EZEKIEL

An outstanding album from the Basque Country. And specially meritorious if we notice that during the early 80's, Spanish music was not at its best: due to the euphoria of having escaped from the censorship that ruled until 1975, Spanish musicians were occupied composing dead easy techno-pop songs, with a notable lack of any melodical or lyrical preoccupation. It was the spirit of the 80's glam but augmented until grotesque limits of childish lyrics and monotony.

In the middle of this totally banal scene, Itoitz release their Ezekiel album. Not everything about it is perfect: if I had had the possibility, I would have chosen another lead singer, as Pérez's voice is somewhat weak, although it has similarities to some italian symphonic singers. On every other aspect the album is nearly flawless. The folky acoustic guitars that get electrified to perform some memorable solos; a sometimes funky-ish and always great-sounding bass; a constant melodic keyboard background; a flute à la Jethro Tull and the notorious jazz influences.

Something obvious when hearing Ezekiel is that, despite being a complex opus with a milimetrically care about instrumentation, it features relatively short and easy-listening songs. In fact, the album is not very long, and it seems to be even shorter because of the fluidity that characterise the compositions.

If I had to describe Ezekiel with just a word, it would undoubtlely be beautiful. In this sense, when I hear Ezekiel, it brings me to my mind that Harmonium's Si On Avait Une Cinquième Saison. The instrumentation is not so unlike in both albums, and they both show a brilliant and, in my opinion, optimistical sound, with a beauty that is impossible to hear in many other albums.