Os Dias da MadreDeus
Madredeus · 1987
72 min · 15 tracks · world music
A haunting blend of traditional Portuguese fado and contemporary world music textures, evoking deep emotional landscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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A sombra — This track exemplifies the album's ethereal quality, featuring haunting melodies and lyrical depth that captures the essence of longing found throughout the record.
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Fado do Mindelo — Combining traditional fado elements with a contemporary arrangement, this track highlights the band's ability to innovate while honoring their roots.
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A marcha da oriental — With its rhythmic drive and intricate instrumentation, this track showcases Madredeus's unique blend of genres, pushing the boundaries of what fado can express.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of traditional and modern sounds creates a unique listening experience, though it may not have widespread recognition outside its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that sets a contemplative mood, followed by a gradual introduction of more rhythmic elements in subsequent songs.
- Vocals are often layered with traditional instruments like the guitar and accordion, creating rich textures that blend fado with contemporary influences.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental passages that allow for improvisation and exploration of themes, contributing to an overall sense of fluidity.
- 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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8/10
- 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
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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
- wave-like pacing and flow
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1987, Os Dias da MadreDeus marked Madredeus's debut album, introducing their unique sound that fused fado with modern influences. At this point, the band was largely unknown outside Portugal but quickly began gaining attention for their innovative approach to traditional music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lusine· Dead Can Dance· Tinariwen
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 As montanhas 2:25
- 2 A sombra 5:31
- 3 A vaca de fogo 5:02
- 4 Os pássaros quando morrem caem no céu 2:24
- 5 Adeus… E nem voltei 5:50
- 6 A península 4:05
- 7 A cantiga do campo 6:28
- 8 Fado do Mindelo 5:06
- 9 A marcha da oriental 5:59
- 10 A cidade 6:00
- 11 Maldito dia aziago 5:10
- 12 A andorinha 4:44
- 13 O Brasil 5:34
- 14 O meu amor vai embora 3:20
- 15 Amanhã 4:53
What to play next
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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