MÁRIO NETO: SETE CIDADES

Bacamarte's second album is more of a Mario Neto solo album since he plays pretty much everything here, and although he was very dominant in their debut, is the music and writing any different here? ...Yes it is! Out goes the electric guitar and with that, the rocky energies that were so evident in their previous album (except for a few moments here and there), but still leaving us with Neto's great ability of playing acoustic guitars. The sound had severely changed but i don't mind that, what i do mind and having a tough time to understand are the drums sound, why? why? and i ask again why use this sound and turn the album from a warm sound to a plastic sound? this could have been much better. Although Neto is credited for playing the drums, it doesn't really sound like natural drums, it sounds like a programed drum machine with an awful sound, but as i searched the web i found no information stating otherwise than what said here. Drum machine or not this is one of the worst drumming i have heard in an album, it's awkward, lame and lacks any punch.

Said that i still enjoy the album, there are some great moments and some moments i don't like so much or think it could have been done better. Neto's guitar playing is still very good and inspiring, flutes are good and with the addition of the keys and acoustic guitars, the album have a very pastoral and tranquil atmosphere. Neto's vocals are not bad but are not remotely close to the beautiful vocals presented by Jane Duboc on their debut. The writing although different is still very good, and i give a lot of credit to Neto for handling all the instruments and overall constructing a very good album. 'Portais' has a beautiful promising start with good acoustic guitar and flute, piano is added and altogether creates a wonderful opener. 'Ritual Da Fertilidade' is a great example of how this album should have sounded, with drums absent the percussions lead the way and creates a good, kind of tribal track. 'Filhos Do Sol' is not more than ok with Neto's lame vocals. 'Espritos Da Terra' and 'Mirante Das Estrelas' are both great even though drums are putting me off, the first featuring a pastoral mood and great guitar solo, and the second featuring a more upbeat rhythm with maybe Neto's greatest guitar playing in the whole album. 'Carta' is quiet with an ok vocals and has definitely grew on me. 'Canto Da Esfinge & Portais' is a tricky, it stands beautifuly by itself but here it disappoints me to hear the first track all over again although it's an extended version and done with a slightly different instrumentation, but like i said by itself it's maybe the best song out of this album.

This could have been an easy 4 star album, the music definitely is, but i can't put the drum sound aside, it's not only the sound the whole drumming tend to be dragged behind which brings a lot of the material down, and ruins some of the greatest moments. I admit i wasn't impressed at all at the begining but this has definitely grew on me, and i am listening to this more than before despite the almost unbearable drums. For those of you who enjoyed their debut, this one is a good addition, but for me it's 3 stars.