A las cinco en el Astoria
La Oreja de Van Gogh · 2008
51 min · 12 tracks · folk rock
Melodic pop rock intertwines with reflective lyrics, creating an atmospheric soundscape that captures both nostalgia and modernity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Jueves — This track stands out for its poignant narrative that weaves personal loss with collective memory, making it a touching tribute to victims of tragedy.
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El último vals Start here — Opening the album, this song sets a reflective tone with its lush arrangements and lyrical depth, encapsulating the band's ability to blend melancholy with beauty.
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Palabras para Paula — An intimate ballad that showcases heartfelt storytelling and emotional vulnerability, it highlights the band's strength in crafting personal yet relatable narratives.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album maintains a solid structure with engaging melodies but doesn't significantly innovate within its genre.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the fourth track introduces a more upbeat rhythm that contrasts with the previous songs.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in 'Jueves' and 'Palabras para Paula'.
- The album closes with two tracks that shift to a more reflective tone, slowing down the tempo and providing a sense of resolution.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- melodic storytelling experiences
- nostalgic reflective moments
- emotional lyrical journeys
- steady pacing for relaxation
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified their status as a leading pop band in Spain after previous successes.
- Themes
- collective memory· intimate storytelling· personal loss· nostalgic reflection
- Career context
- In 2008, La Oreja de Van Gogh was riding the wave of renewed popularity following their previous album, 'Guapa,' released in 2006. 'A las cinco en el Astoria' represents a continuation of their signature sound while showcasing the band's maturity and willingness to experiment with deeper themes and varied arrangements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mägo de Oz· Héroes del Silencio· El Canto del Loco
Tracklist
- 1 El último vals Start here 3:24
- 2 Inmortal 4:06
- 3 Jueves 3:59
- 4 Más 4:07
- 5 Cumplir un año menos 3:33
- 6 Europa VII 3:58
- 7 La visita 3:25
- 8 Sola 3:40
- 9 Palabras para Paula 4:17
- 10 Flores en la orilla 3:08
- 11 Un cuento sobre el agua 3:44
- 12 La primera versión / Veinte penas 9:38
What to play next
Nuestra casa a la izquierda del tiempo
2009
Continues the melodic pop rock vibe with deeper emotional themes.
Más guapa
2006
Sets up the sound and style leading into the reflective atmosphere of the current album.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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