Review Summary: From metal bands to sweet, warm acoustic guitars. Definitely something different for every listener.
Rodrigo Y Gabriela makes quite an impressive, guitar wielding duo. From their origins in Mexico and their early heavy metal influences, the flamenco song writing style creates quite an effect on the listener. Rodrigo Y Gabriela may at first be a lot for the listener to take in, there is definitely a lot to listen for, but once the listener is in their on a roller coaster ride that they will never want to get off. Listeners will become captivated by the at times fast lead work of one Rodrigo Sanchez with his creative use of many guitar techniques, while the other half of the listeners’ brain will be focusing on the rhythm section of Gabriela Quintero where there are a lot of rhythm slaps and acoustic chugs whilst maintaining the main chording of songs.
Rodrigo Y Gabriela for some part may have been brought to the attention of the listener through their rock and metal covers. These well known bands Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven and the highly influential Metallica instrumental Orion give many basis for influence of many bands across the globe, however Rodrigo Y Gabriela have used these tracks in such a fashion to include their own style and not simply copy another bands songs. Being an instrumental group some listeners may first think that Rodrigo Y Gabriela are missing something, however they can rest assured that they are not. There is a lot going on, on each and every track there are great displays of rhythmic and melodic technical ability and it may take a few listens of every track for listeners to understand the creative layers of the Rodrigo Y Gabriela outfit. The lead work more often than not makes up for the lack of vocals and some more, while the rhythm work adds a very solid backbone filling the roles of not only the rhythm guitar but also of the bassist and percussionist.
Rodrigo Y Gabriela mixed their talents so well to create a high standard of music that brings the listener in melodically trapping them in a web of flamenco styled masterpieces. Right from the opening track “Tamacun” listeners will start to feel many things at once, with the melodic leads being brought to the fore front of the listeners mind. The riffs are hard hitting ( as much as they can with an acoustic guitar) and the melody work will make the beginning guitarists put down their instruments in a manner that shows they will never play to this standard, while the solo work is of particular notice and will ensure a level of replay ability.
A main highlight of Rodrigo Y Gabriela’s album includes the second track. Displaying great levels of technicality combined with a jumpy, moderately fast beat creates the perfect mood for listeners who want to tap along with the music. The lead work is fast, melodic and slightly minor, while the rhythm includes various levels of highly tasteful rhythmic slaps, the advanced triplet patterns used by Gabriela show great technical skill, and overall makes this a highly enjoyable track on the album.
Overall Rodrigo Y Gabriela presents a highly tasteful and highly enjoyable album to its listeners. Most will find something (if not many) elements they will enjoy. Musicians will appreciate the technicality and musicianship shown on the album whilst listeners of other genres may enjoy something different in the form of Rodrigo Y Gabriela.
Highlighted Tracks: Tamacun, Satori, Diablo Rojo, and The cover Tracks.
