Unlike that album, Memories, Chronicles and Declarations of Love does not strive to display Monte mastering a different style of music with each cut. Instead, the selections demonstrate that she's learned to integrate and synthesize her influences into something uniquely her own, a fact borne out by the songwriting credits: Monte is responsible for writing or co-writing more than half the tracks here. And though the songs she covers are still ace -- Jorge Ben's "Cinco Minutos" and Paulinho Da Viola's "Para Ver As Meninas" are standouts -- the original numbers clearly steal the show. "Tema de Amor," "Nao Va Embora" and the opener, "Amor I Love You," are among the best tunes Monte has ever committed to record.
If there is a problem with the record, it's that the pacing slackens as it progresses: All of the up-tempo numbers occur early on, and the album becomes increasingly moody with the last few tracks. With music this beautiful, however, it's a very minor quibble, and anyone already sold on Monte probably won't mind -- or even notice. English cribs in the liner notes would have been a nice touch for the U.S. market, but musicians will no doubt appreciate the play-along guide to the songs' chords, and listeners should have no trouble following these gorgeous and catchy songs, translations or no.
