Search - Mana :: Revolución de amor

Give them the Grammy Live this time!

Christopher Keenan | Walla Walla, Washington United States | 09/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"TEN STARS Revolucion de Amor is !!Excellent!! Do I smell a Grammy? Vicente Fox may be the President of Mexico, but we know who really rules: MANA. Yes, 5 years is too long to wait for a new album, but you can't rush perfection. This album is well planned, and contains a good mix of styles which showcase the talents of Fher, Alex, Juan, and Sergio.Mana starts the album with it's encore to the historic "Corazon Espinado" from Santana's Supernatural by teaming up with Carlos again on Justicia, Tierra y Libertad, a strong bass and guitar-laden track. Turn this one up. Of course, this disc features the Traditional Rock Sound which made these pioneers popular: the hypnotic Ay, Doctor, and lead single Angel de Amor being perfect examples. Ay, Doctor will probably end up being their opening song on the upcoming tour due to it's ability to get the listener's heart pumping.As in each Mana album, Alex (drums) heads up a few songs of his own with Fher (lead vocals) at background. Alex expands his traditional lyrical style with the smooth Fe, and Sin Tu Carino, two of the best song on the disc. Nada Que Perder is reminiscent of the style of music and lyrics we came to know him by in previous albums. Alex's drum demonstration on Nada reminds me of the style of Travis from Blink 182. However, we all know that Alex has been doing this since Travis was 4 years old, so we know who the master is.In Pobre Juan, the sad story of discrimination, immigration, and heartbreak - Fher breaks out the Harmonica, which he hasn't really done since the days of Rayando el Sol and Vivir Sin Aire in the early `90's.Mariposa Traiconera, No Voy a Ser Tu Esclavo, and Sabanas Frias are done in the traditional old-school latin/caribbean style, with Ruben Blades appearing as a guest on Sabanas.Eres Mi Religion - Uses the same formula that made Muelle de San Blas from Suenos Liquidos (1997) a smash hit. While this song carries a different theme, the flow of the song and Juan's haunting bass lines together with Fher's imploring vocals are what will make this song just as great. This album once again shows Mana's ability to change and grow. This is most apparent in track #6: Por Que Te Vas? A ballad obviously Mana-esque in it's style, but there is one difference - lead vocals come from lead guitarist Sergio (he also wrote it). This shows the willingness of Fher and Alex to relinquish some of the control that they have held over the creativity of the group during the past 15 years. It also shows the true acceptance of the guitarist added to the group 7 years ago prior to the Cuando Los Angeles Lloran disc.Additional points:It can be noticed that on this disc, Fher's voice has acquired a more raspy sound when he hits a certain note range. His voice is NOT breaking down as some have inferred. Rather, it has simply matured, and he sounds as great as ever. People need to remember that Fher has been doing this since the days of Green Hat Spies in the 70's. ... Fernando Vallin, Sergio's brother, joins in on bass on 6 of the songs. He also performed on Mana's 1999 MTV Unplugged album. Check out Mana's revamped website for their interpretation of each song. Oh yeah, and BUY THIS ALBUM."

Good Album, but I expect 5 stars from Mana

Alma E Faerber | Murray, UT United States | 08/30/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a huge Maná fan, and when I first listened to this CD, I admit I was a bit disappointed. It IS starting to grow on me, though. I was particularly impressed with "Porque Te Vas" As far as I know, this is the first song Mana has recorded that was written by Sergio, and he does the vocals, as well. I've probably listened to that song, along with "Pobre Juan" and "Mariposa Traicionera" hundredes of times this past week. Those are my three favorite songs on the album, and I'm starting to really like some of the other songs, as well.I'm a little worried that Maná may be going downhill, unfortunately. When I compare it to "Donde Jugarán los Niños" and "Cuando Lloren los Angeles", I'm a little disappointed. Between those two albums, there are maybe only 1 or 2 songs that I don't absolutely love. 95% of the songs on those albums are amazing. On "Falta Amor" and "Sueños Liquidos", I'd say 80% of the songs are incredible. Right now, I only like about half of the songs on "Revolucion de Amor". I hope the others grow on me! I'll be interested to see what they do next..."

An advance beyond their past

Jay Kinney | San Francisco, CA USA | 08/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I realize that I'm operating at a disadvantage in reviewing this CD. I don't speak Spanish (although I took it in high school and college) and I haven't followed Maná throughout their career. I'm just an late-arriving Americano who appreciates good music whatever its country of origin.



Nevertheless, I was blown away by this CD's sound: its harmony, arrangement, and emotion. In fact, I was blown away enough to order the 3-CD set of their earlier CDs on Warner, based on Amazon reviewers' raves about their earlier work. I can appreciate where those reviewers were coming from, but I still like "Revolucion de Amor" the best.



For my money, the earlier Maná was a worthy band in the Police vein, but a bit minimalist. This CD, where they arguably went corporate (or whatever), fleshes out their potential and really delivers.



Hey, even with English-language bands, I usually place the lyrics in the background and concentrate on the overall sound. On that count, this CD delivers as much as, say, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers or the Sisters of Mercy or Procol Harum or Phil Spector's girl groups. Solid harmonies, good musicianship, great balance.



That may just be succumbing to the allures of pop production, but good pop is all too rare, ironically enough.



I hope that the band is working on another CD, three years on, and look forward to what they come up with."