Search - Nil Lara :: Da

The more things change...

Mark Steffey | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 11/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...the more they stay the same. Yes, Nil Lara is back. Actually it has been 6 months since this record came out, but I figured I'd write a review since noone else had to this point.



When I first put this CD in, I was expecting to hear "nil lara, part 2" - but that is not what this CD is. And at first, I was not too happy about that. I mean, when you love a CD like so many of us love that first one, it is hard to let go of the idea of the follow-up being more of the same.



But I kept listening. And each time I listened to it all the way through, it grew on me. And then, after about 10 times, I got it. It is genius. OK, maybe not genius, but really really good.



The music, if you are wondering, is much different than before. More experimentation. Sampling. Hip-hop beats. Think "Pet Sounds". Think "Sgt Peppers". But it is still Nil at his best. It makes you realize that Nil has NOT been sitting in South Florida for 8 years doing nothing. He has been expanding, growing, and trying new things.



As far as the songs, they blend together in a perfect flow. Just when you think the whole album will be a trippy experiment in Latin-laced-drum-sampling-experimentation, Nil hits you with an acoustic spanish number, "Fuego", a mid-tempo folk rock piece "Sinking in your senses", and then a straight out rocker "Never Listen".



Lyrically, Nil digs deeper than before. More about relationships, culture, God, hurt, and love.



As far as the big question you may be asking ("TOUR?")...who knows? He seems content to stay in Miami. He played there a couple times this fall (from what I could tell looking online), as recently as November 4, 2004. Find out more at nillara.net



They only made 2004 copies of "da" so get yours now."