The Album Club: "Movimento" by Madredeus

[Trollheart]

"The greatest album ever created", said MicShazam. Are we going to make him eat his words, or bow down before his musical majesty? Have your say here.

[MicShazam]

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4Wa1kuGqTBsqUotSg42Mas

Youtube playlist that is missing 1 song and might not be in the proper order: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKqT...wFXi_JW1mV3WOT

[MicShazam]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

"The greatest album ever created", said MicShazam. Are we going to make him eat his words, or bow down before his musical majesty? Have your say here.

That might have been slight hyperbole, but I do love it to death

[OccultHawk]

Sorry to cut be so curt but it’s like this: The music was pretty good but the vocals were horrible. Unlistenable.

1/5 Stars lowest rating

[rubber soul]

Madredeus- Moviemento (2001)

Best Tracks: Anseio (Fuga Appressada), Ecos Da Catedral, Tarde-Por Favor

Weakest Tracks: O Segredo Do Futuro, Pulpitacao

First of all, while I love some good folk music, my interest in World Music varies. It starts out great with the album’s best track, Anseio. The second track is also decent as you can hear the folk influences. It seems to go downhill after that though. I mean it isn’t a terrible album, but I wouldn’t call it the greatest album in the history of civilization, sorry, Mic.

The album does end on a good note with Tarde, Por Favor. I like the use of chimes in the song. If the album had been in that vein I might have been able to give it a better rating. As it is, I have to say it’s pretty meh, especially in the middle.

Rating: 4/10.

The Word has spoken.

PS- I listened to the album on Spotify and, after the album ended, it played a track called O Pastor from 1990. That was pretty impressive actually. Maybe you chose the wrong Madredeus album to spotlight, Mic.

[MicShazam]

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

Sorry to cut be so curt but it’s like this: The music was pretty good but the vocals were horrible. Unlistenable.

Holy crap, that bad? Unlistenable? Can't say I have anything against that reaction, but I personally really, really like the vocalist here. I actually did expect some to take issue with the vocals, but I expected something more along the lines of "meh, she's boring".

Oh well. Now I'm just looking forward to see whether this will be downright divise or what.

Originally Posted by rubber soul

PS- I listened to the album on Spotify and, after the album ended, it played a track called O Pastor from 1990. That was pretty impressive actually. Maybe you chose the wrong Madredeus album to spotlight, Mic.

When I picked it, it was particularly because to me, there's several very strong songs on the first half of the album, plus I really like how it subtly changes style on the second half.

I also knew when I picked it that the album is quite a mouthful at 77 minutes of acoustic guitar and possibly divisive vocals.

The album of their that got me into the group, and that is probably what everyone will tell you to listen to, is the album O Paraiso.

I chose Movimiento instead since I really dig the dark vibe of the album and had a sort of fascination with it at the time.
A few days ago, I sat through the whole thing, listening to it on my stereo attentively, and I really do love it to bits.

I don't want to be too repetitive, but I feel like I should stress that I know how the album is probably quite a mouthful and not the most immediately persuasive choice I could have made. It's meant somewhat as a challenge and a curveball.

[Trollheart]

Listened to this twice, and frankly, that's more time than I can spare for something like this. I also have no desire to hear it a third time. My overriding feeling was of being bored, and then also being somewhat depressed. It seems to be the same basic thing over and over again, some woman wailing over acoustic guitar - I think not in English, which doesn't help - and I didn't notice much in the way of variety or change in any of the songs. Of which there are too many. Sixteen on an album like this is asking too much of the listener without some sort of variation or lightening of the mood.

Just bored. Sorry. Not for me.
5/10 and that's being generous.

[MicShazam]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

My overriding feeling was of being bored, and then also being somewhat depressed.

I really like music with a melancholy feeling to it. I think a lot of albums that I love would be seen by a lot of people as these unbearable, drab, 70+ minute marathons of minor keys and morose vocals.

Originally Posted by Trollheart

It seems to be the same basic thing over and over again, some woman wailing over acoustic guitar - I think not in English, which doesn't help - and I didn't notice much in the way of variety or change in any of the songs.

I love her voice (Teresa Salgueiro) and love lots of music in foreign languages. Personally, I quite enjoy the way Portugese sounds when sung. But then, I listen to voices as more of an instrument. I'm terrible at paying attention to lyrics.

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Of which there are too many. Sixteen on an album like this is asking too much of the listener without some sort of variation or lightening of the mood.

Personally, I find a lot of interesting differences in the types of melodies and structures on this album, plus there's some nice - if admittedly very subtle - sonic variety. I can 100% understand feeling that it is too much of the same, but I've managed to sit and listen attentively to the entire thing front to back without getting bored.

[OccultHawk]

I've managed to sit and listen attentively to the entire thing front to back without getting bored.

That’s a pretty modest claim for “the greatest album ever created”

[MicShazam]

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

That’s a pretty modest claim for “the greatest album ever created”

That was in response to TH saying there was too many tracks and that they are too samey. I'm just saying I get how one could find it dull, but I'm personally quite engaged by this album. Also, the best album thing was a slight exaggeration. It's not even the best album by this band, but it is an interesting one and one that I am quite fond of.

I'm halfway expecting everyone else in here to find it boring or unlistenable, but hey, whatever. That's the name of the game in the album club!