Search - Maldita Vecindad Y Los Hijos Del Quinto Patio :: Maldita Sea

Ten Years and Counting

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 12/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Maldita Vencindad are captured here at the apex of their careers as one Mexico's top rock acts. A sort of "greatest hits" package this CD illustrates the bands success drawing off of 5 different CD's. The sound of MV hasn't changed much throughout the years, just the themes have. The bands blend of hip-hop, ska and Mexican roots music infuse their sound with a freshness that has set a standard for many bands to follow. The members are led by "Roco", whose image is neo-Pachuco personified, imagine Edward James Olmos posing for the play "Zoot Suit" circa 1978, fast forward to 2000, he's the leader of this band of "Chilangos" who play their brand of Roc en Espanol that is "puro mexicano". This CD captures one of MV's strong points, their live act. Having seen them several times I can say they put on a tremendous show. Roco is possessed on stage, a shaman working his magic, he works the crowd into a frenzy. Some of that energy is evident on the "live" recordings but like most "live" recordings fails to capture the true magic. All the classic MV "hits" are here and even a few surprises that have not been released elsewhere. MV's appeal is on both sides of the border as the Raza on both sides of the border feel at one with the band. They look like us and emote our emotions, be it a Mexicano from the DF or a Xicano from the southwest. MV has always been political, always poignant in their commentary, never afraid to confront injustices or bring up disgraceful incidents such as the slaughter of students in '68 in Mexico City. Their music can be playful as well, sometimes we laugh to conceal the tears. Maldita deals the musical cards as though they were "loteria cards", watch out for the diablito and the joker, escuche la campana, Roco is El Catrin and El Brujo rolled into one. "Pachuco" is one of the best party songs, questioning the hypocrisy one generation puts upon another, the song is just a great statement about unrealistic expectations. This CD has too numerous superb songs to mention, 23 songs in all, suffice to say that this is a portrait in time of one of the best bands in Roc en Espanol. A decade 's worth of music that shows all the changes the band has been through. The music hasn't changed much it is just the issues. They have a unique ability to make their sound totally reflective of the culture on both sides of the border. It's like masked wrestlers and tacos de la calle with a side order of frijoles y arroz, Pancho Villa and Pete Wilson, the sights and sounds of the urban jungle, a street hustler spewing flames from the gasoline in his mouth, a cholo driving with his homies in a lowrider '57 chevy, legless beggars sitting on skates nailed to a board, a dude doing tricks on a skateboard, pandilleros and Aztec Gods, Chapultapec and East Los Angeles, una mezcla of a culture without borders, it's all here, it's Maldita Vencindad y Los Hijos del Quinto Patio, original home boys from the DF. The first ten years are captured here, I'm looking forward to the next ten."

Maldita Musica

Cesar Ojeda | Hollywood, CA United States | 12/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Feel alive once again after listening to this CD. A true reflection of MVs vision. An incredible listen while stuck in rush hour on the 101n. bound outa Hollywood. Gran circo es esta ciudad! Aha!"