SOCIEDAD SECRETA DE MELANCOLICOS

A gentle affair by this Argentinian band, and as the album title implies melancholic moods are explored extensively on this venture.

Slow to mid-paced compositions with piano or acoustic guitar providing the dominant themes and motifs is what's offered, with a gentle symphonic backdrop as an almost ever present feature. A few instances of guitar riffs used to provide darker textures will be found, while what sounds like an accordion is used often and to great effect to add some variation to the proceedings. A select few jazzy passages are added to good effect as well.

Residing somewhere in the twilight zone between gentle adult oriented rock and the lighter side of the art rock universe, this disc should be a pleasant experience for those looking for mellow art rock crafted with an emphasis on distinct moods and strong but pleasant melodies.

Canturbe is an Argentinian band that released 5 studio-albums between 1980 and 1990 and returned to the scene after many years with this album in 2008. Later Canturbe also released the albums Tangos En Espera in 2011 and Flotteur in 2018.

The music in the 13 songs sound a bit subdued but very pleasant. A strong element is the warm, sometimes melancholical Spanish voice. And I am very pleased with the wide range of instruments, wonderfully blended into the songs. Like the distinctive bandoneon (strong interplay with the volume pedal electric guitar in Eternidades and Contrasenas) but also the vibraphone (Odiseo Por Buenos Aires), violin (Guarderia Para Melancolicos), saxophone and panflute (Tiro Al Argento) and acoustic guitar (beautiful soli in Guarderia Para Melancolicos and Una Mujer En Buenos Aires).

At some moments Canturbe their music evokes 70-77 Genesis, due to the lush keyboards, like the opener Tarde Ensayos and the dreamy final track Tarde Para Ensayos ' Instrumental. The composition Volando En Una Linterna even sounds like 24-carat symphonic rock, featuring a fluent rhythm and wonderful work on the electric guitar and synthesizers.

Canturbe their music is blended with strong musical ideas, emphasizing the captivating eclectic sound by Canturbe, this is an interesting comeback.

My rating: 3,5 star.