|
| Artist:
Dracma |
|
| Album:Dracma |
| Label:
Surco/Universal Records |
| Country:
Chile |
| Contact:
dracma@hotmail.com |
| Internet:
http://www2.netexplora.com/dracma/
|
| |
The Surco label, property of the producer duo Santaolalla-Kerpel,
has created several hits with the albums of bands like Molotov,
Bersuit and Puya. Now they bring to us, Dracma,
a powerful band from Chile. Their style is hard core that seems
like a mix of Puya and Molotov with hints of Peyote
Asesino (Deadly Peyote), an Uruguayan band that was on the
label. The hard-core style is nothing new or innovative. The
album has its good and mediocre moments. With this I am not
saying that this album is terrible but I don't think it's the
best in the label's repertoire. On the tracks where their talent
is obvious, they seem to be among the best in all of Latin America,
but the album just didn't leave that same sensation that one
gets many times from listening to other albums on the same label.
Maybe it's the fact that the hard-core sound is constantly being
repeated. The album starts off with a super track called "Hijo
de Puta (Son of a Bitch)" which seems to be a mix of neo-rock
and grunge. It was an interesting fusion that sounded like Jonothan
Davis of Korn with Alice in Chains as his
band. There are other songs that standout due to their lyrical
content. The song, "Pobre Decepción (Sad Deception),"
was one of those standout tracks that make a real impact. The
song has that special feeling that captures one with its sincereness
and its lyrics. "El dolor, la ilusión, solo fue tu perdición…caeras
en el mar de esta maldita cuidad (The pain, the illusion, was
your loss…you will fall into the sea of this horrible city),"
states a part of the song which reaches one profoundly especially
if one has had a feeling of guilt from a situation where things
don't go right. The album does have its socio-political message
as well which is very important to many like on the track "Chilenada
(Chile Nothing)," which speaks frankly about the state of their
native country. This is a good album in general but it's not
up to par with others on the same Surco label. The only
thing I recommend is for one to listen to it and come to your
own conclusion. For fans of bands like A.N.I.M.A.L.,
Puya and Deftones it can become one of their favorites.
Standout Tracks:
Hijo de Puta (Son of a Bitch)
Como un Animal (Like an Animal)
Pobre Decepción (Sad Deception)
Verte Morir (Seeing You Die)
Chilenada (Chile Nothing)
Verte Caer (Seeing You Fall) |
| Artist:
Acida |
|
| Album:
Demos |
| Label:
Acida (Independent) |
| Country:
Argentina |
| Contact:
tweety@interserver.com.ar |
| Internet:
http://acida.ru.com.ar |
| |
The
group that goes by the name of Acida is made up of Alina
Gandini and Tweety Gonzalez. This is a project that
still has no label but definitely should be on one. There are
very few demos that have such an incredible musical presentation.
This duo brings the best in ambient/electronica/trip-hop and
has excellent lyrics and a truly sensual voice in Alina.
The fact that one half of this duo happens to be one of the
most important musicians/producers in Latin America really gives
one a lot to talk about. Tweety Gonzalez has been a key
figure in the development and introduction of many bands in
Argentina and was basically the fourth member of legendary Argentine
band, Soda Stereo. This keyboardist combines his talent
with that of Alina to create a powerful record that has
a magnetic essence and a superior experimental quality. Each
song is something sensual and mind-bending; the cuts are like
the finest cuts of Argentine meat. The experience of listening
to this demo is truly unique. It reminded me a lot to when I
heard English group Portishead; that was a very sensual
moment. Acida participated in the Latin Alternative scene's
Tribute to the Cure album and with this demo
they allow one to experience other songs that show their quality
as a group. Someone please sign this group!
Standout Tracks:
Moda (Fashion)
Perdida (Lost)
Simular (Similar)
Yo Nunca Te Doy Paz (I Never Give You Peace)
Destino (Destiny)
¿Que Te Dicen Todos? (What Does Everyone Tell You?) |
| Artist:
Arbol |
|
| Album:
Arbol |
| Label:
Surco/Universal Records |
| Country:
Argentina |
| Contact:
arbolmail@hotmail.com |
| Internet:
http://habitantes.elsitio.com/webarbol/ |
| |
Argentina
has always produced some incredible and important bands. Gustavo
Santaolalla and Anibal Kerpel have always worked
with these type of bands. These two factors came together in
what is the new revelation in Argentine Rock; Arbol (Tree),
which is made up of Eduardo Schmidt, Pablo Romero,
Hernan Bruckner, Sebastian Bianchini and Martin
Gutierrez Millan. This band has captured the attention of
everyone in Argentina and its surroundings with their self-titled
album Arbol (Tree). This band brings a very interesting
mix of music that is not common with other bands. It is basically
a Power Latino band that implements various sounds, instruments,
and styles in their songs. These vary and include funk, country-western,
reggae, and hard rock among others. Very few Latin bands, maybe
none, have the violin as a basic instrument; they also use other
instruments like the charango, the harmonica, and the flute.
This album is a smorgasbord of variety on each track. The lyrics
are very much in line with the lyrics of other bands on the
Surco label. They are irreverent, fun, and full of protest.
The first single, "Rosita", is a softcore song in sound
but not in content. Arbol (Tree) is a record that
creates a lot of buzz and it stays true to this because it has
the mark of the production duo of Santaolalla-Kerpel
which has been key to the success that other groups have garnered
like La Maldita Vecindad, Cafe Tacuba, Molotov
and Bersuit Vergarabat among others.
Standout Tracks:
Sexo (Sex)
Luna (Moon)
Gente (People)
Cruces (Crosses)
El Baile (The Dance)
Chajal
Rosita |
| Artist:
Azul Violeta |
|
| Album:
Mini / Multi |
| Label:
EMI Music Mexico |
| Country:
Mexico |
| Contact:
azulvioleta@hotmail.com |
| Internet:
http://www.azulvioleta.com
|
| |
This
band originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, returns with what
is their third album. There first two albums had a pretty good
response from many, still they were not of the quality where
they could separate themselves from other Mexican bands. This
Azul Violeta (Blue Violet) is different since their guitarrist
Vampiro (Ex-Mana) left to join Jaguares.
They began to work on the album that would become Mini
/ Multi. This definitely is an excellent album. The
Violeta sound has morphed into one that is electronic and leaves
a nice sound for your ears. This album immediately starts off
quickly with great energy on the first track, "Go Billy Go",
which is an excellent song to dance to. The album gives you
several emotional feelings but always has the digital sound
present. By the way, Didi Gutman, was co-producer of
this album along with the band and has a lot to do with the
band's new sound. If you can get your hands on a copy of this
album, get one because it definitely is one of this year's surprises.
Standout Tracks:
Go Billy Go
Quiere Más (She Wants More)
Para Pagar (In Order To Pay)
Más de Ti (More of You)
Todos Somos John (We're All John)
Me Enfermas (You Make Me Sick) |
| Artist:
Babasonicos |
|
| Album:
Miami |
| Label:
Sony Music Argentina |
| Country:
Argentina |
| Contact:
babasonicos@sion.com |
| Internet:
http://members.theglobe.com/gonyx/babaint.htm |
| |
The
mysterious band known as Babasonicos has just released
their most recent album to the people of the world. This is
one of the few bands that know what they're doing and how to
accomplish the sound they want. A lot of people know them for
their other critically acclaimed albums. Miami
is definitely another one of those albums that can be added
to the mix. This production has a sensual and chic sound that
mixed with the retro feel sets it apart from many albums in
Latin rock today. Miami could be the soundtrack
for a B-movie from the 50's and 60's mixed along with a James
Bond flick. From a country-western sound on the first single,
"Desfachetados (Outlaws)" to a hip-hop and lounge sound
on other tracks, this album is like a well made cocktail. Hugh
Hefner, would be proud of the sound that these strange Argentines
bring, it goes with his style. (Just imagine a man with his
pipe, robe, slippers, and of course a glass of Cognac in his
hand) The mystery on this production increases when like in
their other albums, they fail to put pictures of themselves.
There are some drawings but one wonders if it's them or not.
Is it them? What is certain is that Miami has
that unique sound that only the Babasonicos have. Don't
miss out on this one, really strange and sensual!
Standout Tracks:
Desfachetados (Outlaws)
El Sumum
Paraguayana
El Playboy (The Playboy)
Drag Dealer
Charada
Grand Prix |
| Artist:
Bohemia Suburbana |
|
| Album:
Remixes: & la Emergencia de la Circunstancia |
| Label:
Radio Vox |
| Country:
Guatemala |
| Contact:
fmfpromo1@aol.com |
| Internet:
http://chapines.centramerica.com/bohemia/
|
| |
Bohemia
Suburbana (Suburban Bohemia), next to Alux Nahual,
is the most important band in Guatemala. This album is a gift
for many of the fans that enjoyed their previous album: Mil
Palabras con Sus Dientes (One Thousand Words with Their
Teeth). This album has a bunch of remixes including hits like:
"Peces e Iguanas (Fish and Iguanas)" and "Azul
(Blue)". These remixes were done in Miami in a small room with
a monastery view. The person in charge of these remixes was
Juan Carlos Barrios, the band's guitarist and also an
aficionado of electronic music. This album experiments with
various rhythms, samplings, and sounds that create some very
different and interesting versions of their songs. Remixes
is a real fun album where one can enjoy this band in a different
way plus it also includes 2 tracks from a cassette demo they
did in 1992. This was their first recording ever.
Standout Tracks:
Peces (Delanuca Mix) - Fish (Delanuca Mix)
Yo Te Vi (Big Beat Remix) - I Saw You (Big Beat Remix)
Azul (Drum 'n' Bass Remix) - Blue (Drum 'n' Bass Remix)
Planeta Hola (451 Remix) - Planet Hello (451 Remix)
Otra Vez (Once Again)
Sombras (Shadows) |
| Artist:
Curanderos |
|
| Album:
Antes que Duerma |
| Label:
Lomar Bros. Records |
| Country:
United States (Los Angeles) |
| Contact:
curanderos@yahoo.com |
| Internet:
http://www.geocities.com/curanderos |
| |
Antes Que Duerma (Before I Sleep) is the second
album from this band originally from L.A. which everyday captures
the attention of a lot of people and with this album more are
beginning to know them. The Lomar brothers (Ricardo
and Mario) along with Larry Ruiz and Fabricio
Argueta are the band known as Curanderos (Witch Doctors).
The album these guys have come up with really surprises one
especially if you haven't heard much of them. However, for fans
out in California it was a long-anticipated album because they
know what this band is capable of. Its style is very dark and
gothic with a Latin flavor. The lyrics are based on many things
one lives as a person but principally on problems one suffers
and how we conquer those problems. The album contains some songs
in English as well; they have a pretty big Anglo following as
well. This American influenced rock is mixed with a Latin tone
that makes it obvious that this band was influenced by important
bands such as The Cure and Caifanes. However,
they maintain a style that's all of their own. Among the best
tracks is the first single, "Campo Santo (Holy Ground)."
It's a song full on angst, loneliness, and hope. This song captures
the spirit of the album itself. Another inspiring track is "Milosevic"
which not only speak of the Serbian leader but of many others
like him in the world. Anyhow, this record is one of those that
can inspire as well as depress one at the same time. Totally
recommended for those lonely, rainy days.
Standout Tracks:
Campo Santo (Holy Ground)
Juan Camanay
Pan y Café (Bread and Coffee)
Fuera de Aquí (Get Out of Here)
Viejo Curandero (Old Witch Doctor)
Milosevic |
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