(Review from tinpan.fortunecity.com)

In early 1970 Spinetta was working on a highly ambitious -though not original at that time- project: a rock opera about mankind’s inner search. But while they were working on this new album the group split.

On December 19th, 1970, Almendra II (a.k.a. “Almendra double album”) was released. The double-LP set included only traces of the unfinished opera but was full of songs that previewed what the members of the group (noteworthy Emilio and Edelmiro) would do next. Although Luis Alberto Spinetta was the main composer of the first album and most of the singles, it was clear that his fellow musicians had their own ideas as well.

The brilliant double album is, thus, pretty heterogeneous. The music is more complex and has much organ and guitar playing.

Side A begins with “Toma el tren hacia el sur” featuring a great Edelmiro guitar solo. Next to the short and simple “Jingle”, a Molinari powerful guitar composition (“No tengo idea”) follows. “Camino difícil”, written by Emilio, would fit in any Aquelarre album. The steady rock of “Rutas Argentinas” (a very popular song on live shows), the dark “Vete de mí, cuervo negro”, and another two Molinari compositions: “Aire de amor” (advancing the Color Humano style) and the excellent “Mestizo” completes this side.

Side B features the chirping hard-psycho 14-minutes-long “Agnus Dei” and the cute “Para ir”.

Side C includes the powerful “Parvas”, “Cometa azul”, my favourite “Florecen los nardos”, -all with great guitar work- and Del Güercio’s rhythm ballad “Carmen”.

Side D begins with “Obertura” (obviously the ill-fated opera’s overture), followed by the country-folk “Amor de aire” and “Verde llano” (both written by Edelmiro). This last side continues with “Leves instrucciones”, a nice tune sung by Emilio & Luis Alberto and the outstanding “Los elefantes”. “Un pájaro te sostiene” -a rock number written by Del Guercio- and the great Spinetta’s guitar oriented “En las cupulas” close this highly recommended album.

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

Track List:
CD1
01. Toma El Tren Hacia El Sur – 3:46
02. Jingle – 1:29
03. No Tengo Idea – 2:49
04. Camino Dificil – 2:31
05. Rutas Argentinas – 2:40
06. Vete De Mi, Cuervo Negro – 1:13
07. Aire De Amor – 3:00
08. Mestizo – 2:29
09. Agnus Dei – 14:28
10. Para Ir – 3:59
CD2
01. Parvas – 5:15
02. Cometa Azul – 4:27
03. Florecen Los Nardos – 6:50
04. Carmen – 3:07
05. Obertura – 3:05
06. Amor De Aire – 2:39
07. Verde Llanto – 1:37
08. Leves Instrucciones – 1:34
09. Los Elefantes – 6:23
10. Un Pajaro Te Sostiene – 2:27
11. En Las Cupulas – 4:42

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