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Bloque
Bloque
Bloque
Genres: International Music, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Rock, Latin Music
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

The spirit of rock took a holiday from its American birthplace and paid a visit to the far-off terrain of the Colombian-born and -bred Bloque--only to find itself in a midlife crisis. And indeed, the genre couldn't find be...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Bloque
Title: Bloque
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Release Date: 10/6/1998
Genres: International Music, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Rock, Latin Music
Styles: International Rap, Latin Pop, Latin Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 093624706021

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The spirit of rock took a holiday from its American birthplace and paid a visit to the far-off terrain of the Colombian-born and -bred Bloque--only to find itself in a midlife crisis. And indeed, the genre couldn't find better comrades than this sophisticated musical battalion, named after the commando unit trained to track down Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. The main songwriting team of Ivan Benavides and Ernesto Ocampo have crafted a fine group of songs sung entirely in Spanish but possessing a musical multilingualism that should win over those que no lo entienden. Shades of postpunk art rock saturate the guitar textures of "Dano en el Bano" and "Sin Lagrimas," and they even rip off Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page for the opening lick of "Nena." Never absent, however, are the classic rhythms and vocal harmonies of traditional Latin music, updated innovatively and respectfully on postmodern sambas like "Majana" and "No Volvere." Most of us stateside may not recognize this rock when we see it again, but you always come back from the best trips a little changed, anyway. --Justin Hampton

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CD Reviews

Excellent on a world class level
Joseph Geni | 03/22/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's definitely Latin, but you can't limit it as such. There are elements of rock, blues, funk, hip hop, psychedelia, and a little bit of that andean flute to add a curiously soft edge to the harder grooves. But don't think that they're trying to cover too many styles--they're not. Amazingly enough, they pull it off and these incredibly varied songs seem to flow seamlessly. And if you listen to it and think that you like some songs less than others...give those songs a second try. You will discover something different about each song each time you listen."
With energy
Joseph Geni | Evanston, Illinois United States | 04/13/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered Bloque because of a David Byrne article that mentioned them. The article was about how the idea of "world music" is silly, because a) how can you possibly lump all the world's music not from the US and UK into one category? and b) the idea of world music implies that there's "authenticity" in the traditional sound of a particular country, which should never change.



Bloque was mentioned in the article as a band that blows gaping holes in this view of things, and do they ever. This record is loud, brash, energetic, a delightful mish-mosh of disparate genres, and doesn't quite fit on any shelf of the music store but would be much more at home in the rock section than the "world" one. I don't know a word of Spanish so I've no idea what they're singing about but it doesn't matter. Music is music and it's good.



The one complaint I have with this record is that it sort of loses steam in the latter stages. I'm a big believer in albums, particularly debut albums, being shorter, not longer. Shave a couple tracks off the second half of this disc and it would get more spins in my player than it does. But the first half in particular is dynamite. Especially given how cheaply this is selling right now, I recommend that jump on that and get this disc."
O my God!
08/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even though I am a great admirer of all of El Bloque work (formerly known as La Provincia) in the past and their collaboration with Carlos Vives because of its new and fresh sound I was totally blown away by what I heard here...this CD totally rules! It's the best thing ever! The music made by this Bogota-based band is out of this world. It's a supreme combination of everything that it's awesome, exciting and bold about latin and rock music a wonderfully performed blending of real music made by real musicians that will blow your senses away and grow roots in your gut. You cannot miss it!"