O Espírito da Paz
Madredeus · 1994
60 min · 16 tracks · world music
A serene blend of traditional Portuguese sounds intertwined with contemporary influences, evoking a sense of tranquil nostalgia.
Top tracks — play these first
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Os Senhores da Guerra — This track showcases the band's ability to fuse poignant lyrics with haunting melodies, addressing themes of conflict and human experience.
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O mar — Through its evocative imagery and flowing rhythms, this song captures the essence of longing and connection to nature, serving as a beautiful centerpiece of the album.
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As cores do sol — This track stands out for its rich harmonies and expressive vocals, encapsulating the warmth and vibrancy of life, which is a recurring theme throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional and contemporary sounds effectively, creating a tranquil listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a classical structure, featuring orchestral arrangements that set a serene tone across the first four tracks.
- Vocals are often layered harmoniously, with melodies that intertwine traditional fado elements and contemporary influences.
- Several tracks feature instrumental interludes that create a reflective atmosphere, allowing for pauses in lyrical content.
- The last three tracks gradually decrease in tempo, providing a calming conclusion to the album's journey.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long immersive listening sessions
- serene contemplative moods
- wave-like pacing and builds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1994, O Espírito da Paz is Madredeus' third studio album, following their breakthrough success with the album Existir in 1991. By this point, the group had solidified its unique sound that combined fado, classical, and world music elements, gaining international recognition and expanding their audience beyond Portugal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lusine· Dead Can Dance· Tinariwen
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Concertino: Minuete 1:44
- 2 Concertino: Allegro 2:32
- 3 Concertino: Destino 5:23
- 4 Concertino: Silêncio 2:03
- 5 Os Senhores da Guerra 4:41
- 6 Pregão 4:10
- 7 O mar 5:39
- 8 Os moinhos 4:27
- 9 Três Ilusões: Sentimento 3:37
- 10 Três Ilusões: Culpa 3:13
- 11 Três Ilusões: Amargura 3:06
- 12 As cores do sol 3:44
- 13 Ao longe o mar 3:46
- 14 Vem 3:10
- 15 Ajuda 5:10
- 16 O pastor 3:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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