Labels: Memento
Review by: Andy Malcolm
Decided to write a review after attempting to watch Austin Powers (the first one) and giving up because it was utter bollocks. A collection of weak sketches strung together in a fashion that makes it’s spiritual father films, Hotshots Part I & II, look like Citizen Kane or something. The only good bit was Dr. Evil, the rest, man alive. Cinema eh! Music eh! The arts. Look what money has done to them. Meanwhile, this here 12″ is made by a band from Uruguay. For real! An emo band from Uruguay. You’ve probably seen that Simpsons episode where Homer mispronounces the name of this country. Hablan Por La Espalda kick out the jams across 9 songs here, spitting out some eminently danceable stuff that rocks and rages in equal measure. Vocals and lyrics are in Spanish (I think) though have translations. There are some great tracks on here such as “Duenos de la Sensacion” which has some pretty driving guitars and great brooding parts too. At times the band have a pretty dark sound and are full of energy and spirit. It’s cool mostly that this band sounds fresh and original and not just an amalgam of various American bands that they have heard. I suppose the rock’n’roll of it is comparable to the newer Song of Zarathustra type stuff, the harsh screamed vocals fit in with that sort of thing too. They have a pretty melodic style, and the bass is integral in pushing on the sound they have. In the second half of the record they are a lot more simple and straight forward, kinda punk rock in their approach, at times reminding me of that North Carolina punk thing (Rights Reserved?) in a way. It’s just a bit different, I’ve not heard much stuff like this before.
I think if you are into that kind of catchy, groovin’ and melodic screamy rock style that bands like Transistor Transistor are perpetuating then you will be well into the first half of the record. And if you like creative punk rock you will like the other half. Hopefully you will like both of those! And just because it’s from Uruguay and it ain’t hip or won’t be worth $20 on Skylab someday, don’t pass it over. Cool?