Review:

on 2011-09-05 CharlesMartel Said:

For a couple who started out playing heavy metal in a number of bands in their native Mexico, these two sure have gone a long way. Well, they've gone to Dublin at least. Whether that has had an influence on the way in which they approach their music is open to debate. I first encountered this seeing the pair on Jools Holland's excellent late night show one Friday on the BBC (if you don't watch this, you seriously should). They were far and away the most interesting act he featured that night.

Now an album of entirely instrumental tracks may not be to everyone's taste, but that is not to say it delivers less simply because there are no vocals. After all, people dont criticise Beethoven's symphonies for not having vocals. What manages to hold the attention is the incredible diversity the pair bring to their music. Of course, the traditional flamenco, Andalucian-style, with its clever interplay between the two guitars who play off each other as often as they play complementary roles to each other. Listen carefully, and you can clearly discern elements of non-Spanish folk and even some rock and jazz elements.

What amazes most is the frenetic pace at which they undertake their playing. This, it has to be said, is a feature of Spanish flamenco guitar playing. But your ears are deceiving you - this is (for the most part) two people playing guitars without the use of a percussionist. Any percussion you hear is actually Gabriela Quintero slapping the face of her guitar and while she also provides what may loosely be termed the rhythm of the music, it is a perfect compliment for Rodrigo Sanchez to run all thirty six of his fingers up and down the fret board. True, they do have some additional support on a couple of tracks in the form of a gypsy fiddle, but the density and fullness of the music is down to the ability of the two main protagonists to sound as if there are more than just the two of them in the room. What is perhaps most remarkable of all is that they eschewed the usual approach to recording. Each track on this album was recorded live with no overdubs making it more like a session. But it would have to be that way. The interplay between them could not be sustained in any other way.

Now it is almost inevitable that, for the newcomer to their music, most attention will focus on the pairs reworking of "Stairway to Heaven". Many have tried and most have failed (miserably, it should be said) to cover this track in a new way without having made a complete hash of it. Sanchez and Quintero have adopted an approach which comes closest to success insofar as they have simply ignored the rock structure completely, dropped the lyrics and played the song as if it were a combination of a Spanish folk song and medieval dance. The result is definitely worth listening to and is one of the few covers which does not detract from the original.

But for me, the high point of the album is the seven-minute long "Orion". This is the song which perhaps most obviously demonstrates the link the pair have made between the rock they started out playing and the music they are playing now. It is without doubt the most original and innovative song on the album, demonstrating an ability to move far beyond the confines which the traditionalist may seek to impose on their choice of instruments. But although there are no limitations to the style, it seems, there are to the format. In a sense this is what is and it cannot really be much more. It is a wonderful listen, an easy listen, but is not going to take you much further than that. For some this will be a new experience, but for others this will seem like an interesting party trick.
Rating: 7/10

on 2008-07-08 musiklvr4life Said:

oh this review gets me so excited to see them at all points west festival on august 10th!! anyone else going? them and jack johnson. i know, but i love him!
Rating: 10/10

Review:

on 2007-04-07 hstisgod Said:

Terrific band! Gotta get my hands on this album
Rating: 10/10