Album Review: P.A. Meirelles

P.A. Meirelles: 'UBM/MBU (2005-2008)'

1. Who Knows
2. 1993
3. Forrotronic
4. Glove Trotter
5. No More
6. Lucid
7. Fortaleza
8. Quarta-Feira
9. Forrotronic (instrumental)
10. Volatil
11. Show Business


Come on, admit it. If I say Rio de Janeiro, you think Samba, Mardi Gras and probably Pelé (oh yeah, and if you're from Spain you probably think, 'buggers stole the Olympic games from us for 2016'), but NME-Europe thinks it might have found an artist who will help destroy the Barry Manilow stigma of 'Copacabana' which much have haunted most real Brazilian music lovers for decades.

While Kaká was kicking stones on the school playground, Pedro Ariel Meirelles was starting to make some music (at the tender age of 5) and by the time he was 17 the artist already had his first songs (recorded with his former band) played on the radio. In recent years, he has also started investigating the world of production, and at the end of 2008, the self-taught virtuoso released his debut solo album, UBM/MBU, which was entirely written, played and recorded by him at home.

Now, given that Brazilian Alt Rock is not the sort of genre which play.com tends to promote too much, it's taken a year for this debut to hit the NME-E inbox - thanks Pedro - but I'm pleasantly surprised by what I've heard.

Meirelles is no mug, self-teaching is obviously an art in Brazil. His blend of alternative rock, some mellow samba- electronica backbeats and the odd rumble of an electric guitar combine well to keep the listener entertained throughout.

Tracks like 'Forrotronic' and, in particular the trip-hoppy, 'No More' certainly strike a groove; 'Glove Trotter' could almost be considered a classical piece, whilst 'Fortaleza' and 'Show Business' eloquently and elegantly drift through your mind.

All in all an intriguing piece of work, which at times allows you to escape the hurly-burly of the city life. Pedro claims to be forming a new rock band to play at concerts/festivals around the world, NME-E will be keeping an eye out for him.

Meanwhile, you can download the album here and have a listen for yourselves.

NME-E rating: 7/10
Top Track: 'No More '


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