Pura Vida (Banda Sonora)

Mísia was integral to the new wave of fadistas in the 1990s, helping to revitalise the genre with new influences, novel combinations of instruments and an edgier aesthetic. The present disc, however, suggests that it is now time, musically speaking, to move on. The pretentious sleeve notes state that ‘the Portuguese guitar is Heaven and the electric guitar Hell. ’ The truth in this assertion is perhaps not the one intended, as the crude dirge created by the electric guitar in tracks such as ‘Lágrima’ and ‘Ausência’ feels like a trial of forbearance. Loudness and dissonance don't necessarily heighten drama (just as in cinema, too many explosions and special effects actually reduce psychological impact).

Joy and hope are salvaged in some of the other material such as the tango-inspired ‘Escrevo na Pele’ or the jazz-cabaret of ‘Fadinho do Anúncio’. The temptation for contrivance isn't resisted for long, however. The bass clarinet played at very low register in the bonus track, ‘Viagem’, is just flatulence.

It's a shame, because what one hankers after is Mísia's wonderful voice against the subtle play of (non-electric) guitars. No musical barriers were broken down by this album; if anything, it makes one pine for a return to tradition.