SOUNDTRACK: MOLOTOV-¿Dónde Jugarán las Niñas? (1998).
Molotov was the last Rock en Español band that I really bothered to check out. They were probably most notorious for the cover of the album. Interestingly, the cover is actually a four sided cover which you can flip to three other far less sexist scenes, so yes, that was pretty much a sales gimmick. And it certainly attracted attention (and a law suit!). So they reissued the title with the far less offensive, but very different cover below.
My Spanish is poor at best, but this album is a mix of Spanish and English. And, of course, I know some bad Spanish words, so I get a sense of what this album is about. But here’s the thing–it rocks really hard and has some really great elements of the metal/rap/funk hybrid genre, regardless of whether you know what they’re talking about (although don’t go singing “Chinga Tu Madre” around the office, capiche?).
The opening song “Que no te haga bobo Jacobo” has a very Rage Against the Machine vibe–heavy guitars and sound effects with militant rapped lyrics. The riff is great and the vocals are smoother than Rage’s Zach–“Tito” Fuentes has great flow. There’s also some good funky bass in the middle section. “Molotov Cocktail Party” is a mix of English and Spanish, a pretty straightforward rap, not unlike Kid Rock.
“Voto Latino” has a more alt rock vibe in the guitars, although the vocals are pretty straightforward rap style. The song title means Latino Vote, so perhaps there’s a politics context to it. And “Gimme Tha Power” is a political song, too. A rap (in Spanish) over some nice acoustic guitars.
There definitely isn’t in “Chinga Tu Madre” which has more of those cool guitar effects and group chanting, although it’ probably not worth investigating the lyrics much more. But the chorus is catchy as anything. “Matata Tete” and “Mas Vale Cholo” return to that Rage Against the Machine style, with vocals that are a bit more cookie monster-y (I’m not sure who sings lead on which songs, actually) although “Mas Vale Cholo” has some fun with the vocal delivery. And there’s a spirit of early Red Hot Chili Peppers at work, too.
“Use It or Lose It” is rapped in mostly English. It has a very cool acoutsic-feeling chorus (and a quote of the line, “what cha gonna do rap is not afraid of you.”). “Puto” is presumably an anti-gay song (I suppose I should find that out before I say so). “Porque No Te Haces Para Alla?…Al Mas Alla!” has a fun chorus and cool guitar effects once again. “Cerdo” has a cool 70s vibe, with funky bass and scratchy guitars–it’s got a sexy feel, although the title means “pig,” so who knows.
The final track also rocks very well. According to Wikipedia, the translated title of “Quitate Que Ma’sturbas (Perro Arrabalera)” is “Stay Away Because You Masturbate (Suburban Bitch)” which seems weird . But maybe they had nothing better to write about. Sometimes ignorance of a subject is not a bad thing.
¿Dónde Jugarán las Niñas? is not the classiest album around, but it’s got some really interesting sonics. And I’m led to believe their later albums are even better.
[READ: Week of April 9] Gravity’s Rainbow 3.16-3.24
Last week ended with sex and this week opens with the way I felt–like a voyeur who can’t look away. The exhausting orgy was exhausting to read about as well. And I’m starting to wonder if Pynchon is making a point about sex rather than just enjoying writing about it.
This week’s read also brings back two characters from way way ago. Well, one from not too long ago, but another from what seems like an eternity. I assumed we’d see Pirate Prentice again, but I assumed that it wouldn’t be until Section 4. So that was a nice treat, even if it’s a less than happy return for him. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 