Martelo

Izvajalec: Cartoon
Založba: Samozaložba
Izid: year
Trajanje: 65:41
Ocena: 4/5

Brazilci Cartoon so zelo posebna sorta progresivcev. Njihova glasbena žilica, ki presega enosmerno rockovsko žaganje, je prej rabljena za stvarjenje šal in vicev kot glasbe. Da ne bo pomote, njihova glasba, skupek rocka, klasične glasbe in brazilskih ritmov, jih vsekakor povzdiguje nad povprečje današnje progresivno rockovske glasbe. V tej se ne držijo norme kvarteta, ki naj bi sestojil iz bas kitarista, bobnarja, kitarista, klaviaturista in pevca (delo, ki ga posledično opravlja eden izmed že naštetih glasbenikov), ampak večkrat vključijo eksotične inštrumente, kot so sitar, orglice, tolkala, esraj itd. Cartoon je zatorej tudi izredno primerno ime za tak bend, ki se ne jemlje resno, hkrati pa dela resno glasbo.

Že v svojem prvencu “Martelo” se Brazilci vzpostavijo kot komiki, saj imajo besedila in sama glasba velik pridih komičnega, smešnega in igrivega. Besedila so na njihovem prvencu, ki je bil izdan že leta 1999, žal v portugalščini, tako da je razumevanje teh večini poslušalcev onemogočeno, vendar se mojstrstvo muzikantov skriva prav v tem, da vseeno skozi inštrumentalno plat ter z barvo vokala spremenijo svojo glasbeno ustvarjanje v nekakšno smešnico. S katero pa se, vsekakor, ne smešijo. “Martelo” predstavlja tudi prvi del albumske trilogije; v slovenščini martelo pomeni kladivce, del treh majhnih koščic v ušesu, ki nam omogočajo slišati, posledično pa bosta druga dva dela trilogije še “Bigorna” (nakovalce) in “Estribo” (stremence). Tudi skozi to so Cartoon prikazali svojo komično zamisel o delovanju bendu. Naslovnica in notranjost knjižice albuma je izoblikovana kot risanka, s strašljivo-komičnimi podobami, ki še utrdijo podobo benda v naših glavah. Percepcija benda kot nekaj komičnega postane še pred poslušanjem že tako močna, da poslušalci niti nismo več prepričani, kaj lahko pričakujemo. In prav zato nas odlična glasba udari še toliko močneje.

Album “Martelo” sestavlja kar 11 skladb, ki skupaj nanesejo več kot uro glasbe. Tudi sami naslovi skladb vsebujejo junake iz risank (oz. fantazijskih svetov), kot so vilinec (“Duendes”, druga skladba albuma), stare, mitične civilizacije, kot so Inki (“E Verdade Sobre Os Inkos” oz. “Resnica o Inkih”, šesta skladba albuma) ter bolj “viteške” teme, kot so ljubezen (“O Amor”, peta skladba albuma). Vse našteto potrjuje pot, na katero so stopili glasbeniki s formacijo benda Cartoon. To pot si utirajo z izredno eklektičnim progresivnim rockom, ki se seveda opira na nemalo velikanov iz šestdesetih in sedemdesetih let prejšnjega stoletja. Inštrumentalna raven glasbe močno sliči na tisto britanskih utemeljiteljev progresivnega rocka King Crimson. Z besedili in humornimi vložki (tudi glasbenimi) pa se seveda zgledujejo po Franku Zappi, ameriškemu komedijantu, ki je nenehno udrihal po ameriški kapitalistični družbi.

Cartoon so vsekakor dobrodošla novost ne le v Braziliji, temveč tudi v širšem svetu progresivne glasbe. S svojim združevanjem humorja in eklektičnega progresivnega rocka ustvarjajo zavidljivo zapuščino, kar jim je uspelo že s prvim albumom. Ta je seveda le prvi del trilogije, kar je bilo konec 20. stoletja vsekakor razveseljivo za tisto množico ljubiteljev, ki si jo je bend nabral. Album “Martelo” je izveden od začetka do konca profesionalno, a hkrati tudi inovativno in v skladu z bistvom zamisli benda. Oblikovanje naslovnice in knjižice albuma, naslovi skladb, glasbena izvedba zamisli … Vse je zastavljeno na najvišjem nivoju, kar je za prvenec vsekakor impresivno. Vsekakor delček glasbene scene, ki se ga splača spremljati.

Brazilians Cartoon are quite an intriguing sort of prog rockers. Their musical talent, that far exceeds the one-way guitar beating of rock, is used for the creation of jokes and puns rather than for music. Don’t get me wrong, their music, a combination of rock, classical music and Brazil rhythms, is definitely of much more quality than the one of an average nowadays progressive rock band. They are not following the norms in their music as their quartet does not consist only of one bassist, one guitarist, one drummer, one keyboardist and a singer (whose job is performed by one of the latter), but they also use numerous exotic instruments, such as sitar, harmonica, percussions, esraj etc. Cartoon is therefore very suitable name for the band that does not consider itself seriously, but does make a serious music.

The Brazilians established themselves as comedians very fast. Their debut album “Martelo” is full of comical, funny, playful music and lyrics. The lyrics on their debut, which was released in 1999, are in Portuguese, which is why most of the listeners are deprived of understanding, but the mastery of the musicians is based upon their infusion of humorous and comical with instrumentals and voice; even without understanding of the lyrics, one can easily figure out that the musicians are being humorous. “Martelo” is representing the first part of the trilogy; in English, martelo means the hammer, one of the three ear bones in our ear that are essential for our hearing. The other two albums of the trilogy are consequently “Bigorna” (the anvil) and “Estribo” (the stirrup). Even this shows the comical essence of the band. The cover art of the debut is designed as a cartoon, with many comical and horror-like figures that only further develops band’s humorous image. Because of all this perceptions that are literally thrown in front of the listeners, we are not sure anymore what to expect from the band. And that is why we are even more awe-stricken by the wonderful music.

Album “Martelo” is made out of 11 tracks that last over an hour. The titles of the songs themselves are often themed – cartoon characters and fantasy worlds, such as elves (“Duendes”, the second album track); old, mythical civilizations, such as Incas (“E Verdade Sobre Os Inkos” or “The Truth about the Incas”, the sixth album track) and themes that often relate to knights, such as love (“O Amor”, the fifth album track). All the mentioned tracks and themes are the pointers to the road that Cartoon had set on. Their eclectic progressive rock is the basis on their musical road, with many influences from the legendary proggers of the 60’s and 70’s. Their instrumentals often bring to mind the music of King Crimson and Frank Zappa.

Cartoon are definitely a fresh breath of wind not only in Brazil, but in the wider world of progressive rock as well. With their fusion of humour and eclectic progressive rock, they are very quickly becoming a landmark; they accomplished that already with their debut. “Martelo” is, of course, only the first part of the trilogy, which made the fans of Cartoon at the end of the 20th century very happy. The album itself is made very professionally from cover to cover, but innovatively and in accordance with the band’s ideas at the same time. The cover art, song titles, music … All is carried out on the highest level, which is very impressive for a debut. Definitely a part of the music scene that is worth a check.

Zasedba

Khadhu – bas kitara, vokal, sitar, orglice, akustična kitara

Bhydhu – bobni, tolkala, vokal

Khykho – električna in akustična kitara, vokal

Boxexa – različne klaviature, vokal

Produkcija

Cartoon

Seznam skladb

1. Abertura (6:31)

2. Duend’s (5:18)

3. Tenho Todos Os Galhos Da Minha Árvore Voltados Para O Sol (7:52)

4. Estagnação (4:31)

5. O Amor (2:39)

6. A Verdade Sobre Os Incas (8:15)

7. Abre Seu Olho, Irmão (4:11)

8. Lágrimas De Vidro (9:59)

9. Tempo (5:17)

10. First Lake Conclusion (3:30)

11. Fechadura (7:26)