Tag Archives: music

Grunge

I was recently in the cradle of Grunge, but 15 years on, didn't really see much of it when I was there (I didn't visit the Experience Music Project then, so that's for sure a reason). 

The climate, however, made me understand immediately why such a sound would find its origin there since it is pretty similar to what is found in the Nordic countries and as you may know hereabouts heavy metal, which can also be kind of depressing, is very popular.

I was very excited to visit the place of origin of bands I've liked since my teenage years, such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam & Foo Fighters, but I was not able to attend any gigs.

Mexicans can’t let go of the past


México espectacular
Originally uploaded by Chiva Congelado

We visited Xcaret during our trip to Cancún, and attended their evening show. In general it was very well made, and for example it is the first time I have seen the mesoamerican ball game being played live (no human sacrifice, though).

There was, however, one thing that bothered me in the show, but it wasn’t about the quality or anything like that. It was a segment where they had somebody singing “Mi México de Ayer” by Chava Flores. I actually have one of his CDs and think his music is quite good, but at the moment I was really annoyed by one very simple fact: Mexicans can’t let go of the past. This is also reflected in the way we are taught about own own history, where everything was better before than it is now and whatever comes from abroad is a threat.

We can’t start building a future if we keep on looking at the past.

No podemos construir un futuro si seguimos enfocándonos en el pasado.

Norteñas

During the past 18 years, the Norteña music genre has expanded from its homeland in the north of Mexico to the rest of the country.  Even in places in the south of the country like Acapulco where so-called “Tropical” music such as salsa and cumbia still predominates you can find radio stations devoted to norteñas.

I’ve heard that it has even become popular in some parts of Brazil (could somebody confirm if that’s true?).

Volver a Comenzar

Como he mencionado antes, me la he pasado escuchando el último disco de Café Tacuba.  Después de chutarme la colección completa y poner el disco en su contexto, el sonido es un poco más 70’s, un poco más pop, pero las letras son francamente el punto fuerte del álbum.  El primer sencillo, que según tengo entendido ya tiene tiempo sonando en la radio en México, se llama “Volver a Comenzar”, y francamente me gusta bastante.

Si hiciera una lista de mis errores
de los menores hasta los peores
que expusiera todas las heridas,
los fracasos, desamores y las mentiras

Ofreceré el aroma del ámbar
ofreceré el cedro y mis lágrimas
con la paciencia del mar esperaré toda una vida
a que sane la confianza
si volviera a comenzar
no tendría tiempo de reparar

Si hiciera un viaje a mis adentros
y sobreviviera a los lamentos
pediría fuerzas para decir cuánto lo siento
si volviera de un viaje a mis adentros

si volviera a comenzar
no tendría tiempo de reparar
el agua derramada está
la sed que siento no saciará

¿Cuántas cosas mas puedo guardar?
¿Cuántas cosas puedo atesorar?
dulce tentación
de dejarlo todo

¿Cuántas espacio mas quiero ocupar?
(hasta los recuerdos ya no caben en este lugar)
¿Cuántas cosas más puedo llevar?
(la última mudanza debe ser la más ligera)
dulce tentación
de dejarlo todo
dulce tentación
regalarlo todo

Si volviera a comenzar
no tendría tiempo de reparar
El agua derramada está
la sed que siento me sanará

El agua derramada está
la sed que siento me sanará

Anime Music Video

You may have heard of mashups before.  An anime music video is a special version, wherein Anime (or other kind of animation) is edited to be co-ordinated with a specific song (or other, completely unrelated audio source).  I discovered them while looking for something else, and have to admit that I was surprised by the artistry and results of many of them.  Judge the results below.

I guess we will have to start rethinking copyright, for example.