1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
My reactions were like this; spoken voice- rather alarming; piano introduction - very promising, but then the modern percussion kicked in and I felt that I´d heard something similar before.
2. Did that opinion change as the album progressed or as you listened again?
Not a lot; I kept waivering between liking it, and feeling that it was too derivative.
3. Any comments on the instruments used or the genre?
As Sir Cactoos explained, this is a modern interpretation of Spanish/Celtic music from Asturia. Unfortunately for Xera, that description applies equally to Hevia, who was doing the same thing ten years before Xera released their first album. So when Xera pick up Hevia´s prefered instrument, the bagpipes, it´s not that easy to tell one from the other.
4. What did you think of the vocals/lyrics if there were any?
Didn´t like the trembling, tender singing of
Este Neuche much; I have an aversion to singers who offer up their feelings with a kind of exhalted, quivering sensitivity, as if they´re expressing something so fragile they´re afraid it´s going to shatter.
I thought the singers did a much better job on
Natura, where they pulled out all the stops and managed to achieve adequacy.
5. What appealed most/turned you off most ? Track-by-track, do you have a least/most favourite?
Haven´t really played it often enough to work that out, though
Marián and
Animes struck me as pretty good.
6. Do you have any previous acquaintance with this artist? Other albums? Concert/tv appearances? Have you slept with any of the band members?
Nope. All new to me.
7. Any comments on the production, the packaging or the presentation of this album?
For a band that´s not well known, I don´t think the album cover does them any favours; too much blank space, way too short on bold colours, strong images and information
8. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was it a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
Yes, it´s nice in that sense; there´s a consistancy in the sound, none of the tracks are going to jerk you out of the mood ...
9. If you could change anything about this album, what would it be?
Too tired to think about that one.
10. Will you be listening to this album much in the future, or investigating any related material ?[/QUOTE]
I´ll be playing it again to see if it grows on me, and with an idle click I´ve already "investigated" their earlier album
Lliendes which, on first impression, is much better imo; it has a more robust, traditional sound.
To their credit, Xera provide easy access to streaming their albums here:-
Xera.eu - Descargues
- so you can easily give both albums a try.
Tierra by Xera
Linear Mode
