Latin America has a proud techno-rock tradition that is often overlooked in the United States. Few bands (Nortec Collective, Cafeta Cuba, Aterciopelados, Soda Stereo and Cerati among them) have made any headway in the US market. Most people also don't know just how much some of these bands have been influenced by bands such as The Police, the Beastie Boys, The Specials, the Clash, The Cure, Queen, David Bowie, the Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode and a myriad of other alternative-rock / techno / dance bands that still get prominent radio play throughout Latin America.On the Mexican band Kinky's new album, "Reina" (on Nettwerk America records) you'll notice some of those influences and a few accordion-techno mash-ups in the vein of Beck's "Guero" as well.
When it works, as in the euphoric "Una Linea de Luz," it's pure musical nirvana. When it doesn't, as in "Monday Killer" (which echoes The Police's "Demolition Man" with Vegemite Sandwich influences*), it's still pretty interesting.
Where Kinky truly come alive is on stage. I was blown away by them when I saw them years ago at a Latin American Music Festival concert here in New York and that's no surprise since their song catalogue is full of party anthems (on the current tour, others seem to agree).
Used in a myriad of television commercials and shows like "CSI: Miami," they're perhaps best known for "Mas" (performed live here at the Avalon in Hollywood in September).
SPECIAL OFFER TO BLABBEANDO READERS: Nettwerk's Save the Music Fan has reached out to Blabbeando and is offering a couple of nifty prizes to the first two people who respond by writing to me at blabbeando@gmail.com and answer the following question:
* Which famous vegemite sandwich eater is a guest vocalist on on "Monday Killer" from the new Kinky CD "Reina"?
One lucky reader will win a free copy of "Reina" while a second lucky reader will win two tickets to their upcoming November 5th show at New York's Bowery Ballroom (NOTE: Your name and e-mail address will be forwarded to a Nettwerk representative).
For more on Kinky, please visit the following links:
- Kinky's MySpace page
- Kinky's website
- Video for the first "Reina" single here
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2 comments:
Interesting. Latin America seems to have a large audience for all sorts of music. When I got by from Deutschland everybody from South America at my job started to sing Rammstein songs to me. I was constantly translating lyrics like "Du Hast Mich."
Kinky yeah baby!! Im so gonna be there tocayo.
I concluded their new album pays a homage to their paisano "norteña" (northern mexican music) music icon Cornelio Reina (thus the album title?), since this album uses a lot of accordions and norteña elements (a la Nortec Collective). Or maybe it's only my imagination ;o)
Oh and btw, the name of the band is "Cafe Tacuba" (officially though, I think it's "Cafe Tacvba" due to some copyright problems), named after a famous restaurant in Mexico City.
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