EL ECO DEL SOL

Bubu was perhaps the best Progressive Rock/Avant-Garde band from Argentina, a creative collective of great musicians led by musical genius and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Andreoli. In 1978, Bubu released their masterpiece, Anabelas. The record was highly acclaimed worldwide. Anabelas was widely performed, and its music was even used by a successful ballet company in Buenos Aires, with performances across several countries in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Despite all this recognition, Bubu never made another record, and Andreoli seemed content to rest on the recognition and success of their one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Then, 38 years later in 2016, Andreoli revived the band, re-emerging with a fresh group of musicians and reigniting their constant creative search. The comeback began with an EP, Resplandor, influenced by the band's signature avant-garde style. Bubu embarked on a tour, performing both Anabelas and their new EP, marking a second life for the band. Andreoli took a bold step, preparing for a new full-length album to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Anabelas?a risky endeavor.

After the 2016-2017 tour, Bubu returned to the studio. Although Andreoli tried to reincorporate old members, the band now sounded more in tune with the present, and Bubu no longer needed the original lineup. In 2018, on the 40th anniversary of Anabelas, Bubu released their second full-length album, El Eco Del Sol, with Andreoli still at the helm and a completely new lineup. The record represents a fresh version of the band, with a modern, heavy sound. However, this reinvention comes with its drawbacks. Bubu left behind some of the magic of Anabelas and became a completely new band?a great one?but not the Bubu we knew 40 years ago. Anabelas was so remarkable that it was impossible to match its grandeur.

With that in mind, if you listen to El Eco Del Sol as if it were from a new band, it stands as an excellent progressive avant-garde record with a heavy, modern sound. For fans of great music or for romantics who want to revisit the spirit of Anabelas, El Eco Del Sol is a great album?but it is not Anabelas. It is the new Bubu.

"Resplandor" A compact, energetic track that sets the tone for the album. It reintroduces Bubu's avant-garde essence but with a modern twist. The dynamic instrumentation recalls the intensity of Anabelas, but the pacing is tighter, leaving less room for the sprawling explorations of their earlier work.

"El Eco Del Sol" The title track is a sprawling piece that captures the grand, epic ambitions of the band. Its length allows Bubu to explore various musical textures, moving between delicate, atmospheric moments and heavier, more aggressive sections. It's a great balance of old and new Bubu, blending their signature avant-garde stylings with a more contemporary sound.

"Ariel" This shorter piece has a more melodic and accessible structure, giving a glimpse of the band's softer side. With clear, flowing melodies and a lighter touch in the instrumentation, "Ariel" contrasts well with the heavier, more experimental tracks on the album.

"Omer" One of the album's more intense offerings, "Omer" features intricate, syncopated rhythms and complex interplay between the instruments. It feels more in line with the experimental nature of Anabelas, but with the added punch of modern production. The layers of guitar, winds, and strings create a powerful, immersive soundscape.

"Cielo Negro" A dark, brooding track that lives up to its title ("Black Sky"). The atmosphere is tense and foreboding, with dissonant melodies and unsettling harmonies. It's one of the more avant-garde tracks, pushing the boundaries of progressive rock with its eerie, otherworldly sound.

"Penas" This song leans into a more emotional, melancholic vibe, with lush instrumentation and a haunting melody. The strings are prominent here, giving it a cinematic quality. "Penas" feels like a reflection on the past, which might resonate with long-time fans who miss the old Bubu sound.

"Por La Mañana" The lightest track on the album, "Por La Mañana" feels almost like a breather. Its upbeat tempo and bright melodies stand in contrast to the darker moments on the record. It brings a sense of optimism, adding a layer of complexity to the emotional landscape of the album.

"La Vaca Roja" Closing the album, "La Vaca Roja" is a complex, multifaceted piece. It starts with a slow, mysterious build before evolving into a powerful, energetic finale. The track showcases the band's ability to fuse progressive rock with avant-garde elements in a seamless way, and it leaves a lasting impression. It's a fitting conclusion to the album, wrapping up the new Bubu's identity in a way that feels bold and confident.

El Eco Del Sol may not reach the grandiosity of Anabelas, but it shines in its own right as a bold and powerful work. Andreoli and his new lineup breathe new life into Bubu, and while this reinvention leaves behind some of the magic of the past, it delivers a progressive and modern sound that stands on its own.

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