Arnaldo Baptista Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
After more than a decade of silence, the Brazilian rock legend Arnaldo Baptista made a surprising comeback in 2004 with this release. Even more surprising is that Let It Bed is the strongest and most consistent album that Baptista has released since the breakup of Os Mutantes in the early '70s. The bulk of the album consists of rather short, melancholic, sweet, and sincere songs, gently sung by Baptista, who also plays most of the instruments. Glimpses of Baptista's Monty Python-like humor pop up on several occasions and prevent the record from ever being depressing. There are also two very strong tracks -- "Tacape" and "Cacilda" -- recorded by Arnaldo in the early '80s that for some inexplicable reason were left out of the albums released by Baptista back then and instead appear here. "Tacape" is a beautiful, bittersweet piano- and voice-only composition with typically dreamy and somewhat absurd lyrics about love. "Cacilda" is a lovely Beatlesque pop song with a modern production and a rather light and catchy melody, but at the same time with a distinct and intriguing sadness (or even desperation) to it. Together, these two tracks add extra dimensions to the newly recorded material. Let It Bed is very nicely produced by John, from the popular and Mutantes-inspired pop group Pato Fu. John undoubtedly played a very important role in creating the special atmosphere of the album. ~ Philip Jandovský, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In 1980, Arnaldo Baptista was hospitalized for psychiatric disorders and threw himself off the third floor of the Hospital dos Servidores Públicos. He survived, but he spent a painful four-month recovery period at the hell's station of that hospital. Aided by his future wife Maria Lúcia Barbosa and radio host Sônia Abreu, Baptista made a full recovery. He then began a series of solo shows entitled Singin' Alone in which he presented himself playing piano and violão. The shows yielded an LP under the same title released in 1982 (nine years after Os Mutantes last LP, A e o Z, released only in 1992) by label Baratos Afins, and was reissued in CD format by Virgin Records in 1996. The conception of the album was similar to Paul McCartney's (1970): he played alone all instruments, ruminating lost illusions. This CD has an unpublished bonus track, where he is joined by other musicians: Baptista singing his hit "Balada Do Louco" for the first time. English lyrics in most tracks are another bonus for international audiences. Musically, the album suffers from some inconsistency in some timbres (especially in the tiny piano sound) and rhythms; if not put in perspective with the intense, dense, almost palpable emotional drive, all the sense is lost. A sincere effort where Baptista balances his past life, metaphysical concerns, and existential credo, it is a document on a tormented mind that strives to reach out and helps to sublimate listeners' own anguish. ~ Alvaro Neder, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Lóki?, released in 1974, was the first solo effort of former Os Mutantes member Arnaldo Baptista. Probably reflecting Baptista's own mood and feelings at the time, this album is decidedly slower, darker, and more melancholic than the Os Mutantes albums ever were. The lyrics are often quite sad and confused, though it has to be said that on several occasions Baptista shows that he had preserved his sense of humor from the Os Mutantes years. Musically, Lóki? is dominated by Baptista's typical way of singing and his excellent piano playing (similar to Elton John during his glory years in the '70s). Six out of the first seven tracks are really good. The opening "Cadê Meu Rock & Roll" and "Vou Me Afundar Na Lingerie," with its mildly bizarre lyrics, are the most direct and "pop" sounding. "Honky Tonky" stands out as a (very well played) piano-only instrumental. "'Cê Tá Pensando Que Eu Sou Lóki?" has a decadent bossa nova touch, and the sad "Desculpe" fascinates with its complex melodic structure. "Não Estou Nem Aí" sounds a bit like a rock song by David Bowie. Although not bad, the three last tracks of the album unfortunately aren't as lyrically or musically interesting as the tracks mentioned above. It should be said, though, that this album is wholeheartedly loved by many faithful fans and it strengthened Arnaldo Baptista's status as a cult figure in Brazilian rock. The famous Tropicália and Os Mutantes producer Rogério Duprat contributed to the album and Rita Lee lends her voice to the backing vocals on "Não Estou Nem Aí." ~ Philip Jandovský, All Music Guide
