Disco de Café Tacuba: “Re”

This is considered by many as Café Tacvba's best album ever, a statement in which I definitely agree.

It is quite difficult to define what this album represents, it shows definitely an evolution, and even though the lyrics' formula is basically the same as in the first album (topics regarding the Mexican culture that go from being for a while in the subway of Mexico city to the old customs of the `Tlatoanis') what made this album so compelling was the wide variety of musical styles that the band decided to include for this work.

During this album we could see where the band was going, Emmanuel started to sing (a pretty cool slam song entitled `El borrego'), the vocalist started to change names (he was known as `Cosme' for this album) and the musical direction they took was vast.

`La ingrata' is nothing but a traditional Mexican song about relationships the Mexican way, `El ciclon' is a song reminiscent of the old progressive rock bands, `Esa noche' a very beautiful ballad about a love long lost.

The 20 tracks included in this album are just unbelievable, every song is different to the other and there is not a single musical style in which to catalogue this album. They attempted several styles and succeeded in all. I can guarantee you that this album will not disappoint but the opposite, everything in this album is just so well done, from the graphic design in the inside booklet to the contents of the cd.

This is a musical jewel that must be part of every music lover collection, regardless of the type of music you like, this album has 20 most enjoyable songs. This album was released in 1994 and I still remember me listening to it all the time in my walkman, a couple of years ago I found it on CD and didn't hesitate to buy it, more that 10 years have passed and this is an album through which years won't pass. A must for music collectors.

Manu Chao recommended this album and I haven't looked back. The music is very varied and quite simply superb. Even Manu Chao would be delighted with the rapidity of change of style between the industrial punk of 'El Borrego' to the beautiful Mexican ballad 'Esa noche'. In fact one senses the heavy influence this album had on Manu's own development- I wouldn't be surprised to learn that 'Me Gustas Tu' was his answer to the lyrics at the end of 'El Borrego' and anyone who knows 'Proxima Estacion Esperanza' will feel instantly at home with the guitar rifts of 'Pez'. Kosme's vocals have the power to make or break songs- on this album they make them but unfortunately on most other Cafe Tacuba albums they are the weak link. Highlights too numerous to mention- 17 of the 20 songs are vying to be the best on the album. This is a CD which takes some getting used to so don't worry if you don't 'get it' first time round. When I first heard it I only liked 2 or 3 songs now I like it all. I have now worn out three copies of this masterpiece.

Somebody once said if you enjoy the Buena Vista Social Club, you'll like Cafe Tacuba. I say, buy this album and you'll be using the Buena Vista Social Club as a beer coaster! This is an excellent introduction to the fantastic eclectic sounds of Cafe Tacuba, if you've been so deprived as to never have heard them. And if you know 'em already, get ready for more! There is truly something for everybody on this cd, with almost every music genre covered from rock to sweet baladas. So what you can't speak Spanish... you know what sounds cool, right? Y si hablas espanol, more power to ya, porque las letras estan las mas divertidas de TODO el mundo! And ademas, it's EXCELLENT driving music. Pop this in in the car, and head south towards the REAL Cafe Tacuba in Mexico City... you'll love every minute of the ride!

Cafe Tacuba is the greatest band in the Rock en Espanol movement. They artfully combine native rhythms, pop styles, Mexican street music, ballads, mariachi, and more to create a totally unique and dynamic style. On this album, you will experience Cafe Tacuba's dazzling flexibility as they go from the rhythmic masterpiece of "El Aparato" to the manic punk-mariachi of "Ingrata" to the smooth pop balladry of "Esa Noche". This album is a must-have. You don't have to be a chilango to enjoy Cafe Tacuba's great world music!

Hombres y mujeres de todas razas (pero del mismo corazón)- 'Re' es un disco que tienen que comprar. Lo compré hace un año (antes de ir a México por primera vez) y ahora es uno de mis discos preferidos. ¿Por qué? Es una mezcla graciosa de estilos - hay punk, mariachi, tango - hay algo para todos, pero creo que esta música no gustaría a tu madre. This album appeared on so many lists of 'Latino all-time greats' that I had to buy it. Café Tacuba is a band in the same vein as 'Talking Heads'- there is something manic about the music, and when you hear this album for the first time it doesn't make for comfortable listening; indeed whenever the music is faintly mellow you realise that these boys are sending up a certain genre and it's soon going to turn weird. However, in the immortal words of Dr Hunter S Thompson; 'When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.' This album really works. Having mocked the sentimentality of Tango and Mariachi they laugh at the absurdity of punk and then move on to re-invent some other musical genre. They are perhaps the ultimate post-modernist rock band and they deserve to be better known in the Anglo-Saxon world. So it came as a huge - thought not unexpected - disappointment to find myself practically the only Gringo in the audience, when I finally caught up with them at the Shepherds Bush Empire the other week, when they gave one of the funniest performances I have ever experienced: they sent up boy-bands and at one stage Elfego Buendía, as the vocalist now calls himself, even donned a wrestler's mask! A great band, and the new album 'Cuatro Caminos' is pretty damn good too. If you make it to Mexico City, don't miss the Café de Tacuba, in the Calle de Tacuba, just north of the Zócalo. They serve an excellent breakfast.