RESURRECCIÓN

The best news with this album is the introduction of a new female bass player! With a rather staccato playing style, she cuts through very fine and bears a lot of the music. She's singing too, together with another new member, vocalist Alma Castillo. Alas, the intonation of the vocals is at times unprecise and it reduces the enjoyment .... if there is such a thing on this album! Iconoclasta have been there many years and there is not too many new things here; they feel kind of worn out and uninspired; there is a lack of cohesion in the compositional material, a terrible feel of unending jamming or noodling to fill time and tapes; the vocal arrangements are often based on too repetitive lines, again unending .... The lack of a dedicated player taking charge of the keyboards can also be felt, Ricardo Moreno - one of the three remaining founding members together with guitarist Ortegón and the drummer - playing occasional synth textures on top of his guitar playing. Fans of the band will probably find something to catch and enjoy: the folky acoustic tunes with vocal harmonies, some of the soloing, whatever else! The global feel seems to me "another album" from Iconoclasta ... and not one of their best!

This legendary Mexican prog formation delivered a serie of strong albums in The Eighties featuring a progressive blend of jazz, jazzrock and symphonic rock, strong points are the outstanding interplay and inventive musical ideas. Ten years after their latest studio-album La Granja Humana (2000) Iconoclasta found new inspiration. The current line-up includes Iconoclasta veterans Ricardo Moreno (acoustic - and electric guitars, keyboards and compositions), Ricardo Ortegon (electric guitar) and drummer Victor Baldovinos, along new members Greta Silva (vocals and bass) and Alma Castillo (vocals).

The 10 compositions on Resurreccion sound melodic and elaborate, but don't expect their Eighties sound. Because Iconoclasta have a kind of reinvented themselves, with a varied mix of styles but not with the focus on jazz and jazzrock, like in their past. There is an important role voor twin-guitar play and duo vocals, almost in every track. I can't mention real highlights but the level on this comeback album is good, with lots of variety.

An exciting opener with fiery electric guitar, a catchy keyboard brass sound and a powerful rhythm-section in Sin Escape.

Dreamy with warm vocals and pleasant work on the acoustic guitar in Hijo.

A Mike Oldfield-like climate with a strong build-up featuring wonderful interplay between sensitive acoustic ? and electric guitar in the instrumental Deidad Solar.

Strong interplay between guitar and synthesizer in the instrumental Huatla ?Homenaje A Maria Sabina.

Great rock guitar (with use of the wah-wah pedal) in the songs La Resurreccion De Maquiavelo and El Perro De Pavlov.

And emotional vocals and guitar in de compelling in the final track La Etica Del Verdugo.

To me this album sounds as a pleasant and varied 'resurrection' of the legendary Mexican band Iconoclasta, but far from their Eighties sound.

My rating: 3,5 star.