Review: Los Fabulosos Cadillac’s La Luz Del Ritmo
La Luz Del Ritmo
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
Nacional Records
What’s life like without breathing? It’s a metaphor Latin rock legends Los Fabulosos Cadillacs have used in song to describe lost love. It’s also a feeling familiar to LFC’s fans, who’ve been holding their collective breath for nearly a decade waiting for a new album from the group.
The band literally introduced ska to a new generation of rockers in their native Argentina in the late 1980s, and became Latin American stars following 1995’s “Matador,” which went on to become MTV Latinoamérica’s No. 2 song of all-time—right behind Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” But just as their ascent to international fame started to take shape, Fabulosos went their separate ways. and never so much as hinted at a reunion.
But a few months ago, fans began to see the light, or, more specifically, “La Luz del Ritmo,” when the new single leaked online and the imminent global reunion tour, including four U.S. stops, became official. While the album is more like an EP—five new tracks combined with two covers and a few remixes—it does provide a glimpse into the Fabulosos’ work in the new millennium. Rather than try something completely new, LFC is sticking to their time-tested formula of a head-bopping, crowd-pleasing fusion of ska, rock, tropical sounds, punk, reggae and traditional Latin rhythms.
The lead single (”Luz”) could easily be added to any of their ska-rific albums of the ’90s, with its infectious percussion, tropical groove, and an addictive chant-like hook: “Vivir de Amor! La Luz del Ritmo” (Live for love! The Light of Rhythm).
The other new singles are solid, and a bit mellower. “Flores” (Flowers) is a punky-rock song, “Nosotros Egoistas” (We Selfish) has bassist Sr. Flavio’s ska touch all over it, and in “Hoy” (Today), lead singer Vincentico’s soulful vocal chops shine in the jazzy track.
But the true selling point of the album comes in the remastering of Fabulosos classics and covers. Among the winners are a new cumbia version of “Padre Nuestro” (Our Father); a fantastic New Orleans funeral procession-inspired, horn-infused mix of “Condenaditos” (Little Damned); and a quality rapid-fire Spanish-language cover of The Clash’s “Should I Stay Or Should I Go.”
For Fabulosos fans, the album is a gratifying new EP, and for potential new fans of the Latin rock genre, it should serve as a primer for the LFC’s ’90s classics.
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Linked From: April 9th, 2009Photos: Los Fabulosos Cadillacs @ Hammerstein Ballroom - Black Plastic Bag - Washington City Paper
1:43 pm[...] before the show, eagerly anticipating the reunion of the group, touring in support of its new album La Luz del Ritmo . The disc includes a sprinkling of new songs and fantastic refinements of some of the hits that [...]
3:40 pm
This is a dream come true! Where are the US tourdates?
3:48 pm
All tour dates (NYC included) posted online at: http://www.fabulosos-cadillacs.com/new/index.php
7:51 pm
Any chance they might add concert dates in the US, say, in DC?!? (Please say yes!) Seems like they have some days in between the currently scheduled concerts…
1:57 pm
I highly doubt it’ll be anytime soon, I’m afraid. The last time I saw Fabulosos in D.C. was back in the mid-1990s–in the old Garage Club in Dupont, which is now the defunct Club Five next to Sesto Senso. But you never know (bands add shows constantly, so the best thing to do is to subscribe to Fabulosos’ list serve at: http://www.fabulosos-cadillacs.com and click on ’sign up’ at the top right corner).
There are three remaining U.S. Fabulosos shows (info at: http://www.livenation.com/artist/los-fabulosos-cadillacs-tickets), including the NYC show on April 5. With so many $20 Chinatown buses going from NYC to DC (http://www.chinatown-bus.com) and the New York show being general admission for less than $50 (before Ticketmaster surcharges), it’s not a bad deal considering the band hasn’t had a U.S. Tour in ages. I guarantee you the NYC show will sell out before April.