PERSONA

Alejandro Matos is an singer/songwriter/multi instrumentist from Argentina who has released four albums thus far. He was kind enough to provided me with his two last works for me to review. the first one I heard was this Persona. The music inside is quite dark and dense most of the time. It is very guitar led and it took me several spins to actually start getting into its music. His work has a strong late 70´s/early 80´s dark wave flavor, particularly of bands like Joy Divison, very early New Order and The Cure. But the sound is also very much of we called here in Brazil ´rock portenho´, the particular brand of 70´s argentianian rock music that includes several popular and folk influences of that country. The keyboards are very atmospheric while the bass is very good (again very 80´s). Drums are programmed, but I can live with that, specially if you have in mind the style played here.

The album has 14 tracks, most of them short ones, with many variations in rhythm and mood. Have in mind that this is no easy listening stuff, but if you listen carefully you´ll be reward with some very interesting and subtle sounds. The guitar parts in particular are brilliant. Matos is a accomplished songwriter and player (I really loved his unique guitar technique, particularly the long and beautiful solo on the last track Dos Mil Ânos Menos). His minimalistic style is very fitting to this genre. His lyrics are very well done, very clever. The production is quite good too. The only down side of the record are the vocals and it is the only thing that keeps me from giving Persona a four star rating. Matos singing is ok and heartfelt, but clearly it is also no match for the demands of his songs. He does not have enough range to reach the obvious calls his intricated and emotional tunes ask for. With a more versatile and strong vocalist, this could be a superb album.

If you like this kind of music this CD is highly recommended. Matos does a great job here. I´m looking forward to hear Freak.