PERSONA

"Persona" is an album by the Argentinian artist Alejandro Matos. He does about all the work on this album on his own and proves to be a skilled musician. The music on this album can be generally described as guitar-driven rock with a progressive touch and a dark edge. I recognize some Pink Floyd-influences now and then and, as I guess, some Latin-American influences in the melodic lines.

The album is devided into two parts of almost equal length: "Deformacion" and "Revelacion", separated by one single track. The first two tracks, "Dos Mil Años de Tierra", and "El Camino de la Mala Suerte", make up a strong opening section: "Dos Mil Años de Tierra" is dominated by pounding drumbeats and echoing Hank B. Marvin-alike guitar, "El Camino de Mala Suerte" is a quiet track that opens with synthesizer and bass, with the guitar entering in the middle of the song. I like this track. Hereafter follow three less interesting tracks in which the vocals seem to hover a bit around the right key. The 8.5 minute "Guerra de Silencios", that ends this section, is better.

The track that separates the two chapters, "Fracasos Bajo Fianza", begins with female chattering, which is taken over by synths. Towards the end of the track it sounds as if someone dials the tuning button of a transitor receiver in the evening hours, when many radio stations are on the air.

The Revelacion part is the most interesting section of the album. "Estatuas de Agua", the space-rock of "Dormir" and the closing track, "Dos Mil Años Menos", belong to the best tracks of this album. I also like the transition in "Las Buenas Razones del Error" that introduces "Maldita Persona", which has a 5/4 time signature. The last track ends with a Gilmouresque three minute guitar solo, which is one of the highlights of this album.

I cannot tell anything about the lyrics, because they are in Spanish and it takes quite a lot of my precious time to reassemble and decipher the output from the linguistic shredder's attempts to translate the lyrics on Alejandro's website.

Despite a few weaker points here and there, this album gives me an overall good impression and it is a pleasant listen. I think that a 3+ rating fits this album well.