Customer Reviews

Vida De Perros

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard 'Los Bunkers' on eMusic while browsing for new "rock en español". I love classic rock, and this sounds pleasantly rough, edgy, full of angst, and a bit of swing. There is a certain depth to the song writing which makes for a dramatic, love-gone-bad, sort of album. Favorite tracks include: Ven aqui, Tu, Vida de Perros.

I had read a few reviews of Los Bunkers' album and was intrigued. Los Bunkers have opened for Oasis in Latin America, and you can see why Oasis selected them - Bunkers make great rock 'n' roll that defies geographical borders.

Even though I don't speak Spanish, I'm a fan of bands like The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand. The comparisons are not inaccurate - Los Bunkers make killer rock with style and hooks galore. The song "Llueve Sobre La Ciudad" could be a hit in any language. Pick this album up and you will not be disappointed.

Definitely one of the most perfectly balanced Rock en Español albums of all time and on the way to becoming a classic as time goes by. But again, the music I usually love is not very mainstream.

If you're considering getting this album...get it! I bought it without hearing any of the songs and loved it right away, something I rarely do. I happened to have it on during a roadtrip and all three friends in the car- none of whom understand a lick of Spanish save ordering food- fell in love with the album immediately. It's very poppy, which is something I like about it, and very easy to sing along to. If you already like bands like Oasis, Zoe, Franz Ferdiand, Strokes and the likes, you will not be disappointed.

These guys are the real deal. Chile's Los Bunkers make frantic, angular guitar rock with hooks and melodies to spare that owes equally to Los Tres and The Kinks. While the britpop sound is nothing new to rock en español, (see Jumbo, La Gusana Ciega, Pastilla, etc.) these guys both take it back to it's roots and update it at the same time, ensuring comparisons to contemporary indie/garage/alt rock darlings The Strokes, Oasis and Franz Ferdinand. Begin with their single, "Llueve Sobre La Ciudad" to get a taste of their sound, although I have to warn you, there is not one throwaway track on this album. These songs will be at home in iPods in Santiago, L.A., Mexico City or even London. So get it already.

I'm incredibly open minded when it comes to music...and I actually like EVERY possible genre of music. I listen to RnB, Rock, Metal, Country, World beat, even "Nacadas" like Conjunto Primavera. But this CD is really nothing that MTV can't produce.

In actuality..all Los Bunkers do is take Los Prisioneros songs and remixed them with a Brit Pop/New Wave arrangement. There is nothing new and exciting about them, as they sound like all the other "revivalists" who chose to imitate bands rather than meshing and finding their own musical route.

To be fair, the only honest reason why there's so much public interest is because THEY SING IN SPANISH and maybe people feel excited that the current pop sound of Britain is available en Español! Hey, it's like having a barbie doll just like the others but with a different, "latina" outfit hence people's desire to treat it as a commodity. Good for them! But Zoë , bandfrom Mexico, I think, does a better job of creating a sound true to themselves and in the vein of bands like Franz Ferdinand and The Killers.

So believe it or not...I ACTUALLY LIKE THIS CD! It's very upbeat and fun. All derivatives aside...enjoying this CD as a pop record is easy once you stop expecting them to be authentic and real. Play this CD with the likes of RBD, Belinda, Julieta Venegas and Reik and you'll have a good time..because that's what pop music like Los Bunkers is for.

I'm a huge supporter and a big fan of Los Bunkers. I've known about them since 2001 when they released their first album and am privileged to own all of their records. This Chilean band is one of the best bands in the world period. Definitely for all fans of bands such as Oasis, The Strokes, The White Stripes, etc. Their music is retro but definitely with a modern feel. Mods, college kids, baby boomers, etc. all will enjoy them. All their albums maybe with the exception of the first one are 5 stars, the first one is 4.5 stars...I highly suggest you try to find their albums somewhere but most likely the only place you can get them is in Chile itself.

Discography:

Los Bunkers - 2001 - **** 1/2
Canci?n de Lejos - 2002 - *****
La Culpa - 2003 - *****
Vida de Perros - 2005 - *****

I highly suggest trying to find the Chilean limited edition version of Vida de Perros. It brings a bonus CD-R with an online code to download 3 tracks that you can burn onto the CD-R with artwork on the disc. It's really cool. The bonus tracks are:

Dime Qui?n
Y Volver? (Los ?ngeles Negros Cover)
Bang a Gong (Get It On) (T. Rex Cover)

Their live shows are amazing. When I saw them in October 2002 in Miami they played a great cover of The Kinks' "You Really Got Me".

Here are 2 reviews I wrote for the first 2 albums:

Los Bunkers - Canci?n de Lejos - Sony Music Chile (CHILE) - (Latin America's best kept secret...major cross-over potential...The Beatles meet Los Tres...the best of the "THE" bands, after all "LOS" is the spanish translation of "THE". Garage-based rock in a very pure form. Even the way they dress says a lot about these guys...OLD SCHOOL.

Los Bunkers - La Culpa - Sony Music Chile - For the second year in a row, these Chilean old school rockers make my list. Why? Because they just released a new album that tops the previous effort. It's almost a crime that these guys aren't known outside of Chile. The band makes some incredible garage rock influenced by the Beatles and mixes it with traditional Chilean music. The production on this album tops "Canci?n de Lejos", their previous effort. Their songs about loss, love, and heartbreak surround me with a sense of being in 1966 Chile or something. I mean it's mop tops with these guys. They don't cease to amaze me and everyone I've introduced them to loves their music. They're not ashamed either of the comparison to the Beatles. They definitely pay a heavy tribute to their heroes of the past. They think it's an honor. I am honored to listen to this record.