Released in 1983,
Cinema Mudo was the debut album of
Paralamas Do Sucesso, and the first step on their journey toward becoming one of Brazil's most successful rock bands ever.
Cinema Mudo is full of recalcitrant, nervously pulsating post-punk Brazilian new wave music. Several tracks are also marked by an unmistakable ska backbeat, with
Herbert Vianna's distinctive voice flickering and jolting over the music in a way that would become one of the band's main characteristics. The title track is a charming ska tune with a memorable melody. "Vital e Sua Moto" ("Vital and His Motorcycle") is another highlight -- it took its name from ex-bandmember and drummer Vital, who left
Paralamas at a very early stage. "O Que eu Não Disse" was written by
Renato Russo, in another soon-to-be-famous band from Brasília:
Legião Urbana. The young age of the bandmembers becomes obvious on "Química," with its typical teenage theme about being grounded by dad and having to study for college exams. To sum it up,
Cinema Mudo is one of
Paralamas' strongest recordings and a fine representation of the post-punk/new wave phase of the Brazilian rock scene. ~ Philip Jandovský