Review Summary: This review is not for everyone, but is available here on sputnik for anyone.
In 2006 Paz Lenchantin came out with her second solo release “Songs for Luci” which is dedicated to her brother Luciano Lenchantin who sadly passed away in 2003. This record can only be obtained through Paz’s official website or on her myspace $10 plus shipping. The really neat thing about this is that each CD is hand crafted and signed by Paz herself which makes this a must have for collectors and die hard fans.
Originally born in Argentina; Paz Lenchantin later moved to California at a very young age. Both of her parents were musicians and Paz and her siblings would follow later follow in their footsteps and become musicians themselves. Many will recognize Paz Lenchantin from her work in A Perfect Circle and Zwan. Paz is very skilled in numerous instruments including bass guitar, the violin, castanets, and piano to name a few. In addition to being a talented musician Paz also has a very beautiful voice which you can hear on this record. For those of you who own a copy of Thirteenth Step you can find Luciano Lenchantin’s name under the “thanks to” section in the booklet or the inside cover of the vinyl. Currently Paz has just released her second album with new band Entrance and you can catch their shows at various locations around California.
Recorded in Louisville Kentucky “Songs for Luci” is a very short, but sweet album clocking in at 18 minutes and 4 seconds and has a lot to offer the listener in its short playtime. Paz does an excellent job at composing each song and making it all fit together. Everything on here is 100% Paz as there no guest artist accompanied her in putting this album together layer by layer. Paz explained this on her website;
“I recorded layers and layers of my violin over layers and layers of vocals throughout.” The album starts off with
Montana Train and we are greeted with the first layer of violin and a few seconds later the second layer of violin comes in followed by some very nice notes from Paz’s guitar and then some nice soft backing vocals. Next is
Kentucky Hymn. You can find this song on Paz’s myspace as well as a trippy video for it on YouTube. The song starts with some beautiful guitar notes which remain present through the entire song under violin and vocal layers. This is the first song on the album that has actual lyrics. Up next is the shortest track on the whole album clocking in at 42 seconds. It is called
Violins and rightfully so as it consist of only violin layers. It is a very sad sound piece although you could probably accidentally miss it if you weren’t paying attention.
Violins, is a very essential piece to the over all flow of the album and is a good way to separate
Kentucky Hymn and
365.
365 has become my favorite track on “Songs for Luci” and it contains the same formula as the past few songs. Paz’s vocal and lyrical work really shines through in this song.
California is the longest song on the album at 4 minutes and 34 seconds. While it is a very pleasant and relaxing instrumental piece; this song lacks progression from start to end and can become a little boring if you are not in the mood to hear it. The last two songs
Bloom Like Roses and
The Parade finish off the album very nicely.
The Parade is one of the best tracks on the album. It’s another instrumental piece that has a new layer added that the other songs didn’t have which are drums. From this song you get the feeling that you are standing on a street in California as a parade of violins, drums and guitars are slowly heading towards you. The closer they get the more of each instrument you can hear until they’ve passed you by and you can’t hear them anymore for this album and the parade are over.
“Songs for Luci” is a very touching album. Paz does a great job in creating a very pleasant atmosphere filled with her vocal harmonies and layers of instrumental melodies. For me “Songs for Luci” was excellent addition to my collection, but it might not be for everyone. Paz said so herself on her website.
“This album is not for everyone but is available only here for anyone.” This album will only be available on Paz Lenchantin’s website until the beginning of March.
