Artist: Cartoon
Label: Self-released
Release: 2008
Length: 65:05
Rating: 4.2/5
“Estribo” picks up the superb journey of the Brazilians Cartoon, who wander through their goofy fantasy world full of knights, ghosts, goblins, elves and similar creatures from fantasy realms, all to the tune of their eclectic progressive melodies. The album also wraps up the plan they announced back in 1999 with their debut “Martelo” (review), since “Estribo” is the final part of the “ear” trilogy (estribo means stirrup, after all). So far, their second record “Bigorna” (review) has been their biggest success.
Cartoon stick to the formula they used on the first two albums. The playful messing around with trivial topics through witty cabaret melodies, goofy vocals, comical major-key transitions and other humorous tricks sounds great once again in the hands of true masters of their craft. Sadly, though, “Estribo” brings nothing new to the table – instead of building on ideas they’ve already used, Cartoon fall back on recycling the old ones, which is by no means bad, but it does make the end result a bit weaker than “the original”. Still, a big surprise awaits us at the end.
The story of the trilogy’s last part is set up a little differently. It still deals with Thor’s hammer, among other things, but the lyrics are way more philosophical than before. Epistemological and ontological questions – what is a human being and where is their place, how do they reflect in the universe and what will their role be in the future – plus questions about the entire universe. Despite the depth of those questions, the musicians answer them with jokes and silliness, knowing that questions like these can’t be answered (yet). We probably wouldn’t even realize how comical it all is if the themes weren’t backed up so well by the instrumental side. Still, there’s too much similarity with “Bigorna” – the melodies are a slightly paler reflection of the ones on the second album, even though they play their part more than satisfactorily. Just when we think this is an average album by Cartoon standards, they hit us with the last two tracks. “Velut Luna” and “God Speed!” are completely in their own league. The bass line steps into the spotlight, the musicians break free of the constraints of their own concept, and the result is probably the two best creations in the band’s career.
And so the proggers Cartoon wrap up their nine-year journey through a world of magic, landscapes full of enchanted creatures, a journey through the whole universe and the planetarium, with a very good album – one that deserves the title of the trilogy’s closer. Once again it’s recommended to everyone who’s been with Cartoon from day one, as well as to those for whom “Estribo” will be their first time. It’s a bit more accessible than “Bigorna”, although in the end it’s not as innovative and all-around excellent as “Bigorna”. With the trilogy complete, the Brazilians cement their place even more firmly among the leading prog rock bands of South America.
“Estribo” continues the wonderful journey of the Brazilians Cartoon, who walk on the path of their own funny imaginative world full of knights, ghosts, dwarfs, elves and such beings from fantasy through their eclectic progressive melodies. This album completes the band’s goal, which was started in 1999 with their debut “Martelo” (review). For now, the second part of the trilogy, “Bigorna (review), has received the most praise.
Cartoon are holding on to their usual approach, which was applied to their first two albums. Frivolous toying with trivial topics through the witty cabaret-like melodies, foolish singing, comical light-hearted transitions and other humorous techniques once again sound great in the hands of the masters of musical industry. Though, sadly, “Estribo” does not offer such innovation as “Bigorna” – instead of upgrading their previous concepts, the band mostly recycle their old ideas, which are not really a problem, but definitely contributes to the final creation. Although towards the end of the album, we are in for a treat.
The last part of the trilogy is story-wise a little different from its two predecessors. It is still dealing with Thor’s Hammer, but the lyrics are more philosophical than ever before. Epistemological and ontological questions and answers like what we are, how we are placed in the universe, our role in the future etc. But despite the depth of those questions the musicians are answering comically and humorously, knowing that there are not answers to those questions (yet). The listeners would not be aware of that if the music itself had not been so funny and ludicrous, in the best way possible, of course. However, there are too many similarities with “Bigorna”, the melodies are mostly a little worse reflections of those from their second album, despite the fact that they do fulfil their role. And when we think that “Estribo” is an average Cartoon album, we get thrown off our sits with the last two tracks. “Velut Luna” and “God Speed!” are on entirely different level. Bass lines come into the front, the musicians get free of the restrains of their own ideas and the result is marvellous.
And so, the proggers Cartoon complete their nine years long journey through the world of wizardry, full of magical beings, their journey through the whole universe and planetarium with a very good album, with an album that is worth the title of the last one of the trilogy. It is once again recommended to the ones, who have been with Cartoon from the start, as well as for the ones, who have not yet listened to any of band’s music. “Estribo” is a bit more accessible than “Bigorna”, though not so innovative and all in all great as “Bigorna”. With the completed “Ear” trilogy, the Brazilians’ reputation grows even more as one of the top bands from South America’s progressive rock scene.
Lineup
Khadhu – bass guitar, vocals, sitar, harmonica, acoustic guitar
Bhydhu – drums, percussion, vocals
Khykho – electric and acoustic guitar, vocals
Boxexa – keyboards, vocals
Production
Khadhu
Track list
1. Thor’s Hammer (5:09)
2. The Storm Before The Silence (6:53)
3. Father (4:27)
4. Crossings And Crosses (6:29)
5. The Car Crash (3:50)
6. Heaven’s My Home (6:37)
7. Treatment With Mercury (5:58)
8. Remember (7:17)
9. Velut Luna (7:24)
10. God Speed! (11:01)
