ACORRALADO POR TI

Our dear friend Molina, (Ñu's leader) will have to find another fully new line-up again for this release. Actually, the drummer is the same who was playing on their second album. That guy (Molina) must have been a serious P.I.T.A. to have ensured of a split even before their first album was recorded. And almost replace the entire line-up album after album. On the other hand, he IS the band. But this sounds more of a musician that picks up some colleagues to release an album that really a band.

The opening number is one of their greatest number. It reminds me at times of "Highway Star" (one of my two Purple fave). Vocals are great, so high pitched. The keys sound as Lord's ones : pumped with heart and soul. Sounds like "Ñu" reverts to the great songs of their debut.

Compositions will be poppier (but still without lots of compromise, don't worry). The title track "Acorralado Por Ti" is one of the best example. Klaus Meine (Scorpions' singer) who was doing some promotional work in Ibiza (where the recording studios were located) was rather astonished that a song as "Acorralodo..." didn't chart outside of Spain. Because the success in Spain is really big. Ñu were even able to hire Robin Black, Tull's producer for this album (he co-produced "A" amongst others, which is not the bestTull's work IMO ...).

The best song from this good album is "Romance Fantasma". It sounds as a rock-opera. Somptuous keyboards, heavy riffs and crazy chorus. It really brings us back to Ñu best songs. I would have liked that it would last a bit longer; because the present format (4'42") probably won't allow Ñu to go as far as they could have gone. A great rock number. No doubt.

Same applies to "Ella". Very good hard-rock song. It holds all the ingredients of that genre : strong vocal, heavy keys, a fantastic guitar break, and a very powerful rhytmics. Extremely effective.

Ñu will keep on the good and powerful work with "El Mejor Guerrero" ("The Best Warrior"). Indeed a warrior song. This album won't be yours to fall asleep, that 's for sure. Rocking like crazy.

Flute is less present on this album which is a pity. It was really one of Ñu's trademark. Here and there some good intervention like during the bombastic "You'll Be His/Her Judge" ("Tu Seras Su Juez"). By now, I am sure that if Ñu had chosen English for their lyrics, they would have "scored" brilliantly on an internatioanl scale.

When you kisten to their work in those dark days for good music (where were Heep, Kansas, Purple ?) it is remarkable to listen to this type of work. Be aware though that this is the hard/heavy side of rock. Only very few prog elements here. But I like it.

The AOR-ish "Eres Invencible" is the weakest track of the album. But it is far of being a poor song. Somewhat a filler to reach the forty minutes, I guess.

The listener will have some relief while reaching the closing number of this album : "Una Noche Mas" is a pleasant rock ballad. To cool down a bit. At least for a minute or so, not more. It turns to be a catchy song again. A bit longer than average (just over six minutes). Rock music, man !

This is another good Ñu album. Probably their best one since the fabulous "Cuentos de Ayer Y De Hoy". Seven out of ten. Since they deserve more exposure here, I will upgrade it to four star. You should really try to listen to them.