LA CIUDAD DE LOS ÁRBOLES

Between the recording of "Gaia II" and "Gaia III," Mägo de Oz took a break from the extensive rock opera format to offer us a more straightforward album, without such a clear concept and with a somewhat more rebellious air!

For this, they entered the Cube studio in Madrid in 2007 with the same lineup as "Gaia II" and already with Patricia Tapia as an official member of the group. Txus and the company's idea was to create songs that did not exceed 5 minutes in duration, with a less metal and more festive overall atmosphere.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, the quality of the compositions on this album did not match up, despite the initially good idea. The album does emit lighter and less serious vibe, occasionally reminiscent of "Jesús de Chamberí" but ultimately, the main feeling is that everything this album offers to our ears has already been heard before, and much better.

After four or five listens, it's difficult to pick out any specific track or chorus, as the album falls into absolute mediocrity and does not hold up over the long term. The sound is excellent, and the musical execution is quite competent (Jorge Salán is an outstanding guitarist), but the lyrics are generally overly sentimental and rely too much on clichés, and the melodies are far from the memorable tunes that made them great in albums like "La Leyenda de la Mancha" or "Finisterra."

Best songs: Y ahora voy a salir (not a good song at all, but at least surprising to hear Mägo de Oz attempting to sing a Mexican ranchera) and Runa Llena (a decent instrumental track)

Conclusion: "La Ciudad de los Árboles" is a lighter and more direct album compared to the "Gaia" trilogy, which was the main project the band was involved in at that time.

However, this is no guarantee of quality, as the album falls into absolute mediocrity, with very few genuinely acceptable songs and practically none that are memorable. In my opinion, it represents a true low point in the band's discography, both musically and lyrically, and is a completely forgettable work.