HIJOS DEL AGOBIO

Yet another stupendous artwork sleeve depicting some nightmarish scene with creatures that Salvadore Dali imitating Jerome Bosch would've drawn slightly different, but the effect is there - I just wish that the full "picture" was presented once in its entirety. Although still strongly influenced by Flamenco music, this album draws more from symphonic rock and lacks a bit the dramatics present on El Patio, but also the inspiration. The remasters are impeccable, but be sure to get one of them because I found some rather poor earlier pressings still on the market.

Just as immaculately produced as the debut, this album veers more towards Yes, BJH and at times Grobschnitt (especially some guitar lines coupled with KB layers reminding you Solar Music), but remain distinctly Flamenco and resolutely Spanish, but more subtly so. However I noticed that Rodriguez's voice is too typically flamenco and less at ease for the more symphonic sound of this album. Slightly changed singing might have been more suitable IMHO, but then again would this have been Triana if he had done so? The ARP strings synths are still used beautifully (so is the Moog) as in El Patio. Some tracks are slightly sticking out such as Recuerdos (rather experimental), Necessito (more Italian prog sounding) and the closing track with its finale between Kosmische and symphonic keyboards.

If the debut is more immediately pleasing than HDA, this album will probably retain more interest in the long run even if the arrangements are not as lush. However, I find that I also tire of this album before it reaches the end, just as I do for the debut. One of their definite talents is to fuse Flamenco with prog rock so well, that you'd swear they were never different styles before they did it. I find that this band, however superb and impressive they are, is rather over-reputed because repeated listenings is rendered rather difficult. Impressive nevertheless.