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Album Reviews
11 July 2007
The
Stupidsrocknroll
La sonaja/Iguana
Records
The Stupidsrocknroll has finally released its
first album with the help of La Sonaja and Iguana Records after two self
produced EPs during the 3 years the band has been playing together. The
disc is an ambitious project that has achieved mixed results. There is no
doubt of the quality of some of the 14 tracks included on the album.
“Radio”, “high on ice” and “afraid of the world”, are all songs that capture
the bittersweet reflections of Ulisis on love and life to build
disharmonious, but somehow catchy, melodies.
One thing The Stupidsrocknroll has, that is in
relatively short supply in Mexico, is attitude; usually having to be dragged
of stage by the organisers as the following bands wait impatiently in the
wings. This aspect of the group certainly comes over in the lyrics and
compositions of the compilation. The music has strong suggestions of
classic seventies influences overlaid with country chords and simple
keyboards that create a fresh and interesting angle.
However a number of the tracks in the
collection are perhaps not innovative enough. Songs such as “pretty legs”,
“the officer” and “house of satan” may have been important in the
development of the bands style in the early stages but simply do not have
the complexity to match the other tunes that they have been placed with. On
reflection a reduction in the number of compositions on offer may have
raised the over impact of the release, however the potential within the
material is impressive.
http://myspace.com/thestupidsrockandroll
Subterranea
Humachines
Subterranea are back and this time they have
switched from the deep introspection of their second album “Soledad brother”
to a more aggressive outward orientated rock contained in their latest
release “Humachine”. The solid core of Ed, Kacho and Puma has been given
another expressive dimension by the addition of Pablo on guitars, whose
faultless innovative fretwork is of a quality not often experienced. This
has taken Subterranea’s music to a new level that has been aided by top
class technical support for the project.
Jorge “Chiquis” Amaro managed to create an
atmosphere in La Chicken Station Studios that encouraged the interaction of
the band in the process of recording and mixing the 10 tracks to a point
where Subterranea have been given co-credits. The perseverance of Ed paid
off in attracting the attention of Howie Weinberg in New York to do the
mastering which gives the product a polished top quality finish.
Much of the anger and rabble rousing that the
music invokes stems from 2 difficult years spent by the band in el DF. The
heart of the proposal seems to stem from the debate over whether the largest
metropolis on the planet represents a concrete jungle or a human zoo. Are
we individuals living by our wits or simple docile captives playing with
ourselves as we wait for feeding time?
Humachine is a call to arms from the first
track “Let it Out”, where the echoed outcry gives an anthem feel. While
there are hints of the solace contained in Soledad Brother in songs such as
“I am not crazy” the guitar of Pablo seems to lift the music out of its
malaise and give it forward momentum.
“Take Control” is the track that takes album
from heavy to heavier and the attitude from dissonant to actively angry.
From then on the second half of the work pounds out what is essentially
revolutionary rhetoric with “Rusted Soul” powerful and uplifting. The final
couple of tracks give a suggestion (as always) as to where Subterranea are
heading next, easing slightly on the outright rock to introduce more harmony
and a funky, danceable edge.
Humachines as a package is tight musically and
taught with emotion, building in frustration before releasing the tension by
looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. A beautifully thought out
therapy session for urban living.
http://myspace.com/vivalasubterranea
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