Wikipedia

Jesus não Tem Dentes no País dos Banguelas

Jesus não Tem Dentes no País dos Banguelas (Portuguese for "Jesus Has no Teeth in the Land of the Toothless") is the fourth studio album by Brazilian rock band Titãs, released on November 23, 1987. Like its predecessor Cabeça Dinossauro, it was produced by Liminha and featured electronic music experimentations and funk rock influences, besides tackling social issues in its lyrics. Its recording took place at Nas Nuvens studio in Rio de Janeiro and lasted for little more than two months.

Jesus não Tem Dentes no País dos Banguelas
Studio album by
Titãs
ReleasedNovember 23, 1987[1][2]
RecordedAugust – October 1987
StudioEstúdio Nas Nuvens, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
GenrePop rock[3]
Length37:24
LabelWEA
ProducerLiminha
Titãs chronology
Cabeça Dinossauro
(1986) 		Jesus não Tem Dentes no País dos Banguelas
(1987) 		Go Back
(1988)
Singles from Jesus não Tem Dentes no País dos Banguelas
  1. "Lugar Nenhum"
    Released: 1987
  2. "Comida"
    Released: 1987
  3. "Desordem"
    Released: 1988
  4. "Diversão"
    Released: 1988

It was promoted at the 1988 Hollywood Rock, which boosted the band's popularity. Songs such as "Lugar Nenhum", "Nome aos Bois" and especially "Comida", which became an anthem for student activists, became notorious among the public.

The album was a critical and commercial success, being considered one of the best and most important albums by the band and being certified double platinum by (then) ABPD in 1994. In 2011, it was re-released and made available for digital download the following year.

Background and production

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The band's previous album Cabeça Dinossauro was a commercial success and is considered a Brazilian rock landmark.[4][5][6][7]

Titãs already had their songs ready for the album but were awaiting the return of producer Liminha, who was in London working with Sigue Sigue Sputnik, in order to commence work in studio on 20 August.[8] The recording began amidst its predecessor's promotional tour,[7] at Nas Nuvens studios.[1] On 24 October, its mixing was finished, and the material was sent to Townhouse Studios in London.[9][10]

Launch and publicity

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The album's promotional pictures were taken at Consolação Cemitery, in São Paulo. One of them, with the members on top of a grave, was featured on the front page of a Folha de S.Paulo issue. Then mayor Jânio Quadros was upset with the photograph and fired the cemetery's manager.[11]

The album was released on 23 November 1987,[1][2] but it was only performed to the public the following year, at the first edition of Hollywood Rock at Apoteose Square on 6 January[1] and at Morumbi Stadium on 13 January.[12] The band's performance was considered the best part of the festival by Jornal do Brasil while Folha de S.Paulo considered it "a Brazilian rock landmark". Around that time, Titãs's experienced a sharp rise in popularity, which was named a "titanmania" by IstoÉ magazine. Members were doing more shows that they wanted to, according to vocalist Arnaldo Antunes.[13] On 19 February 1988, the album was officially released with a show at Projeto SP, which marked the beginning of a domestic tour.[14]

Songwriting and lyrical themes

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In Cabeça Dinossauro, you guys demolished the five pillars of social order, the police, the State, the church, family and wild capitalism. Now it's time for you to start demolishing things from within. [...] Titãs is what's left of rock, their lyrics are what's left of a failed country, a vice-country, vice-ruled, vice-happy, vice-versa."

Section of the album's press-release by Paulo Leminski[1]

The title of the album came from an expression said by a friend of vocalist/bassist Nando Reis, Vânia. She said Brazil was "the land of the toothless", referring to the poverty that affected the country.[11] The front and back covers feature eight pillars of a Greek temple (four on each side), each representing one of the members. The spaces between them are like empty slots in a dental arch, alluding to the title. The temple also alludes to the band's name (Titãs translating as Titans, gods from the Greek mythology).[11] The pictures were taken by an uncle of vocalist Branco Mello, who had traveled to Greece.[15]

The differences between this album and Cabeça Dinossauro, according to Antunes, is that this album had "the electronic data, the electronic drum, the programming".[4] He referred to the usage of electronic beats and synthesizers, which would later be used on the band's next studio effort, Õ Blésq Blom.[16] Luciano Borges, at Folha de S.Paulo, described the album as "Titãs's Sgt. Peppers".[17] Even with the electronic elements, the album retained its predecessor's heaviness.[18] The album was split in a "J" and a "T" side, instead of the typical "A" and "B";[11] one side is characterized by funk beats, while the other is "more rock."[19]

Charles Gavin sought new sounds for his drums for this album, expanding his kit and trying new and more elaborated fills. This caused conflicts in studio; one particular episode in which Liminha tells him off was filmed by Mello and featured in the band's documentary Titãs – A Vida Até Parece Uma Festa. Gavin ended up with a smaller set provided by the studio and, later, he and producer talked about what he wanted from the instrument. Because Gavin was heavily influenced by John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Liminha helped him create lines inspired by "Black Dog" on "Lugar Nenhum".[20] "Lugar Nenhum" received airplay in October 1987.[4]

One of the sounds heard at the rhythmic section of "Diversão" was obtained from a sheet pan. Reis, Liminha and Paulo Junqueiro were chatting at the studio's kitchen when Reis accidentally dropped one and its sound hitting the floor pleased them all so much, they wanted to have it recorded.[11]

Improvised percussion was used with other non-musical objects throughout the album, besides a sampler. The final result of "Diversão" involved so many sounds that the 24 channels of the studio were not enough, and the musicians had to record some sounds simultaneously at the same channel.[21]

"Nome aos Bois" lists several infamous or controversial personalities of World and Brazilian History[22][23] such as Hitler, Stalin, Médici, Franco, Idi Amin, General Custer, Mark Chapman, Plínio Salgado, Jim Jones, among others.

In a 2021 video, Reis said the song felt a bit biased for including mostly right-wing names. He also said Ronaldo Bôscoli was included because he once wrote an article panning the band following a performance at Canecão. Reis says he now regrets having mentioned him.[11] In 1989, the band released "O Pulso", seen as a pathological counterpart to "Nome aos Bois" for listing several diseases, conditions and disorders.[24]

The album was labeled "difficult to understand" by André Singer at Folha de S.Paulo, "perhaps because it isn't an album to dance to, nor for selling only, nor for protesting only".[19] Mario Cesar Carvalho, writing for the same newspaper, noticed that, unlike the previous album, this tackled everyday issues such as love, food, fun, disorder and lies. However, he noticed "a manifesto atmosphere" on "Comida", stating the album "is more a poetical listing of urgent demands".[2]

Track list

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No.TitleLyricsLead vocalsLength
1."Todo Mundo Quer Amor" (Everybody Wants Love)Arnaldo AntunesAntunes1:18
2."Comida" (Food)Antunes, Marcelo Fromer, Sérgio BrittoAntunes3:59
3."O Inimigo" (The Enemy)Branco Mello, Fromer, Tony BellottoMello2:13
4."Corações e Mentes" (Hearts and Minds)Fromer, BrittoBritto3:47
5."Diversão" (Fun)Nando Reis, BrittoMiklos4:45
6."Infelizmente" (Unfortunately)BrittoBritto3:01
7."Jesus não Tem Dentes no País dos Banguelas" (Jesus Has No Teeth in the Land Of The Toothless)Fromer, ReisReis2:11
8."Mentiras" (Lies)Fromer, Britto, BellottoMiklos2:09
9."Desordem" (Disorder)Charles Gavin, Fromer, BrittoBritto4:01
10."Lugar Nenhum" (Nowhere)Antunes, Gavin, Fromer, Britto, BellottoAntunes2:56
11."Armas pra Lutar" (Weapons to Fight)Antunes, Mello, Fromer, BellottoMello2:10
12."Nome aos Bois" (Names to the Oxen)Antunes, Reis, Fromer, BellottoReis2:06
13."Violência" (Violence; not included in the vinyl version)Gavin, BrittoMiklos2:48

Reception and legacy

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]

The album was well received by the critics.[18] It expanded the horizons of the "claustrophobic Cabeça Dinossauro", according to Arthur Dapieve, who said the sophistication of the arrangements and of the lyrics didn't cause a decrease in the aggressiveness of the band.[1] Eduardo Rivadavia from Allmusic said, with regards to social critiques and non-conventional structure of the songs, the album exceeded expectations. On the other hand, he pointed out that its calculated abrasiveness "fell much short" of replicating the "genius" of the previous album.[3] Due to the usage of digital effects and electronic music, Luciano Borges, from Folha de S.Paulo called it "Brazil's most inventive 87 album."[17] Writing for Jornal do Brasil, Luiz Carlos Mansur said the album could be considered "the best album produced in Brazil in 1987".[1]

It is considered one of the best and most important albums by Titãs, which was "in its creative and popularity apogee", according to O Estado de S. Paulo. The same newspaper said Cabeça Dinossauro, this album and Õ Blésq Blom "form the best sequence of albums by the band", while IstoÉ magazine considers it and its successor "watersheds for Titãs's career and for Brazilian rock itself."[25][26][27] On the other hand, André Forastieri from Folha de S.Paulo said the album was "too irregular and sounded like a Cabeça [Dinossauro] remake".[28]

The album sold over 250,000 copies[1] and boosted some of its songs' popularity, such as "Lugar Nenhum" and "Nome aos Bois".[6] The most popular one was "Comida",[29] which became an anthem for student protests in the 1980s.[1] In 1994, the album was certified double platinum by ABPD.[30]

In January 2011, Polysom re-released the album on 180 grams vinyl.[25] It was also included on the band's catalogue on iTunes, in 2012, to mark their 30th anniversary.[31] For the same purpose, guitarist Tony Bellotto considered re-releasing Jesus não Tem Dentes no País dos Banguelas with bonus, previously unreleased material.[32]

In a 2021 video in his YouTube channel, Reis said it was his favorite Titãs album, give or take Tudo ao Mesmo Tempo Agora.[11] "Comida" was ranked by the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone as the 68th greatest Brazilian song.[33]

Personnel

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Titãs

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Additional personnel

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Dapieve 1995, p. 101.
  2. ^ a b c Carvalho, Mario Cesar (22 November 1987). "Titãs mostram os dentes no país do rock banguela". Folha de S.Paulo (21408): 63. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Rivadavia, Eduardo. Titãs: Jesus Não Tem Dentes no País dos Banguelas > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Dapieve 1995, p. 99.
  5. ^ Garcia, Lauro Liscboa (19 June 2010). "Dos tempos em que ele só era o 'Ben'". O Estado de S. Paulo. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  6. ^ a b Motta, Nelson (21 July 2012). "Titãs comemoram 30 anos de carreira com clássicos e novidades". Jornal da Globo. G1. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  7. ^ a b Menezes, Thales de (2 July 2013). "Titãs fazem shows em SP e tocam dez inéditas que podem estar em novo disco". Folha de S.Paulo. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  8. ^ Pascowitch, Joyce (5 August 1987). "Férias". Folha de S.Paulo (21308): 33. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  9. ^ Calado, Carlos (26 October 1987). "Titãs comemoram novo disco". Folha de S.Paulo (21390): 33. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  10. ^ Pascowitch, Joyce (30 October 1987). "Devidas proporções". Folha de S.Paulo (21394): 38. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Nando Reis: 50 fatos sobre os Titãs (Parte II): Cabeça Dinossauro e Jesus Não Tem Dentes. YouTube. 13 January 2021. Event occurs at 24:50-39:18. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  12. ^ Carvalho, Mario Cesar (13 November 1988). "O Hollywood Rock começa em SP". Folha de S.Paulo (21469): 29. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  13. ^ Dapieve 1995, p. 102.
  14. ^ Carvalho, Mario Cesar (19 February 1988). "Titãs tocam em SP e são convidados para Montreaux". Folha de S.Paulo (21506): 29. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  15. ^ "Titãs - "Jesus não tem dentes no país dos banguelas" / Arte na Capa". Canal Brasil. Grupo Globo. 28 April 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  16. ^ Ciuffa, Silmara (9 June 2009). "Leite derramado". Diário do Nordeste. Retrieved 18 November 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  17. ^ a b Borges, Luciano (6 January 1988). "Hollywood Rock quer reviver grandes festivais". Folha de S.Paulo (21462): 29. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  18. ^ a b Faria, Tiago (3 October 2012). "Relembre a discografia completa do Titãs". Diário de S. Paulo. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  19. ^ a b Singer, André (13 November 1987). "Titãs: Agora o rock difícil". Folha de S.Paulo (21408): 33. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  20. ^ Naspolini, Gilson (7 August 2020). CHARLES GAVIN: A Produção do "CABEÇA DINOSSAURO" ao "JESUS NÃO TEM DENTES[...]" (Entrevista Parte 1). Canal de Gilson Naspolini. YouTube. Event occurs at 23:30-. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  21. ^ Naspolini, Gilson (21 August 2020). CHARLES GAVIN: Em ESTÚDIO com os TITÃS nos ANOS 80. Canal de Gilson Naspolini. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Nando Reis e Os Infernais comandam virada de ano nas areias de Tambaú". Prefeitura de João Pessoa. 9 December 2014. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  23. ^ Alonso, Gustavo (2017). "A MPBzação do rock mainstream no Brasil". In Amaral, Adriana; Bomfim, Ivan; Bergamin, Marcelo; Conter, Gustavo Daudt Fischer; Goddard, Michael N.; Silveira, Fabricio (eds.). Mapeando cenas da música pop: cidades, mediações e arquivos - Volume I (PDF). João Pessoa: Marca de Fantasia. p. 95. ISBN 978-85-67732-82-4.[dead link‍]
  24. ^ DAPIEVE, Arthur (1995). BRock — O Rock Brasileiro dos anos 80. Editora 34. ISBN 8573260084. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  25. ^ a b Garcia, Lauro Lisboa (8 January 2011). "O peso dos Titãs em 180 gramas". Estado de S. Paulo. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  26. ^ Vieira, Roberto (14 January 1999). "Titãs para todos os gostos". Diário do Nordeste. Retrieved 18 November 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  27. ^ Ferreira, Mauro (17 November 2003). "Como estão vocês?". IstoÉ. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  28. ^ Forastieri, André (18 October 1989). "Titãs voltam ao topo com 'Õ Blésq Blom'". Folha de S.Paulo: 1. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  29. ^ "Titãs - Dados Artísticos". Dicionário Cravo Albin da Música Popular Brasileira. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  30. ^ "Titãs". ABPD. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  31. ^ "Titãs comemora 30 anos de carreira com lançamento de 'Cabeça Dinossauro' no iTunes". Estado de S. Paulo. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  32. ^ Miranda, Michele (22 May 2012). "'Cabeça dinossauro', dos Titãs, volta às lojas com canção inédita e acompanhado de disco demo". O Globo. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  33. ^ Paulo, Terron (2009). "As 100 Maiores Músicas Brasileiras - "Comida"". Rolling Stone Brasil (in Portuguese). Spring. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2014.

Bibliography

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