Antihéroe - Entretejido Cósmico (2008)

Artista: Antihéroe
Álbum: Entretejido Cósmico
Año: 2008
Género: R.I.O. / Jazz Rock
Duración: 53:39
Nacionalidad: Argentina

Lista de Temas:
1. Ciudad Zombi (Parte 2)
2. Ciudad Zombi (Parte 1)
3. Años de apatia
4. Sonambula
5. Indios electronicos
6. Devian
7. Que rest I till
8. Lo viejo por venir
9. La esquina de las corazonadas

Alineación:
- Darío Iscaro / guitarra
- Guille Marengo / bajo
- José María "Txema" Torrabadella / trompeta
- José Franco / batería, percusión electrónica, bandoneón

Las colaboraciones no paran, ahora Nico nos ahorra trabajo y trae este disco de Darío Iscaro, un amigo del blog y virtuoso como músico y muy simpático como persona, así que es un gusto para mí poder re-publicar sus álbums. ¡No se lo pierdan que está muuuuuy bueno!

En Entretejido cósmico hay poderosos rasgos de personalidad que descienden de las composiciones que lo integran, todas obras del mismo Iscaro, uno de los músicos más talentosos e inquietos del panorama cordobés. Antihéroe sigue mostrando un equilibrio preciso entre composición y performance, cada composición de Iscaro es un acto una lucidez armónica propia y un lenguaje instrumental refinado y personal, y es evidente el cuidado por la forma y la búsqueda de la riqueza rítmica ligada al interés melódico.

Luego del primer trabajo editado en 1997 , titulado 'antiheroe' donde el grupo mostraba un estilo Free jazz underground , donde abundaban las improvisaciones y los cambios de clima musical, ahora sacan este nuevo CD.
Igualmente elaborada y rica pero con mas toques de rock progresivo al estilo King Crimson , con mas sonidos electricos y electronicos , pero con su inconfundible propuesta plagada de ritmos irregulares , mantricos y fuertes , improvisaciones y melodias sumamente originales y complejas que hacen a su sello personal

Doctajazz

Y si bien es el líder y crear de todo este universo sonoro, la guitarra de Iscaro no lo es todo en esta propuesta, sino que da lugar a múltiples espacios para que todos se puedan lucir, así Marengo, Torrabadella y Franco ocupan con buen gusto y oportunismo los espacios concedidos para el diálogo instrumental, enganchándose al notable trabajo de la guitarra, sin desbordar la elegancia de los temas. Hay un virtuosismo que no necesita de fuegos artificiales para lucirse; los solos son medidos y cuidados. Ahora están incluso más cercanos al rock que en su primer trabajo, pero sin embargo aparece el bandoneón de mano del baterista (en realidad, multi-instrumentista) José Franco y con aires urbanos contemporáneos la cosa también toma otro color, pero siempre cuidando de que el sonido sea moderno, en un total empeño de brindar identidad propia a este trabajo, en palabras de darío Iscaro: "cada uno de los integrantes maneja en algún momento un efecto particular. El estilo es una especie de rock sinfónico más contemporáneo, más moderno. Hay efectos, hay mucho predominio de la melodía, y muchos copases irregulares, y en formato de temas mas cortos... Esta vez, el grupo ofrece una música mas compacta, mucho mas cerca del rock instrumental, del rock de vanguardia".
Este disco me gustó aún más que el anterior, y buscando en la red encontré excelentes comentarios provenientes de todos lados del mundo, y no es para menos, tenemos en nuestras manos un gran trabajo digno de que nos sentemos a disfrutarlo. Para finalizar, únicamente me queda decirles:
Enjoy!

Si tomamos una buena cantidad de “Soft Machine”, le agregamos partes del primer “King Crimson”, lo aderezamos con “Frank Zappa” y con “Thinking Plage”, cocinamos a fuego lento en Córdoba y le agregamos composiciones ingeniosas y excelentes performances instrumentales, entonces obtenemos “Antihéroe”.
Valga la humorada para describir el segundo disco de este inteligente proyecto cordobés encabezado por el guitarrista y compositor Darío Iscaro, que sorprende con nueve temas instrumentales pletóricos de ingenio, con pasajes mas cercanos al Rock In Oposition como “Ciudad Zombi 1”, temas adonde las formalidades del jazz se emplean progresivamente como “Devian” o en la estupenda suite que cierra el disco “La Esquina de las Corazonadas”, temas potentes con gran fuerza rockera crimsoniana y cambios de ritmos como la excelente “Que Rest 1 Till”, momentos introspectivos “Ciudad Zombi 2”, ingeniosos entramados con toques tímbricos muy cuidados (bandoneón y percusiones) como en la oscura “Sonámbula” dando forma a un gran trabajo, sólidamente tocado y armado.
Integran la banda en el álbum además de Darío Iscaro como dijimos en guitarra y composición, José Franco en batería y percusión electrónica, Txema Torrabadella en trompeta, y Guillermo Marengo en bajo eléctrico.
Una muy buena propuesta para los oídos abiertos.

Gustavo Bolasini

Being celebrated in their native Argentina as one of the best experimental rock bands around since the 90s (in spite of their scarce discography), it is only fair that the music of Antihéroe be disseminated in the Internet among prog and art-rock lovers all over the world. At least, this is what I infer from the great delivery of creativity, excitement and intelligence provided by the repertoire of this band's sophomore release "Entretejido Cósmico". Unlike the eponymous debut album that had been released 11 years earlier, which was recorded in the controlled environment of a studio, the track list of "Entretejido Cósmico" is mostly based on live performances that eventually ended up embellished in a very moderate way with not too many overdubs and not too many rearrangements during the studio work. This Córdoba-based ensemble has its artistic goals quite clearly stated: a confluence of jazz- rock's dynamics, Crimsonian adventures, contemporary fusion, Zappa-inspired experimental tonalities and a high dose of progressive-oriented sophistication. Despite the number of references I've just noted down, the band's sonic scheme never feels overdone or pompous, but all in all, rest assured that the complexity is very easy to notice and that the individual musicians' skills are always demanded in order to elaborate the musical articulations that make every track's focus. The main raison d'être of guitarist Íscaro & co. is eclectic extravagance with an agile swing. And what better way to start an album in an extravagant fashion than play the two parts of 'Ciudad Zombi' in reverse order? 'Ciudad Zombi (Parte 2)' delivers a portrait of creepy neurosis and joyful playfulness in 7/8 in such a way that the dementia seems drowned by the spirit of euphoric celebration; on the other hand, the Part 1 shifts toward subtle textures of mystery on a slower 7/8 tempo. 'Años De Apatía' is translated in English as 'Years Of Apathy', and it is such an ironic thing since it displays a vibrant, optimistic mood. Coincidences can be traced with fellow band Tánger as well as Forever Einstein and Cabezas De Cera: it's easy to recognize that playful refurbishment of contemporary Crimson prog. Once again, we have a following track that moves to a very different place: 'Sonámbula' bears an explicitly languid atmosphere filled with a carefully subtle tension, as if conjuring images of a mind sleepwalking in the fog that surrounds it. When the piece approaches the end, the emerging crescendo begins a well- crafted path toward a heroic climax. Track no. 5, 'Indios Electrónicos', develops a very extroverted ambience, partially oriented toward fusion roads but also showing Zappaesque hints and Crimsonian flairs. The whole framework is colorful and tortuous, something absolutely not repeated in the warm reflection of 'Devian'. Well, let me make it clear that this track is not 100% relaxing, since the guitar's harmonic progressions happen to create an aura of restless mystery, but generally speaking, the listener (me) finds himself in a softened state of mind. 'Que Rest L Till' bears a languid mood similar to 'Ciudad Zombi (Parte 1)', only with less density and a well-defined warmth that keeps more related to the preceding track 'Devian'. 'Lo Viejo Por Venir' establishes a jazz-rock pattern articulated around the contrast between the energetic guitar lines (Jeff Beck-meets-Robert Fripp style) and the semi-constrained rhythmic duo. The album's last 8 minutes are occupied by 'La Esquina De Las Corazonadas', whose main body bears a very fusionesque feel; ultimately, after the 5 minute mark, a slow "orchestral" cacophony settles in to boost an explosive neurotic coda. In the event that anyone forced me to pick a few favorite tracks from this amazing album, I would sure go for 'Sonámbula', 'Indios Electrónicos' and 'La Esquina De Las Corazonadas' (what an amazing finale!). Anyway, the main point to this album as a whole is that it works integrally as a compact exhibition of avant-garde rock encapsulated in a musical architecture that should please your regular prog rock and jazz lovers. I'm so glad I've discovered this band, even if I did a bit late: from now on, it is the turn of others.

Cesar Inca

Antiheroe are a jazz fusion band hailing from Argentina. The band consists of Jose Maria Torrabadella (trumpet), Dario Iscaro (guitar), Guille Marengo (bass) and Jose Franco (drums, electronic percussion, bandoneon). It was difficult to find information on the band but I believe this is their second album. The music is definitely in the realm of jazz or jazz fusion and is quite complex. All the band members are clearly accomplished musicians. Electric guitar is the main instrument but all band member's instruments figure prominently such as trumpet and some interesting percussion are found throughout the disc. This is not 'easy' music to get and is really an acquired taste. Odd time signatures and discordant melodies are the norm. In other words there are no songs that I would consider ear candy on this disc and considering the genre of music this belongs to I did not expect any.
Dario Iscaro is the main songwriter and formed the band in 2004. He has a very angular guitar style creating odd patterns and rhythms that are often complex and never boring. The drummer and bass player are equally proficient providing a solid rhythm section. On many songs Franco really shows his drumming skills by adding nice fills and polyrhythms that work well with this style of music. Trumpet is used often, creating sinuous melodies and helping to define some of the album's jazzier moments.
A good example of the band's angular style is the albums first song "Ciudad Zombi (Part 2)". Starting with some guitar picking and discordant guitar chords followed by trumpet, it all leads to a cacophony of chaotic sounds that actually start to make sense the more you listen to it. The rest of the album is somewhat similar although there are a few quieter and subtler moments to be found that effectively give the listener a break from the more difficult musical passages.
If you are fan of jazz or jazz fusion or like your prog with a heavy jazz influence and you have a preference for instrumental music this one could be right up your musical alley. Although I am not overly familiar with the genre I found myself enjoying this cd quite a lot. This is intricate and sophisticated music that deserves to be heard. Add one more star to my 3 if you are a jazz fusion nut.

www.seaoftranquility.org

Introductions over and straight on to the main course, the music, and here we are steeped in the traditions of jazz, albeit modern jazz and jazz rock. Incorporated in this are cultural and ethnic influences as well as those gleened from noted western proggers and fusioneers. For instance 80s era King Crimson came to mind during the opening of Anos De Apatia, whereas the prolific Danish composer/multi-instrumentalist Robin Taylor came to the forefront in the riffy opening of Ciudad Zombi [Parte 2]. Elsewhere there were hints at Weather Report, although without Zawinul's playful input.
But these are merely pointers and certainly Mr Iscaro & Co plough their own ground and a fairly tricky ground it is too. The musicianship is first rate, however it is the compositions and performances that I feel will leave all but the hardened jazz fans cold, as I personally struggled with this album. Not due to lack of admiration for the skills of the individual musicians, but more down to the often dissonant and avant-garde nature of the pieces. Certainly Torrabadella's trumpet was well executed, but oh so tiring on the ears.
The bulk of the CD is taken up by fairly free flowing jazzy tunes with each of the instrumentalists able to take on fairly lengthy solo sections. However following Devian, Entretejido Cósmico takes on a more palatable and less frenetic approach. Now I doubt even these pieces would appeal across a broad spectrum of prog listeners, but certainly they were more in tune with this reviewer's ears. Perhaps a different track order on the CD may have been advisable... as the space given in these pieces allowed the music to breathe more easily...
So and as mentioned, I did struggle with this album, however watching some of the pieces performed on Youtube (viewable from the band's MySpace and linked above) I certainly had a growing admiration for Darío Iscaro and friends. Guitar buffs may like to checkout the playful footage of Gentileza De O-bri. This aside Entretejido Cósmico is only likely to appeal to those avant-jazzers amongst our readership.

Bob Mulvey

El disco se puede conseguir por el espacio de Viajero Inmóvil Records, lo pueden escuchar o comprar en digital, pero también tienen la opción de comprar el CD físico escribiendo a info@viajeroinmovil.com. Y los invito a revisar el catálogo completo de dicho sello porque tiene exquisiteces más que interesantes.