01/21/03
Soda Stereo is considered by some to be the "Beatles" of Rock in Spanish. Though they are no longer
together, their music remains popular and in my opinion, their music is fantastic. I find it difficult to
back up the Beatles comparison, as I feel that the band's talent lies, to a very large extent, with Gustavo
Cerati, the lead singer, guitarist, and writer for most of the music.
Soda Stereo started in the 80's and had a very 80's sound at that time. If you see pictures of them
from then, they have long poofy 80's rock star hair as well. As time went on, their music matured and
I believe their best albums as a band were the live albums they did near the end of their career. These
include El Ultimo Concierto [The Last Concert], their aptly titled final concert recording, and
Comfort y Música Para Volar [Comfort and Music for Flying], which is a recording from their MTV
Unplugged session.
Comfort y Musica Para Volar is particularly excellent in a number of ways. Many of their songs were
redone with a different beat, a different style, and it really showed a lot of growth of the band. The
opening with En la Ciudad de la Furia is a model of this. With backing vocals from Andrea Echeverry of
Los Aterciopelados, the song is completely different from the studio version. In fact, I never even liked
the song that much until I heard this version.
Of their studio albums, I think Sueño Stereo [Stereo Dream] is by far the best. Paseando para Roma
was one of the first Soda Stereo songs I heard and I immediately loved it. It is very beatle-esque in the use
of horns and well orchestrated all around. The added touch of the violen and door slamming in the beginning
was very clever and every time I hear it, I just can't wait to hear the opening measures. To me, Paseando para Roma
is Cerati's crowning acheivement as an artist.
Since going solo, Gustavo Cerati has done a number of albums, each one entirely different from the last. I believe
he's really exploring the depths of his abilities and while some of the albums aren't to my taste, the first two
I enjoy a great deal: Amor Amarillo [Yellow Love] and Bocanada [Puff, as in "Puff of smoke," I suppose is the
best way to translate it].
Amor Amarillo seems to continue where Soda Stereo left off, in some ways. With songs like Amor Amarillo and
Lisa following a somewhat beatle-ish sound. Bocanada is a new departure but still following Cerati's Rock and Roll
roots. Puente is a wonderful song. The video was bizarre and my introduction to the song. Ah, what great memories. While
the album overall I think is only mediocre, I have no problem with that when an artist is exploring new territory.
