Index - Liber Secundus (2001)

Sandy sigue con la resubida de discos, ahora le toca a Index, con un disco que gustó mucho cuando lo presentamos en el blog, y cabe aclarar que este proyecto fue lanzado por nada menos que un ex Quaterna Réquiem, por lo que está casi asegurada su calidad...

Artista: Index
Álbum: Liber Secundus
Año: 2001
Género: Rock sinfónico
Nacionalidad: Brasil
Duración: 71:52

Lista de Temas:
1. Tear
2. Gates of Gaza
3. End of Forest
4. Crystal handcuffs
5. Guernica in New York
6. Instants
7. Novella

Alineación:
- Ronaldo Schenato / bass
- Leonardo Reis / drums, vocals
- Otaviano Kury / keyboards, vocals
- Jones Júnior / guitar, vocals

Buen álbum muy del estilo Camel / Genesis / Focus... exquisitos en las secciones instrumentales. Este fue el segundo disco de esta banda. Las diversas ideas melódicas que van girando y expandiéndose son agradables, y están hiladas de manera muy natural a través de las variantes de ritmo y ambiente. No me pareció una obra genial, pero sí es un buen disco.

Segundo disco de la banda brasileña Index, fundada por el guitarrista Jones Júnior tras su alejamiento de la formación original de Quaterna Réquiem: el repertorio de “Liber Secundus”, a diferencia del de “Identidade”, da espacio a temas cantados, aunque los temas tienen en general una predominancia instrumental. Se trata de algo bueno, en verdad, pues la destreza vocal de estos músicos no rebosa carisma ni brillantez. El sonido del grupo se clava perfectamente en el sinfonismo melódico inspirado en el Camel clásico y con algo del lirismo inquieto de Yes, dos referentes muy habituales dentro de la escena progresiva brasileña, dicho sea de paso (allí tenemos los ejemplos de Dogma y Tempus Fugit). El disco comienza con el hermoso instrumental ‘Lágrima’, compuesto por el teclista: es por eso que el piano da inicio solo a la pieza, y luego guía su desarrollo, el cual incluye bien armados solos de guitarra. El canto de la invitada Cristina Sachet ayuda bastante a realzar el tono solemne que resulta esencial a la pieza. Las cosas se ponen más ágiles en los dos siguientes temas, y cabe decir que el sonido del grupo adquiere una mayor robustez, lo cual permite solventar una reestructuración más sólida para las ideas musicales, las cuales, a su vez, contienen una dosis menor de sofisticación en comparación con el poderoso tema de entrada.
‘Algemas de Cristal’ es un breve solo de guitarra clásica, cándido y sutil, adornado con retazos de armónica. Este pequeño desahogo intimista es mayormente un preludio a ‘Guernica em Nova York’, una pieza que resalta por causa de su enérgico despliegue de extroversión. De hecho, los tres temas que conforman la segunda mitad del disco se lucen en un continuo pleno en colorido y vivacidad. En concreto, el motivo introductorio instrumental de ‘Guernica’ está elaborado a partir de diálogos de guitarra y bajo que suenan un poco a una mezcla de ‘Heart of the Sunrise’ y ‘Siberian Khatru’. Poco después, de manera fluida, la conclusión de esta sección se engarza con el motivo cantado central, donde el compás es más reposado y el tono progresivo se pone más cameliano. La elaboración de un aura intensa sobre el desarrollo del motivo central conduce a la retoma concluyente de la entrada instrumental. ‘Instantes’ comienza con una introducción melancólica, la cual abre espacio para que, al poco rato, emerja una sección principal más explícita. Los últimos 13 ¾ minutos están ocupados por el instrumental ‘Novella’, otra gema de este disco. Las diversas ideas melódicas que van girando y expandiéndose son bastante agradables, y están hiladas de manera muy natural a través de las variantes de ritmo y ambiente. Un cierre adecuado para un disco ideal para los acérrimos amantes de la tradición prog sinfónica.

César Mendoza

"Liber Secundus" is the pretty second album by Brazilian band Index. Formed by guitarist Jones Junior after his venture in the first Quaterna Requiem line-up, Index creates a solid symphonic style very much in parallel with compatriot acts Tempus Fugit and Dogma, although bearing a stronger sound and developing more robust compositions. While not as accomplished as their follower "Identidade", which would eventually become one of the most beautiful South American prog albums for the year 2005, "Liber Secundus" is also a very effective symphonic effort that should be enjoyed by any serious collector. Main references are classic Camel and Yes, bearing a melodic sensibility closer to the golden era of prog than to neo-prog. The instrumental opener 'Lágrima' starts with a piano solo section - then, when the whoel ensemble joins in, the piano input continues to be the paver of the road. The addition of female chanting in places adds color to the sonic tapestry that is being fluidly laid down. Nine minutes of pure typical symphonic rock splendor. The next two tracks 'Portoes de Gaza' and 'Fim da Floresta' are sung: fortunately, since none of the musicians has a great talent for vocal interventions, the instrumental portions are more central and abundant. These two numbers are less epic but more energetic than the opener, which allows the band to explore their rockier facet with confidence and skill. 'Algemas de Cristal' is a brief classical guitar solo adorned by harmonica: the bucolic ambience is well done, and maybe it wouldn't have mattered if the track had been reasonably longer, but again, things are as they are, aren't they? The last three tracks comprise the album's better half. All three of them retake the splendor of the opener and take it to another level. 'Guernica em Nova York' kicks off with a 'Heart of the Sunrise'-meets- 'Siberian Khatru' motif, in which the guitar and the bass display a joyful duel while the drums and the organ set a solid pace. The sung section slows things down a bit, in a more Camelesque way, but it is not languid at all. Gradually, almost unnoticeably, the motif builds up an energy that ultimately brings the closing reprise of the intro portion. A definite highlight, indeed. 'Instantes' is more focused on the Camel thing, with a vivacious feel that stays consistent all throughout its 8- minute span. Finally, 'Novella', the other highlight, combines the majesty of 'Lágrima' and the epic vibration of 'Guernica': its 13 ¾ minute duration passes by unadverted while the listener allows himself to be transported to the realms of his own spirit. A very proper closure for a very beautiful symphonic prog album from Brazil. Index is a band that we should pay more attention to.

I found out about Index with their third album Identidade. And I was quite impressed by their musical prowness and great songwriting. So much it became one of my favorite albums of last year. It was only natural that I had to find their earlier releases sooner or later. And I did with this Liber Secundus, their sophmore CD. the band of ex Quaterna Requiem guitarrist Jones Junior did not let me down: 24 carta symphonic prog in the vein of 70´s classic bands like Camel. Renaissance and Focus at their best. Unfortunatly this CD is marred by some mediocre, forced, vocals. Their forte is always instrumental prog.
Not that the band members blow it, but clearly, they should have recruited a real vocalist instead of handling the lead vocals themselves. Ok, they also had the help fo female background singers, but in the end it only enhanced how far behind are the lead vocals compared to everything else in the record. But let´s be fair: the songs are great, the playing is superb and the arrangements are tasteful and varied. In the end the positive side of this CD is much bigger than to the few negative ones (all related to... well, you know which).
It is no surprise that, to me at least, the best tracks are the instrumentals: the opener Lagrima (featuring a nice female wordless singing), the short, beautiful and delicate guitar and harmonica duo of Algemas de Cristal and the epic closer Novella. The remaining tracks are also very good, displaying Jones emotional guitar solos and licks, Otaviano Kury´s symphonic, vintage sounding keyboards, Ronaldo Schenato´s fluid bass lines and Leonardo Reis versatile drumming. Production is quite good.
In the and I think that if this album was totally instrumental I´d easily give it a five star rating. Still, after some spins I could go past the weak vocals and face the fact that even those non instrumentals are also excellent tunes themselves, all very well performed by people who knows how to deliver some great, complex and beautiful symphonic prog without losing sight of the melodic trait that only the best can do.

This is a very good album released by "Index", a(nother) Brazilian band with little exposure.
If you like beautiful melodies, powerful and convincing guitar breaks, aerial synths and keys: this will be a delight to your ears (as it was for mine). The whole of this long album is pure charm, poetry, and dynamics.
Most of the songs are rather on the long side, but the short and delicate "Algemas de Cristal" has its own merit as well. But it is of course during the longest parts that the band is reaching his whole potential. As such, "Guernica Em Nova York" is a marvel of a symphonic piece with fine mellotron and an incredible electric guitar finale. Great track, really.
The music from this band is not revolutionary, but very harmonious and truly symphonic. No need to tell you that I quite like it. The epic and closing track "Novella" is just a summary of what has preceded. It is an excellent manner to finish this fine and very pleasant work.