Revolucion de amor

Mana starts the album with it's encore to the historic "Corazon Espinado" from Santana's Supernatural by teaming up with Carlos again on Justicia, Tierra y Libertad, a strong bass and guitar-laden track. Turn this one up.

Of course, this disc features the Traditional Rock Sound which made these pioneers popular: the hypnotic Ay, Doctor, and lead single Angel de Amor being perfect examples. Ay, Doctor will probably end up being their opening song on the upcoming tour due to it's ability to get the listener's heart pumping.

As in each Mana album, Alex (drums) heads up a few songs of his own with Fher (lead vocals) at background. Alex expands his traditional lyrical style with the smooth Fe, and Sin Tu Carino, two of the best song on the disc. Nada Que Perder is reminiscent of the style of music and lyrics we came to know him by in previous albums. Alex's drum demonstration on Nada reminds me of the style of Travis from Blink 182. However, we all know that Alex has been doing this since Travis was 4 years old, so we know who the master is.

In Pobre Juan, the sad story of discrimination, immigration, and heartbreak - Fher breaks out the Harmonica, which he hasn't really done since the days of Rayando el Sol and Vivir Sin Aire in the early `90's.

Mariposa Traiconera, No Voy a Ser Tu Esclavo, and Sabanas Frias are done in the traditional old-school latin/caribbean style, with Ruben Blades appearing as a guest on Sabanas.

Eres Mi Religion - Uses the same formula that made Muelle de San Blas from Suenos Liquidos (1997) a smash hit. While this song carries a different theme, the flow of the song and Juan's haunting bass lines together with Fher's imploring vocals are what will make this song just as great.

This album once again shows Mana's ability to change and grow. This is most apparent in track #6: Por Que Te Vas? A ballad obviously Mana-esque in it's style, but there is one difference - lead vocals come from lead guitarist Sergio (he also wrote it). This shows the willingness of Fher and Alex to relinquish some of the control that they have held over the creativity of the group during the past 15 years. It also shows the true acceptance of the guitarist added to the group 7 years ago prior to the Cuando Los Angeles Lloran disc.

Additional points:

It can be noticed that on this disc, Fher's voice has acquired a more raspy sound when he hits a certain note range. His voice is NOT breaking down as some have inferred. Rather, it has simply matured, and he sounds as great as ever. People need to remember that Fher has been doing this since the days of Green Hat Spies in the 70's. ...

Fernando Vallin, Sergio's brother, joins in on bass on 6 of the songs. He also performed on Mana's 1999 MTV Unplugged album. Check out Mana's revamped website for their interpretation of each song. Oh yeah, and BUY THIS ALBUM.


More Villa and Zapata please   October 22, 2002
Enrique Torres (San Diegotitlan, Califas)
11 out of 17 found this review helpful

The opening track "Justicia, Tierra y Libertad " gets things started with good anticpation for better things to come for the listener. The problem is that it slowly goes down hill from there. "Ay Doctor" is ok but like the disc, it is just ok. As stated by other customer reviewers, the incorporation of other singers instead of the Sting sound alike Fher is a disastrous result. Mana follows the pop formula that created a legion of loyal fans that dates back to the 80's, including myself, who saw them in a small club in Puerto Vallarta when they were unknown outside of Mexico. For those of us who have followed their career it is disheartening to hear more pop rather than an evolution springboard from some their earlier classic albums with more political based lyrics. In essence too much "Amor "and not enough "Revolucion." The addition of guest musicians is a nice touch with salsa singer turned actor Ruben Blades lending a hand on "Sabanas Frias." The easliy recognized hot guitar licks by Carlos Santana on "Justica, Tierra y Libertad" creates a nice binational fan appeal that rocks. There are just too many forgetable syrupy love songs like "Por que te Vas?" Based on some early reviews that indicated this would be their "breakthrough" album for a United States market I was very dissappointed in the result to my ears. Go through the archves if you are new to Mana and get "Cuando Los Angeles Lloran," Donde Jugaran Los Ninos" or even the more recent "MTV Unplugged" instead of this disc. For long time fans this might prove to be a dissappointment to see that the long haitus from the studio didn't create more of an exciting evolution of Mana. Recommended mostly for die hard fans , otherwise you are better off breaking out some of their old CD's.


Good Album, but I expect 5 stars from Mana   August 30, 2002
Alma E Faerber (Murray, UT United States)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

I'm a huge Mana fan, and when I first listened to this CD, I admit I was a bit disappointed. It IS starting to grow on me, though. I was particularly impressed with "Porque Te Vas" As far as I know, this is the first song Mana has recorded that was written by Sergio, and he does the vocals, as well. I've probably listened to that song, along with "Pobre Juan" and "Mariposa Traicionera" hundredes of times this past week. Those are my three favorite songs on the album, and I'm starting to really like some of the other songs, as well.

I'm a little worried that Mana may be going downhill, unfortunately. When I compare it to "Donde Jugaran los Ninos" and "Cuando Lloren los Angeles", I'm a little disappointed. Between those two albums, there are maybe only 1 or 2 songs that I don't absolutely love. 95% of the songs on those albums are amazing. On "Falta Amor" and "Suenos Liquidos", I'd say 80% of the songs are incredible. Right now, I only like about half of the songs on "Revolucion de Amor". I hope the others grow on me! I'll be interested to see what they do next...


Can Mana Do No Wrong or What ?...   September 16, 2002
Armando M. Mesa (Chandler, AZ)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

After 5 years without an album since 1997's Suenos Liquidos (Liquid Dreams) Mana has not missed a beat ! Lead member Fehr is sill in top vocal and writing form. He is the Latin equivalent of Sting (vocally). One listen to the first track Justicia, Tierra, y Libertad (Justice, Land, and Liberty/Freedom)will convince new listeners of this ! The rhythms are rich and vibrant with pounding percussion and guitar laden hooks.There are various musical styles (both underlying and upfront) consisting of Carribean, reggae, soft alternative to the last semi alternative ska-like rock track entitled Nada que perder (Nothing to Lose). The captivating mid tempo love ballad Mariposa tracionera (Treacherous Butterfly ) is simply AWESOME ! In rough English terms the song is about a treacherous, woman who betrays her lover by cheating on him. For those who do not understand Spanish, just simply listening to the music would make the listener think it is a beautiful song about a sweet romance...not ! Yet, Mana is able to take these sad lyrics and give them an enchanting melodic feel... This may be the project that will bring Mana to higher heights, yet (especially in America)!


Revolucion de amor is not Revolucion de Mana   January 5, 2003
Krismusicfan (Bergen Norway)
9 out of 15 found this review helpful

I am not sure how many stars I wanted to give this album, but 3,5 is my more correct review. When I first listened to this album, I was extremeley disappointed, I remember that the only song I liked was "Nada Que Perder". Now as most real music fans know, good music often must be listened to many times before u "get it".

Some of the other songs are good to me now like the beautifull "Sin tu carino" (a rock ballad)sung by the drummer, Alex Gonzales. Fher also joins that song. "Pobre Juan" is a great song, and "Ay Doctor" features great guitar riff.

I am one of the "Rock Mana" fans, and I mean spirituell rock like they did on "Suenos Liquidos". I feel that some of the songs here are very boring, and must agree with the guy who said that there is too much love songs here, and not enough songs about social, and envoromental issues like for example on "cuando los angeles lloran". "Nada Que Perder" is in my opinion the best lyric here also sung by Alex. Alex has matured alot from "Donde jugaran los ninos?" days, and it shows with this song. Though it reminds me alot of "Me Vale", only better. He also sings a song aobut faith (Fe). So in my opinion Alex is the strongest one and the one who saves this album. The song is kind of a hard rocking song that will make anyone jump up and down in their concerts, which I hope to go to here in Europe.

Fher on the other hand doesnt do as great job as in the other albums. I miss the strong emotional political and songs like on "Ana" and "Me voy a vonventir en un ave". His best song here is "Ay Doctor" and "Angel de amor"

Sergio (the guitarist) sings a song "Por que te vaz". Its not one of my favorites, but he has a good voice. Though in the future I hope Sergio stick to playing guitar, as he is one of the best players in the world. On nada que perder, and ay doctor he shows his talent.

Santana does a decent job, but since I never was a Santana fan, "justicia, Tierra y Libertad" isnt my favorite track here, but at least its much better then the awful "Corazon Espinado".

If u are a die hard mana fan, buy it(I did). It is worth having in your collection. But in my opinion this cd cant be compared to the 2 materpieces they did before this(Cuando los angeles lloran, and Manas best album (and the best album of al time in my book) Suenos Liquidos.