If there ever was an album that serves as a showcase for a singer's vocal talents, this is it!
All new recordings of past hits and new material. Done with a combination of acoustic flair and symphonic sounds. Totally new, totally different stylistically than previous LOVG cds. It serves as a great way to showcase the wonderful vocal talents of Leire Martinez. With
, as good as Leire's performance was, it kind of seemed out of place given the context of LOVG. One couldn't help but feel a split loyalty between the group and Amaia Montero. As if any replacement singer was a "second stringer." But, with this effort, Leire Martinez has, in my opinion, taken prominance as THE lead singer for LOVG. As much as I like Amaia Montero and her unique and quirky vocals, I have to say I appreciate Leire's vocals even more. She's NOT a replacement vocalist any more. She's made LOVG over and given it her own sound and created something totally NEW and DIFFERENT. It's not the same group with a new singer, it's now a totally NEW GROUP!
If you don't like full, deep, rich sound and don't appreciate the liberal use of strings and orchestral arrangements, you probably won't much like this album. But if you DO, your ears are in for a treat. I'm listening to the album again as I write this and it's giving me goose bumps and sending chills down my spine. Hauntingly powerful musical arrangements and moving vocals. The new versions of ROSAS and MUNECA DE TRAPO are fantastic. Dangerous territory to re-record "classics", but these are like night and day. Same songs, but completely different interpretations. You can't say they're "better" or "worse", they're just NEW and DIFFERENT. It would be like comparing apples and oranges! The Amaia versions are much more "pop" oriented, the Leire versions are deeper and richer. Apples and Oranges. I like them BOTH! But, simply put, Leire Martinez has stamped her own imprint on LOVG.
PUEDES CONTAR CONTIGO is a standout track. Booklet includes lyrics. Disc also contains computer/on-line applications, but I'm kind of gun shy about Sony's "enhanced" CD after their original ones were loaded with tracking cookies! So I haven't tried that part of the disc. It says it gives you behind the scenes access to the recording sessions, exclusive photos, exclusive interviews and more. But, again, I didn't try it, so I don't know what the content is exactly.
FIVE STARS for NUESTRA CASA A LA IZQUIERDA DEL TIEMPO. New life breathed into an older group by Leire Martinez.
I like the CD, but I don't like when another person sings the songs from another singer. Sounds differently weird, awkward. Is it better? I don't think so. It's OK.
LOVG has become one of my favorite bands. Nuestra casa a la izquierda del tiempo stands out for its softer take on earlier releases as well as some great new songs, backed up by a symphony orchestra on some of the tracks. There has been some controversy about the new vocalist, Leire, and some do not like her as well as Amaia. However, I really appreciate her vocal quality.
Though I still feel a little nostalgic for Amaia's vocals every once in a while, I have a new appreciation for Leire's voice. These tracks are some of LOVG's absolute greatest and I love Amaia's interpretation of them. So you can imagine my feeling of being torn between the old versions and these remade ones. But the symphonic orchestra's accompaniment of the songs are fresh and breathtaking. Leire's voice is beautiful on the Basque children's song "Loa Loa." The remakes for "Jueves," "Muñeca de Trapo," "Deseos de Cosas Imposibles," and "Puedes Contar Conmigo" are my favorites. If you are a La Oreja de Van Gogh fan, order this album now.
