What is genuinely true is that LBV acquires the most superlative state of beauty and grace with this long awaited album, Hallelujah, the fifth full-length LP of the Spanish cult-band. Is this the best record to date? For sure, mesdames et messieurs. The disc is an archetype of sentimentality and dramatic richness, intense vocal harmonies and gentle arrangements, sophistication and intimacy. Hallelujah is a classic, a record for keeps and a grand-scale production at the same time. This band is getting better and better and the empathy of the fans will be enhanced, probably attracting the attention of other generations. "Once upon a time there was an elite of musicians in the Spanish pop that trascended their rank and plunged audiences into the deepest ecstasy. They were renowned purveyors of masterpieces and unforgettable tunes. LBV moved from fragile songs, happy themes and lalala?s to memorable music with impressive orchestral arrangements, silky guitars and contagious tunes. However the singularity of the band was of the order of substance and concept." That's how the history books will decipher the enigma of La Buena Vida in the future. Music is really what counts, though. The album was recorded between September 2000 and February 2001 in San Sebastian, Madrid and Prague where they employed the services of the City of Prague Philarmonic Orchestra (at Smecky Studios, a fairly good sized room!) conducted by Adam Klemens. More languid, soft and sophisticated that their previous albums (think of Belle & Sebastian, N. Drake, Tindersticks, Beatles, F. Hardy or Sparklehorse), the band from San Sebastian has acquired a brilliant command of craft and musicianship over the years with no grandiosity or mere academicism. Hallelujah may be reminiscent of some passages of Soidemersol, the third album, mainly due to the classy orchestrations and sublime string sections. Hallelujah is beautified by strings, pianos, guitars and tender melodies. But now they express the deepest feelings on paper without sounding trite or redundant. And for the very first time the lyrics are included in the cover art. Metaphorically speaking, LBV invites you to enlarge the world by romantic ways of escape or mystical plans to reach the infinite. Like boarding the Nautilus and have a cherished seclusion, Hallelujah is a travelling eye with the genuine poetics of exploration. There is a happy ending after a bittersweet experience. Hallelujah! You'll never forget it!