Review by: Bob Alderdice
Hailing from Valencia, it would seem (according to the press release) that Cuello are a bit of a super-group! Frontman, Jose Guerrero, a prolific contributor to the Spanish underground music scene (Betunizer, Jupiter Lion, La Orquestra del Caballo Ganador, Rastrejo), is joined by drummer, Oscar Mezquita (Derrota, Zanussi); guitarist, Ubaldo Fambuena (Los Tracahombres); and bassist, Nick Perry (Tucan, Obleans).
Apparently, the band started when Guerrero, tired with the world of psychedelia, improvisation and experimental music, decided that he just wanted to play in a good-old, straight-forward melodic punk band. Hardcore drummer and self-professed Belle & Sebastian lover, Oscar Mezquita joined him and, thus, Cuello was born.
However, to say that they are just a straight-forward melodic punk band would be to massively under-sell them. The band compare themselves to Husker Du and Sonic Youth but also to Blue-Album- era Weezer. The press release states that Cuello are “pure rock, no frills, no complications” but I couldn’t disagree more. This is far from basic pop-punk. There really is loads going on, making these guys far from predictable and thoroughly enjoyable.
In truth, when I listen to this band, I just get the overriding impression that they are just making the music that they enjoy. Not for a certain scene or crowd. Not to imitate anyone else. Purely to satisfy their own creative desires. That’s probably why I enjoy this album so much.
It’s definitely punk. It’s definitely good. I’m not sure that I could classify it into one subgenre, though, and that’s definitely a good thing.