Album Review: Boogarins - Manual
By Jennifer Castaneda, Contributor
[Other Music; 2015]
Rating: 3.5/5
Key Tracks: “Avalanche,” "6000 Dias (Ou Mantra Dos 20 Anos)," "Auchma"
In order to expand one’s musical palette, it’s not necessary to abandon the genres one enjoys--rather, listening to international interpretations of those same genres can be just as rewarding. Boogarins are a dynamite guitar duo from Brazil, made up of Fernando “Dino” Almeida and Benke Ferraz.
Manual is the duo’s sophomore studio album. Almeida’s voice is mellifluous and, when combined with Ferraz’s lush guitar playing, also soothing. When listening to Boogarins, one feels as though they could transcend to a different dimension.
Manual does not differ much from the band’s first album, As Plantas Que Curam. They have been pretty consistent between their two albums, sticking to their psychedelic sound. Almedia chooses to sing in Portuguese, his native language, rather than sing in English--unlike most other Brazilian bands. Additionally, there are a lot of tropicalismo influences in their music. A good example of this is the song “Avalanche."
“Avalanche” is filled with social commentary regarding the 2014 World Cup and its devastating impact on middle and lower class people in Brazil. The lyrics resonate with anger and passion as Almedia sings “My cries have the strength to knock down all of the buildings / That will not let me see the sun.”
Almedia’s haunting voice along with smooth transitions from track to track make the album feel very cohesive--like one giant song. This album is an emotional ride from start to finish, and when it finally does end you will want to replay it to feel the euphoria again.
