Carnaval represented a return to prominence for
Barão Vermelho, who had spent the previous three years desperately trying to step out from under the shadow of charismatic original singer, now turned successful solo artist
Cazuza. Recorded soon after the departure of founding keyboard player Mauricio Barros, the record also found the band (now in a power trio set-up) returning to their harder rocking roots. The result is, for the most part, a raw, stripped down rock & roll platter, with little in common with 1987's pop-inflected
Rock'n Geral. First single "Pense e Dance" boasts what is possibly
Roberto Frejat's most memorable guitar riff, and while his lyrics often remain sophomoric and underdeveloped, one of
Carnaval's biggest hits, the reflectively psychedelic "Nunca Existiu Pecado" truly stands out from its surroundings, bucking that trend with a surprisingly mature statement. More than anything, however,
Carnaval is a loose, exuberant statement from a band finally feeling comfortable in their own skin. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia