Search - Ska-P :: El Vals Del Obrero

One of the best from the best...

Robert Piquette | Edmonton, Canada | 07/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm nervous. I really am. I have to write a review for a band that is not only my favorite (never heard a bad song by them) but has also impacted me greatly despite the language barrier. To some, if you cannot understand the lyrics (which are ALL in spanish) than it's not worth your time. To me, it doesn't matter at all.



What is bad about this CD? Nothing. There are very few CD's I will give a perfect rating to no matter how much I love it. I have to literally find no problems for it to get 5/5. This album is a great example of perfect music. The album kicks off with El Gato Lopez (Lopez the Cat) which is a great ska song about a working "cat" who goes to ska shows to relieve the stress of being working class. It is inspiring and will have you saying Sigue siguelo all day even if you don't understand (RESIST IT LOPEZ!).



The album, much like the band in general, meshes styles together flawlessly from ska (Gato Lopez) to punk (El Vals Del Obrero) to celtic drinking (Romero el Madero) to calypso (Cannabis) to even pseudo-rap (Revistas del Corazon). The band tosses in a lot of latin and spanish-folk along the ways, and also has an obligatory banjo song (La Sesera no Va). This band maybe third wave but this album is so unique and so interesting. As a fun note this album as well as their rare self-titled album and Eurosis are recorded without a horn section in the band. Instead Kogote (the brilliant keyist/songwriter) synthesizes all the horns into a delectibally unique sound.



The band themselves are also talented. Pulpul and Joxemi are brilliant guitarists both off and on the beat and Julio is incredibly versatile on the bass. Luisimi paces the rhythm perfectly and of course the band has great harmonies. Lyrically the band belays their happy music with powerful and witty (after google translator told me) leftists lyrics. Lyrics range from police brutality to animal cruelty to religion. The band on stage (from the videos I have seen) is just as if not more entertaining. Pipi will often run around on stage assissting with vocals and dressing up in costumes to do gimmicky onstage gags.



This is quite the review for an import album from Spain, but if you like ska, punk, latin, rap or I mean anything this band is an absolute MUST. Buy their back catalogue because as of now they are on a hiatus and it is a sad day for ska. If you are ignorant towards new things, new languages or new politics (they HATE the U.S. and refuse to play concerts there) than don't buy this.



5 stars as that is as much as I am allotted to give."

De Costa Rica a Vallecas un abrazo

Ernesto | Costa Rica | 05/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Que gran CD este de ska-p, de una forma bastante irreverente y comica dice las verdades tal y como lo piensan. Totalmente recomendado si te gusta el rock con los matices latinos del ska. Una gran variedad musical y tematica..... deberian acercarse a dar una vuelta por latinoamerica!"

A must-have for Ska fans

*Skaarj* | Landshut, Bavaria, Germany | 03/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is definitly an butt-kickin' album. Ska-P is one of the best Ska bands in the entire world. Lotta Catchy tunes and hilarious lyrics.
My personal favorites are "Napaes","Romero el Madero", "Cannabis" and "Sexo y Religon"
Also check all other albums of them, as they also are really recommendable,especially "Eurosis".
But nothing can beat them live on stage. That's an experience i don't wanna miss."