De Bichos Y Flores [Import]

La Vela Puerca | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 2, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal Int'l
• ASIN: B0000658FN
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,427 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Stuck between Brazil and Argentina, the tiny country of Uruguay makes up for its lack of size with the powerful and pulsating rock en Español meets ska meets reggae sound of the inventive La Vela Puerca. On De Bichos y Flores, the follow-up to their self-titled debut, the group is led by Sebastián Teysera's strong vocals laid out over bass, drums, guitars, saxophone, and trumpet. Think of a South American version of the British punk icons the Specials and the Police, with a little bit of Afro-Uruguayan murga rhythm thrown in, and you'll get the right sonic seasonings of this combo. "Por la Ciudad," "El Huracan," and "Por Dentro" encompass their folkloric, Jamaicanized bounce, while the midtempo "Contradecir" features strings. All told, it's lots of fun. If only the United Nations could blend cultures this easily. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Product Description

VELA PUERCA LA DE BICHOS Y FLORES

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Near-Perfect Album..., March 15, 2004

By 

Emily (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: De Bichos Y Flores (Audio CD)

For a group that very few people in the US have ever heard of, La Vela Puerca is such a downright great group that this album is a perfect addition to nearly any rock, latin, ska, or eclectic whatever collection. With incredibly talented songwriting, instrumentals, and vocals, this album feels nearly perfect without feeling overly polished that can be the downfall of modern pop music. What is immediately apparent is a deep belief in MUSIC and its use as both expression and the purest form of entertainment. Not all of the songs are happy--several are almost tragic--but they all make you feel like no others can: exhilerated, happy...rejuvenated, seriously. I play this album when all others seem overplayed or tiresome, and it always stays fresh. It's something a little bit indescribable, everyone seems to love it--it's a really FUN album--but there's something else there that goes just a little deeper than your average rock album. It's truly exceptional. Here are some highlights:

Por Dentro is dark, driving, a perfect rock/ska/latin blend...and they really pull it off so that it sounds GREAT...
El Viejo, a great tune, a tragic story...
Contradecir is the first "ballad" style song that I have ever really loved, it's moody but with enough of the rock element that it's never boring or sappy, just fascinatingly rich...
Potosi takes a few listens before you like it, but it grows on you for sure...
Manana is a rock en espanol explosion, seems to be a favorite of everyone I know who's heard it, and it's extremely catchy...
Jose Sabia is a truly beautiful song, defies any sort of genre or style...
Burbujas: look, there's a bit of funk on here too!
De No Olvidar goes out with a bang, even if you don't know Spanish you'll listen enough times to be screaming along in your car!

In short, an unbelievably unique album that has so much life packed into it that it defies words. If you can get your paws on a copy, I almost guarantee that you'll love it. And listen over and over and over and over again...it never gets old.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you must choose only ONE uruguayan group, pick this one!, October 15, 2004

By 

Franco Vidiella - See all my reviews

This review is from: De Bichos Y Flores (Audio CD)

From a little country, a HUGE group!

Their music is so energetic that you can always see children, teenagers and middle age people in their concerts, and everybody is bouncing all the time!!!

It's a great mix of ska, rock and uruguayan murga.

A must-have record.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Uruguayan group, October 22, 2002

By 

JPHT (Iowa City, IA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: De Bichos Y Flores (Audio CD)

This is a powerful album that blends many types of music. Pop, punk, jazz, reggae, murga, folk, etc. And of course, it has that negative attitude so typical of the Rio de la Plata. However, it combines it with so much energy that the songs end up lifting you up. My favorite songs are the heavily promoted "El Viejo" (a sad life story), "El huracan" (makes you feel invincible), "Contradecir" (reminds me of The Beatles), and "De no olvidar" (an old Zitarrosa song turned into punk/jazz/latin).