Search - Soda Stereo :: Chau Soda

Essential Listening from Latin America's Best Band

WalterDigsTunes | 11/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Spanning from 1983 to 1994, the tracks on this collection acutely illustrate how a band can grow and evolve. The earliest tracks are neurotic fun; imagine early Police songs fronted by a caffeinated David Byrne with some RHCP inflections on a predominantly fast-paced Two-Tone ska beat. All of the early tracks are uniformly superb and fun. As the 1980s wear on, touches of South America begin to be assimilated into the sound (listen to the Andean flutes on "Cuando Pase el Temblor"). Then, pop sensibilities shine on "Persiana Americana" and "Profugos," as both tracks are immediately catchy and have a lot of replay value.



Disc 2 begins with "En la Ciudad de la Furia," a track that boasts both atmospherics and funky guitar lines. It's a product of the 80s, and we love it for that. But tracks like "Picnic en el 4to. B" show the band tinkering with a sunnier production and janglier guitars (something hitherto unseen). As the disc wears on, we see the band stretching itself into unknown territories. Some tracks begin with piano-based moodyness and then plunge into disco histrionics. The tropical funk of Mundo de Quimeras boasts a more Carribbean flavour than the UK-ska of their early days. "De Musica Ligera" has got to be the most conventional rock track on the whole disc. The last portion of the discs descends into a semi-predictable state that is bereft of the spiky youthfulness on the first disc. But there are still surprises, like "No Necesito Verte (Para Saberlo)," which has an instrumentation that is essentially hip-hop.



As you can tell, I enjoyed disc 1 more than disc 2. It's pop value is easier to appreciate it, and the tracks stay embedded in your head for days. Disc 2 is where a great deal of the evolution takes place. Mid-tempo rockers, funk forays and random experiments all pepper this substancially less catchy disc.



Overall, however, I consider this set to be essential. The breadth that this band managed to tackle is completely impressive, and this document proves Soda Stereo's musical worth. Not only were they extensive in terms of incorporating things into their sound, but they did it with a finesse and skill that's totally unbeatable. Buy it now, and you won't regret it."