IDENTIDADE

Having a Brazilian wife and being a progressive rock lover to the bone I just had to try some Brazilian prog-rock bands. Not knowing where to start I just began surfing the web and ended up at www.rockprogressivo.com.br and www.rocksymphony.com.br

After reading some reviews on those sites and of course on www.progarchives.com I decided to kick of with Aether (also known as the Brazilian Camel) and Index. Wow! What a way to start! I liked Aether better at the beginning probably because it sounded more familiar, (I almost have all Camel albums) but later on my preference switched to Index! Progressive rock is probably one of the smaller musical genres represented in Brazil, but the Brazilian progressive bands are musically just as great as any North American or British prog-rock band, so lets get out there and give some of those great Brazilian musicians a chance!

Index first self titled album was merely an instrumental piece. Their second album, Liber Secundus, contains vocals as well. Probably the vocals could be better, but the Portuguese language sounds magnificent and perfectly matches the music. On "Identidade", Index' third album they would return to their instrumental basis again which I personally find somewhat a petty. Even though the vocals could be better Liber Secundus is my favorite Index album, but "Identidade" is still pretty good. A bit more "jazzy" and a bit less "symphonic" though.

If you are not familiar with any Brazilian progressive music yet AETHER, INDEX, TARKUS, SOLIS and TEMPUS FUGIT are probably the best bands to start with!

INDEX are a fair and honest representative of the newest generation of Brazilian prog-rock bands; they head a long line of dozens (maybe hundreds) of progressive acts that lurk in the shadows just waiting an opportunity to be heard and enjoyed. The present panorama is indeed edifying here in Terra Brasilis and may good winds blow to reinvigorate their efforts.

INDEX surely have surpassed the puberty years and are reaching now the maturity, which can be disclosed through their 3rd album, a 2004 all-instrumental release that goes by the name of "Identidade" - very appropriate title considering they reached their identity. Truly, INDEX sound is very characteristic but like all those new acts mentioned before, especially if trailing the symphonic spectrum, they set the roots in the classical bands of the 70s, this time increased by neat Brazilian influences (prog or not) and tinted with some of the most vibrant recent colors. INDEX also leave the realm of pure symphonic prog for adventuring into different fields, like jazz or folk or erudite, making their work to lean toward the eclectic proposition.

This album, "Identidade", is plain and direct, songs keep a certain resemblance making this release homogeneous and consequently amusing, even not being unforgettable. Band members are really skilled cats and one may hear fascinating, almost glorious flute and synth tunes, joined by noticeable guitar, bass, drums and piano chords. The two suites: 'Angelus' and 'Corações do mundo' that dominate the album's core are the highest peaks here, while the two opening tracks, 'Volcano' and 'Maximus' are simply enjoyable and agreeable. Unfortunately, the last track, 'Index II', lacks certain cohesion, losing its sense due to the excessive use of commonplaces and clichés that spoil the song and ¼ of the album - anyway, skipping this part, the listener is surely supplied with a work fairly above the average.

A good work, nice to be heard, very audible, but still non-essential. I'm quite sure that INDEX will gift us soon with a memorable production - they have sharpened their blades with the first 3 albums (including this one) that the obvious reward will be achieved.

This Brazilian band already produced a very good debut album ("Liber Secundus") and this one starts wonderfully with a superb, dynamic, tribal, emotional, guitar and percussion- oriented (hi Carlos!) piece of music. "Vulcano" deserves its title: it is a boiling song. Gorgeous by all means!

Unlike what has been written in their bio, I can't find a trace of ELP in here. Anyway, the music is rich, complex and superbly interpreted. What a pleasure to listen to such an album! An all instrumental and gentle piece of pure symphony with a jazzy angle though. The musicianship is of very high quality and it is a shame that these guys are not better known. Especially on a site like ours!

Just have a listen to the sublime first part of "Suite Angelus". Close your eyes and appreciate: this is really the only thing to do while listening to this great and melodic track. Should I say another highlight? Yes of course!

And if the second leg is maybe a bit shy, it is still a very fine moment of superb symphonic rock displaying a great guitar work. It is another real good track.

The "Santana" feel is again very present during "Fogos de Santelmo": a superb blend of crying guitar, good percussion and jazzy atmosphere (maybe too jazzy though to my taste). The same applies to "Coracoes Do Mundo" with an even jazzier accent.

The great feel comes back again with the fantastic closing number: "Index II" is such a fine piece of symphonic prog!

Heavenly guitar, sustained bass and great drumming work. A true delight for sure. Is it necessary that emotion sits at every corner of this epic? That symphonic lover will reach a musical orgasm during the closing part? That you should listen to this great album?

Four stars. It holds some superb musical moments that would deserve to be shared by more PA reviewers.

I must say that I was not exactly excited when I got this CD from a friend. I heard it was a band from the guitarrist of brazilian synphonic prog group Quartema Requiem, so I was thinking that it could be either a poor copy of that band or an ego trip. When I finally put it to play I was delighted to find out it was neither. In the end Identidade comes across as one of the best instrumental prog albums I heard in recent years. Jones Junior (guitars and flute) shows great skill and good taste all over the CD and the three band members are also great musicians.

The music here is a guitar-led symphonic prog with lots of classical, jazz and latin influences. Vintage sounding keyboards give a 70´s flavour on all the tracks. Some parts remind a lot of Focus best moments (Opus 1- Marina is a good example). Although the excellent musicanship of all involved is clear, they never get lost in pointless jams or noodling, not even when they risk it into the muddy waters of Zappa-like jazzy parts (Fogo de Santelmo). It is music with discernible melodies and tight arrangements. Excellent drumming, great bass runs and swapping keys and guitar solos are the main course (some brilliant flute moments too, by the way).

Production is excellent. There are no fillers and all the songs are on the same level. Not much more to say. You hear it, you judge. For my part, I just keep pressing the repeat button over and over when I hear this CD. I don´t know about other index albums, and I´m gonna get them sooner or later, but I was hooked by this one.

Rating: I was going to give it a 4 or 4,5 star rating because some jazz-rock/fusion parts are not really my cup of tea. However, even those parts are so well done and tasteful that I ended up loving them too. Hence, five stars. A masterpiece of prog music, no less. Highly recommended! But be warned! Highly addictive too.