El Reloj ~ Argentina

El Reloj (1975)

Like many bands from Argentina, El Reloj had a case of the blues. But they were an impetuous bunch, and didn't have the patience necessary to wallow in their sorrows. So they kicked out the jams instead. More hard rock than progressive, though El Reloj did flash signs of the brilliance to come, as you can hear the guitars working through some more complicated patterns. I had been pretty tough on this album in the past, but a fresh listen demonstrates the album has aged well. A timeless sound.

Ownership: 1996 Record Runner (CD). Fold out booklet with history and lyrics. The four bonus tracks (from two singles) show that El Reloj could capture their unique sound in a tighter frame. Just as good as the album proper. Acquired in 2017.

1995; 2/15/17 (review)

El Reloj (1976)

El Reloj's second album is an intense and complex dual guitar-led progressive rock from Argentina. In some ways it represents the logical next step on from classic Wishbone Ash, Man, and the Dutch group Cargo. Perhaps only Automatic Fine Tuning attempted a similar mix of highly complex music with twin hard rock guitars solely taking the lead. There is a small amount of keyboards, but they aren't the focus. And the histrionic vocals are typical of the delivery in Argentina and Italy in the 1970s.

Come to think of it - complex progressive hard rock, non-stop intensity and screaming vocals - perhaps we now know the true inspiration for Mars Volta (makes more sense than Led Zeppelin). Well... maybe?

A rather surprising sophomore entry from El Reloj, whose debut is much more straight ahead hard rock with blues touches. I personally think this is a great album - a near masterpiece.

Also love the cover with the weird dude in a weirder place.

Ownership: 

1976 RCA (LP). Gatefold. Acquired in 1993.

1996 Record Runner (CD). With two bonus tracks taken from a single. Acquired in 1996.

1993; 1996; 9/7/12 (review)

9/7/12 (new entry)