormir, vuelve a descubrir todo aquello junto a mi"(come and return to sleep, come and discover everything close to me) that is typical of the theme running throughout the disc. How about "Desde El Puerto," quisiera aqui un segundo decirte que el mundo no tiene luz"( I'd like to have a second to tell you that the world has no light) as Amaia laments to the metaphoric tides of the ocean. From "La Playa," si pudiera volver a nacer te veria cada dia amanecer sonriendo como cada vez como aquella vez"( if I could be born again I'd see you daily wake up smiling like each time like that time). A sample from the radio friendly "Cuidate,"'tu cuidate aqui yo estare bien olvidame yo te recordare"(you take care of yourself, I'll be fine forget about me I'll remember you). It's lover come back to me ala pop mode. It's an old formula that $ell$ pop $ong$. There is even a song entitled "Pop" where they sing of the entanglements of pop stardom. If you want a sample of nice disc from Spain in the pop vein than this is for you. If you are looking for music that is bit more alternative from Spain try Estopa. This is a good disc, not exactly great but definitely better than most. The main problem I have with it is that for a modern album there is nothing really innovative here; it is a tried and true pop formula.

This is simply one of the best CDs money can buy. I first was introduced to Spanish music (not just music with Spanish lyrics) in 1994 when I went to Spain for 2 weeks. I was hooked. The music is so refreshingly different. So, La Oreja De Van Gogh's quality is not surprising to me. I have seen Spain produce groups such as Mecano and El Ultimo De La Fila just to name a couple. However, I recently had a renewed desire to get some more Spanish music so I hopped on amazon.com and followed those links to other artists and eventually found these guys.

I immediately ordered both CDs. I showed the group to a friend who does not know any more Spanish than Adios, Gracias, and 'hasta la vista, baby'. He loved the group too.

I like this CD better than Dile al Sol because they dropped they heavy usage of distorted electric guitars that were used in a few of their songs.

After hearing both CDs, I can tell that they had the potential to be awsome on this CD. They were awsome on the first, but better on the second.

Therefore, buy'em both. You won't regret it

It is always difficult to top a first, very good CD. Dile al sol, was a brilliant album. However la Oreja de Van Gogh has suceeded admirably in realeasing this album, El viaje de Copperpot, which is as good if not better than the first one. I would try to desginate a few good songs which stick out but all the tracks are brilliant. As the previous one, this is one of those few CDs where every track is good. The music style remains identical to the first one, but fortunately is not repetative sounding music. Each song remains uniquely different to the others, and there are really no two songs which sound alike. La Oreja de Van Gogh is not your average spanish kind of music. If you are into a somewhat modern American beat, say alternative, in Spanish, there is no better band out there.

In the spring of 2003, I was in New Mexico (USA) on vacation. I had tuned the clock/radio to a Spanish-language station. One song stood out dramatically among the dozen or so songs I heard that morning. It was a definite "must have." The song was difficult to locate because all I could get from it was "cierra la puerta" (the radio wasn't exactly a top-quality item). Thanks to the Internet and Amazon.com, I finally tracked down "Cuídate," the song I had heard. I immediately ordered this CD. The rest of the CD turned out to be just as "must have" as "Cuídate." I tend to like pop/rock music, especially that of the early 1980s style, and I LOVE the Spanish language, and that's exactly where this CD excels. Amaia Montero's vocals are quite clear and energetic, and the rest of the band does a great job with the accompaniment. My favorite songs on the CD tend to be the livelier ones: "Cuídate," "París," "Dicen Que Dicen," "La Chica Del Gorro Azul," "Desde El Puerto," and the hidden "Tic Tac" (it's after "Desde El Puerto" and about four minutes of odd noises). "Tantas Cosas Que Contar" isn't as bouncy as the others, but has a very nice rhythm to it. Even after having listened to the CD repeatedly, the only song that doesn't hold my attention is "Los Amantes Del Círculo Polar," which starts out with a nice, sort of haunting intro, then goes into 6/8 time, which I tend to dislike. Still, 12 great songs out of 13 is VERY impressive. I wish I could give it more than five stars!

I now own all three currently-available LODVG CDs and highly recommend them all, especially the second (this one) and third ("Lo Que Te Conté Mientras Te Hacías La Dormida"). I suppose I should mention that I'm quite a bit older than the normal audience for this group. I turned 40 several years ago. :-)

¡Y ésta es la historia del "Viaje" de mi viaje!

La Oreja de Van Gogh- I never knew of them until I visited a latin country.I fell in love with their song "Cuidate", after that came "Paris", and then "La Playa". Finally I got the CD. OMG, it is soo awesome, I love every single song in the album. They are not like anything I've heard before.To me it was all a new kind of music since I didn't listen to spanish music before.But now, I listen to this CD more than I listen to others. You really have to buy this, it is so AWESOME!!!

I understand this is the band's second or third album. Whatever it is, it's a real treat. I have not heard their previous album(s), only this one and the one that came out after (see my review for "Lo Que Te Conte Mientras Te Hacias La Dormida ("What I Told You While You Were Pretending To Sleep") I am a rock fan, always have been. I like some English pop, but I hardly listen to Spanish music anymore (exceptions: Alejandro Sanz and Mexican female rocker Alejandra Guzman... and Juanes) but this album was a real nice surprise. The songs are fun, catchy, the lyrics literate and often romantic and clever. The songs are extremely well-crafted. There is some Beatles influence here; I am referring to mid-60's Beatles, around the time of "Rubber Soul"/Revolver and maybe a touch of "Abbey Road"; especially in the vocal harmonies which are really lovely (and which also recall late 70's Fleetwood Mac) and in the structure of the songs. I first heard the song "Cuidate" (translates as "Take Care of Yourself") on the radio. It was a huge hit in Mexico, (as were "Paris", "Soledad" ("Loneliness") and "La Playa" ("The Beach") ) and I was instantly hooked. The band uses lots of synthesizers, acoustic and electric guitars and sometimes strings. The sound is also kind of "retro"; sort of 60's pop/rock. "Cuidate" reminds me a bit of Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger". Te lead singer's voice is lovely, smooth, soothing and very very sexy!! I don't know her name but she is a total babe!! Some of the songs are uptempo soft rockers, others are ballads but all are finely crafted and extremely enjoyable. La Oreja de Van Gogh is one of the best Spanish music bands today!! If you like Spanish pop music, you will enjoy this album very very much!

Their mix of music is good. The songs are original and upbeat, a hint of 80's American music, but overall good rocking. I saw the band on Musica Si several times on the TVE network when I lived in Europe. Orega de Van Gogh won the MTV Europe Award for best band in 2000. Second CD is better than the first which to me seems to be a trend for Spanish groups.

As I peruse the official Final Nominations List for the 44th Annual GRAMMY (R) Awards, it seems clear that those that put the list of nominations together are completely out of touch with what America truly listens to and enjoys.
Suffice it to say, they've never heard of La Oreja de Van Gogh. Of course, most Estadounidenses have never heard of La Oreja and their lead singer Amaia. Pity.
The band's sophomore release, "El Viaje de Copperpot" (Sony Discos US), takes its title from the silly 1984 Steven Spielberg kiddie-mystery "The Goonies." While perhaps the lone highlights of that film included the fine acting of Anne Ramsey, a top 10 single from Cyndi Lauper and the chance to stare at Kerri Green for a while, "El Viaje de Copperpot" is a gem. Every song on this album is a masterpiece. If this album were recorded in English, a band named Van Gogh's Ear would be challenging Alicia Keys and U2 for Record of the Year honors. Consider La Oreja de Van Gogh our secret.
The opening track "Cuidate" is the band's first single off this release. Several months after topping the charts in Spain, it was released in Mexico and received warmly. Puerto Rico slowly caught on; Los Angeles' Spanish pop stations finally began playing the song long after its peak elsewhere, and it's still in medium rotation at both Viva 107-1 and Super Estrella.
This single says nothing of the rest of the album. The fast-paced "Soledad," featuring some fancy moog work, is so Madrileno. That's a good thing. "Paris" starts in melancholy fashion but eventually picks up the pace while sticking its sad refrain "Adios, mi corazon."
By far the Song of the Year in just about any language is the 2001 smash "La Playa," a charttopper in Mexico and Spain. A warm tender love song, the lyrics are deep and provocative -- just like the melody. I played this for my dad and stepmom, who are non-Hispanics in Miami that only know basic Spanish, and they fell in love with the band as soon as they heard this song. "Te voy a escribir la cancion mas bonita del mundo...." You just did.
"Pop" takes a stab at the prefab popsters that have plagued the charts. Good fun, cynical stuff. Another gem for Los 40 Principales.
"Dicen Que Dicen" is SUCH a Madrid record. I can picture myself jetting around the city in a white taxi, or rushing through the Puerto del Sol Metro stop on my way to nowhere important. Glorious!
"Mariposa," or "Papillon," or "Butterfly." Another tender love song worthy of Song of the Year honors.
"The Girl With the Blue Bonnet" ("La Chica del Gorro Azul") is a silly little ditty complete with a doot-doot chorus. But it's still fun. "Your Hair" ("Tu Pelo") is a lovely ballad, as is "The Small Things Count" ("Tantas Cosas Que Contar"), the latter of which builds into a forceful, triumphal anthem of poetry.
"The Arctic Lovers" ("Los Amantes del Circular Polar") could be the perfect song for one Dr. Jack Child, professor of Spanish and lover of penguins, at American University in Washington, DC. I can just picture two penguins in love. Well, not really. The song is a stark, haunting piece of art that creeps up on you and carries you into the abyss. A closer look at the lyrics reveals the true secrets of what this song is all about.
"Desde El Puerto" rounds out the listed selections, while a hidden track I've named "Tic-Toc" shows that, while "El Viaje de Copperpot" is a deep, profound masterpiece that deserves top-shelf space with "Revolver" by the Beatles and "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" by Genesis, they can still have fun.
Go buy this album and tell a friend. Or we can just keep this our little secret.