Artist: Chico Buarque Album: Vida

Year: 1980
Duration: 0:0-1

Vida by Chico Buarque: A Critical Review

Chico Buarque is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, who has been enchanting audiences with his music for more than five decades. Buarque has been instrumental in shaping the MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) movement and has a legion of fans around the world. His album Vida, released in 1980, is considered one of his best works. In this blog post, I'll give you a brief history of the artist, review the music genre of the album, highlight the best songs, analyze the most innovative parts, and give my honest critique of the album.

Chico Buarque was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1944 and is the son of the historian Sérgio Buarque de Hollanda. He began his career in music in the 1960s and has since released over thirty albums. Buarque has won numerous awards, including several Latin Grammys, and is held in high esteem by his peers and fans of Brazilian music around the globe.

The album Vida is a classic example of Chico Buarque's work. The music on the album is a fusion of samba, bossa nova, and pop. The lyrics on the album have a political edge, reflecting the mood of Brazil in the 1980s, a period of military dictatorship. The album was recorded in Rio and Paris with a group of talented musicians, including João Donato, Guillermo Franco and Milton Nascimento.

The title track of the album, 'Vida,' is a beautiful song that reflects on the joys and sorrows of life. The lyrics are poetic and the melody is haunting. Another standout track is 'Cotidiano,' which tells the story of a man going about his daily routine, dreamily singing to himself. The song has a hypnotic quality and is a classic example of Chico Buarque's storytelling ability.

One of the most innovative sections of the album is the song 'Roda-Viva.' The song is a satire on the entertainment industry and the manipulation of public opinion by the media. The song has a catchy chorus and features a call-and-response section with the chorus and audience, making it a popular hit with audiences at the time of release.

As much as I enjoyed the album, there were a few areas that could have been better. The production on some of the tracks feels dated, and some of the melodies on the album, while beautifully crafted, don't match the impact of Chico's earlier work. However, these are minor criticisms, and the album, as a whole, stands as a testament to Chico Buarque's talent.

In conclusion, Vida by Chico Buarque is a masterpiece in Brazilian music. The album is a fusion of different styles that create a unique sound that is unmistakably Chico. The lyrics on the album are poignant and have a political edge, reflecting the turbulent times in which the album was written. The album has some of Chico's best work, including the beautiful title track 'Vida' and the hypnotic 'Cotidiano.' While the album is not without its flaws, it is undoubtedly one of Chico Buarque's best works, and a must-listen for fans of Brazilian music.

In conclusion, Vida by Chico Buarque is a masterpiece in Brazilian music. The album is a fusion of different styles that create a unique sound that is unmistakably Chico. The lyrics on the album are poignant and have a political edge, reflecting the turbulent times in which the album was written. The album has some of Chico's best work, including the beautiful title track 'Vida' and the hypnotic 'Cotidiano.' While the album is not without its flaws, it is undoubtedly one of Chico Buarque's best works, and a must-listen for fans of Brazilian music.