Customer Reviews

Cuatro Caminos

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I started listening to Cafe Tacvba because they did a cover in Avalancha of Leo Dan's "Como Te Extraño", thinking it was their best song. I cannot explain how amazed I was when I listened to their original stuff, especially when Reves/Yosoy came out, which is probably the second greatest Rock En Español CD.

I say second, because Cuatro Caminos is by far the best CD ever created in Spanish Rock. Every song is an entity in itself, but when combined to create the album, the result is magnificent. The multiple state of minds reached through listening is astonishing. As an example, you begin with deep introspection with Cero y Uno, continue with silliness in Eo, and proceed with a feeling of loneliness in Mediodia(my favorite song in this album).The overall rating of this CD is unfortunate, since someone who does not know anything about Cafe Tacuba made the mistake of reviewing this CD. This is not a step back, this album only proves that with enough imagination and skill, Rock En Español can reach a uniqueness all its own, one that does not blatantly try to emulate the Rock that is North of the Border. You do not need to buy this CD based on what I say, but if you don't, there is one more treasure that I have found over you.

In interviews, the boys of Cafe Tacuba have said that they didn't find their lack of English to be an obstacle in their appreciation of American rock. Likewise, they have refused to record in English, figuring that we should be able to get the point. As a monoliguist who only understands the language you are now reading, I admire the hell out of that. And I think I get it. At the very least, I think this is the best album I bought all year and I think it's the best thing Cafe Tacuba have yet done.

I use to be of the school of thought that believes "Re" is a masterpiece and that everything that deviates from it is a step backwards. I now think that's very limited. "Re" is a lot of fun (again, I can't speak to the lyrics but the music is certainly entertaining)but its mixture of recognizable genres could be seen a stunt, albeit a successful one. "Cuatro Caminos" is the work of a band with it's own voice. I can't wait for the next one.

I use to have a favorite song on the album but it changed this weekend. Next weekend it will probably be a different song.

I think it's time for me to learn a second language...

This is simply another solid effort from one of the finest, most innovative modern bands in any genre. One thing I thought curious was a starburst sticker on the package quoting some rock mag or other to the effect that Cuatro Caminos "could be the Kid A of Latin rock." While I'm happy if a comparison to Radiohead when Radiohead is so hot helps Cafe Tacvba move some merchandise, I'd say that that notion misses by one release. This one is nowhere near as experimental as Reves/Yosoy, but rather harkens back to the sound of their earlier work. That's not to say it's a regression, but, like Radiohead with Hail to the Thief, the band has pushed its boundaries and now feels confident in returning a bit to their roots while still incorporating some of the more offbeat elements they've explored in recent years.

In this vein, Cuatro Caminos moves from "Eo," a rollicking, abstract song with the locomotive rhythm fans will recognize from a number of tunes on Reves (and a smattering of electronic squawks and blips, to boot), to "Mediodia," a soft ballad in the style of "Maria" from the band's self-titled album. Things may never quite get as rough and ready as "Ingrata," but songs like "Que Pasara" and "Soy o Estoy" will certainly please those who missed some good, old-fashioned raw Ruben vocals the last time around.

Maybe this disc is "experimental" and a million spins of Reves/Yosoy have just inured me to the point that it sounds tame in comparison. Whatever the case, there's nothing with which to be disappointed here. Whether allusions to Radiohead are on point or not, to have two discs like Hail to the Thief and Cuatro Caminos come out so close together is a rare treat in a day and age when bands like these are increasingly without equals.

Rock en Español-megaproducer Gustavo Santaolalla teamed up here once more with the Cafe Tacuba to deliver arguably the band's best work ever. For those who know them and follow the genre this might sound as a tough call (considering their history of extraordinary music), but they outdid themselves, not just by a sheer result of evolution (call them the Latinamerican Flaming Lips, if you may) and (once again) their impeccable production, but also due to the addition of drums to their lineup with the guestwork of Victor Indrizzio and Joey Waronker. Listen up closely, and you will realize this is another great Cafe Tacuba album, but taken to the next level thanks to the life that a live drum set (as opposed to a drum machine) can breath on a piece of music!

For anyone who feared the "Tacubos" were getting softer in any way, the power that they gain thanks to the live percussion complements the band's already established sound, with the unmisteakably jumpy and highly adaptive voice of Elfego Buendia, the keyboards of Emmanuel del Real, the guitars of Joselo Rangel and the bass of Quique Rangel. The result: 14 solid songs that overdeliver one after the other. If you ask me, this is a classic right out of the gate. A longtime keeper for Rock en Español fans and serious music collectors alike.

Cafe Tacuba vuelve a tirar la casa por la ventana con este nuevo cd. Este cd tiene mas ritmo ya que dejaron atrás la caja de ritmos y ahora tienen un baterista que en si no es parte de la banda , si no un músico invitado. También este cd tiene más ritmo por el cambio que hizo Quique del contrabajo al bajo ya que el contrabajo es un instrumento un poco lento comparado con el bajo eléctrico. Las letras de este cd son buenas no tan profundas y filosóficas como en Reves/Yo soy pero la música y el sonido te van llevando que es algo que he notado diferente en este cd. Sinceramente no creo que los tacubos vayan a sacar un cd mejor que el de RE. RE es un cd muy ecléctico que te lleva de un extremo musical a otro. Entre las mejores canciones de Cuatro Caminos puedo mencionar MEDIODIA , HOLA ADIOS , TOMAR EL FRESCO , PUNTOS CARDINALES , EO. Le deseo suerte a la banda a la cual considero la mejor en Latino America.

It is such a nice thing that even though there's a lot of good music out there(and of course a lot of crap) you can still find albums like CUATRO CAMINOS. cafe tacuba is at its best. RE was their way to show off that there's nothing they can't do when it comes to music, then REVES/YO SOY came to confirm they were the best rock band in the spanish speaking world but with CUATRO CAMINOS they are just proving they are one of the world's best rock bands and nobody that listens to this album could disagree with that. even though there's a lot of english speaking people who will listen and enjoy it it's still a shame that the majority of the world will never know about it cause it's not in english. so i guess that radiohead has a new competitor when it comes to holding the best band in the world title.

"Cuatro Caminos" is one of the best albums of 2003. The return of Cafe Tacuva, now in Universal Music, is simply marvelous. This CD is different from the previous CDs and if you buy this disc, you will enjoy almost an hour of good music. My favorites songs are: Eo, Cero y Uno, and Eres(by Emmanuel del Real).

desde que compre este cd no pude despegarme de escucharlo, y llevo dias escuchandolo constantemente a diferencia de reves/yosoy que me tomo un poco mas de tiempo sacarle el gusto, aun asi pienso que r/y es una obra de arte. pero 4 CAMINOS muestra que tanto han crecido los muchachos en cuanto a sus gustos y hasta las mismas cosas que escriben, sonido nitido..... y un encantamiento total desde que presionas play hasta que se detiene el disco.... no es porque sean mi banda favorita de rock en español, pero recomendaria a todo el que gusta del rock no convencional a echar una escuchadita a 4 CAMINOS

I own the other Cafe Tacvba albums (with exception of the "Revés/Yo soy") You know, with this band you'll have a diferent taste for every album, which I think is a great thing because they're always innovating with sounds and blending different styles in one cohesive mix. Prove of this is the "Re" album, an excelent mixture of rock, mexican rythms, boleros and even speed metal.

The good news is that this album is still different and innovative: Electronic samples and textures have been added to some tracks, giving a new and fresh sound to the songs of this band (like on "Encantamiento inútil", "Desperté")But we also have the "classic" Tacvba sound in gems like "Tomar el fresco", "Qué pasará", and "Eres" and the frenetic "Eo". But my favorite track here is the dreamy "Mediodía".

I only comlain about some "fillers" on this record (last two tracks and "Recuerdo prestado") I could've been better without these tracks, makig "Cuatro caminos" a solid and perfect production.

Just one little thing, this special edition come with a nice cardboard packaging. Hope this information will be helpfull.

Track list and rating:
01. Cero Y Uno 4/5
02. Eo 4/5
03. Mediodia 5/5
04. Que Pasara 4/5
05. Camino Y Vereda 4/5
06. Eres 5/5
07. Soy o Estoy 3/5
08. Encantamiento Inutil 5/5
09. Recuerdo Prestado 2/5
10. Puntos Cardinales 4/5
11. Desperte 5/5
12. Tomar El Fresco 5/5
13. Hoy Es 2/5
14. Hola Adios 1/5

If you're not much in love with spanish rock, listen to the samples and give the album a chance.
Cafe Tacvba fans, get a copy, this is a must!

If you want to find a great spanish speaking band this is it. Cafe Tacuba is amazing and interesting. The styles are diverse and ever growing and provide a wide range of enjoyablilty. I reccomend this to everyone.