CANÇONS DE CASA - SONS DE CARRER

Next album by L' Herba d'Hameli comes out in 2004, in the meantime the band had added two new members in the formation, violinist Jordi Marquillas and keyboardist Carles Pinos.The album was titled ''Cancons de casa - Sons de carrer'' and contained mostly rearrangements of traditional Catalan songs.

This was definitely a step forward for the band, their style now was more atmospheric, convincing and eventually attractive, propably the selection of these old folky tunes had something to do with this, but again the tracks were now arranged for a Rock band and you need some talent to come up with a decent result.And the result here is absolutely satisfying, less emphatic on the vocal parts and basically leaning towards instrumental variety, featuring heavy use of flute and the new entry of violin creating some beautiful melancholic tunes.Additionally the presence of Pinos has made only good to the band's music with his intelligent synth flashes and occasional organ lines.The music can be either rhythmic with plenty of flute and electric guitars or more intricate, full of good instrumental interactions between violin, flute and keyboards.Some of the material is even amazing like the Heavy/Folk Rock edge of ''L'Hereu Riera (romanc)'' with the angular guitar/flute work and the breaks into Medieval ages with the violin and harsichord in evidence or the irritating ''Sons de carrer'' with the psychedelic flute parts, the sweet organ and piano work and the following delicacy of the electric guitar/flute interplays.

Quite great definition of what Prog Folk means.Nice little pearl of the genre, based on old Catalan tunes and containing some fiery instrumental work.Recommended.