Customer Reviews

Sin Bandera

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While American music was stagnating and wholly uninspired in the last few years I was wondering if and when it would get it's act together. Mindless pop tunes with no soul autotuned to sterile perfection blared on every radio channel I knew that there had to be a glimmer of light somewhere to save music. I endured a few more years of this and finally it took me moving to San Diego California in 2002 to know that while American music had lost its passion the rest of the world however had not. Driving in my U-haul over the mountains east of San Diego the US channels faded to static and the Mexican stations took over. Soon I hear a sublime impassioned voice whispering passionately in Spanish. Though I do not understand Spanish the heartfelt emotions pouring from the singer backed by a wistful guitar, the message was clear. The music fanned the dieing embers of my heart and washed over me in a glorious candlelight. The Song I was as I have just recently found out was Sin Bandera's Te Vi Venir, easily the best piece of music I've heard anywhere, anyplace in the world in many years. My heart was inspired and the Romantic in me rekindled. I knew that hope had returned to music.

The video for SB's "Entra En Mi Vida" has recieved extended stay on most of Latin America's play lists; as well it should. It is a very calculated and carefully planned performance, for it sends important information to the viewer about these impressive artists: This is a duo with a natural ability to harmonize round each other's phrasing. They both play a variety of instruments, hence the learned approach to their musical and lyric composition (the structure of each song is definitely solid, classically trained, and designed to showcase the best of their talent). And the results are wholly viceral, very enjoyable.

The difficulty lies in what one should notice first. The obvious subject is of course the vocal delivery. It is impeccable in both harmony and interpretation. Every one of these songs is a duet beautifully arranged and performed. When either Leonel or Noel, the entirety of SIN BANDERA, take the melody, the other wraps the harmony perfectly throughout the other's reading, without overlapping and "stepping over" each other. It is a perfect complement. What one hears is a rich, engaging performance. It is a staggering understatement to say that these artists have enchanting voices and enormous talent.

Next is the lyrics of this CD. Penned by the artists themselves, these compositions are at once elegant, eloquent, engaging, deliciously infectious, indelible, and utterly enviable. One wishes one could have thought of just this manner of expressing the elation of love, the poignancy of past loves longed after, and it's disappointments. Romantic is not word that does not come naturally here. It is strained. It has become a most trite and overwraught description, but approached from a traditional sense, there is little that is not romantic about this production on the whole. It is unique in its style, but very romantic.

The aforementioned "Entra En Mi Vida" is a gentle supplication and sure to become a mainstay of the best of ballads. The uncontainable rush of emotion and infatuation when one finds himself in love at first sight is subtlely offered in "A Primera Vista" until the first chorus comes round. Then, one is swept off his feet! The other worthy ballad that has been making the rounds on the video playlists recently is "Kilometros"--about the perturbations to one's true love over distance... simply beautiful.

This debut deserves 5 stars for its sheer talent alone, but also for its acoustic (instrument and vocal) drive. The passion with which this duo composes, plays, and sings their songs is evident in every one of the tracks, and it is a joy to listen to it.

You will play this cd over and over again with as much joy and appreciation as when you first heard it.

Their soothing voices and beautiful lyrics are a beautiful blend. The cd is very romantic and the pop tracks are lightening and uplifting. Im a true fan of Sin Bandera and they are a talented duo.

This cd turned me into their #1 fan..they are great i love their music and their 2nd album is magnificent too i recommend it..they lyrics hit the soul...their melodies are great they have great chemistry and makes u want to keep listening to whatever comes next.

My boyfriend sent me 'Entra en mi vida'. After listening to it for so many times, I decided to look for the cd in the internet. Thanks to Amazon.com I got it in one week time. It is a SUPER album!! I am waiting for the next CD by Sin Bandera, they are great! If anyone is doubting to buy this CD, I would say STOP DOUBTING, BUY IT, YOU'LL LOVE IT! It is not worth 5 stars, but 6!

I went to boarding school for senior year and my roommate was Mexican and played this album incessantly and I was addicted so I bought it also. It's such a great album. My favourite's are Sirena and Te Vi Venir

Although I know only a little Spanish, this album has inspired me to learn more. Even without the language, the tone of the songs shines through - most of them are about love, and as the main review put it "slightly melodramatic" but full of heart and passion. I cannot stop listening to this CD except to put in their next one. Beyond the big hits of "Entra en mi vida" and "Kil-metros" are many other fantastic songs, in a variety of styles. That they write and play their own music only adds to my respect for the tremendous talent they possess. Buy this album- it has dance songs, love ballads, and brilliantly written melodies and lyrics that you won't be able to chase from your head. Better yet, pop it in the car CD player and sing along at full volume. :-) Then go buy "De Viaje", their next album. It's equally good, but for different reasons.

Sin Bandera is as good as it gets for easy listening music - the kind of stuff that lightens up your house if you leave it on as you work, and that makes you break into dance when you need a breather. Beautiful, clean harmonies and very neat recording/mixing work.

Just under half the songs in here are upbeat enough to make your feet restless (it's always time for me to get up and turn the music up when "Sirena" comes on!) while the rest are gorgeous ballads set a cut above average radio fare by fresh lyrics, seamless harmonizing and Sin Bandera's soulful voices.

As good as the original take is, I doubt that anyone needs two remixes for "Entra En Mi Vida" (they're not particularly inspired). Ah but if you don't have a choice and the regular album is no cheaper, why not. On the whole, a very very worthwhile addition to the frequent-play section of your CD collection!

Being new to music in Spanish, I have not heard a whole lot that I have come to enjoy quicky. Sin Bandera is a great band if I do say, and I recommend anyone who is into the traditional songs of love will love this cd.
I was introduced to Sin Bandera from a friend only a few days ago, and am now looking for as much music by them as I can find. This is a wonderful cd and I recommend it to anyone who is into love, especially for all "novios".

Sin bandera proves music has no flags and no boundries in this world because feelings come first always. An Argentino and a Mexicano make this very truly romantic duo with music and lyrics of their own inspiration and with an excellent production by Auro Baqueiro. Their songs are easy to listen and understand. Nothing complicated just real life situations. If you want to try something new in latin music and are searching for new lyrics try this album, you'll like. Just give it a week or two. Personally 'entra en mi vida' should have been song of the year along with Elefante 'asi es la vida'.
Just read this 'te comenze por extranar pero empeze a necesitarte luego' .... I have nothing more to say.