(album/ ALBERT PRODUCTIONS)
This quintet is a rare breed indeed, delivering a punishingly cool and epic 13-track, 55-minute album that will leave you speechless.
Some of the heavier tracks will also rock you senseless, though for all Breed 77 do fleet with Emo-metal intentions during some tunes, others are achingly mellow and acoustic based.
Opening with the haunting soundscape of 'Voices,' 'Individuo' is the first real song of the album and is a huge slab of rampaging rock brilliance, the soulful vocals of Paul Isola rasping like crazy: 'How much do you think you know?'
The three guitarists of the band are Pedro Caparros, Danny Felice and Stuart Cavilla, and between them they play an astonishing array of instruments including 12-string guitar, 5-string bass, 4-string acoustic, mandolin, cajon and djembre. Courtesy of such instruments, the resulting music is leant something of an exotic 'Folk'-edge at times, which is captivating in its originality, though 'A Matter Of Time' is seen through with some damn heavy riffage, just like the hard rock ethics of 'Calling Out' and 'Eyes That See.'
For evidence of their more chilled-out and sublime moments, check the acoustic revelation of 'Resurrection' ('I want to survive another day') and the equally as tender 'Numb,' one of the most stirring and heartfelt highlights, buoyed by Isola's poetic vocals sung straight from the heart: 'I sold my body to free my mind.'
'La Ultima Hora' and the flamenco-frazzled 'River' tunes are also single releases, and startlingly diverse in style. A style that is all Breed 77's and all for the savouring. 5/5
(Steve Rudd)
www.breed77.net
Release Date: May 3rd 2004