VISIONS OF SOLITARY BRANCHES
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'Diário de Notícias'
"(...) Autumn songs, that talk about broken love or excess of it, grey cities and rainy days. Acoustic shapes, from the four chords
ballad to something that relates, in some way, to the eastern mantra. Working from an instrumental simplicity that creates the
song's body, Filipe Miranda adds colours and deconstructs structures, through the most unexpected sounds." - by Tiago Pereira
'Público'
"The Partisan Seed or the return to the essence of the song:
(...) 'Visions Of Solitary Branches', Filipe Miranda's first solo album, released in December 2006, reveals an original composer
within the context of the Portuguese musical scene: using the guitar, or the piano, Filipe Miranda is a composer of intimate
and deloused songs, intensely instrumental, accompanied with melodic lyricism." - by André Jegundo
'Sound+Vision'
"A few months ago, this project came through as one of the most delightful 'novelties' inside the succulent mp3 melting pot
that was collected by Henrique Amaro with the 'Acorda!' compilation. Integrated in the Transporte de Animais Vivos debut
catalogue (with connection to the Quasi Edições), here's the confirmation of one more "troubadourish" talent for the new
millennium. Flying around it, there's some of that genre usual genetics (with The Old Garden, the best episode of all the
alignment, producing an echo on Nick Drake's memory). Filipe Miranda brings doses of melancholy, without closing the window
on occasional beams of light. And 'Visions Of Solitary Branches' offers, courtesy of a discrete palette of vocals and instrumentals,
profoundly deep and personal paintings where monotony never installs. A beautiful opening testimony, without a doubt." - by
Nuno Galopim
'O Primeiro de Janeiro'
"When it became public that, after 'Fantôme: Intro Das Waltz' (2003), one of the most inspired works of alternative aesthetics
ever made here, the Kafka collective was extinct, one could guess that Filipe Miranda would not 'close the shop'. There was
(and still is) a rare talent to compose hymns to melancholy and songs of a most shivering honesty. That side of his, we can feel
it in 'Visions of Solitary Branches', a collection of grand compositions, instrumentally sober and built around the vocals. The
sounds that support the voice, being the guitar skeleton (always the lover for a solitary troubadour), or occasional backing sounds,
both follow the embracing chanting, every time hypnotic and suspended, bearer of a speech that goes beyond words. There's a
soul in this songs, naked of all artificial things, that are resumed to a minimalism that characterises the genre, but those are never
inconsequent. Music that makes us weigh life's little things is a sweetly disturbing one... it's hard to let go of 'Visions of Solitary
Branches'." - by A.C.
'Music PLPT'
"As Visions of Solitary Branches makes its intro, delicate acoustic guitar tunes move, calmly, towards us, so as to introduce us to
what's next. The melodic sounds, the sometimes sad and melancholic voice of Filipe Miranda and the delicate and slightly shy
sounds coming out of the gently handled guitar, take us to an album that cohabits in similar universes to those of Leonard Cohen
and Nick Drake.
'Visions of Solitary Branches' is Filipe Miranda's debut album as The Partisan Seed. After the adventures under the name of Kafka,
he has returned with Visions of Solitary Branches. Here we find 14 songs that ought to be listened quietly and with the lights low...
These are songs of reflection.... these are songs that welcome those rainy Autumn nights... Filipe takes us into his personal world....
simple, sincere, sometimes made out of several colours, just like those of a rainbow, sharing with us his thoughts, his songs of love
and sorrow.
It is difficult to go thru his music and not to get moved by the sincerity coming out of his guitar-driven lyrical proses or by the ambients
created by the beauty of You know what I mean, Monica and The Old Garden, some of which featuring the warm and mellow vocal
contribution of Lisete Santos.
Having heard before his presentation EP, I am marvelled with his return.... and what a return." - by SKL
'Rascunho'
"Visions of Solitary Branches - an album with immediate enchantment and pure elegance"
"Trees granting us the shade, music offering spring flowers. In the sky, imaginary clouds are travelling. The eyes lids bound to the
fragile sunset of thoughts: all wishes, together, fall asleep. The conscience mingles with the world of dreams, embedded in
multicolour leaves. A glacial wind search the pockets for candies. The seeds that were planted on our back push the body up, at the
same time whispering libidinous words of eternal love are heard. But the body is heavy, doesn't want to rise up to the fantastic
universe of words and sounds that were stolen from us. The music is ours, the words are cells of our skin, the chords atoms of our
senses. And the water keeps on flowing, indifferent to all, through gardens built by mother nature, owner of it's own will. The sky is
above in it's blue colour smoothing the gestures and smiles. The wind uncovers the body and covers it back with dry leaves,
delicately caressing the lines and curves of life.
Visions of Solitary Branches talks about people, places, every day life's fragments, composed masterly. It reminds us of nature, more
by suggestion than by words. Sensibility and intimacy are present in such a way that inflict a sudden union with the album. The
song's universe is a personal one and it's constructed in such a simple, pure and genuine shape, that makes us believe it's ours. The
impulse to possess this work emerges from the natural perversity of man: this is good, I wish I had written it myself. Because saying
beautiful things is to talk simple and clearly, recurring to audacious formulas. The Partisan Seed made it. Why do we insist on making
hard and complicated and saying that, this way, things are more genius? Each song awakens new emotions, revels different wood to
warm the same fireplace. The profound sincerity and truth allied to beautiful guitar chords make this record an emergent work in the
current Portuguese panorama. The permanent nostalgic tone invites us to long moments mixed with introspection... Visions of Solitary
Branches it's a raw, authentic and honest work of art. And maybe because of that, it has the ability of breaking our most immediate
resistance to it while is driving us to paths with no map. Although the melodic tone of the album is always the same, it doesn't allow
us to accommodate, we can listen to it with no stopping, no break, with one deep breath, jumping into an abyss and think of freedom.
Because when we're under warm sheets, we don't want to get out.
The album starts with 'visions of solitary branches', a small composition that serves as an introduction to what comes after. It's followed
by the best song of the album, 'the old garden'. The image of a child running against the rain is brutal. The cast is spelled: the empathy
is made in the first minutes. 'lee, 1997' drips water and love. If 'the old garden' is the best song, 'lee, 1997' is the most beautiful one:
while the shower causes the heart's feelings to drip, the words encourage to write love poetry. After that the phone rings and someone
answers. 'mónica' is the internal conflict, calmed by confident embraces, hungry for passion. The void is like a black hole: there's no end
to it. 'autumn sky' is the confirmation that disarms the most sceptic ones. 'landscape: the ultimate vision' closes the poetic speech, after
a very deadly silence..." - by Eduarda Sousa
'Ensino Magazine'
Alternative music: The Partisan Seed, 'Visions of Solitary Branches', Transporte, 2006.
Although it was release by the end of last year we think it's pertinent to refer to this album in this musical section, because we believe
that this is a record one can not miss, full of beautiful songs. The Partisan Seed is an intimate project born by the hand of Filipe Miranda,
formerly Kafka's lead singer, a band from up north. It's an album that speaks about simplicity and singularity as a principle. Made of
acoustic sonorities that suggest a light tone of country/folk-rock, despite of being aesthetically indie, full of smoothness and inviting to a
dialogue loaded with strong emotions. A good album to be heard in tranquility, with the purpose of relaxing both body and mind.
- by Daniel Pires
'Divergências'
"For many, the beauty of all thing is in the simplicity. Something of a complex, complicated and difficult nature is never truly
beautiful in the eyes of those who search for stimulation among life's little things. It can be admired and even the motive of
recognition, but is never something that is able to awake immediate emotions. The simplicity - creating sounds and words with
meaning and with perceptible messages (speaking of music) - is, by its own, an instant and pure beauty. And never easy to obtain.
It needs to be shaped and imagined greatly in thoughts, but with a rough final touch and orchestration. Just using the enough
amount. Like a hug or a spontaneous kiss. It feels good. One never forgets. The songs that touch our hearts, the ones we treasure
are all like this. Simple and intense. And ''Visions Of Solitary Branches' is, the whole record, a simple album, considering all this
things described above. It's rain and sunshine. Gardens with flowers and beaches with seagulls. People and relationships. Poems
about what our eyes can see, our ears can hear, our conscience can reach. Songs brought by a voice that confesses a little bit of
someone, in this case Filipe Miranda, the name that hides in The Partisan Seed's shadow. His compositions are not merely words
and instruments aiming to create images and every day reflexes. They incite our imagination and save that imaginary diary inside
us through spasms of reality. Something that is done with perfection in themes like 'lee, 1997', 'koala j.' or even through the initial
silence in 'landscape: the ultimate vision'.
'Visions Of Solitary Branches', above all those interesting aspects that concern composition and musical conception (it's not plain
folk or melodramatic country western; there's a pop exploration that reminds some of the last century's 70's and 80's), is an album
of songs. Short. Immediate. Never boring. Addicting in some cases. 'the old garden', 'a desesperate call from london', 'drunk song',
'did a gun give you a name?' ou 'autumn sky' carry on their shoulders a great part of the songwriting beauty that was described in
the beginning of this review. All of them are part of a whole, making ''Visions Of Solitary Branches' to be an unique song,
congregating all in it. This is an album that should be in everyone's record shelves at home, at least in the home of those who claim
to be music lovers. 'you know what I mean'..." - by Jorge Baldaia
'Rádio Universidade de Coimbra'
" 'Visions Of Solitary Branches' is an intimate album. One of rare beauty. Painful. 14 songs come directly from Filipe Miranda's soul.
(...) Sounds, practically nude, show the song in its most purest shape. Almost every time we feel the acoustic guitar. The run of the
fingers through the strings makes our spine shiver. (...) One can notice here some of the influences left from Kafka in one or another
experimental moment.
The Partisan Seed's debut album is made of an inspiring peace. A record that messes with our most profound senses. And when an
album has this kind of capacity inside itself, it's because it has life. All the great works are like this. They perpetuate life beyond
themselves.
'Visions Of Solitary Branches' arrives as the year ends. It came with the cold, to warm our bones. But it came in time to be consider
one of the best albums of 2006." - by Nuno Ávila
'A Trompa'
"More than a vision, much more... certainly an idea.
It's called ''Visions of Solitary Branches' and it's The Partisan Seed's debut. A beautiful debut. One who's able to hear the blossom
of this seed, gradually, can't help himself from going back in time and recall a name: Kafka.
(...) It was a most expected vision for nearly a year now, after a sentimental hearing of 'did a gun give you a name?' promo... a
vision converted into a body through the reality of things, making it material, making it something of a sensitive nature. 'Visions of
Solitary Branches' is a personal album, like a realistic painting, like a movie ribbon where we can see small episodes of life, a simple
shape, an open one, marked by introspection. Marked by intimacy, rawness, freedom. Without secrets...
It's the words, says the poet - any poet -, it's the words that strip the artist's soul, unveiling his mysteries, his thoughts, his moments.
The bucolic feeling. The melancholy, a result of the acoustic nature of this album, does the rest; makes beautiful songs out of the
words and sounds attached. And that's it, 14 lovely songs, simple and cosy ones, like the amazing rain that falls in 'lee, 1997'.
Passions. The idea of simplicity that goes through the whole album, the melodic reason that makes it vibrate, signed here and there
by instrumental details of an extraordinary good taste, makes 'Visions of Solitary Branches' a kind of anthem to sincerity, to the truth,
to a soul's state capable of exposing itself to the world and to spy, along with us, its fears, its passions, its sadness, all.
How fast the The Partisan Seed's blood is running. It's the fluidity of the composition revealed in this work, the carnal interpretation
that is given to us, the thing that characterises the The Partisan Seed's debut album as a little wonder. Merely songs, or as I said a
while ago, 'simple melodies, sound with no artificial stuff or hiding places, only about small things'.
Listen to it and let yourselves be carried..." - by R.D.
'Fenther'
"(...) The Partisan Seed, Filipe Miranda's solitary project, puts us on a calm stroll through the sincere words and loosed strings of
the almost enchanted guitar. Offer him will, he'll give you sentimental joy. It's like this, through all the 14 songs, where there's
purity in Filipe Miranda's words. Indescribable! Hear him! This is the perfect soundtrack for an Autumn afternoon or a Spring time
morning...
A feminine vocal touch is added to 'lee, 1997' and the passion, if you still had any doubts, makes the path to certainty! We're
proud of the feeling sent by the album we are holding in our hands. The telephone rings... someone answers. And here it comes,
one more dose of inspiration. Breed deep!
The Partisan Seed stands tall with ''Visions of Solitary Branches' and 'did a gun give you a name?' is the perfect single for the record.
Filipe Miranda and the people around him are on the top of the sentimental provocation.
Silence is broken..." - by Vitor Pinto
'DIF Magazine'
"The Partisan Seed is Filipe Miranda's alter-ego... "Visions of Solitary Branches", his first solo album, reveals a more intimate and
naked side of the composer, it reflects his way of being in life, talks about the people he loves, the places he has been... it is his
self-portrait." - by Pedro Sousa
'Kraak FM'
"When, one day, an album arrives, stays beside my record player and never leaves there, always matching new releases,
it's a great sign.
In this case, I'm referring to 'Visions Of Solitary Branches', from its project's mentor, Filipe Miranda.
I like this kind of albums that can give us the right touch of melancholy, without being profoundly depressing, with songs full of
lyrics that touch various aspects of many people's lives, specially my own.
A great national bet for 2007, without any pretensions, without any doubt, without any cliché, without any faking. Filipe Miranda scores
points on what can be called a real alternative singer/songwriter, being on the same level as many international artists... For the
ones who don't know it, I suggest an urgent visit."
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INDIAN SUMMER
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'Divergências Sonoras'
" 'Indian Summer', through its melancholy and introspective poetry - that encounters the likes and genius of Leonard Cohen -,
confirms the greatness of 'Visions Of Solitary Branches'.
Filipe Miranda, the voice of extinct Kafka group, is a composer who deserves an acclamation as genuine as the greatness of this
two albums." - by Filipe Brito
'Jornal de Barcelos'
Two years after the gorgeous 'Visions Of Solitary Branches', The Partisan Seed returns with 'Indian Summer', a more intimate
record, but as beautiful (or more) as the previous album.
In this ten songs, Filipe Miranda, the man behind The Partisan Seed, proves at every song, the maturity he has conquered through
the years as a writer and composer. His nature in writing is extended to well done partnerships, such as the duet with Charity Carleton
in 'Ofelia (again)', the second single from 'Indian Summer'. Also impossible to be unnoticed, is Abel Hernández spoken words in
'La Ultima Piedra de Una Novena'. The pearl of this album is 'Judy (somewhere)', a song that fills our heart with a soul and a strong
will not to lose it again. With all this guest's personal touch, The Partisan Seed made us a strong and secure album, probably the
most simple and minimalist one of his long career as a musician, where acoustic songs gain life at each passage. An album to enjoy
in multiple auditions during this Fall, waiting for another of his record to grab us fiercely." - I.M.
'Santos da Casa'
" 'Indian Summer' is an intense album. Wonderful to listen to in this cold and rainy Winter days. Our soul feels warm. 10 songs,
pure gold filigree, where Filipe Miranda again makes a statement as one of the most talented Portuguese songwriters.
Using the acoustic guitar or a piano, Filipe Miranda places his voice, offering us folkish songs, strolling calmly among its notes.
This acoustic side of The Partisan Seed's music inspires passion and this songs are never easy. Filipe Miranda fills each one of his
works of art with excelent care for details. He even risks bringing a more dark-folk theme into this album, 'La Última Piedra de una
Novena', reminding Kafka (his old band).
Although with high cohesion, this album has two stars shinning brighter than the others, the songs he has chosen to be the singles.
I'm referring to 'Ofelia (again)' where Filipe has Charity Carleton's vocals and 'Judy (somewhere)', where a piano inebriates our senses.
It's easy to understand why 'Indian Summer' is a record we should listen to, specially for those accurate ears who feel that great songs
should be unpretentious, light and warm. It's for everyone who love a good, in the flesh type of song.
Filipe Miranda, with The Partisan Seed, offers his most selfish side as a creator. 10 songs coming alive directly from his veins. Being
on the other end, the listener should thank Filipe for the way he surrenders to each and every song. Music like this is eternal..."
'Rádio Universitária do Minho'
"The final phase of 2008 brought us one more wonderful album. The Partisan Seed, Filipe Miranda's most personal project, is an
artistic compromise to sincerity and, above all, with great quality.
An acoustic base that sometimes takes us to the most melancholic folk, but on contours and silhouettes with exotic fragrances,
influenced by the Mediterranean feeling.
Lyrically rich, Filipe Miranda is inspired by literature, dreams, religion and the reality surrounding him. It's a record made of simple
songs, and using Filipe's own words, 'songs with subtle messages, like the words of a muezzin praying very softly'. An enchanted
smoothness that requires silence and care. The gods don't sing much ('if you know the gods who made all the laws / ask them to sing
a little bit more', in 'Sound, we make sound'). But we'll always have the angels." - by César Xavier
