Dois

Dois is the sophomore album by Brazilian rock band Legião Urbana. I understand (from the Wikipedia page) the band first wanted to release a double album, but the record company disagreed and the song selection was cut from 20 to 12 songs. I think that was a good idea. Now the album is an ok typical 1980s soft accoustic rock album. I can't say too much about the lyrics as I don't speak or read Portugese. Google translate solved that mostly. Wikipedia says the lyrics of the first album align better with the band name. The lyrics on this album are more about people and relations and not about big issues. The music is fine, but not world changing. Of course I like the fact user submissions are from non UK/USA countries and in non-English languages.

Very interesting submission to learn more about the translation of the post-punk / new wave artistry of The Cure or The Smiths into Brazilian pop culture. Legião Urbana met considerable success in their homeland during the eighties, and it's quite easy to understand why. The songs are often memorable, and they are also well produced for those years, with a lot of flourishes and arrangements standing out -- going from very subtle synths touches to a couple of effective near-punk moments (the exciting "Metrópole", for instance). Acoustic songs / interludes also bring a welcome variety to the tracklist. As for Dado Villa-Lobos's electric guitar flourishes, they are often exquisitely pretty, as in the closer "Índios". The lead vocals sound a bit forced and rough around the edges at times -- in keeping with those more unrefined years production-wise -- but if you get a little interested in the lyrics, Renato Russo's vocal inflexions never come off as gratuitous, and they serve the words alright. Among the highlights, you have the opener "Daniel na Cova dos Leões" (terrific bassline by Renato Rocha), but most of all you have "Tempo Perdido" and "Índios" (already mentioned), which are terrific cuts, both musically and lyrically. "Acrilic On Canvas" is also pretty good as it ogles even closer towards The Cure. From quick AI translations operated by my streaming service, you can perceive how touching and evocative Renato Russo was as a lyricist, and it's sad that Brazil lost him to AIDS so young. And the man was also very gifted when it comes to vocal lines and other melodic earworms... Some tracks are one or two notches under those highlights. But even a deep cut such as "Música Urbana 2", which is basically a blues pattern that is anything but original, or something as by-the-book as the single "Eduardo e Mônica", shine because of how good, precise and picturesque the lyrics of those acoustic or near-acoustic numbers are. So I say "obrigado" to whoever furthered my knowledge of vintage Brazilian rock here. This record obviously sounds a bit "dated", but I can understand its charms. 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list dedicated to essential albums, rounded up to 4. 8.5/10 for more general purposes (5 for the musicianship and production values + 3.5 for the artistry) ---- Number of albums from the original list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 466 Albums from the original list I *might* select for mine later on: 293 Albums from the original list I won't select for mine: 343 ---- Number of albums from the users list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 124 Albums from the users list I *might* select for mine later on: 143 Albums from the users list I won't select for mine: 322 (including this one -- with my potential list expanding as it is, I think there should be another shortlist about rock albums in non-English languages on the side for me right now. Is it an endeavor I can pull off after this 1001 Album odyssey ends one day, if it ever ends? We'll see...)

Interesting didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.

Actually really liked this. Reminded me of the lighter end of 80s indie, sort of Prefab Sprout or The Police, but because it's in a foreign tongue I couldn't get annoyed by the lyrics.

I still don't speak Portuguese, although the more good albums I hear in the language, the more likely I am to (try to) learn! A cracking album, with plenty of variety in the songs, almost like a Brazilian version of the Clash 'London Calling' album - Brasilia Calling, maybe? A great suggestion, and another band to explore if/when I get caught up on the nominations.

Oscillated interestingly between a kind of new wave sound and folky rock. I have to say the vocal quality didn't impress - kind of persistent pitch problems. I don't speak Portuguese so whatever was going on lyrically was lost on me.

Some good grooves

Enjoyable listen, but nothing more than that. It's fine acoustic pop-rock

It's good to know that Brazil also had Post Punk New Wave just like the 40,000 UK Post Punk New Wave albums from the original 1001. This was pleasant

How come all South American rock bands makes the guitars sound like that?

Not bad

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Daniel na cova dos leoes, Quase sem querer, Tempo perdido

I enjoyed this as an example of nice Brazilian pop-rock-pop-folk. It has elements of it all in there. However, I have found other Brazilian music that I've found striking before, like short baile funk, and all sorts of bossa-type stuff. This is more western and was less exciting as a result of its westernness. That being said, good album. I would probably go back for another listen, there are a couple of tunes on there that I found really striking.

Interesting Brazilian post-punk in the vein of the Smiths. Appreciated the international take on 80s’ indie rock, though at times this LP does simply reiterate Smiths-isms without trying to create its own thing. Hard call given the decent instrumentals, but Spanish Morrissey-lite isn’t exactly my cup of tea

I always advocate for more music from non-English speaking countries. I don't think it was all that amazing, but I'd easily allow it in for diversity. My personal rating: 3/5 My rating relative to the list: 3/5 Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.

This one unfortunately passed me by. I think not understanding the Portuguese lyrics probably didn’t help, as I imagine they’re a big part of the album’s appeal, but even musically I found it a little too middle-of-the-road to really draw me in. It quickly became background music and, by the end, I wasn’t left with much desire to go back to it.

This is pretty nice, a bit reminiscent of REM at times. 3 stars.

2.5

Album #70 (1001 challenge extended): "Dois" by Legião Urbana (1986) "Dois" is the second studio album by Brazilian rock band Legião Urbana. Post-punk, new wave, folk rock and jangle pop are the Wiki-listed genres. The bandmembers included Renato Russo (vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass), Dado Villa-Lobos (lead guitar), Renato Rocha (bass, keyboards) and Marcelo Bonfá (drums, percussion). The album was their most commercially successful album selling over 1.8 million copies. Critically, it had a positive reception. "Daniel na Cova dos Leões" opens the album with a ringing guitar melody and a rock beat. Russo with strong and impassioned vocals as he faces his fears as the English-translated title "Daniel in the Lion's Den" would indicate. A song break with screeching guitars. 80's-sounding with the jangly guitars. I thought "Quase Sem Querer" was a cover of the Smiths' "The Boy with the Thorn in his Side." Jangly acoustic guitars lead the way. And, the English translation of the song, "Almost Unintentionally," should have been a Morrissey/Smiths' song title. Russo shows his vocal range in "Tempo Perdido." He's crooning. He's emotional. A dreamy, swirling guitar with a solid rhythm section. The music and melody builds with the vocals. The band starts Side B with the faster and harder "Metrópole." I didn't see the punk coming. Driving and forceful vocals and guitars. A scooting bass too. The second B Side song "Plantas Embaixo do Aquário" continues the music urgency. A Joy Division, post-punk guitar. Repeating vocals and people talking in the background. "Indios" has a repetitive rock beat and a creeping high-pitched guitar melody. Forceful Russo vocals as he talks, raps and appears lost. A synth added giving an air of hope to Russo's desperation. This is an album of two sides, both very good. Side A is more jangly pop and definitely influenced by Johnny Marr and the Smiths. Electric and acoustic guitar-led songs. As much as I can translate and follow, these songs are mostly about relationships and inner struggles. Side B is post-punk and acoustic folk: driving, darker with an added synth. Joy Division is an obvious influence here. The songs are political and bigger picture. Russo's vocals are outstanding throughout showing his range and emotions. This is a really good album as it should be if you effectively use the Smiths and Joy Division as influences which they do. So, if you're a Smiths or Joy Division fan (which should be most of you), you'll like this. 4.5 out of 5

3/5 It seems good, something I'd probably listen to again.

I didn’t mind it as background music but nothing more