Lluis Llach, Com un Arbre Nu (side A)

Catalan singer-songwriter Llach is best known for having written the leftist political anthem "L'estaca", a metaphor for the fall of General Franco which became the anthem for Solidarność.  1972's Com un Arbre Nu contains anthemic moments, but it's typically more poetic and romantic.  The orchestral arrangements are unusual and beautiful, and Llach's vocal delivery combines a folk-y deadpan with a more emotive longing.  Com un Arbre Nu contains a series of short songs—by the mid-70s, his albums often contained expansive, sidelong tracks.  The large portrait of Llach on the cover follows folk conventions, but the grainy print quality and excellent font and layout choices tastefully avoid that idiom.  The spacious and rich recording flatters the songs and performances—it sound great.