La Pegatina
Album: Eureka
Label: Kasaba Music
Tracks: 15
Website: http://www.lapegatina.com

This CD is a bit of a whirlwind - 15 tracks in just over 35 minutes is some going! Normally I would feel short changed by such a brief opus but to be honest its probably as much as one can take in a single sitting. Not that, for the most part (see below), the music is bad by any means - its just that the pace is pretty full on (with the exception of a couple of short gentler moments) and leaves one feeling slightly exhausted!

This high energy Spanish band has gradually evolved from 2003 and now features seven musicians (guitars, bass, drums, percussion, accordion, trumpet) who can obviously hold it all together even at the fastest pace. They remind me at various times of both the Mexican band Los de Abajo and Manu Chao (with whom they have previously collaborated).The tracks are sufficiently varied to hold the interest throughout, though the main vocalist tends to be on the strident side of my sensibilities. Having said he probably needs to be to complement the energy of the music and other vocalists provide some relief.

Unfortunately the last track, 'Sweet Culito' is execrable both lyrically and musically. Suffice to say it includes the word 'booty' and I suspect that does not refer to footwear.

Though likely to cause an accident if listened to whilst driving this would be ideal party music and I can imagine La Pegatina being amazing live.

Joe Grint