Adriano Cintra
Nine Times

Persistent rumours inform us of a possible return of the Brazilian band Cansei de Ser Sexy to their original lineup (… and we respond: why not?). In the meantime, Adriano Cintra, the prolific mind of CSS, releases his third solo work “Nine Times”. It's a shame that this talented character has not yet been reviewed here on Debaser! And yet the indie artist from São Paulo has managed to create his own sound (between the Pixies and an obsession with Casio VL-Tone keyboards) successfully surpassing in 2007 with his band of friends that frontier which divides the anonymous fate of many indie bands around the world (which are born and die in their own backyard), and the bright destiny of alternative bands that, on the contrary, conquer the international scene from the urban outskirts, rocking live everywhere with "Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death From Above", or "Alala".

Sure, the multifaceted and unpredictable personality of the CSS author doesn't quite fit with all the demands of the music industry, even if we talk about independent labels like Sub Pop. However, after leaving CSS in 2011 (and three albums behind), he has engaged in several excellent projects, including Madrid in 2012 (the unforgettable live in Rome with Echo and The Bunnymen); but especially since 2014, with his solo career and the stunning debut album “Animal” (sung entirely in Portuguese), the best work he has ever published until today – after, of course, the first CSS and Madrid EP 1.

Now, the ex-Butcher has always chosen absolutely eccentric promotional methods, a low fi aesthetic, and a direct relationship between consumer and producer (Soundcloud/Facebook). In fact, after an album on the brink of suicide: “Adriano Cintra Is Dead” from 2015, the volcanic multi-instrumentalist (capable of writing and producing on the fly a perfect double album in just two weeks) is reborn with this “Nine Times” structured in 13 tracks following his last dance project O’hearts. Some tracks are potential hits, as is the case for “Nine Times” (Against all odds… I’m still alive… the author reassures us) or for the beautiful “Colleteral Damage,” “Catastrophic,” “Mouth”. "So Sorry" reminds of "Hits Me Like A Rock" with public apologies to LoveFoxxx and company; the opening "No Way" is an "Ashes To Ashes" with a New Order bass, for the rest the album (docking in the safe harbor of the 80s), alternates various tracks woven with carefree and light synth pop ("Icy Heart" / "Your Crazy Eyes" / "Like A Domino") with others rather forgettable ("Shaming" /" Nevermind Me"/ "Backfiring"/"Ain’t Fooling No One"). The online listening you will find is accompanied by 12 homemade lyric videos shot in the most improbable places (in addition to the usual bathroom) and can guide you through the author's kaleidoscopic catalog, without necessarily becoming a fan with personality disorders.

So, even if "Nine Times" is not at all on par with "Animal", it remains a good work and does not betray that desire to amaze, to make a mess, typical of the author, just as remains unchanged that songwriting prowess which is far from dead, indeed, alive and kicking, and (probably) will hold many more surprises in the future.