Bloco do Eu Sozinho

Los Hermanos

2001

Cover of Bloco do Eu Sozinho
Top 100

Why This Album Matters

Bloco do Eu Sozinho, Los Hermanos' second album, released in 2001, is a seminal work that marked a profound turning point in the band's trajectory and in contemporary Brazilian music. Far from the ska-punk and pop-rock sound that catapulted the group to fame with the hit "Anna Júlia", this work dared to undergo a remarkable aesthetic maturation, exploring complex fusions of rock with intrinsic elements of MPB, samba, choro and even carnival marches. The album stands out for its more introspective and artistic atmosphere, delving into themes of melancholy, solitude and the end of cycles, as the title itself and the opening track suggest. This sonic shift not only challenged commercial expectations, but also solidified Los Hermanos' unique identity, revealing Marcelo Camelo's lyrical depth and consolidating Rodrigo Amarante as a prominent composer. It is widely considered one of the most important albums for the development of "Brazilian indie" and national alternative music from the 2000s onwards.

#42

Instead of following the formula that begged for another "anna-something", the ska-hardcore-pop sound of their debut album gave way to broken rhythms, intricate melodies, and reflective lyrics.

Bruno Natal · Rolling Stone Brasil

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Context

Following the resounding success of their debut album, Los Hermanos, released in 1999, which sold over 250,000 copies driven by the hit "Anna Júlia", the band found itself under great pressure from the Abril Music label to replicate the phenomenon. The debut record, although already blending hardcore, samba and ska, had its most popular singles overshadowing the other nuances of its sound. To deal with expectations and the search for a new hit, the group opted for a retreat. They isolated themselves at a country estate in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro to compose and record Bloco do Eu Sozinho, seeking an environment free from distractions. This period of creation was also marked by the departure of bassist Patrick Laplan, who claimed dissatisfaction with the new, less aggressive and more experimental musical direction the band was taking.

Recording

The recording of Bloco do Eu Sozinho was a turbulent and significant process. Although the main credits list Rafael Ramos as producer, the album was initially produced by Chico Neves. The group carried out the recording sessions at a country estate in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, a decision aimed at isolating them from commercial pressures and allowing greater creative freedom. After completion, the original version of the album was initially rejected by the Abril Music label, which cited a lack of potential hits and a production they considered 'amateurish'. In an attempt at compromise, producer Marcelo Sussekind was hired to remix the work. However, according to reports, Sussekind appreciated the original version so much that he made few alterations, delivering a mix very close to the band's initial concept. The record is notable for its rich instrumentation, which, in addition to the band's instruments, incorporated a wide range of guest musicians, including a full brass section (trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, saxophone, tuba) and strings (violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet), which contribute to the elaborate arrangements and the orchestral sound of several tracks.

Songs

Featuring 14 tracks, Bloco do Eu Sozinho opens with "Todo Carnaval Tem Seu Fim", an immediate declaration of the break from their previous sound, presenting brass and a melancholic atmosphere that permeates much of the album. Songs such as "A Flor" and "Retrato Pra Iaiá" exemplify the fusion of elements like flugelhorn and ska with the MPB aesthetic. Meanwhile, "Assim Será" surprises by combining pandeiro with electric guitars, while "Sentimental" is frequently cited as one of the album's highlights, a ballad that exudes emotion and complexity. The lyrics explore themes of solitude, lost loves, introspection and urban life, characteristics that would become the band's hallmarks. Although Marcelo Camelo penned the majority of the compositions, Rodrigo Amarante's contribution, with songs such as "Sentimental" and "Retrato Pra Iaiá", demonstrates the solidification of two distinct and complementary creative forces within the group. The album also reserves moments of retrieving their initial sound, as in "Tão Sozinho", which surprises with a more hardcore-like feel, and closes with the reflective "Adeus Você", completing the cycle of goodbyes and new beginnings.

Legacy

Despite a positive critical reception, Bloco do Eu Sozinho did not meet the label's commercial expectations, selling fewer than 40,000 copies initially and being considered a 'sales flop' for Abril Music. However, its importance transcended immediate figures. The album was nominated for a Latin Grammy for Best Rock Album or Alternative Music Album in Portuguese in 2002, a recognition of its artistic quality. Over time, Bloco do Eu Sozinho consolidated its position as a landmark in Brazilian music, being voted the 42nd best Brazilian album of all time by Rolling Stone Brasil magazine in 2007. The work solidified Los Hermanos' authentic sound and exerted a profound influence on subsequent generations of Brazilian musicians, paving the way for what would become known as 'Brazilian indie' and redefining the boundaries of MPB with alternative rock. Its impact is so lasting that the album continues to be celebrated, even with the existence of tribute bands that carry the album's name, reaffirming its cultural and musical relevance.

Rankings

Tracks

Credits

A&R

João Augusto

Producer, Recorded By

Chico Neves

Vocals, Guitar

Marcelo Camelo, Rodrigo Amarante

Drums

Rodrigo Barba

Keyboards, Piano, Synthesizer

Bruno Medina

Mastered By

Ricardo Garcia

Mixed By

Marcelo Sussekind, Vitor Farias

Graphic Design

Ludmila Ayres, Zoy Anastassakis

Photography By

Daniela Dacorso

Podcasts

LOS HERMANOS - BLOCO DO EU SOZINHO I ANALISANDO DISCOS #5 (FEAT. BOLA)

Canal Gustavo Chagas

1h 32min·12 Mar 2026

Falamos sobre "Bloco do eu Sozinho", segundo disco da maior e mais influente banda brasileira da história, Los Hermanos!Nos siga!https://www.instagram.com/gustavodaschagas/https://www.instagram.com/bolazimbra/https://www.instagram.com/mateus_simoes_/

CMM #337 - Los Hermanos: Bloco do Eu Sozinho

CMM · Crazy Metal Mind

1h 46min·11 Jan 2024

Episódio originalmente publicado em 11/02/2018. No 337º episódio do Podcast mais Rock’n Roll da internets Rômulo Metal, Gustavo Chagas e Daniel Zukko (Minha Brasilia) batem papo sobre o disco Bloco Do Eu Sozinho do Los Hermanos.   Trilha sonora do podcast (na ordem): *Los Hermanos - Deixa Estar *Los Hermanos - A Flor *Los Hermanos - Todo Carnaval Tem Seu Fim *Los Hermanos - Retrato Pra Iaiá *Los

Os (quase) 25 anos de 'Bloco do Eu Sozinho', o disco dos Los Hermanos que mudou tudo

Programa de Indie

1h 29min·8 Aug 2025

OUÇA A PLAYLIST! O disco que mudou a história do rock alternativo no Brasil. O álbum responsável por reapresentar a música brasileira para o jovem. A obra que fez uma porção de bandas descobrirem que cantar em português era legal. Talvez o disco mais importante do século XXI. Muitos são os jeitos de se descrever Bloco do Eu Sozinho, o segundo álbum dos Los Hermanos – um daqueles discos que muita g

Videos

LOS HERMANOS - BLOCO DO EU SOZINHO I ANALISANDO DISCOS #5 (FEAT. BOLA)

Gustavo Chagas

Resenha: Los Hermanos Bloco do eu sozinho.classico?Confira minha opinião @colecionadordecds30

Colecinador de cds 30

Books

Analyses

Discogs

Bloco do Eu Sozinho – Discogs

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