(Review from tinpan.fortunecity.com)

Almendra was formed in 1968 after the break up of three teenage school groups: Los Sbirros, Los Mods, and Los Larkins. The initial rehearsals were held at the Spinetta’s house in Belgrano. The band recorded its first album in 1969.

Spinetta had drawn an original enigmatic face character for the first album’s cover. Days afterward, the record company told the boys that the drawing had been lost, so they were planning to use a photo of the group instead. Obviously upset, the musicians looked for the lost drawing and eventually found it discarded in the garbage! Spinetta stayed up all night reproducing his original artwork and took it to the record company the following day. They offered no excuses the second time!

The opening track is an argentine rock hymn: “Muchacha (ojos de papel)”, an acoustic Spinetta song devoted to an old girlfriend that still thrills the listener. Next comes the superb 9 -minute long “Color humano”, written by Edelmiro, featuring his now famous long fuzz guitar solo. Molinari would name his next group after this song.

“Figuracion” is a soft tune brilliantly sung by Spinetta with Pappo on backing vocals and Emilio del Güercio on flute. The energy and fuzz guitar returns with the superb “Ana no duerme”, one of the best tracks of the album. Santiago Giacobbe guests on organ.

Side two begins with the sweet “Fermín”, another beautiful song where everything is well done: the guitar, the organ (played by Edelmiro), the vocals… followed by a lullaby tune “Plegaria para un nińo dormido” with yet another inspired Spinetta lyric.

“A estos hombres tristes” is a song with changing rhythmic and melodies. Emilio wrote and sung lead in the next one, the pleasant “Que el viento borró tus manos”.

The album ends with the slow and beautiful “Laura va”, yet another great Spinetta song full of urban moods. Rodolfo Alchourrón was called on again for his fruitful orchestral arrangements and Rodolfo Mederos played the bandoneón to complete the sound of Buenos Aires.

Line-up:
- Luis Alberto Spinetta / guitar, vocals
- Edelmiro Molinari / guitar, vocals
- Emilio Del Guercio / bass, vocals
- Rodolfo Garcia / drums, vocals

Track List:
01. Muchacha (Ojos De Papel) – 3:07
02. Color Humano – 9:11
03. Figuracion – 3:31
04. Ana No Duerme – 2:44
05. Fermin – 3:18
06. Plegaria Para Un Nińo Dormido – 4:03
07. A Estos Hombres Tristes – 5:58
08. Que El Viento Borro Tus Manos – 2:36
09. Laura Va – 2:47

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