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Enigma - La Puerta Del Cielo Audio CD

A fair review of the Enigma "La Puerta Del Cielo" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Enigma reviews here, or go back to the Enigma tabs.

Enigma Band: Enigma
Title: La Puerta Del Cielo
Rating:
Release Date: 2008-10-14
Media: Audio CD

Tracks:

A tantalizing glimpse at a return to glorious form?
I've found the last couple of Enigma albums overall weak and lacking the magic of the early ones, in particular the first trilogy: I applaud "bandleader" Michael Cretu for doing more "experimental pop", but in the process, it's either sounded like his much earlier music (which he did under his real name), or in other cases (like A Posteriori), made strides towards a more cohesive, astral theme. . but the gated synth sounds themselves were too dissimilar to Enigma's core, sounding more like a side project or the work of a team of 2nd-rate remixers.

I'm hoping that the upcoming Seven Lives, Many Faces album will both draw from Enigma's amazing heritage and advance forward with elements that aren't too distant, but definitely novel -- a tricky balance, I know! But he did it consistently years ago, and I know he can pick it up again.

Thus, I'm glad to share that this single holds promise. I listened to it before reading interviews with Cretu, so my impressions are intentionally fresh. "La Puerta Del Cielo" isn't groundbreaking, but definitely has all manner of familiar strains nested together: similar chord progressions, exotic singing, and a heavy hip-hop beat. Parts of it are similar to "The Child In Us", which is more upbeat and better than this, but it's great to nod your head once more to these "world dance" shores.

The novel action is focused in "Seven Lives", which tweaked me in a good way: the rhythm sounds like a raw beatboxer using his mouth to emote a tough, binding beat. And throughout it all, there's samples of glass breaking, echoed vocal snippets & looped grunts which sound almost as if they belong on an urban rap track (makes sense with the beatboxing), and soaring arco strings. Listen closely, and you'll even hear traces of ragga toasting and reminders to "take it easy". Now *this* gives me hope for Enigma building on its roots. I don't care so much for the male vocal, done by Andru Donalds, but it may be to your taste -- listen and see, or hear, for that matter.

"Seven Lives" develops and unfolds majestically. I could see it used as the soundtrack to a climatic battle scene -- it's just that cinematic, yet unorthodox in its production. It didn't try to go too far out, nor did it play it uselessly safe. There's even a cool breakdown section where the key changes and the music comes back in. Great pacing!

Looking forward to "E7", as it's sometimes called. If you're uncertain of Enigma, I'd suggest discovering the Enigma - Love Sensuality Devotion: The Greatest Hits compilation to get a good taste of where they're coming from -- it's jam-packed with pseudo-spiritual, always-melodic opuses -- and check out the new album when it arrives later this month!.


You can see a complete list of all Enigma discography, or go back to the Enigma tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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