CLOUDS ON THE ROAD

Poços & Nuvens is a Brazilian band that was born with a unique desire, to unite Progressive Rock with the Folk music from the south of Brazil. The band released two albums that were highly praised among Proggers between 1998 and 2001, but after that the band pretty much fell apart and didn't do much apart from few shows every year.

In 2008 the band's vocalist and guitarist, Gérson Werlang, released a solo album called Memórias Do Tempo (2008) and made me think that the band was really over. But a couple of years later a live album was being prepared. In 2012 two live albums were released by the band. Live In Mexico (2012) that was recorded in 2004 on Baja Prog Festival and Clouds On The Road (2012), recorded in 2005 on the festival their label (Rock Symphony) used to organize. Clouds On The Road (2012) was released by Rock Symphony with Musea Records distribution in the end of last year and has a very interesting art by the Brazilian, Gustavo Sazes.

Clouds On The Road (2012) has a change in the band's line up, more precisely in the 'kitchen' area. On the record we have Chico Gonçalves (bass) delivering a great performance and Rodrigo Bernardon (drums and percussion) that had played on Gérson's solo album. The rest of the lineup is the same as their studio albums: Gérson Werland (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars), Edgar Sleifer (guitar, flutes and vocals), Sávio Werlang (keyboards, accordion and vocals) and Iva Giracca (violin and vocals).

Poços & Nuvens' music always amazed me with the unique combination. Their lyrics are also fond to me. Being born in the south of Brazil I can understand and picture each and every one of their 'paintings'. But lyrics are not the only thing here. So, if you don't understand Portuguese, don't worry.

Clouds On The Road (2012) is pretty much based on their latest studio album, the great Província Universo (2001). About 75% of the live album comes from that album. In general, you have such a great concert, very well executed by the band with special mentions to Edgar's flutes, Iva's violins and the fragile and pretty vocals by Gérson. A shy kind of voice. On the other hand, Sávio sometimes delivers some really weak keyboards sounds here and there like in 'Vega' and 'A Sagração Do Outono', which is weird cause they're not like that on the original albums. But he also plays some pretty accordion on 'Dança Ao Crepúsculo' and 'Milonguita'.

You also have some songs that are a bit weird to their repertoire like 'Incenso E Chuva' and from their first album Ano Veloz Outono Adentro (1998) the double 'Todas As Estações' and 'Geração Perdida'. There are also some tracks that jump on you like 'Vindima E Ventania' (it has always been one of my favorites), 'Amanhecer' and 'Dança Ao Crepúsculo' and 'Milonguita'. Including the closing track 'Poços & Nuvens' that has a metal feeling but the great lines of violins changes it all.

Poços & Nuvens' Clouds On The Road (2012) is a marvelous opportunity if you don't know the band yet and would like to. Recommended!

(Originally posted on progshine.net)