CORNONSTIPICUM

MIA were a Symphonic band from Argentina and this particular record from them is usually pointed out as their best. It certainly is their most progressive album, in fact I would describe it as having abundant mood and tempo shifts throughout, they rarely stay in one place long. No lyrics although there are plenty of vocal melodies (wordless melodies) both male and female.

"La Coronacion Del Farre" builds to a dramatic sound before it settles with flute. Keys come in and then bass. It kicks in before 4 minutes. "Imagen III" is led by piano as female vocal melodies join in briefly. Sounds like accordion but it's brief too. Other sounds continue to come and go. "Crifana Y Tamilstenes" is uptempo with both male and female vocal melodies. Some nice bass too. It settles after 2 1/2 minutes as acoustic guitar and synths take over. It picks back up after 5 minutes with deep bass and keyboards. "Las Persianas No" features keys, drums and vocal melodies. "Piedras De Color" features piano melodies throughout.

"Cornonstipicum" is the excellent side long final track at 17 1/2 minutes. It has some nice drum work early then piano takes over. A lone vocal melody after 2 minutes before it kicks back in with some dissonance. Nice. Guitar 4 minutes followed by organ as the tempo picks up. Good section. It settles 7 1/2 minutes in with gentle guitar and flute. Piano and vocal melodies after 10 1/2 minutes as it continues to be laid back. That is until after 13 minutes when it kicks back in.

This is highly rated by most but I have to agree with sean trane and tszirmay in giving this 3.5 stars. It's impressive and very proggy but I just don't like it enough to offer up the fourth star.