FAROL DA LIBERDADE

A must have album from this important Romantic progressive band from Brazil, plentiful of classics!!The first track-"Danca das fadas" is one of the best "Celtic/symphonic excursions", ever written by Marcus Viana, with a powerful introduction of three vocalists together in the second aggressive part, and some interesting lyrics in Brazilian as well!!; the second one-Solidariedade" is another short but very interesting interplay between the acoustic guitar (very well played!!) and the flute, enriched with a pretty crescendo and a Latin feel too, which is exceptional!! "Amor Selvagem" is a soft song,but of course the following track "Pantanal"-a pretty composition by Viana- is better and moreover this latter is characterizing his personal taste for "The Latin soundtracks" here (even though generally the lyrics in English of the last track let me change idea a bit, talking about the real consistency of such "soundtracks", and this fact doesn't convince me at all; but it never minds ...).By passing through simple and melodic pop rock songs, at the end you can find the originality of this important band from Brazil,as long as you appreciate indeed such a great atmosphere like that one (despite of such uneven English lyrics) of "The Central Sun of the Universe", another "Viana's trademark" along with "Pantanal"!!

Delicious album and with a personal imprinting by Sagrado too, even though it is not completely essential!!

Recommended if you like this "Light Symphonic Progressive" genre

Now we face a fine SAGRADO album containing 3 noticeable features: a song which was a radio hit in Brazil, a rare deed for a progressive band; great general production and splendid musicianship by band members, with Marcus Viana's violin plying steadily over all; and a real and definite band bound toward symphonic prog with captivating touches of folk (South American and Celtic) and classics. All tracks are above average, very hearable and certain moments are really jaw-breaking.

As mentioned before, SAGRADO's "Farol Da Liberdade" left behind the new wave and poppish sounds seen in their previous album and followed the symphonic renaissance trail that is much more in accordance with band members curricula. Lyrics are in Portuguese, with one exception, and I assure that they are fair, touchy, meaningful, and sometimes poignant - vocals transmit softly the poetry emotion.

'Dança das fadas' is a good overture, a bit sad intro with the violin weeping before Celtic tunes invade the track. The general atmosphere then is clearly joyous and uplifting. After a strange proclamation the dance of the fairies overwhelms the song with charming female vocals.

'Solidariedade' starts blending folk and balladesque harmonies, violin transform the song into a notorious symphonic track, very pleasant. From the middle part up to the end the hearer is confronted by a flurry of neat progressive tunes, well placed, including also a smooth choir and an impacting finishing. 'Amor selvagem' begins purely classic, band's influence taken from past masters and more specifically from Italian composers is disposed gently. Lyrics are amazing, vocals and instrumental arrangement contributing hugely to create a dream-like ambient.

'Pantanal', the cited radio hit, brings a strong symphonic appeal with folk pigments - again, lyrics do a great work here, rediscovering the Americas 500 years later. The main theme changes abruptly to a typical rock moment, only to give room to an exquisite and remarkable ending. The short 'Olivia' is a nice interlude amidst such thunderous tracks.

'Farol da liberdade', the title-track, weakens a bit album direction - pseudo- neo-prog does not combine properly with SAGRADO's sound. 'Raio e trovão' is agreeable but the pretentious folk approach has little impact. Instrumental parts with violin, guitars and keyboards dueling save the track.

'The Central Sun of the Universe', the only song with English lyrics, provides the album with a great closure. Everything now works almost perfectly, the choir in Portuguese, the pastoral flute solo, the piano accompaniment, the ever-present majestic violin and much more. The song bears the notorious and distinguished band signature, the moment when they act like an orchestra. Male vocals have the clear Brazilian accent which in this case adds some enchantment to the song; female vocals bring some flair of the dear BACAMARTE's Jane Duboc singer. All beauty perceived along the track is trimmed by a grandiose finale.

SAGRADO CORAÇÃO DA TERRA stood and stand still as a luminescent landmark in the Brazilian, South American, and I dare to say, World progressive music ground and "Farol Da Liberdade", their 3rd studio album, is indeed an outstanding production just bordering masterpiece realm, a more than recommended addition to any (prog) music collection.

Sagrado continued to strengthen with each release, producing music that managed to appeal to progressive rock fans and the record buying public in general at the same time, quite a feat for the 1990s. This is the album that preceded their masterpiece, "Grande Espirito". While it does not possess quite the elegance of that work, it is nonetheless a uniformly strong and layered work of art. It features Viana's spirited violin playing in the break necked opener "Dança das fadas", following through seamlessly to the instrumental "Solidariedade". The song quotient is also augmented by the needs of the Brazilian soap opera industry in the form of "Pantanal", a lush ballad of the type in which Sagrado excels. At times it is hard to believe we are listening to a band and not an orchestra. Even the very short, synthesized "Olivia" gushes with a grace that might be compared to the best of Tomita or Kitaro. The title tune alternates between romantic piano accompaniment and a monster of a hook with Viana's fiddle weaving in and out among the celestial keyboards. It seems that Viana is the primary vocalist here, not having yet ceded to Bauxita, and he acquits himself brilliantly. "The central sun of the universe" is wrapped in many layers of complexity; although it lacks the immediacy and cohesion of some of the epics from Grande Espirito, it certainly points in that direction. If you favour warm and melodic song -oriented prog with a strong Brazilian accent, set your course for the "Freedom Lighthouse".

is a great satisfaction even talk about this album because it is a band from my country and be one of the best albums of Brazilian prog. The sound of SCT blend the best that is in the symphonic prog leading to extreme violin from Kansas with touches of camel and a clear influence of regional rhythms of Brazilian music and creating an environment full of heavenly feeling. "Dan'a das Fadas" led by the violin and characterized it seems any rebuilding works of Beethoven or Mozart soft touches of flute and bass and weight characteristics. "Solidariedade" joined the best that the camel had with violins and guitars and beautiful nuances of break time. "Amor Selvagem" with lyrics that mix romantic love and appreciation of the natural resources of Brazil with a beautiful atmospheric environment. "Pantanal" brings an interesting rhythms carried by regional qubrada shy violin and keyboards and testing of natural effects. "Ov'dia" transition effects to the next track. "Farol da Liberdade" the title track has a footprint more neo prog but returns with blazing fast guitar work. Intense until the end. Amid the constant symphonic environment seems to have been made with the soul. "Raio e Trov'o" timid line neo prog mix of flamenco and a little symphony. Interestingly the original size of the violin arrangements on several tracks. "The core of the Sun of Universe" epic filled with atmospheric sounds and repetitions, perhaps the weakest track on the album. Farol da Liberdade 'captures what is symphonic prog with lots of creativity and originality, perhaps one of the main prog albums from Brazil