Artaud
by Pescado Rabioso

Luis Alberto Spinetta was a big fan of John Lennon, and the latter's Plastic Ono Band is a point of reference to begin to understand the masterpiece known as Artaud. Both albums were recorded at times of turmoil in both artists' lives and in their respective countries, and this is reflected on the naked sincerity of their lyrics. But while Lennon made the decision to play straightforward rock with simple lyrics and simpler arrangements, Spinetta favored complex compositions full of weird voicings, surrealist imagery and avant-garde elements, best exemplified in the 9-minute suite 'Cantata de Puentes Amarillos', inspired by Van Gogh, Artaud and Elagabalus, the transgender Roman Emperor.

Although it is considered a fundamentally acoustic work, Artaud has its moments of electric grandeur, such as 'Las Habladurias del Mundo', 'Cementerio Club' and 'Bajan', showcasing Spinetta's axe skills. This is one of those records you can listen to a million times and still find something new. Highly recommended.

People should stop rating with just a quick and superficial listen. If you're commited to connect with an album in spanish language, and maybe to do some research regarding lyrics an context, you wouldn't give 40/100 or 60/100 to this masterpiece.

Masterpiece of all times. I wish people from this page would understand the importance of this album. Isn´t just the best album in Argentinian history: this is the best ever album sung in spanish lenguage.
A concept album composed by the great Luis Alberto Spinetta in a difficult moment of Argentina and on a folk style. After his broke-up from them band mates he decides to keep using the name Pescado Rabioso and record this solo album.
The lyrics are so fantastic as the music. A whole album about the impact of Antonin Artaud on Spinetta views about everything arround him on those days.
A classical album in music history that it´s unique even on the shape of the art cover, being an irregular form. As Spinetta said, "The album suicided by society" in allusion to Artaud´s book, "Van Gogh: the man suicided by society".

I hope that people from English-speaking countries will one day understand the value of this album and, that it has nothing to envy to the albums of European / American / Canadian / Australian artists. It is at the same level and even surpasses to many of them.

From GandalfORiley345 05/28/2014 21:39 | #113147 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Tengo 100% entendido porque dice ser el mejor álbum del rock argentino y simplemente el mejor álbum en español

If there's a Holly Trinity of Latin Rock, Spinetta would be the Father. He has the attitude, the complexity, and the integrity to create an album that didn't translate from their English pairs, but actually created a language for us. Since Almendra, his first band, El Flaco showed everyone how to create music in Spanish taking advantage of the long tradition of Latin American folk sounds, like tango.

I discovered this album just two years ago and it echoed (and continues to echo) with a lot of music, specially Cerati's music and Omar Rodriguez Lopez projects.