Customer Reviews

Rough Guide to the Music of Mexico

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An outstanding compilation of a wide variety of popular and regional styles from across Mexico. This set examines both traditional and contemporary music, including a brilliant ska-banda mix by the popular "rock en espanol" band, Cafe Tacuba. Rancheras, corridos, boleros, indie rock and various stylistic fusions are represented, and even a few sones from Veracruz -- one of my favorite musical genres! If you are curious about the rich musical heritage of this large but often slighted nation, then check this collection out... It might open more than a few new musical doors!

This is a fabulous and eclectic introduction to a musical culture, that, until I got this record, didn't know much about. You may hear some familiar Flamenco or "Buena Vista Social Club" type influences in many of the songs, but "El Nino Perdido" could well be classified as Prog Circus, and "Joder" sounds like the product of robotic composers influenced equally by free jazz and military drill songs. From the hypnotizing harp melody of "La Guacamaya" to the beautiful vocal harmonies and fingerstyle guitar of "La Juanita" to the trademark Mexican hyena laughing in "Que Puntada", this is a fun album full of surprises.

If you're like me and want to get past thinking of "world" music as a genre, and then past the notion that even the music of one country could pass for a genre any more than Appalachian Folk and Heavy Metal should be classifed together under "American Music," then listening to this may well be a mind-broadening experience.