Lei Seca - Rottenness way (1997)

Artista: Lei Seca
Álbum: Rottenness way
Año: 1997
Género: Rock / Rock sinfónico
Duración: 37:51
Nacionalidad: Brasil

Lista de Temas:
1. Keep The Koram
2. Asia Minor
3. Misgiven
4. Let It Roll
5. Lei Seca
6. Cyberporn
7. Rottenness Ways
8. Nothing to Say
9. From Music Box to Revelation

Alineación:
- Valdir Guimaraes / lead vocals, bass, acoustic guitar
- Valdir Zamboni / acoustic & electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
- Mickey Nicolas / keyboards, backing vocals
- Auro Okamoto / drums, whispers & vocals

Sandy nos sigue resubiendo cosas muuuuuy difíciles de conseguir, ahora se trata de Lei Seca, un casi desconocido proyecto brasilero, mezcla de garage con sinfonismo. Para que se entretengan escuchando cosas que no van a encontrar en otro lado, les dejamos el "Rottenness way", como para que vean si les gusta...

Seguimos con esta rara banda, en su primer disco. Disco extraño, mezcla de rock sinfónico en una onda medio Rolling Stones, no sé, no termino de descifrar esa mezcla de garage con sinfonismo (ojo que no les sale tan redondo como sucedió con el disco "Peregrino" de Akenathón, donde hacen una mezcla más o menos, mejor dicho menos que más, parecida pero con muy buenos resultados).
Como a la banda Lei Seca ya la presenté anteriormente, me reservo varios comentarios de la banda en sí, y en todo caso vayan al post correspondiente a su álbum "Ar Rock".
Vamos específicamente sobre este disco, que repito, me suena raro raro.

Esta banda Paulistana surgiu em meados de 1995 de forma casual, na realidade era uma banda de "tributos" que tocava Classic Rock sem maiores objetivos, pois aguentar dono de bar não é lá muito agradável.
Após mais um ensaio enfadonho pela falta de objetivo, o guitarrista da banda Valdir Zamboni, veio com a idéia de compor nossas canções ao invés de ficar fazendo arranjos em músicas alheias.
A idéia não foi aceita pelo então baterista e primo do guitarrista Jarbas Zamboni, que preferiu sair da banda.
Imediatamente após a sua saída, entrou o baterista Auro Okamoto.
Com ele vieram idéias e a vontade de produzir algo próprio, então com todos os componentes alinhados, era criar, arranjar, ensaiar e enfim gravar, registrar o trabalho, nem que fosse só para tê-lo sem maiores pretensões.

Turkão

After the rebirth of Symphonic sub-genre in Scandinavia (Sweden mainly), one of the countries that embraced the original wonderful excesses of it was Brazil.
The available data about LEI SECA is very rare and misleading there's almost no information about their formation date except the late 90's but due to unconfirmed references about a first album called "Rottenness Way" in 1997 it could have been in the mid 90's, despite this info, most sites talk about one only release in 1999.
The band was formed by Valdir Guimaraes (Bass and vocals), Valdir Zamboni (Guitar, Mandolins and Backing Vocals), Micky Nicolas (Keyboards and Backing Vocals) plus Auro Okamoto in the drums later replaced by Cesar Frezzato.
Before being able to get a copy of their official release "Art Rock" read all the information about them and people describe them as a combination between ELOY and PINK FLOYD, but honestly my impression is totally different.
I see no Psyche or Space Rock connection mostly pompous and overblown (Love the sound of it) early Symphonic, the keyboards are impressive and it's evident Micky Nicolas is a Jürgen Fritz fan being that the TRIUMVIRAT connection is more than casual with a touch of "Look at Yourself" era URIAH HEEP.
The opener and 16 minutes "Krakatoa" reminds me of the epic aspirations of Spartacus and the elaborate characteristics of Illusions on a Double Dimple. Simply bombastic and reminiscent of the German scenario of the early 70's .
The vocalist is really less than efficient, thankfully the album is based more in long instrumental passages than in vocals because at some points the accent is totally disappointing.
I will keep searching for the supposedly first lost release and if I'm able to find it will be adding it to the discography because this guys released really strong Symphonic Prog.

Iván Melgar Morey

En todo caso, al igual que "Art Rock", este álbum es un rareza que no podía faltar en este espacio tan dedicado al progresivo latinoamericano en general. Esta vez con imágenes del Bosco y los siete pecados capitales.

Para surpresa de todos da banda, o álbum foi bem aceito, foi feita uma tiragem de 1.000 cópias em parceria com a Medusa Records da Galeria do Rock, que se encarregou da divulgação e distribuição do álbum dentro e fora do país.
Esse álbum acabou sendo destaque do mês da Revista Guitar Player e recebendo elogios de críticos da Rock Brigade.
Imediatamente após o lançamento desse álbum, iniciaram-se os trabalhos para o 2º disco.
Novamente idéias, criação, arranjos, ensaios e gravação !!!
Agora com mais experiência, uma certa identidade mas a mesma linha setentista do primeiro álbum.
A tiragem, parceria, distribuição e divulgação foram idênticas a do primeiro disco, só que com maior repercussão.
É sem dúvida um álbum melhor, mais bem elaborado, com uma linha de composição mais definida, esse é um álbum de Rock Progressivo.

Turkão

An unknown short-lived prog band from Sao Paulo,Brazil.Lei Seca consisted of guitarist/bassist/vocalist Valdir Guimaraes, guitarist/mandolin player/vocalist Valdir Zamboni,keyboardist Mickey Nicolas and drummer Auro Okamoto.Their debut ''Rottenness way'' saw the light in 1997 on Audio Factory.
The band chose to cover many styles related to prog music in this first album,yet ''Rottenness way'' keeps a good balance throughout,except maybe a couple of tracks.The first couple of tracks ''Keep The Koram'' and ''Asia minor'' are great Symphonic Rock gems with lush organ sounds,expressive vocals and melodic guitars, sending strong CAMEL and PAR LINDH PROJECT vibes.''Misgiven'' is actually a decent rock ballad,but the following ''Let it roll'' is absolutely cheesy,groovy guitar rock with DIRE STRAITS influences.Fortunately ''Lei Seca'' is a fantastic Space Rock instrumental with nice organ and PINK FLOYD hints everywhere,but with ''Cyberporn'' the band will fall into a commercial trap again,an awful humurous-wannabee track with a heavy THE ROLLING STONES influence.The self-titled track is a fine Heavy/Psychedelic/Prog anthem reminiscent of SOCRATES with superb guitar work,background keys and intense vocal lines.On ''Nothing to Say'' the band will show again a strong PINK FLOYD influence,good Psychedelic/Space Rock with atmospheric synths,lyrical content and efficient guitar parts.The album will close with Lei Seca showing off their folk side with the short instrumental ''From Music Box to Revelation'',based on acoustic guitars and synths.
Apart from the two aforementioned dull songs,Lei Seca proove to be a nice and talented act with a variety of styles played by the band with consistency and inspiration.The mediocre production does not help,yet the album ends up to be a pleasant listening for the majority of progressive rock followers. Recommended.

MPsarros

Otra vez con una tirada escasa que lo hace un disco perseguido por los coleccionistas.
Y otra vez las partes cantadas son pocas, porque encima que cantan en inglés y no en portugués, el inglés es malo, y la voz no acompaña, así que las partes cantadas no son el punto fuerte del álbum. Para nada...

I have just completed a minor heart operation so I thought it was good to kick of my second chance in life with some pretty Pink Floyd inspired music. I was listening to this album for a couple of weeks before I went under the knife. I have just been unleashed again.
Lei Seca is a pretty interesting band from Brazil. Their second album Art Rock is pretty popular here on PA. Nobody, besides of myself, was able to find Rottenness Way, their debut album. This is therefore the first review in PA of this album.
Some of the tracks are very much down the Roger Waters avenue. Other parts of this album is much more pastorial and lyrical than Pink Floyd. Harmonium springs to mind. There is also elements of Neo Prog here. Riverside springs to mind. The rock elements is also pretty strong. Dire Straits springs to mind and that is not a good sign. But ELP has also got their brief moment on this album. Kansas also comes on a visit on the first track.
What we end up with is a very contemporary album which is inspired by some great bands (Dire Straits exluded, it can be argued). The problem is the lack of any superb songs and the lack of identity. Both of the band and the material. Their second album was called Art Rock and that label is the right one for this album too. Both the band and this album is good. But neither is superb. This is a good effort but nothing more. But please give this band a chance.

toroddfuglesteg

Como comenté antes, este es el primer álbum que ha sacado la banda, ya publiqué el que le siguió cuyo nombre es "Art Rock", y que fue el último álbum de la banda. Tenemos a gente que asegura que los discos le gustan, no es del todo mi caso, sobretodo con éste que presento ahora, pero la lista de los comentarios positivos siguen...

LEI'S SECA four musicians (bass-vocals, guitar-mandolin-vocals, keyboards-vocals & drums-percussion) effectively refer glorious days. The music is full symphonic prog with powerful and subtle sections. The mandolin and acoustic guitar are used in various sections. The sound has influences from the seventies but the production is contemporary sounding. The musicianship is intricate as well as tasteful. Very Good.

Roger Ruderick

los álbum de esta banda, aunque no me gusten del todo, los quería traer más que nada por tratarse de una rareza, aunque tampoco están tan mal. Para aquellos coleccionistas y curiosos, les dejo una banda brasilera que ha dejado su espacio en la historia.