Review Summary: Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero make up the flamenco acoustic styled band of Rodrigo y Gabriela. Their original sound gets people out of their seat and moving around..
I first heard Rodrigo Y Gabriela on an MTV commercial. I loved their original sound, but of course, in MTV fashion, the song was cut short for the show “Next,” or somethin’. After seeing some videos on YouTube, I simply had to buy this album. I made a good decision. Now, I should say I was a little bummed to hear that is was an instrumental album, but it was still amazing. Not many instrumental albums really do much for me. The whole album is complete originality. Who knew such sounds could come out of an acoustic guitar? It blew me away.
Even more unbelievable, this band is only a duo! When listening to it, you would think there were at least four people. How can a song have such good beats without a drummer? Gabriela makes it possible with the unique flicking of the strings and pounding on the bass of her guitar. Then Rodrigo adds to the amazing sound with his excellent plucking skills and terrific strumming talent. In most of their songs, Gabriela will keep the great beat, while Rodrigo creates a crazy riff, and soon, it develops into a great hit.
You may think that a band with such originality may not have many influences. Maybe they simply picked up their guitars when they were young, and started making noise. Then, with time, and practice, that “noise” turned into beautiful music? No. Their influences are mainly heavier bands like Megadeth, Slayer, Overkill, Metallica, and Testament, just to name a few. These influences lead to the making of the cover songs “Stairway To Heaven,” by Led Zeppelin, and “Orion,” by Metallica. These songs are prime examples of how covers are meant to be played. Too many bands make cover songs that sound way too much like the original song. These songs sound completely different, while having points in the tracks that sound a lot like the original. It keeps you listening, without drifting off. Songs are much more enjoyable to pay attention to when you know there is going to be something familiar in it that always gets you to bob your head.
The places they have been, and the people they have met is what inspires the rest of the songs on this album.
The songs Juan Loco and Diablo Rojo are just a couple of songs that show their true talent of originality. It is pure perfection of the flamenco technique. Gabriela starts just flicking and pounding away, while Rodrigo comes in with the tremendous plucking of his strings. These two were meant to perform together. It is almost as if they can read each other’s minds to tell when to change up, slow down, or simply cut to some pounding.
Really, the only other duo that I feel that can come close to these two is Jack White and Meg White from The White Stripes. (Anyone who disagrees, feel free to comment and roast me.)
Please check out this band, and inform everyone you know of their amazing skill. I bought this album and I sure do not regret it. It was only like 10 bucks anyway. I suggest you do the same. Or at least download it, or something! If you haven’t heard anything from this duo, please, jump on this Mexican band wagon!
Recommended Tracks:
Tamacun
Diablo Rojo
Vikingman
Juan Loco
P.P.A.
