Eldorado: Golden

Spain is not one of the countries that immediately springs to mind when you think of melodic, blues sprinkled rock, however after one listen to Golden, the second release from Madrid's Eldorado, that may change.

Production on this fine album was handled by Richard Chycki, who also twiddled the knobs on the band's debut and the fact that someone who has worked with the likes of Mick Jagger, Rush and Aerosmith would not only spend time with a little known Spanish band, but would go as far as to describe them as "New Vintage Rock", should leave you in no doubt that the songs contained on Golden add up to make a surprisingly accomplished and mature album.

Chycki's Aerosmith link makes immediate sense when you hear Eldorado, as along with Tesla, Train and Reef, early era 'Smith is a strong reference point for this band both musically and vocally. New singer Jesus Trujillo has a deep, rich voice that drips with a bluesy experience way beyond his years and whilst the songs on this disc are consistently strong, time and again his voice soars above everything else to demand your attention. As with the music vocally, Trujillo comes on like a heady mix of Jeff Keith of Tesla and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, even right down to some "Akkakkakkakkakka's" normally reserved for the toxic twin.

That's not to suggest that Cesar Sanchez on bass, guitarist Nano Paramio or drummer Javi Planelles are over shadowed, in fact nothing could be further from the truth, as they roll out track after track of meaty, melodic fare. Whether it's the upbeat, no holds barred opener "The House Of The 7 Smokestacks", or the spiralling riff heavy "Tarot TV" there isn't a missed step between them and in fact the only time that the quality drops is for the competent if uninspired run through of Humble Pie's oft covered "I Don't Need No Doctor". I have to admit it's not a song I'm a huge fan of and even in this excellent collection of songs I hear nothing to change that opinion.

With the strength of the original compositions on this album, I am a little surprised that they felt the need for a cover version, as another belter in the vein of "The Rocket Song" or "Free (A Chain Reaction)" would have been most welcome. Throughout, Paramio seduces with his dirty loose riffs and sharp concise solos, and Planellas weaves some great little beats round the rock solid bass playing of Sanchez.

If the odd slower number is also your thing, then Eldorado can also meet that demand with the atmospheric, building guitar on "Atlantico" or the wonderful Train like "The Worst of Myself", which is the only real ballad on the disc.

Considering that this is only Eldorado's second release the maturity on show really is quite astounding, although no doubt Chycki's know how has helped on that score. More importantly there's no denying that this is a mighty release full of first rate American inspired rock songs. I should also mention that Eldorado have also recorded a Spanish language version simply titled Dorado.

Every year there are a few releases that come out of left field and make a mark that is destined to last in your musical memory for quite some time and with Golden, Eldorado have done just that.

Track Listing
1. The House Of The 7 Smokestacks
2. The Rocket Song
3. Atlantico
4. Falling Falling
5. I Don't Need No Doctor
6. The Worst Of Myself
7. Free (A Chain Reaction)
8. Tarot TV
9. The Jakarta Club

Added: December 1st 2009
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Band's MySpace Page
Hits: 3497
Language: english

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