Artist: Arto Lindsay Album: Mundo Civilizado

Year: 1996
Duration: 0:0-1

Unpacking Arto Lindsay's Mundo Civilizado: A

Arto Lindsay is a household name in the world of experimental music, known for his unique style that blends Brazilian music, punk rock, and avant-garde sounds. His album Mundo Civilizado, released in 1996, showcases this inimitable fusion perfectly. The album stands out as one of the most celebrated works of his career, with fans around the world still blown away by its innovative and eclectic nature. In this post, we will go through a of Mundo Civilizado, with a brief history of the artist, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and our overall critique of the album.
Arto Lindsay started his music career in the early '70s, working with various experimental bands such as DNA and The Lounge Lizards. He then ventured into Brazilian music in the '80s, collaborating with João Gilberto and Caetano Veloso. Mundo Civilizado, released in 1996 on Rykodisc Records, was his third solo album, and it builds on Lindsay's diverse musical background.
The album carries the sound of Brazilian bossa nova and samba, fused with noisy guitar riffs and a pop feel, which combine to make a beautiful and dynamic soundscape. It's a break from the norm that distinguishes it from other typical pop albums. Mundo Civilizado includes 12 tracks and features musicians such as Joey Baron, Vinicius Cantuária, and Jared Nickerson.
The first track of the album, Simply Are, opens with an acoustic guitar riff that sets the tone for the entire record. Lindsay's voice is dreamy and eccentric, and he sings in both English and Portuguese. The track has a tropicality portrayed by the samba beat underlining the verse. The Prize, another standout song, begins with a funky guitar riff, groove, and vocal line mirroring the melody.
Much like the entire album, the song possesses multiple layers with acoustic and electric guitars complementing each other. The climactic, immediate complex resulting from the mixture of sounds is further evident in Wall Of Glass, a song where the tempo remains consistent, albeit slightly chaotic in the simplest form. It re-establishes the harsh side of Lindsay's sound from his punk rock and no-wave background and his Brazilian inspirations.
The most innovative aspect of the album is probably Lindsay's singing. His voice is playful, jazzy, and without restraint, which distinguishes him from the typical pop singer. It's evident in Erotic City, where he sings In my erotic city, life is really good, everyone is pretty, over an electronic beat and Brazilian percussions. He keeps playing with the language in Ondina, a track where he sings in Portuguese with a dreamy, whispery voice.
The most prominent con of Mundo Civilizado is that at times, it becomes challenging to sit through. The complex compositions and layers may become overwhelming, which may not sit well with listeners who prefer simpler pop tunes. However, with this album, Lindsay showcases his unique sound, a combination of avant-garde music, punk rock, and Brazilian music.
Arto's album Mundo Civilizado showcases an innovative fusion of different music genres and styles, anchored by Lindsay's charismatic and playful singing. The most standout songs include Simply Are and The Prize, which showcase Lindsay's diverse talent and innovative approach to music-making. However, it may be challenging for some listeners to sit through, given the complex compositions and layers. Overall, it's a groundbreaking album that continues to influence music makers today, further cementing Arto Lindsay's place in the experimental music scene.