Sin Bandera Sin Bandera Genre:Latin Music Founded by Mexico's Leonel García and Argentina's Noel Shajris, Sin Bandera is a vocal duet that performs polished, extremely melodic pop songs celebrating the vicissitudes of love. The lyrics are in Spanish, but th... more »e group's sound is informed by the kind of glossy production values and palatable keyboard lines that define most mainstream American productions. That's not to say that Sin Bandera is totally devoid of the Latin tinge, however. The rhythmic structure of the opening "Para Alcanzarte," for instance, is enhanced by a percolating salsa line from pianist Hector Infanzon, and the sinuous, delicate ballad "A Primera Vista" includes the instrumental contribution of Joselo Rangel, lead guitarist of premier rock-en-español band Café Tacuba. Even though the duet's openly commercial aspirations are apparent throughout the album's 10 tracks, there's also a bohemian atmosphere that permeates the procedures, as if Sin Bandera had recorded these tunes in a solitary café, late at night, drunk with the power of their own poetry. Lovers of quality--and slightly melodramatic--Latin pop will think of Sin Bandera as an indispensable arrival to the genre. --Ernesto Lechner« less
Founded by Mexico's Leonel García and Argentina's Noel Shajris, Sin Bandera is a vocal duet that performs polished, extremely melodic pop songs celebrating the vicissitudes of love. The lyrics are in Spanish, but the group's sound is informed by the kind of glossy production values and palatable keyboard lines that define most mainstream American productions. That's not to say that Sin Bandera is totally devoid of the Latin tinge, however. The rhythmic structure of the opening "Para Alcanzarte," for instance, is enhanced by a percolating salsa line from pianist Hector Infanzon, and the sinuous, delicate ballad "A Primera Vista" includes the instrumental contribution of Joselo Rangel, lead guitarist of premier rock-en-español band Café Tacuba. Even though the duet's openly commercial aspirations are apparent throughout the album's 10 tracks, there's also a bohemian atmosphere that permeates the procedures, as if Sin Bandera had recorded these tunes in a solitary café, late at night, drunk with the power of their own poetry. Lovers of quality--and slightly melodramatic--Latin pop will think of Sin Bandera as an indispensable arrival to the genre. --Ernesto Lechner
CD Reviews
VERY TALENTED DUO WITH SUBLIME, ELOQUENT LYRICS
London Braithewaite | The United States | 04/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The video for SB's "Entra En Mi Vida" has recieved extended stay on most of Latin America's play lists; as well it should. It is a very calculated and carefully planned performance, for it sends important information to the viewer about these impressive artists: This is a duo with a natural ability to harmonize round each other's phrasing. They both play a variety of instruments, hence the learned approach to their musical and lyric composition (the structure of each song is definitely solid, classically trained, and designed to showcase the best of their talent). And the results are wholly viceral, very enjoyable.The difficulty lies in what one should notice first. The obvious subject is of course the vocal delivery. It is impeccable in both harmony and interpretation. Every one of these songs is a duet beautifully arranged and performed. When either Leonel or Noel, the entirety of SIN BANDERA, take the melody, the other wraps the harmony perfectly throughout the other's reading, without overlapping and "stepping over" each other. It is a perfect complement. What one hears is a rich, engaging performance. It is a staggering understatement to say that these artists have enchanting voices and enormous talent.Next is the lyrics of this CD. Penned by the artists themselves, these compositions are at once elegant, eloquent, engaging, deliciously infectious, indelible, and utterly enviable. One wishes one could have thought of just this manner of expressing the elation of love, the poignancy of past loves longed after, and it's disappointments. Romantic is not word that does not come naturally here. It is strained. It has become a most trite and overwraught description, but approached from a traditional sense, there is little that is not romantic about this production on the whole. It is unique in its style, but very romantic. The aforementioned "Entra En Mi Vida" is a gentle supplication and sure to become a mainstay of the best of ballads. The uncontainable rush of emotion and infatuation when one finds himself in love at first sight is subtlely offered in "A Primera Vista" until the first chorus comes round. Then, one is swept off his feet! The other worthy ballad that has been making the rounds on the video playlists recently is "Kilometros"--about the perturbations to one's true love over distance... simply beautiful. This debut deserves 5 stars for its sheer talent alone, but also for its acoustic (instrument and vocal) drive. The passion with which this duo composes, plays, and sings their songs is evident in every one of the tracks, and it is a joy to listen to it. You will play this cd over and over again with as much joy and appreciation as when you first heard it."
Best Latin Group
gigi | 12/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sin Bandera has prooven itself to be the best latin group of the year with this amazing debut album. Their songs are melodic and catchy. I see a lot of future in this duet."
MUSIC HAS NO FLAGS
xcaret | Mexico | 10/12/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sin bandera proves music has no flags and no boundries in this world because feelings come first always. An Argentino and a Mexicano make this very truly romantic duo with music and lyrics of their own inspiration and with an excellent production by Auro Baqueiro. Their songs are easy to listen and understand. Nothing complicated just real life situations. If you want to try something new in latin music and are searching for new lyrics try this album, you'll like. Just give it a week or two. Personally 'entra en mi vida' should have been song of the year along with Elefante 'asi es la vida'.
Just read this 'te comenze por extranar pero empeze a necesitarte luego' .... I have nothing more to say."
Feelings in a jewel box
Francisco González | Mexico | 08/13/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My, you wouldn't believe how deep this album is. It has everything and for every taste. Lyrics are very, very touching, yet firm and they don't fall into things that don't matter. Quite direct, they are. Kudos go for "Te Ví Venir", "Kilómetros" and "A Encontrarte" ("Entra en mi vida" is nice, but since it's their single, and everybody knows it and plays it a lot, gets kinda old after a while). You need something to relax, some inspiration for something you want to say to that special woman of yours, or to explore your feelings? This is it, look no further."
The best of best
gigi | California | 04/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All I want to say is that this compact disc is a must for your music collection. All songs have a special something. The songs that I especially recommend are of course "Entra en mi vida" and "Kilometros". Trust me, you will not regret buying this CD."
