Even though I don't know a word of Portugese the music, spirit and emotion transcend my limitations. It just sounds so right, good and true. Isn't that what great art is all about?

I wish I could read the other reviews by the people who anonymously trashed this album. Maybe they know something I don't but everyone I've played this album for has experienced the same sense of beauty, wonder and weight on the heart entwined in the vocals, instrumentation and production.

Go out live alittle, love and experience the bitter and sweet then buy this album to remind you what its all about.

To be honest, I'm a big Madredeus fan. I have known them for several years and I can tell you this particular album has special magic. The songs are mystical, passionated and almost ethereal.

Truly, it has changed my vision of life and has been through my own self discovery of emotions and thoughts as a human being. Yes, it's THAT powerful. I guess there is some music that make a big impact in our lives, and to me, this is what Madredeus has done. I've been lucky to watch them perform live at concerts in Mexico City and the quality of emotion Teresa Salgueiro reaches is simply breathtaking and unforgettable. They are able to make audiences stand on their feet after each performance. Her voice and presence is like just another musical instrument in the group that gradually comes to life.

Specifically on the album, that magic makes you think of the meaning of the words in the lyrics and in life itself through 3 parts, all under the same concept: it makes you reflect on the meaning of the songs through all the album. In the first one, Pedro -the author of most of the songs- gives himself an explanation and to everyone of the reasons why he is making this songs in "Destino" ("Destiny") followed by knowing the importance and feeling of "SIlencio"("Silence"). After that, the album takes several influences specially from southern POrtugal and Spain (O Pregao). This piece is very important in the album because they mix many aspects from philosophy through just a simple words and powerful music.

Then, the tempo really slows down and makes you listen carefully to the lyrics. Some of the answers to portuguese way of living are described in the songs. I really like "O mar"("The sea", "Culpa"(Guilt) and "Ao Longe o Mar"(The faraway sea"). I don't wan't to exagerate but the songs are masterpieces and rarely played by Madredeus today with the exception of "O Mar".

This is an album that helped Madredeus to gain recognition worldwide. "O Paraiso" is more well-known. But if you want to listen to a Madredeus album that is between the traditional style from their beginnings to the last one which is more complex in the use of keyboards and special effects, this is the option to get.

Really, forget your expectations, prepare to listen and enjoy as much I do. I keep finding new meanings to the songs and will never forget them!.

You dont have to understand Portuguese to be able to experience the powerful feelings emanating from Madredeus' music. This was the album that made me a Madredeus fan after hearing them on & off in the portuguese charts. With this album Madredues took a less folk approach and adopted a classical composition of their tunes drawing their influences from the traditional fado and love songs. Simply beautiful.
I also recommend "Ainda" and "O paraiso"

This is one of the most beautiful recordings that I have in my collection - of ANY genre. Madredeus makes music that speaks to the soul, undaunted by the man-made barriers of language and culture. When I read negative reactions to this music, it truly saddens me - there is so much beauty to be experienced here, if the listener can only do away with any expectations that might have been engendered by over-exposure to American pop culture.

The musicianship of this band is stellar throughout this and all of their recordings. Utilizaing two acoustic guitars (José Peixoto & Pedro Ayres Magalhães), cello (Francisco Ribeiro), accordion (Gabriel Gomes) and keyboards (Rodrigo Leão), and graced with the lovely voice of of Teresa Salgueiro, they create an aural filigree that is delicate and full of power and emotion simultaneously - no mean feat. The interplay between the two guitars is often breathtaking - not in its speed or `flash', but in the intricacy and thoughtfulness of the compositions and the arrangements. The cello, accordion and keyboards all add their touches - never over-used, never overpowering, always tasteful. Salgueiro's voice is the crowning touch - she soars and floats above the other instruments (for the voice, is, indeed, an instrument) without sounding `operatic' or dominating. She carries the melody with grace and beauty, completing the sound that is Madredeus as a whole.

The lyrics - in Portuguese, mostly by Magalhães - are beautiful as well. The visions they conjure are pastoral and tranquil, filled with longing and spirituality, appreciative of the beauty found in the natural world, and in the human soul.

This is not fado - you can easily hear elements of it here, but the style is more `composed', edging closer to classical without ever becoming staid or stodgy. This is beautiful, heart-touching music that is timeless and, in truth, un-classifiable - and isn't finding music like that one of the great joys we can experience in life? Even when they turn the eyes of their spirit to loneliness, loss and solitude, Madredeus create that kind of beauty - it's something you should give yourself the chance to experience.

Not very many people outside of Portugal and the Portuguese communities understand the Portuguese spirit. It is often said that the Portuguese people is a fatalist people and that is why the music genre "fado" came to be. It is a type of music that speaks to your soul. It's not unhappiness, it is a feeling of loss. But why loss you ask? Well, if you are aware of the discoveries and the role of the Portuguese in world trade during the 15th century, you'll understand. Think of all the men that left during those days many of whom never to return. Think of all the people that they left behind. And of course there is also D. Sebastiao, but that is for another time... So that's why many of Madredeus' songs are about the sea (which is a constant theme in Portuguese culture), losing loved ones, or even waiting for loved ones.

So this band captures this nostalgic feeling in a brand new way. It is not pop music as in Britney Spears, it is popular music in the sense that it reflects the Portuguese people and their way of facing life (as opposed to classical music which is the antithesis of popular music). If you are looking for pop rock Portuguese bands, you need to listen to GNR (Grupo Novo Rock not Guns & Roses), Delfins, Pedro Abrunhosa, etc.

Most of the negative feedback was posted by people who do not know anything about the Portuguese culture and the people. It's too bad they're not open minded enough to understand the meaning of this band. Madredeus came out of the blue with a style very unique that no other band had even dreamed of (their style is not even Fado unlike what many people think). They are an original band and that says a lot considering all the boy and girl bands out there today.