Fernando - Dreams Of The Sun and Sky [CD]

This album of roots- and Latin-flavored dream pop is hard to shake. Fernando Viciconte has a pleasant rasp of a voice that can come off like Wilco's Jeff Tweedy or even John Lennon at times. (The latter particularly on 'Away.') The songcraft is gorgeous, varied, and highly original, however, whether it be the way the plaintive Spanish trumpet sails in just as Fernando purrs '...clarion call' on 'The Jackal,' the driving indie rock of 'Blue Room,' or the stark, cascading beauty of 'White Light.' There are also plenty of Beatlesque flourishes, while 'Killer Awaits' showcases Fernando's country-folk roots. This is a stunningly pretty album by a criminally overlooked Portland, OR, artist. Dreams of the Sun and Sky is packed with gorgeous mystery. Eric Hage- All Music Guide Dreams Of The Sun And Sky Fernando Viciconte may not be a household name, but the Portland, Oregon singer has the dynamic persona of a certified rock star. Drawing on hard rock, folk, pop and punk influences in addition to a more traditional Spanish makeup, Fernando's music has attracted a swarm of industry heavy-hitters - including majors like Interscope and Columbia. Jaded by major label bureaucracy, he shocked everyone by releasing his latest effort, Dreams Of The Sun And Sky, on his own Domingo Records. The labels hounding Fernando will be surprised by the sound of Dreams as well - rather than rehashing the bluesy hard rock sound of 1999's Old Man Motel, he crafted a folk-pop record that strays into pretty melancholia. Though most tracks rely heavily on an acoustic guitar formula with only sparse piano and horn accompaniment, it's Viciconte's somber vocal melodies that steal the show. Occasionally the band's panache for light pop tunes surfaces (the horn-peppered 'Blue Room'), but stripped-down tracks like 'The Jackal' and 'Killer Waits' dominate the album with an engaging authenticity. ¡Viva la independencia! - Alex Naidus: CMJ New Music Report Issue: 731 - Sep 10, 2001 More customer and press reviews below.