Album Review: Rodrigo y Gabriela, OurHome

Irish fans have always understood the talents of Rodrigo y Gabriela, but it’s nonetheless exhilarating to be reminded of their sheer genius, more than two decades on from when they first began performing.

The duo’s latest album, OurHome, came after a period of musical self-reflection, which took them both from their studio in Ixtapa to far-flung locations such as Melbourne and Japan.

Indeed, the Japanese influence is everywhere on this album, not least on the its defining track, ‘Akatsuki’. One of the best pieces they’ve ever created, the track features a gorgeous extended piano solo from Japanese jazz pianist, Hiromi.

Its one of several tracks highlighting how Rodrigo y Gabriela inject their instrumental pieces with urgency and intensity, while still making them joyful and easy on the ear. Indeed, there’s an irresistible bouyancy to songs like ‘Quicksand’ and the Led Zeppelin-style ‘Monster’.

The album ends with the wonderful odyssey ‘Simurgh’, an 11-minute number featuring – oh yes – Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman. Fabulous stuff.

9/10