Spring Break
Chetes Introduces 'Rock En Espanol'
CD Review
Jessica DeAngelis
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: Focus
Those who think of contemporary Latin pop music in terms of Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin and reggaeton might be in for a surprise.
Although in the United States the world of "rock en Espanol" is mostly underground, restricted to play on college and internet radio, the genre is growing and finally gaining international recognition. Gerado Garza, a 26-year-old musician from Monterrey, Mexico who goes by the name Chetes, is one artist who is exploring and breaking the boundaries of pop music in Spanish. While Chetes has been performing since age 16 and is a former member of the Mexican bands Zurdok and Vaquero, "Blanco Facil" marks his debut as a solo artist.
Chetes does not have any grand dreams of American radio domination, according to The New York Times. Instead, he wants to change the Mexican pop scene, where artists rarely write their own music, and find his own place amidst overproduced hit singles and the often exclusive world of alternative music.
The album was recorded in Nashville with Ken Coomer, a producer who has his roots in alternative-country and indie rock. He also played drums for Wilco and Uncle Tupelo. Chetes is the first to acknowledge the clear 1960s pop influences in his work. However, his inspiration also comes from some more unusual sources including The Traveling Wilburys and the Electric Light Orchestra.
"That album changed my life," said Chetes in The New York Times, referring to ELO's 2001 release "Zoom." "It was the inspiration for my work as a solo artist. I love how simple the arrangements were, the chords, the lyrics. That's what I wanted to pull off, something with a lighter arrangement, [but] that still had powerful melodies."
On "Blanco Facil" Chetes manages to find this happy medium. The songs are light and simple and although Beatles-esque melodies and Beach Boy harmonies abound, each track has its own distinct influences and identity. While many turn towards sunny 1960s psychedelia, others have much more of a contemporary edge. "Camino a Casa" lets loose and rocks out like Franz Ferdinand.
Although in the United States the world of "rock en Espanol" is mostly underground, restricted to play on college and internet radio, the genre is growing and finally gaining international recognition. Gerado Garza, a 26-year-old musician from Monterrey, Mexico who goes by the name Chetes, is one artist who is exploring and breaking the boundaries of pop music in Spanish. While Chetes has been performing since age 16 and is a former member of the Mexican bands Zurdok and Vaquero, "Blanco Facil" marks his debut as a solo artist.
Chetes does not have any grand dreams of American radio domination, according to The New York Times. Instead, he wants to change the Mexican pop scene, where artists rarely write their own music, and find his own place amidst overproduced hit singles and the often exclusive world of alternative music.
The album was recorded in Nashville with Ken Coomer, a producer who has his roots in alternative-country and indie rock. He also played drums for Wilco and Uncle Tupelo. Chetes is the first to acknowledge the clear 1960s pop influences in his work. However, his inspiration also comes from some more unusual sources including The Traveling Wilburys and the Electric Light Orchestra.
"That album changed my life," said Chetes in The New York Times, referring to ELO's 2001 release "Zoom." "It was the inspiration for my work as a solo artist. I love how simple the arrangements were, the chords, the lyrics. That's what I wanted to pull off, something with a lighter arrangement, [but] that still had powerful melodies."
On "Blanco Facil" Chetes manages to find this happy medium. The songs are light and simple and although Beatles-esque melodies and Beach Boy harmonies abound, each track has its own distinct influences and identity. While many turn towards sunny 1960s psychedelia, others have much more of a contemporary edge. "Camino a Casa" lets loose and rocks out like Franz Ferdinand.
Be the first to comment on this story