Reviews (page 2 of 7)
This was fine but didn't impress me.
I’m not really sure what to make of my introduction to this psychedelic-tropicalia artist. It’s pretty fun and easy to listen to and I’m glad I’ve heard it but once is probably enough.
Caetano Veloso was arrested and exiled by Brazil's military dictatorship in 1969 for making music that was considered politically subversive and dangerous. The military dictatorship was wrong about most things. This review is not about those things. The album is sung entirely in Portuguese, which is either an artistic statement about Brazilian cultural identity or a significant barrier to entry depending on your relationship with the Portuguese language, which in my case is nonexistent. The music alone does not compensate for the language barrier sufficiently to move the needle for me. I read that when he was 40, he began a relationship with a 13 year old girl who later became his wife. That is not something I can ignore given my established standards and reviews of other artists who despite being talent musicians are not good humans. 1 out of 5. The single star is not for the music. It's because I couldn't give it a zero. The star is withheld entirely. There are no stars available for this review.
Caetano Veloso, gebürtig aus Santo Amaro da Purificação in Bahia, nimmt sein zweites Album Anfang 1968 in São Paulo auf, im Umfeld der Philips-Produktion und unter der Regie von Manoel Barenbein – ein genauer Studioname ist nirgends dokumentiert, aber die Handschrift der Arrangeure Júlio Medaglia, Damiano Cozzella und Sandino Hohagen ist unüberhörbar. Nach dem noch recht braven, bossa-nova-nahen Domingo aus dem Vorjahr bricht Veloso hier radikal mit sich selbst: elektrische Gitarren, Fuzz, Streicher, indische Anklänge, alles nebeneinander, ohne Rücksicht auf Stilreinheit. Das Label veröffentlicht die Platte im April 1968, mitten im Entstehen dessen, was kurz darauf Tropicalismo heißen wird. Den Titel des Openers „Tropicália" hat Veloso sich gar nicht selbst ausgedacht – Filmproduzent Luiz Carlos Barreto schlägt ihn vor, in Anlehnung an eine Installation des Künstlers Hélio Oiticica, die Veloso zu dem Zeitpunkt nicht einmal kannte. Trotzdem trifft der Name die Sache: eine Platte, die brasilianische Popkultur, Carmen Miranda, Roberto Carlos und internationale Psychedelia in einen Topf wirft und umrührt. „Alegria, Alegria", schon 1967 als Single ein Skandal wegen der E-Gitarren, bekommt hier seinen endgültigen Platz, ebenso das leichtfüßige „Superbacana" und das latin-schwere „Soy Loco por Ti, América". Veloso selbst hat das Album später als „amateurhaft und wirr" bezeichnet – ich finde gerade das macht einen Teil seines Reizes aus. Zwölf Songs, die nicht wissen wollen, wohin sie gehören, und genau deshalb bis heute frisch klingen. 2001 wurde die Platte in die Latin Grammy Hall of Fame aufgenommen, was angesichts ihrer chaotischen Anlage fast ironisch wirkt. Ein Debütalbum als Solokünstler, das gleichzeitig eine ganze Bewegung lostritt – das schafft selten jemand so beiläufig. Anhören ja. Es gehört ja zu den 1001+ - Es zählt aber nicht zu meinen Favoriten.
A hodge podge of sounds, that actually work well together. I love the arrangements, but tired of his voice and kept hoping for more instrumental breaks. I would give it a 3, but I can't. Real life creeps get a 1.
I feel like compared to other world genres, Brazilian music is super over-represented. Had enough of it tbh.
strange Latin-flavored psychadelic rock. Its got that distinct 60's sound to it, maybe because I cant understand it, I am enjoying it a little more than I normally would. Some of the string sections are pretty good though, overall a good variety of sound going on here, going from samba to guitar solos is pretty fun.
Austin Powers montage music
3.5
4.0/10
Pretty solid enjoyable album.
This doesn't do a whole lot for me. Veloso's alleged personal issues aside, the content of the album doesn't really work for me. It's very busy - it seems like between the near incessant vocals and the music, there's zero room to breathe. The guy barely takes a moment to breathe. This is just kind of a relentless onslaught of relatively nondescript South American pop, though granted my experience with this music is fairly limited so I may not know what to look for. But I don't really detect the rock/psychedelic influences mentioned in the description.
Very cool! Glad I’ve heard this.
This is fucking cool. -1 point for noncing
# Album Name: Caetano Veloso # Artist: Caetano Veloso # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Nope # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? Nope
This score is a gift.
Brazilian jam band.
Picked the wrong album at first because this dude has four albums named after himself. The music is just alright
Listening session: august 21st, while getting ready in the morning Listened to before: no Thoughts: I’m a sucker for brazilian music so naturally I really liked this album Favourite tracks: Clarice, Onde Andaras & Soy Loco Por Ti América
would very nice for a spring afternoon baking
Generally pleasant Favorite song: superbacana
A pleasure to listen to
5 keepers in 12 (42%). First time listen; entirely pleasant. I could see putting this on and doing weekend chores. A few things grab at your attention but otherwise this sits pleasantly in the background. 3 stars.
Enjoyable Latin psych ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gear: ZMF Auteur Classic LTD Shedua Artwork: 😠🍎🐉 Production: 😌👂🧈 Music: 🎤🇧🇷🌀 Rating: 🍌🍌🍌/5
A bit of a let-down after a great first track, but an enjoyable album overall. Favourite track: Tropicália
Yeah, this isnt bad but I really dont need to hear this ever again.
Latin music is not my thing
I need to practice my Spanish
01) Tropicália - 7,5 02) Clarice - 7,5 03) No Dia em que Eu Vim-Me Embora - 7,5 04) Alegria, Alegria - 8,0 05) Onde Andarás? - 7,5 06) Anunciação - 7,5 07) Superbacana - 7,5 08) Paisagem Útil - 7,0 09) Clara - 7,5 10) Soy loco por ti, América - 8,0 11) Ave-Maria - 7,0 12) Eles - 7,5 TOTAL: 7,50 (75/100) Current ranking: 413/1009
This is nice enough - I don’t have any cultural connection to it, and do t understand the language, but it’s pleasant enough.
I liked this way more than I thought based on the first song.
Neviem, je to počúvateľné, ale prečo je to tu?
One of tricky situations where I have listened to an album with some time on my hands, and reading about the album, the artist and the context has elevated it beyond what I ultimately felt about the music itself. It’s not the sort of sound I would reach for, and while this is far more than its bossa nova roots, it’s still a fairly dated style that just isn’t relevant to me. But having read about its context, I am definitely more impressed and able to appreciate why it probably deserves to be on this list.
Awesome
Influential Tropicália album. Interesting, but not much more...
so so incredible loved that but didn't save any songs
Another chill album, although slightly repetitive. The final track shows there was the ability to switch things up a bit but it didn’t happen throughout the album cover. Not sure whether I love or hate the album. I wonder what the designer was thinking with that one.
Well, now that I've heard this, I guess I'm one album closer to death. Mostly harmless. Would probably be much more meaningful to me if I spoke better Spanish.
Meh. Add in the pedo shit and I'm gonna go ahead and give this zero stars.
Whilst I recognise how this music was important in terms of Brazilian culture and politics, it doesn't do a lot for me in 2026. Pleasant enough to have on in the background, but the music is fairly pedestrian most of the time, and the inability to understand the Portugese lyrics always is a barrier to my enjoyment of such things.
Don't understand shi but still full of vibes
I liked this vibe but doubt I’ll be back
It’s pretty good for world music. The album cover was kinda cool until he put his picture on it then it became super cringe. 2.5
Perfectly acceptable background music for a small gathering. Would never listen while driving down the road again.
Exactly what this list is for. Amazing album and dude landed in prison for it. That’s bravery for art.
Nice, relaxing vibes. I dug the guys voice but wished the vocals weren’t so ‘busy’, if that makes sense.
Decent, little boring. Middle of the road
If I was high as hell and spoke whatever language this is, it might be decent
Me gusta mucho se escucha como le dio una nueva forma de interpretar lo que era la psicodelia y la música de los Beatles con las bases brasileñas haciendo un buen álbum
Brazilian music gives white boy a little salsa Fave track: Superbacana
Left no impression at all. 2/5
I did not know what to think of this, but Latin Psych is pretty good.
Suadade
Muy tropical. No es lo mío
Brazilian banger
sweet and sticky music against the fifth brazilian "republic", and an important piece of the multi-disciplinary tropicália movement. veloso is a pretty killer songwriter but i'd say even better as an arranger, even if the instruments themselves are sometimes "kistchy" theres just a real Breath where the density of sound will expand and contract rather than just building to one place and sitting in it. combined with the rly lively melodic lines a lot of these tracks r just breathtaking to sit and follow along with. yk not Everything in music history goes back to the beatles but its rly cool imo how not just their music but the way they used their position to try and knock down barriers between "high" and "low" culture was a source of both aesthetic and political inspiration across the world...their fingerprints are all over tropicália, which is music i rly need to hear more of. in general its always v soothing to hear Revolutionary music thats so unreservedly warm and assured and hopeful
Reminds me of 60’s French pop a lot. Pretty solid, lightweight, uptempo songs for the most part. Easy to listen to.
Quite liked this, probably going into my 'listen at work' rotation since I don't understand Portuguese the words won't distract me
The contrast between the "godfather of school shootings" photo on the front of this record, and the almost uncanny valley Spotify "profile photo" of ol' Caetano has sent me into a tailspin. In this photo, he has to have a glass of wine or some sort of automatic rifle just out of frame. Only people with that haircut and turtleneck combo at that age, are at least 12 pages into a manifesto of some sort. As opposed to the smiling granola grandpa on Spotify. That's a guy who people exclaim "I can't believe he's 80, he's so active!" We truly contain multitudes. The music here was far less grumpy than the cover and frankly so far beyond me that I can't even review this. The album is entirely in Portuguese? Spanish? I believe he is Brazilian, but I am not certain, as I (surprise!) don't speak either language. I found the singing to be far too loud, tuneless and irritating. The music was boring and far too quiet. This sucks. For all of life is dismal grey march towards certain death. 1 HIGHLIGHTS: Garbonzo beans are rich in iron, and a nutritious alternative to various meats!
Ricura, siempre apoyo algo distinto. Me faltaron cuiquitas Nota: 3.7
Would at points make a good bond soundtrack got a lot better as it went on and enjoyed it overall.
I don’t know this dude, but I love psychedelic and I love bossa. highly enjoyable, will def revisit. I could listen to Brazilian music for forever.
Oh my. Another one with a preference for 13 year olds that we need to apply the "review the music, not the artist rule" to. Which would be a lot easier if the music didn't sound like Portugal's 12th placed entry in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest. Hard to like this one.
Die 60er Mischung aus Avantgarde, Bossa und psychedelischem Pop ist oft mehr Konzept als überzeugender Song, und Velosos Experimente stolpern häufiger, als sie glänzen.
Some of this was fun, a lot of it was borderline annoying. I’ve now had quite a few international and experimental records over the last 3-4 weeks, and this one didn’t seem nearly as good as some. Didn’t really like, was a slog to get through most of it. 2/5. Great album cover though.
RATING: 7/10 HIGHLIGHT: Soy loco por ti, América LOWLIGHT: No dia em que eu vim-me embora
Love a Brazilian tune. Sadly the listening experience of this album was slightly ruined due to the Febreeze ad every other song. As it’s not on Apple Music I have just added a random other song of his to my playlist for this one
Buen álbum del brazuca. Entretenido. No es mi estilo ni género igual. Pero se hizo disfrutable. 5/10
Gran estilo, y que sea en portugués le da un lindo toque, igual hay canciones medio molestas de escuchar y dudo que lo vaya a volver a escuchar, le daría 2,5.
This did nothing for my cold American heart. I think his voice is just too smooth. He gets a bonus star for creating a genre though.
:(
"Ave-Maria" is like a song from a movie 📽️📽️ Took me to a whole new world "Clarice" is so lovely 💗💗It is sad-sounding song, so I'm glad I don't understand it😂 Just kidding.. ❤️ This song is amazing! The instruments are great in all the songs, but they really got to shine in this one. ✨✨ I heard a violin.. 🤎🎻🎻Caetono Veloso's calming voice pulled me in and the instruments made me stay. Oh, this must be my favorite 💓💓💓💓 Love it so much "Algeria, Algeria" I like this song, especially the guitar in the end which I wish we heard more of 🥹 That's okay though. I love it all the same. Some songs scared me a little, like "Clara" 😄 Doesn't mean I dislike it though, quite the opposite. ♡ "Onde Andaras" is like a musical pick-me-up. I'm in love 🤗 "Paisagem Útil" is love in a song 💝🎶 I like the length of the songs, too. It feels like every part of this record was intentionally and carefully put together. I didn't think I was in the mood for this type of music, but now I'm hesitating to let this album go! It made me happy 💝💝💝One last comment, I love the artwork 🐍 Thank you so much!!!!
*Brazilian psych-rock with Beatles influences
This was the kind of album I’m doing this thing for. Never heard of it before, but I’m a sucker for Brazilian music and so loved it
Didn't really care for this but appreciate it was decent, just not for me
Dit is een ontzettend vreemd album. Het staat ook eigenlijk een beetje aan op de achtergrond terwijl ik andere dingen aan het doen ben. Soms hoor je heel erg de bossa nova, maar het album is net ff te vreemd ofzo om perfect aan te sluiten bij de prettige Bossa Nova van bijvoorbeeld Getz en Gilberto. Ik weet niet, misschien is dit dat psychedelische erin. Het trekt mijn aandacht niet helemaal... Dit is denk ik het perfecte voorbeeld van een prima album, wat ik me nooit meer ga herinneren, maar wat ik nooit echt vervelend ga vinden als iemand het aan zet. Al moet ik eerlijk zijn, de kans dat iemand dit ooit op een random avond op zet? Praktisch 0. FAVO: Tropicalia, soy loco por ti america
Exotic attraction (to me)
Meg
I wasn't a huge fan of this album... yes, it can be hard to connect emotionally to music sometimes that isn't in a language you understand, but that isn't the reason. There are plenty of albums or songs that I haven't understood a word of, but I've absolutely adored. There was nothing in particular I didn't like; I just thought, in general, the songs were a bit boring. They didn't interest me whatsoever, and the style remained completely the same throughout the album. The vocals were well executed, but again, absolutely nothing special in my opinion. I don't have any favourite tracks for this album; not much stood out to me at all.
For an album in a language I can’t understand, I genuinely got so much enjoyment out of it! The instrumental was great, the vocals were pretty good, and the tracks were varied enough that even though I couldn’t understand what was being said, it didn’t all sound the same. 4/5 ⭐️ 181/1089
Is this Portuguese?? Or Spanish?? Idk. Let's hear this. Lotsa Portuguese music in this it's interesting. I think it is Portuguese. Oh I thought I'd like this but it's sortve meh. Mid as hell I can't lie. Just noises. 6 7. It doesn't sound like the vocals and music are supposed to go together. Incredibly disjointed. I don't like it. And the guy looks evil as hell. Wow this does not sounds good. This is really just not good. Favourite: Onde Andaras Least favourite: No Dia Que Eu Vim-Me Embora/Anunciação
He looks like he's staring into my soul on the cover, but the music is much morre frothy and fun.
This sounds like something you'd hear in a Tarintino film, it has that mix of old and cool that fits movie asthetic. The music is interesting to listen to, but I have no idea what the lyrics are doing. It was a decent listen. But I probably won't be back.
This one was a bit disappointing because I'm a nerd for swingin' 60s lounge music. The cover hinted at that with a more psychedelic feel, and obviously a bossa influence. And... the instrumentation and approach to arrangements is all there.... I personally love when strings are tastefully used alongside rock band lineup. But, mostly the album is just disorganized and does not deliver the potential that the instrumentation presents. There are cool songs, but as a whole it's very scattered. I'm also all for quirky production decisions (such as the high reverb vocals) but they go overboard and it does the album no favors. I would call this album an interesting experiment that definitely does not hold up like any album on this list should.
I already don't like Bob Dylan normally and this felt like that but in a different language, the issue being that I wish I could understand it so I could appreciate the story telling
While it might not have caught me, albums like this are why I'm doing this challenge.
Sometimes it shines, sometimes it plods. I kinda had higher expectations
It's like Veloso invited all his musician friends over for a jam sesh, and everyone brought something different. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Tropicália - Alegria, Alegria - Soy loco por ti, América
fun!! my love c asked me just two days ago if all the albums were in english so was good to get this one :-)
I think this was a me problem. I just don’t have enough cultural or experiential connection to Brazil to deeply resonate here, even though there was a lot to like musically. A three star I will likely revisit and may reevaluate the second time I listen to all these 1001 albums.
I listen to more Brazilian music than your typical big, dumb white guy, but I am by no means an expert. The fact I have completely missed this album is testament to that. I would like to purchase a physically copy of this and put it in my house and not listen to it that much.
Overall: 6/10 I appreciate the pretty instrumentations and Caetano has a pretty good voice, but this isn't something I see myself coming back to a lot. Another one of those albums that I respect more than I enjoy. Fav Song: Soy Loco Por Ti America
i would not listen again
I wish my Portuguese was better. This is just a cool album.
No fav song
this was fun
I went into this album totally blind, and since I don't speak a word of Portuguese, I wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out, I’m a big bossa nova fan and this was such a great find. The lush textures and super laid-back vocals got this infectious, sunny energy that totally makes the language barrier a non-issue. That said, with so much "artistic cannibalism" happening, it can definitely veer into chaotic, psychedelic mess territory at times, and the raw '60s production definitely shows its age. Not every weird experiment lands, but the overall vibe is undeniably groovy. Tracks like "Soy Loco Por Ti, América" and "Alegria, Alegria" are absolute masterclasses in smashing different musical worlds together. It’s a super fascinating listen that definitely has me wanting to dive way deeper into the genre.
Weird and wild. A solid 3 haha not sure I totally understood this but it wasn't terrible.
I did Two-fer, today. This & Steely Dan. I liked this better than Steely Dan & it ain't in English. 3
Un género que en mi puta vida había escuchado. God.
Blind album and artist. Production was good and beats were cool to try, just not for me.
Not much fun here. A few pleasant passages, but mostly annoying.
I'm the wrong audience for this album. I don't speak whatever language this was in but I generally like Latin music for it's vibrancy. In this case, the majority of tracks were lacking this element and I couldn't connect.
This is my favourite new discovery so far. If I were a much cooler person this is the sort of thing I’d have playing on vinyl in the background on a lazy afternoon while I swanned around the house in a fabulous robe with a caipirinha and a cigarette.
Lovely little arrangement of tropical music. Never heard of this guy but he had clout in my mind. He covered all the hits in one fluid sub 40 minute record. If you're too narrowminded to appreciate wordly music and take to the keyboard to express your frustration, you're truly at fault. This is some of the best music in the entire world. I for one am a frequent latin american music appreciatior. Some of the new stuff and aggressive reggaeton is a bit much but these laid back jams are lovely. Headed into NYC to see the Knicks championship parade and grab a beer. Such a great summer ahead of us.
LOVE IT! So good. Listen to it. Soy Loco Pro Ti America! Soy Loco Por Ti Amore! Just a good album, this guy is a genius. Also some cool Beatles influence I think.
Feels very Brazilian wall of sound.
Brazil’s Bad Bunny in 1966. 3.3
Listened and read lyrics with translation. Nice voice, good instrumentation and mixing. Won't play again as it's in Spanish and mellow, but it was well done.
Pedos get 1 star.
A delightfully weird and psychedelic album using jazz and samba as its entry point instead of rock. It's good, all told, but I'd need a lot more time to dig thru the lyrics.
Such a joyous album. I wish I understood Portuguese.
Латино-американська пеніс музика. Оцінка: середня-висока 3
self-titled debut album of caetano veloso. veloso is said to be one of the first pioneers of tropicália music, an artsy contemporary musical movement that made its way through south america in the '60s, blending different local and worldwide sounds and communicating messages to brazil's then military dictatorship. tropicália as a whole is a wide fusion of sounds and i can hear it pretty well in here, from bossa rhythms to orchestral pop hints to jazz pop stuff too... i love neat little spectrums of sound. this is the kind of album that intends to put you straight into the country where it originates from. with this album, it's like... in the rainforest with birds and chimps squawking and screeching at you. not a perfect five unfortunately, but you really really can't go wrong with this... neat little level of portuguese art pop.
I listened to this album after the City Hall ribbon cutting ceremony, with the buildings and amphitheater still bustling with people. I still made my patrol walk in the Sun, but began to feel a little queasy from the heat. This album sounded like a collage of disparate sounds and influences, swelling strings and keys mixing in with steel drums and tropical sound effects. Caetano Veloso feels like the sound and energy of Brazil as it exists in popular culture distilled down into a single album, with a wide variety of musical approaches which all sound more timeless and modern than I would have expected. Ultimately, there are just a handful of songs which feel a little one-note for me personally, or lack the dynamic shifts in energy which I enjoy so much elsewhere in the album. My lack of familiarity with this genre, or similar genres in general, is also likely contributing to my more muted reaction, but I recognize and appreciate the smooth and energetic vibe curated throughout this album, and the songs which struck me kept me grooving along throughout the day. Highlights: Tropicália, Clarice, Superbacana, Paisagem Útil, Clara, Soy Loco Por Ti América
Good album, good pick for the list.
Nice to have something a bit different on this list
Nice, short and fun listen!
ok guys i think I'm done with all the jazzy bossa nova
Un viaje a Brasil en los años 70. Todo es alegría
Despite living in an area with a large Brazilian and Cape Verde population, my Portuguese language skills are minimal at best. The music was good and the vocals were fine. I just did not understand why this music was so threatening to The Brazilian Government at the time.
Fuck me no
Pre Listen: I don't have the greatest history with Brazil as a nation. https://youtu.be/1WpbhrzZJrQ?si=3LXOXcIHTTbzsO2_ The album cover would be beautiful, if that doofus got his face out the way. Lower expectations than usual. Notable Tracks: Tropicália - Very weak start to this album. After finishing it, this was my least favorite. Lowered my expectations even further. Onde Andaras - My favorite track on the album by a wide margin. If every song sounded like this, I may have given this thing a 5. Has a very nostalgic feeling to it. Anunciação - Another low point, has my least favorite vocals on the album. All the instruments feel like they are fighting each other to play different songs. Superbacana - Another highlight, has my favorite vocals on the album. The brass plays well here too. Post Listen: Wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I did enjoy it more than anticipated. Every song felt distinct, some were good, some were bad, depended on how well everything harmonized together. Generally I liked the addition of the violins, but disliked the addition of the occasional flutes. The keyboard sounds varied in quality, both from a melodic and actual recording quality point of view. Caetano's vocals were inconsistent too, sometimes his voice elevated a song, other times it dragged it down. I think his voice worked best in the more classic psyche-ish rock-ish sounding songs, but fell flat in Bossa Nova sounding songs. Just a quirky, odd little album that was all over the place. Disappointed there wasn't more of a Samba sound to it, that's like my favorite sound out of Brazil. 3/5
8/10
Originally gave a 4, but have heard better MBP since then. 3.5!
3/5
Yeah he’s a pedo and that’s absolutely hideous but I don’t do automatic negative reviews based off the person alone. I try to find something redeemable to the material, even when he isn’t. But this was just some boring easy listening adjacent dross. Pretty easy to bin it.
I don’t speak Portuguese, so I guarantee I’m not fully understanding or appreciating this album. That said, I like the eclectic vibe and it was enjoyable to listen to while working today. Not something I’d seek out on my own, glad to have listened! 3⭐️
I enjoy this style of music greatly and its fuun and experimental
Good Brazilian album, a bit less cliché than others I've heard during this run.
Pleasant listen with nothing memorable to come away with other than this ridiculous cover art.
Slightly disconcerting cover art, even more incongruous when compared to the inoffensive Latin-inspired content. Not awful, not great and I definitely won't revisit.
I really liked this album, the more softer songs put me in a good mood, even if I dont know what he's saying 😅 Would listen to again maybe.
me vejo muito gostando desse album se tivesse nascido na epoca como assim como gostei hj em dia
Brazilian pop. Fantastic album with a cool vibe. Favorite track: Alegria Alegria, tropicalia, anunciação, clarice
This is probably fine, but it does absolutely nothing for me. Soz bruv
This was pleasant but forgettable. Mostly the singer with a guitar. It would be good to play in the background of a relaxing get together or for working when you want something to wash over your ears without engaging you much, but I won't seek it out.
This was ok
okay for a minute.
Might hate this kind of music more than reggae. At least as much
Ok
Previously unknown. I enjoyed it but it couldn't hold my attention for the whole album.
This did nothing for me.
This album feels like it should be accompanied by a neon cocktail with an umbrella.
Appreciate being introduced to Veloso and the Brazilian Tropicalia scene.
Nothing special, but didn't hate it.
Another whole album of "meh". It's pleasant enough to listen to as a background track on a summers evening, but not exactly setting the world alight. Maybe that's because I'm listening to it sixty years too late... Maybe. Anyway, on another note, the album art makes the guy look like a killer in a late sixties Hollywood thriller.
I love this sort of album, you have no idea what they are saying or how you pronounce the words but you manage to sing along anyway. This one sort of just wisped away on the breeze though. It was enjoyable but nothing really stood out.
Good, but not my type
Some stuff I really liked here and reminded me of far more recent stuff. FOr example Empty Boat was almost Dark Star. Overall I probably wouldn't return to the album but some real high points.
2.3 Felt like I was listening to Brazilian elevator music. Pretty dull experience, nothing really exciting going on in any track. A very long 34 minutes. Gave up at Ave Maria.
Exotic elevator music.
This is psychedelic as all hell, like Sgt Pepper levels of psychedelia. It has nice range of different sounds all packed into the 35 minute experience. I will try to describe some of the sounds but I'm not too versed with Brazilian music. I will give it a shot, there's some quite jazzy pieces with some songs that more pop-focused, some of the instrumentals of songs sound like music you'd hear in a classic Disney movie. Last thing that is note-worthy is that the instrumentation and arrangements are very luscious. Highlight Song/s: "Tropicalia" and "alegria, alegria"
Enjoyable, 1960s, groovy, Brazilio-pop.
Nö
Bossa nova is not in my regular rotation but I'm really enjoying myself with this.
Perfect for my upcoming Portugal trip
Nem é meu estilo preferido, mas o cara é foda.
The reviews are entertaining and informative. I couldn't separate the artist from the music. His relationship with his wife started when she was 13, he was 27. Creepy. Zero stars
Not as psychedelic as the cover suggests. Some parts more interesting than others. Finishes strong.
Interesting arrangements, little a slow for my current tastes
Fun fun fun 4 4 4
Heyyy it’s the ‘Transa’ guy hello! Enjoyed but not as much as ‘Transa’ - also why did he make those weird mouth noises in the last song that was so odd
Fun but doesn't feel essential. Not sure why it's on the list
I like the rich of interesting African (?) instruments, made a lot of interesting sounds and the changing rhythm. Sounds like lying in the jungles.3.5/5
I wasn’t in the mood for this honestly. But as I listened it was pretty clear that this was a cool special record. Honestly, no real standouts, but over all it was a good listen 5/16/26
wow what a voice, so lush. very relaxed listening to this one. i looked up english translations for some of the songs not knowing what to expect but i got a psychedelic sort of vibe which was great. cool album cover too
fun
Kul, totalno nepoznano mi. In Tidalu tud. Spet bo treba na youtube. Začetek mi je bil mal noisy, po pa k se je komad razvil, mi je pa kinda prirasel k srcu ("Tropicália")? Naslednji, "Clarice", je zanimiv, ker je k več komadov skup - the vibe keeps changing. Zanimivo je, da je večina komadov na albumu dolgih okoli 2 minuti. "Superbacana" je bla zjle minuto in 28 sekund. Wiki pravi, da je žanr 'tropicália' in vajb je, k da smo nek ob morju in pijemo koktejle, medtem k rahlo pihlja topel veter. Which is not really my vibe. Kljub temu, čist enjoyable album. Mogoč ga pa kdaj polet poslušam na balkonu zvečer. Aja, pa naslovnica je amazing!
Very different. I think it will need a few listens before I can decide
I feel like he has a good voice but can't sing very well. 4/5
Once again it's nice getting an album that's a little different. Not having anything really to compare it to I can still say that this album feels adventurous. Sort of fantastical. Good listen.
Meh. Just didn’t leave an impression. Idk
Bossa Nova is, to me, generally nice dinner background music, but not something that's a truly elevating music experience
It starts well with Tropicalila which is a fun track - but slightly looses steam/ inspiration thereafter. Add to the fact that the guys 2nd wife was only 13 when he married her aged 40 - and I'm out.
Caetano Veloso Tropicália is superb, with a lovely sense of vibrancy and movement, although in the back of the mix there is a faint sound that sounds a lot like a phone ringing, and it's slightly distracting. Elsewhere there is some great stuff, especially when the rock, psychedelia and Indian influences work their way around the Brazilian music - the organ and guitar on No Dia em que Vim-Me Embora and Alegria, Alegria, the baroque feel of Anunciação, the 60s cinematic bass of Paisagem Útil and the excellent spacey, Telstar sounding Eles. I still liked the more straightforward bossa nova/samba tracks although I didn’t find them as interesting as those above, and although not directly analogous I found the magpieing on Clube Da Esquina more satisfying. Ultimately a high 3 I think - I love the spirit of it, there’s some great songs, but as a whole album, like a lot of late 60s psychedelia, it feels a little uneven. Great cover art though. 🍍🍍🍍 Playlist submission: Tropicália
Coming in with potentially the creepiest album cover so far, by this point favela fatigue, world-music weariness, salsa somniference, bossanova boredom is real. 'Superbacana' ('Massive Backhander') is straight from the scripts of the Fast Show - "Um, instante maestro! Super-homem, Superflit, Supervinc, Superist , Superviva, Supershell, Superquentão , Super-homem." Sminky pinky! There's also lots of Eurovision vibes - 'Tropicalia's "da da da" and then "ba da da da da" and so on. It seems that the psychedelic touches or touches trying to crossover with Indian music, and other experimental touches are very cursory and often ham-fisted. Indian tabla and sitar feature at the outset of 'Eles' but no real attempt is made to integrate it to the song. A generous 2, because I like some of the more trad folky touches
it was a surprise that this album was here, considering how anglocentric tend to be this list of albums. But despite the importance of Tropicalia and Caetano Veloso, i feel there are better and more important spanish-speaking albums. meh
pedo
Good! I'd listen again!
As someone that doesn’t know the language I can only rate on music and to my untrained ears it does nothing noteworthy.
I know almost nothing about tropicalia, but dug this.
i actually really liked this album! i recognized him from his music with gal costa. fun stuff on here.
I had to track this down on YouTube to eventually play this. Trippy 60s Psychedelic influences mixed with Brazilian and African Rhythms and a touch of rock too. Liked the organ on the last track. Not bad but there is only a couple of tracks I would drag out of this if it was available elsewhere
Tropicalia rules but I tend to prefer Gilberto Gil. This is definitely more of the bossa nova smooth kind, less the psychedelic rock inspired kind that’s more fun
I'm coming to terms with the fact that most orchestral pop just doesn't hook me in. There are a few songs here that interest me more than others, and I could see how I might learn to love this more if I gave it time. But for now it doesn't excite me.
Just a ton of fun, and great cover art to boot. Favorite Songs: Tropicalia, Clarice
Just couldn’t get into it. Had potential but falls flat.
2,9/5
Really a fun album
Never heard of Veloso. This was great. Really enjoyed.
The lip smacking is really annoying innit
Thank you coffee shop music, I think?
It's fine
It's ok. Bossa nova mixed with 60s flower power pop. Nothing special, but nothing bad either. 3.5/5
Good
Might be okay, might suck - can’t tell because I don’t know what he’s singing about.
7/10. Don’t speak the language but it was still nice. Would listen again
Tropicalia fails to translate well in gloomy Manchester
Didn't connect with this one after a couple of listens. I can enjoy music in a language I don't understand but I feel like I'm missing something with this one
Last track reminds me of Atomic Zombie Smasher
I think the part of this experience i am enjoying most in listening to music from other cultures, i am loving this stuff
My short coming, but not being able to understand the lyrics lowers it for me. Additionally, too psychedelic & artistic for me. 0 songs added to playlist.
Seems like a sound guy but this album was not for me. I did warm up to it. Particularly liked the last track Eles. Probably not rushing back to the album though.
Mhhh didn't really appeal, maybe it was the language barrier
was okay
2/5
Infectious music, well recorded and incredibly listenable. Dig this one. Smoky lounge, chill shopping cart, wispy afternoon vibes. Catch the chill, man.
brasilera/portuguesa, muy tranquila, suave, melodica, parecida a la chica de ipanema, me he guardado el disco, 3/5 o 4/5
Yeah. No.
Really wanted to like this album in Portuguese
I have no idea what he's saying, but the tunes are pleasant.
A pleasant album.
2.5
I was just complaining to my friend about the thousand and one albums that I plan to review. “How is it,” I said, “that we get Black Sabbath and Metallica time after time and a whole movement of music, like Tropicalia, is left out?” And, like and behold, now I’ve got a Tropicalia album -not the best one, in my mind. For that look for Os Mutantes or Gilberto Gil’s Procissao 1968 But, still at least I’m off the heavy metal and onto something different.
Made it through 3 songs, could not finish.
It's highly unlikely that I would have the opportunity to listen to this in any other context... but I'm glad that now I have. When I think of Brazilian music, samba and bossa nova come to mind... and though I can hear shades of those styles here, this is definitely its own thing. Very enjoyable -- just wish I understood more Portuguese. :-P
Well executed, but didn’t appeal to me as much as other international albums I’ve enjoyed over the past several months. The spare instrumentation lacked much to make me come back. 1 listen Favorite Track: Tropicalia
Expectation: -> I think we're really in the weeds now. After listening: -> Listened to the 2006 remastered version of this 1967 album. Cannot fully evaluate the album not knowing the language, but this is quite delightful to my ears. If this were my kind of music, would likely rate a 4 or higher. It is very well put together and there is unquestionable musical talent. Track ranking: (skipped)
Another genre just not for me, I did listen to the whole thing this time though
This is really interesting! I like the variety and Style. Edit: Left up the original review, but downgraded to a 1 after learning of the pedophilia?!?
Don't have a lot of context for this one and I don't know what to make of it. It could have a really interesting story but as someone that doesn't speak the language it kind of gives vibes of someone in a country at a time where they were being bombarded with American music making their version of it. Doesn't have much of a lasting impact on me
Musically really quite nice Brazilian music with lots of influences. For me though, the singing is not that great, not the best voice in terms of timbre IMO, and it's sung a bit goody-goody and a bit "lazy". I think I never recovered from the out-of-tune "sa-sa-sa-saaa" and "ta-ta-ta-taaa" in the first song. It's well made and, it seems, a culturally important album. So I think it does belong in the list. I can listen to this but it's not my cuppa.
Want to give this more time. I'm kind of strangely vaguely aware that I like this artist a lot. He has such a beautiful sound and does some incredible subtle storytelling through music. This specific album didn't hit quite as hard as I hoped today. I think I need to give it more time, or it might be that other eras of his music appeal to me more? Hope there's more on the list but likely I'll have to explore his career more myself. To be clear - really enjoyed it, just hoped it would be an instant favourite
I didn’t understand a single word, 1 star. Just joking. I liked the exotic sounds and the vocals were good enough. I can’t explain why I can’t give it more than 3 stars: I just couldn’t enjoy it as more than background music, but I don’t think it’s supposed to be listened to like that. Not really sure what to do with it, but glad I got to hear it.
Tropicália 4 Clarice 3.6 No Dia em que Eu Vim-Me Embora 3.3 Alegria, Alegria 3.5 Onde Andarás? 3.2 Anunciação 3.2 Superbacana 3.6 Paisagem-Util 3.4 Clara 3.4 Soy loco por ti, América 3.7 Ave-Maria 3.5 Eles 3.6 Score: 3.5
Þessi er líka mjög flott, lögin góð og hljóðheimurinn algjört konfekt. Tropicalia er stefna sem mér er virkilega að skapi. Psycadelía sem eldist virkilega vel og í dillandi bossanova stuði.
On a hot dusty afternoon, stopping for gas and a soda in an off-the-beaten-track latin american town, I imagine this is what's playing on the crackly AM radio in the corner of the store Probably important to a lot of people, but for me, this is a hard pass
Don’t understand shit but I love it. A great east-morning album.
A bit of variety and something international. Like it when it's a bit more upbeat and the samba and bossanova kick in. Not the best Brazilian album I've heard, but an enjoyable record.
¡fiesta! 4/5
Will take some more time to really appreciate, but the energy is great and I always like when orchestration can surprise me.
Was the music bad? It was fine. Did this guy sleep with a 13 year old girl and eventually marry her? Yes, it would seem he did.
listened while doing my crosswords. fun!
Good vibes
Whilst listening to this I felt like I was listening to Latin circus music and not in a good way. Some of the songs felt relatively chill and pleasant, but overall the album felt slightly weird and I can't say I'll be rushing back to listen to it. Unless of course I'm sat on a beach in South America with a cocktail in hand…
Throw this album on the substantial and ever-growing "doesn't belong on this list" pile.
favs: trilhos urbanos, ca ja, coracoa vagabundo, get out of town
I'm glad there is some Tropicália music on the list, but it isn't my favourite genre. 5/10
Interesting
Album link was wrong or else I got confused but I ended up listening to Caetano Veloso - 1969 before I realised my mistake and I actually preferred that one to this one so I guess it was fate
Meh.
A fun Tropicalia album, combining traditional Brazilian music styles with influences from the psych rock scene. The bass drives many of the songs with melodic lines that still have strong rhythms. Overall enjoyable, but at times a bit messy or finding that the songs drag into each other a bit. Decent listen, and one I should probably spend more time with to really absorb fully.
Nice rhythms, but I can't understand anything.
Fun funky vibes
This was kind of a chill album. It seems to be quite old, but it was fairly decent having it in the background while I was doing other stuff.
Not 1 just for the latin/afro elements
Def serial killer vibes from cover
While I like the sound of portuguese in songs, I am not a fan of Bossa Nova. Favorite Songs: Superbacana
This was fun.
Fun, but one and done
Latin jazz?
Not my jam... Spanish jamming
Highlights: Tropicalia, Alegria alegria, Onde andaras, Anunciacao, Superbacana, Clara, Soy loco por ti America, Eles It's a shame it isn't available to stream in my country, but it's worth the effort to dig up the files on the web. The language barrier was a bit of a pain in the ass. Especially since you can't avoid it because the lyrics are a very important element. I feel like I didn't fully get it, but there's a mix of Brazilian patriotism, anti-US sentiment and religious themes. The style is interesting because it wasn't as western as I expected it to be, but it still sounds so 60s. I liked it quite a lot so I don't mind listening to it without fully understanding the lyrics.
Not for me, at one point the piccolo player forgot which song they were doing.
The psychedelia of rock, the smoothness of orchestral pop, the unique Brazilian rhythmic influences: when they talk about the cannibalistic nature of the album, they're not kidding; the fact that it birthed an artistic movement is more remarkable. Veloso has distanced himself away from this album in recent years; especially since he was so young when it came out I can see why but I still find it remarkable all the same.
Interesting but not really my thing! Feels old + I dont really have anything to measure it to. 3 stars cos it felt nice on my ears and I enjoyed the experience. Im also in a good mood so maybe it would have bored me to tears on a different day
This was cool! I don’t think I’m in a position to judge Brazilian music even though my mom exposed me to Chico Buarque, Maria Bethania and such. I really like his sense of rhyme, like in “Superbacana” Solid 3
Really like alegría alegría
The music is ok, I guess, nothing phenomenal, but the guy's a pedo and that just made it way less than ok to listen to.
Nope
Quite good, but lacks "wow" moments. This does nothing wrong, but it doesn't really blow me away either.
Very bland and not a lot going on.
Judging from the reviews, this album is sorely misunderstood. But to be fair, it's really hard to pin down what Tropicalia is. Either way, you can feel the roots of modern Brasileiro music all over this. It is a very sweet album. Highlights: Clarice, Onde Andaras
The nonchalance when recounting experiences of the Brazilian dictatorship against the beauty of the music is really affecting. I’m not massively into Caetano’s vocal percussion/humming but otherwise great
Solid '2' from me until the Hail Mary in Latin. Ugh.
Seems fine - if a little "easy listening" for me
This album leads me to conclude that, unlike chocolate and peanut butter, psychodelia and bossa nova are not a match made in heaven.
Shout out Brazil, this was nice.
The start of the first song had me a little worried that this would be *really* psychedelic, but it settled down pretty fast, honestly, and I'm glad it did. I don't think this is particularly incredible, but it is pretty good. There wasn't ever really a moment that I felt wowed by this album. It's just a fun little Latin vibe throughout. Favorite Song(s): Clarice
It is a cool sounding record that I doubt very much I'd revisit any time soon. Honestly, I'm not sure it's "great", but it is interesting. This is one of those records that I never would have went looking for on my own but am glad I heard once.
Muito bom!!!
Kind of catchy, but not in a saving songs to my library way. Or saving the album.
Nice music, great voice
Wonderful Brazilian music of the 60s is the only one to make me want to learn Portuguese. This is instantly recognizable sound of Tropicalia, however I will expect some of my favourite Brazilian artists here like Gil, Costa or Jorge Ben. This is still decent with at least 3 stars
the second artist i've never heard of before these 1001s, and it's pretty damn good. it's possible to draw a line from stereolab to antennae to veloso. i'm very happy to now be able to make this connection
Doesn’t seem special. I don’t know. Three stars.
no one needed this. 2 *
Latin music does nothing for me
wish this did anything for me but I just can't align my wavelength
Just not for me
Si
This was mildly interesting, but really no different than any of the other latin/ salsa/ bossa nova stuff I’ve heard. It was ok but I don’t know enough about the genre, and I certainly don’t know enough to know why it’s important.
Это имеет место быть и даже кому-то, наверное, нравится (бразильцам?), но я не из их числа.
STANDOUTS: Tropicália, Clarice, Alegria, alegria I think this was a pretty fun listen. The first two songs were exceptional, and while the rest of the album never really returned to those heights, I still had a good time listening. Well... until I learned Caetano Veloso raped a 13-year-old and married her when she was 17 while he was 40 years old. Yikes... 7/10 (begrudgingly)
The music wasn't bad, but I can't say it really clicked for me
Sunshine on a plate, love tropicalia.
It's fun little tunes. But not a fan of all of them
Didn't do much for me again. Not bad at all, just not my kind of thing.
Was good background music to make dinner to. Might have to keep this in the rotation for a trip to Mexico in a couple weeks.
2.5 I found the Psychedelic fusion pretty interesting but not going into a regular rotation for me anytime soon. Do you round up or down if you cant understand a foreign language? Ive found myself rounding up, maybe I'm trying to appear smarter than I actually am
Listened to English language album - very good
An interesting listen. Perhaps not in the mood but didn't really land with me. 2/5
Not for me I suspect.
This is fine.
Pretty good, not great.
I have a compilation of Brazilian psych rock called Tropicalia. It has a few Caetano Veloso tunes on it including, you guessed it, Tropicalia. It has other acts like Os Mutantes and Tom Ze who I prefer to Caetano Veloso, but I was happy to listen to a whole album which was a first for me. Pretty enjoyable, but there weren't a lot of songs that really broke through for me. I will round up for groovy album art.
Smooth and cool, but not quite for me. Caetano Veloso is a fantastic name.
3/5 - How do you not give a point just for the cover art alone? The variety of sounds here is pretty cool, but I'd need several more spins to really have it stick.