Customer Reviews

La Musica Negra

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I stumbled across a discarded promotional copy of "Musica Negra" among the used CDs in an indie music store, and was intrigued by the cover's shot of a shadowed, red-tinted face. Obviously, you shouldn't judge a CD by its cover. But what I found inside was an excellent rock album, not flawless but definitely worth finding more of.

A surreal, gradually-building hum bursts into outright rock in "Way Out West," the solid and catchy "Killing Floor (Get Down On It)" with its "woo-hoo-oo" background vocals, the hard-hitting "It's Alright, It's Okay (Jesus Told Me So)" with its piercing "ain't it a shame" chorus, the startlingly touching ballad "Camellia," the lower-key rock song "Me and Yr Sister," the searing "Devil In Miss Jones," and others feature on this album. A gorgeous ballad strong on piano, "Dirty Goodbyes," wraps up "Musica Negra."

What do people look for in a rock band? Well, that's a hard question to answer, but Verbena has a good chance. This little-known Alabama band is definitely one to take a look at. Each song on this album is unique and memorable in its own way, never blending into a big musical blob the way some albums do.

The vocals can switch instantly from a sneer to praise, rock to a ballad. Lyrics are solid, enticing, likably edgy, and very well written ("Ain't nothin' to it/the devil made you do it/ain't nothin' to it/the crack in your halo"). The overall feel is pleasantly gritty, solid, and the sort of thing you can listen to over and over.

"Musica Negra" was a lucky find for me, and certainly Verbena's previous albums will be worth checking out. Solid, entertaining, very enjoyable.

Early this year I stumbled across a memorable opening act at a Local H concert. The band went by the name of Alabama Boys Choir. THE PERFORMANCE BLEW ME AWAY. I later found out that this was the same band known as Verbena. I picked up their new CD and after playing it in its entirety, I realized that this album is the best CD I have bought in a long while.
The great thing about La Musica Negra is that the music gets better with each listen. Bands like the Vines, the Strokes, and the countless number of moderately talented pop punk bands have managed to make it big. I cannot understand this for a moment because none of these groups are as talented, none perform with such originalty, or shear force as Verbena does on their latest album. I strongly recommend adding La Musica Negra to your music collection.

The self-proclaimed Alabama Boys Choir are back, nearly four years after their last release, with La Musica Negra. This is easily the band's most highly anticipated album yet, with both Into The Pink and Souls For Sale falling under the category of "indie rock"; or whatever they`re calling it nowadays. And although you can't quite call La Musica Negra mainstream rock & roll, you can't rebuff the fact that this is an accomplished album. From the meticulous rock opener "Way Out West" to the serene, piano-tuned "Dirty Goodbyes", you get a sense of what SHOULD be the future of rock music. And this probably would be the ideal choice for rock music; rather than The Hives and The White Stripes and The ______ (fill in the blank)... it depends on whether or not we, the listener, are prepared to embrace Verbena. Here's an overview:

1. Way Out West - 5/5 - a great beginning to the CD. It starts with an almost creepy background hum, but jumps into the rock & roll after about 30 seconds. A very definitive song that contains some of La Musica Negra's most suspicious lyrics and best overall rhythms.

2. Killing Floor (Get Down On It) - 5/5 - could be considered a single. And it's certainly worthy of that title. The `woo-who-woo' background chants are neat; as they really add to the song's magnitude. The beat might be a little less catchy than "Way Out West", but that's neither here nor there. An all-around good track; one of the album's best.

3. I, Pistol - 4.5/5 - here's more of a laid back rocker. Still very hard though; as it's very reminiscent of Into The Pink's "John Beverly". The only reason it just misses a perfect five-out-of-five is because the more subtle approach is hit-and-miss. Still, there's more hit than miss, in the end.

4. It's Alright, It's Okay (Jesus Told Me So) - 5/5 - my personal favorite song on the album. One of the heaviest songs Verbena has ever recorded. This seems to be a new sound that wasn't anywhere to be found on their earlier CDs. The chorus is excellent and leaves you singing along even after the song is over. Quite possibly the best Verbena track to date.

5. All The Saints - 4.5/5 - another melodic rocker, and another good one at that. Seems more Alabama-influenced with a kind of twangy, faint country feel to it. It might be slightly better than "I, Pistol" courtesy of excellent lyrics and its classical sound.

6. Camellia - 5/5 - as slow as it gets for La Musica Negra (minus the closer). Because this song appears so different and out-there compared to the heavier songs, it becomes one of my favorites. There's no question you'll love it if you enjoyed either "The Song That Ended Your Career" or "Lovely Isn't Love". The `hallelujah' chants are great.

7. Me And Yr Sister - 5/5 - one of the more modern rock tracks on the CD. I really enjoy it, but it may be stuck in between a slow song like "Camellia" and a heavier song like "Way Out West". Nevertheless, it's right up there with the best of Verbena. Classic!

8. White Grrls - 5/5 - very comparable to the previous song. More stellar lyrics and a prevailing rock & roll echo make for another beautifully modern rocker. It's hard, almost impossible, to say this song is the best, but it certainly deserves mention. Suspicious lyrics once more.

9. Ether - 4/5 - may be the album's lone weak point. And the four-out-of-five rank still parades the fact that it's enjoyable. Sadly, it just doesn't compare to "All The Saints", "Me And Yr Sister", or even "White Grrls". You won't want to skip over it, but you won't exactly skip to it.

10. Devil In Miss Jones - 5/5 - another choice for the best song here. I heard this one live when I saw Verbena live back in December '02; which might play a small part in my liking of it. It's like a slower version of "Bang Bang". The line `ain't nothin' to it / the devil made you do it too' is both cool and clever.

11. Rememberer - 4.5/5 - this might be the only song that could've come from Into The Pink. It has a very fizzled beginning and pretty much carries out that feel for the entire track. Its unkempt sound might be the only reason it misses a perfect ranking.

12. Dirty Goodbyes - 5/5 - arguably the best closer track Verbena's done (compared to "Big Skies, Black Rainbows" and "Kiss Yourself"). The piano is awesome, something that works as well here as it did for Into The Pink's "Lovely Isn't Love". Whatever the case may be, it's a great finish for La Musica Negra.

La Musica Negra, which means `the black music' in Spanish (go figure), stands as one of the best all-around rock albums I own. Verbena obviously has great potential to become one of the big names in rock & roll music. They are a very diverse group; and it shows on rock gems that compare to their counterparts/friends Local H (i.e. "Way Out West", "It's Alright, It's Okay"), as well as on the heartfelt, melodically brilliant tunes like "Camellia" and "Dirty Goodbyes". If you have either of Verbena's previous albums, you will not be let down with this one. It will go without saying one or two songs into this album that it is here to stay. So if you loved the sounds of Souls For Sale and especially Into The Pink, or are just looking to get into the rock music scene the right way, Verbena's La Musica Negra is the perfect album. Don't miss this.

My first Verbena Cd was into the pink, which I purchased immediately
after hearing "Baby Got Shot". I have listened to this cd more
than any other cd's I have purchased in the last 3 years combined,
so I eagerly awaited their latest cd. WHile I miss the haunting
vocal harmonies with Anne Marie, who is no longer in the band, this
album is phenomenal. Imagine, a band with the nerve to be a little
different! Don't miss this one!

BUY all their records. they're all incredible. i can listen to them all over and over again. check out A.A Bondy's American Hearts as well.

I've never heard any unsolicited information about these guys. I saw them on Letterman one night and thought they rocked and started pokin' around the net.

Though I like they're rockin' songs (esp. Way Out West & White Girls), it's the singers syrupy voice and back guitar of the slow songs that are like a drug.

I'm tellin' you, if you're in a mellow altered mood, program songs 5,6,7,9, and 12, and you'll see why 5*****.

I bought this record the day it came out. I played it a few times and was unimpressed. 6 months passed and I decided to revolve the disc a few more times. Voila! I got it! I have since listened to it about a thousand more times. I can't get over how great this band is and how little exposure they've received.
Too bad a lot of people are missing out on this... and too bad they probably won't be putting out any more records. Get it, spin it, spin it again - be patient.

After falling in love with verbena's into the pink cd upon first
listen I decided that I had to own this and ordered it as soon
as it was available. While the music is a little surprising to
into the pink fans because it is certainly not as raw, it is
just as amazing. With the departure of Anne Marie I find myself
missing some of the lovely harmonizing, although some does appear.
Just as into the pink before it, I find myself reaching for this
cd again and again. I believe it has been an awfully long time
since I heard a band a fresh as this one. Their talent is
amazing, their music incredible and they are just getting
better with time. This is a must have cd.

Freshest rock album to hit the charts in years. Verbena is a definite up and comer. The video for way out west is great also. Go Keifer!

Verbena's "La Musica Negra" is a breathe of fresh air, an almost perfect rock album released at a time when rock music really doesn't get made much anymore (not enough room for it amongst all the watered down punk and rap, kiddie porn songstresses, pretty boy bands, manufactured teen angst, and other corporate music monstrosities..).

This band deserves a better fate than it will probably get. I will do my best to get people to hear this, and then insist that THEY BUY THEIR OWN COPY. It makes me sick to see these CD's already going for ($)... (Yeah, what a bargain, but has anyone noticed that music really sucks these days since great artists like this don't get rewarded anymore).....
(And as a sidenote, I just realized that the title of the fourth song, "It's Allright, It's OK, Jesus Told Me So", is probably in reference to a line from a film made in 1999 entitled "American Movie").