Search - Mikel Erentxun :: Detalle Del Miedo

Detalle del miedo: A great collection of songs

R. Suarez Giacoman | Mc Allen, Texas United States | 06/02/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

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From the moment you look into the unconventional cover, you can immediately tell that this is not your regular Mikel Erentxun album. Recorded in London (as shown in the cover picture taken by Erentxun himself), the album has that vintage feeling when you look at it, even the 'stereo' logo is included. Also another important thing to note is that the album is now signed by 'Mikel Erentxun & Las Malas Influencias', the incredible band formed by Ruben Caballero in the guitar, Rufo Urbino in the drums and Mikel Artieda in bass. These guys are awesome in the album and don't even mention playing live. The reason might be that Mikel had them involved in the whole process and conception of the album, they created these songs together and recorded them, contrary to what Erentxun used to do in prior works.



If you think the cover has a British feeling to it, well that was the idea, and the contents of the album follow the same line. A rare mixture of American meets British. The exquisite orchestra arrangements by Joserra Senperena in most of the tracks complement and enhance some of the key moments of the album (just listen to the end portion in 'Halcones' to know what I mean with 'enhance')



Erentxun had said, prior to the recording of this album, that he was to try new directions in this new album, he was to leave behind his prior works and attempt new things... and he is a man of his word, 'Detalle del miedo' does not sound like anything he has done before. You will be able to find references and influences but this album cannot be compared to his previous solo works. And what an incredible album this is.



The album opens with 'Angela' (an album version 2 minutes longer than the single version), beautiful string arrangements, a song that needed to be born , needed as a single for an album that was generally perceived as too dark . It is most likely the only song in the album that could resemble prior Erentxun songs.



Mikel's abilities as a lyricist manifest in the whole album but especially in 'El mejor de mis dias', a dark and sober song that starts out as an acoustic theme only to exploit as a band in the chorus. Mikel's voice has always been unique but this is the song where you can clearly notice his singing style has changed for this work.



'Estampida' is another dark ballad in which the band shines, however the song's strength relies mostly on its lyrics, in one of the most memorable moments of the song Mikel sings 'Ella se alejo, y yo me aleje, sin movernos de aqui...'. One of my favorite songs in the album.



'Pidiendo pista' could have very well been the single of the album, a pop song with pop culture references and with Ruben near the end of the song showing why Erentxun holds him in such a high esteem as guitarist. 'Halcones', the song in the album that sounds totally "London", the harmonies in the song are reminiscent of The Beatles (and I wouldn't be surprised if that was intentional) Rufo and Ruben both have their moment in this song after the calm intro by Erentxun. Powerful lyrics and an artist singing from the heart, this song has become one of the band's favorites when playing live. According to Erentxun himself in an interview with EfeEme, the lyrics from 'Marcos y Nerea' are followed by those of 'Pidiendo Pista' and 'Halcones', something fans should definitely pay attention to.



'La indiferencia' with his country guitar clearly shows the influence the country music and Ryan Adams have had in Erentxun (Mikel has said multiple times in his blog he is a fan of Adams and has cited him as an influence as well)



The following track is another jewel , 'Horizonte vertical'. At a first listen it was just another song in the album, but this album needs to be given its time, it demands to be listened several times to be understood as a whole. Las Malas Influencias and the orchestra arrangements complement each other perfectly in this song. The production and arrangements in this song are impeccable.



When asked about the similarities between 'Cartas de amor' and 'El ultimo hombre en el mundo' Mikel simply admitted 'El ultimo hombre en el mundo' was like the bastard sister of 'Cartas de amor'. Undoubtedly one of the best songs in the album, Ruben shines in the guitar during the whole song while Mikel sings better than ever lines like 'No se a quien hago con esto feliz...'



For me, the best song of the album. 'Dejalo asi' is a mixture of everything, 'Las Malas Influencias', beautiful string arrangements, Erentxun's perfect voice and its great lyrics. The lyrics of this songs have to be, in my opinion, some of the best lyrics he has written. 'Las huellas mojadas de un taxi al pasar, cristales oscutros se llevan tu nombre en letras de lluvia'



'Cuando nos cambio la voz' follows the same line of the previous songs, another personal favorite and a rare jewel, Erentxun gets experimental with his voice in the chorus in this song.



The ballad that gives the album its title, 'Detalle del miedo'. Mikel and his piano in a song that sounds direct and natural with the rest of the album. An instant classic



The album comes to an end with another acoustic song, 'Eramos dos hielos'. A perfect song to close the album with its country feeling and Erentxun whispering the lyrics.



A great collection of songs indeed, this has become one of my favorite albums in a very short time. Mikel is now more mature as lyricist, singer and artist, and this is precisely his manifest in 'Detalle del miedo'. Highly recommended.















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