Lluis Llach, Viatge a Itaca (side A)

Lluis Llach is known, at least in Europe, for having written a timeless political protest song called "L'estaca" in 1968. He made many records through the 70s, combining a Robert Wyatt-like leftist agenda with a more mellifluous folk palette that vaguely resembles Simon and Garfunkel. Many of his albums, including 1975's Viatge a Itaca have a side-long track with complex evolution and structure, and then short pieces on the other side. He often relies on sophisticated arrangements around folk-like harmonic content. Llach's albums can be an acquired taste, especially with the lyrics in Catalan (the translation to French in the liner notes helps me a bit), but I've come to enjoy them. The crazy instrumental sections in the course of "Itaca"'s 15 minute evolution are fascinating, and Llach's vocal delivery is compelling.