By José Gandue @spinning zone
The most valuable thing about the compilation he made these days Rolling Stone magazine The discussion that can arise among friends (and acquaintances) about whether a particular album deserves to be included on the list of the 50 best albums in Latin American history is a common one. Personally, I found the selection to be boring, unconvincing, and often lacking in charm. In the long run, it's a list that's sometimes too obvious and at other times too forced, with some characters who, without naming them to avoid pointless arguments, shouldn't be there. It's quite possible that Re, of Cafe Tacvba deserves to be in such high positions (I'm not a big fan of the band, I confess, but this title is full of magical songs), And I'm glad they recognized Julieta Venegas' brilliant work in Good try, one of the most heartfelt and least known albums of his career. Puff It's a huge production (thanks for coming, Cerati). Modern Clicks It should be higher (or not, Charly?) and the truth is that I would have chosen from Velvety Atomic Caribbean above The peace pipe. Likewise, my opinion on the matter shouldn't matter a fig to the person in charge of writing the article, although I would warn them that choosing The Rock of my town, of Carlos Vives or include Los Van Van oa Roberto Carlos to demonstrate foolish bravery or, as some acquaintances call it, a kind of «"intellectual chocolate craze"» It's a total blunder. This kind of nonsense is what perfectly complements an article like this. clickbait, like many of those that the classic North American publication has been presenting for years.
In short, everyone has their own tastes and circumstances. In any case, very few albums from the last 25 years made in the independent sphere of the continent were cited in the report. And I believe that, in order to write a text that counters this injustice, I want to use four examples to demonstrate (if necessary) that Much of the richness of the Latin American music scene is born and thrives in self-managed spaces. And in the small investments of patrons, who, far from trying to compete with large multinational companies, recognize local talent and make the bold attempt to show it to the world, one listener after another. «"Only 4?"» Some will say so, but I wanted to be strict and avoid the discussion of «"What is rock?"» And so on, and I chose four titles that I personally love and still listen to, and which I'm sure still have a lot to say in these times. Let's begin:
Rule – Following (2015)
I have said on many occasions that My favorite rock city is La Plata, capital of the province of Buenos Aires. On every corner there's a band or artist that deserves our attention. Classics like Patricio Rey y sus Redonditos de Ricota, Virus, and Peligrosos Gorriones, among others, emerged from there. Today, the land of "pinchas" and "lobos" has hundreds of names to proudly carry on and play anywhere, like Estelares, Isla Mujeres, Fede Kempff, Guasones, and, of course, El Mató a un Policía Motorizado. Norma comes from there, a group that defines its sound as "two-tone rock", with strident guitar, with rhythms that combine surf moments, garage moments, and ska moments, achieving a very distinctive sound, which could come from the 60s and 70s, but with a humor and attitude worthy of the cynicism of these times. Following, The album, which includes 9 songs, lasts only twenty-five minutes, because Each of the songs is a direct punch to the gut, without feints, without warnings. The voice of their singer, Sebastián "Chivas" Argüello, contains distinctive high peaks, almost ear-splitting, and his lyrics are brilliant, ironic commentaries on everyday life. This band is better known among specialized fans than among the masses who follow more commercial trends, but, curiously, Among his followers are Fito Páez and Sergio Rotman, among other celebrities.
Best songs: 6 am. , Hello y I see.
Thiago Pethit – Rock 'n' Roll Sugar Darling (2014)
If I'm asked to choose sexy albums, in the best sense of the word, from the list, This genius is at the very top. Made in Portuguese and English, and recorded in Los Angeles, It is disturbingly rock 'n' roll, daring in its sensuality, made without prejudice, made with balls and at the same time with an addictive feminine perfume. If we try to find the essence of this production in the sonic blender, perhaps we should look to the attitude of Pj Harvey, the audacity of Screaming Jay Hawkins, to a «"Caetano Veloso lost on Route 66"» (I quote the Spanish chronicler) Carlos Úbeda (for this perfect analogy) and to the guitar sound of Bo Diddley, traversing the 21st century. This album, avoiding clichés, It smells of unbridled sex with breaks of menthol cigarettes, leather jackets, whiskey, and roadside motels. Here, sounds of yesteryear are revived, from boozy bars and seedy dives, and the neglected eroticism of the genre is reclaimed. This is rock 'n' roll without macho pretensions, captivating anyone, any human being, from anywhere in the room.
Best songs: Rock´n´Roll Sugar Darling, Romeo y 1992.
Superlithium – Tripping Tropicana (2005)
If you press me, I can tell you that This is my favorite album in the discography of Colombian rock. An album that, initially, due to circumstances external to its musical development, could have gone unnoticed, as it was initially financed by a record label that turned out to be quite unscrupulous in its practices. Fortunately, digital platforms exist, allowing this production to regain the recognition it was losing during the era of compact discs and its failed initial distribution. But let's return to the album: This is a gem that showcases what, for me, is the most brilliant moment for the band from the city of Cali., This was a time when their fusion of funk, hardcore, rock, salsa, hip hop and cumbia exploded, combating the usual clichés of the fusion of continental rhythms. Tripping Tropicana, I dare say, it could have been the record made to establish this group worldwide, the one that could have demonstrated that well-executed avant-garde music could also emerge on this side of the world. The opportunity for such an impact was lost., But we still have the opportunity to listen to and enjoy an impeccable recording that will never miss his good humor, his audacity, and his courage.
Best songs: Foxy, Chabetiza y Path
The Ganjas – Laydown (2005)
At the end of the twentieth century and the beginning of the 2000s, Chilean rock emerged from its stagnation through independent music., And that's largely thanks to a memorable label, still existing to this day, called Algo Records. From this experiment, born in 2002, which has included bands such as Ramirez!, Guiso, Pendex, Camión, Perrosky and Magaly Fields, among others, an incredible stoner rock group emerged, fueled by the sounds of Kyuss, The Stone Roses, The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, who, from the beginning, knew how to make cannabis-infused tunes with dense guitars, deep reverberations, and lysergic performances that continue to hypnotize his audience anywhere in the world to this day. This is a journey (yes, a journey, define it that way, without prejudice) lasting 64 minutes, With wonderful songs that reach eight and nine minutes, without allowing boredom to take hold, it is admired in specialized circles and praised by fans from every corner of the globe, including Andy Bell, a key figure in the British band Ride and bassist for Oasis in its final stage. A personal note: Their performance at Rock al Parque 2005 is etched in my memory as one of the best shows I've ever seen.
Best songs: Dancehall, Laydown y The rain doesn't want to fall.