Mariachi El Bronx : 'Mariachi El Bronx'
Released: Out Now!!!
Label:
Given that its status in Western music is severely limited, it is almost impossible not to think of Robert Rodriguez’s Mexico Trilogy when listening to Mariachi music or the typical image of touristy Mexican buskers. For most, Mariachi haunt the restaurants in resorts such as Cancun and the Costa del Sol. The image is clear: four overweight men, strumming guitars, shaking maracas and sporting twirling moustaches. These twee acts are a far cry from the original Mariachi – large bands with many instruments playing polkas, traditional folk music and pasodobles – and even further from Rodriguez’ troubadour minstrels, playing smouldering latin music and beautiful dirges of unrequited love.
Californian punk act, The Bronx unfortunately subscribe to the former style. Alarm bells were already beginning to ring when the biography of the album mentions punk meeting Mariachi. A more inappropriate mix I have yet to see. Possibly Dizzee Rascal collaborating with James Blunt. Too often, the trumpets overwhelm the listener’s ears, when a gentle guitar solo would work better. The fact that the singing is also in English not Spanish makes the record sound more of a pastiche than a creative musical project. Kitsch Mexican music intersperses with flaccid lyrics and vocal arrangements, and on more than one occasion a Kill Bill: Two fanfare paddles out in the middle of a song. Perhaps The Bronx is trying to make a tribute to all the movies that use waltzes, brass and trumpets because I am sure that The Godfather waltz pops up during the album at some point!
The singing lets the album down most. The majority would be able to cope with the quaint instrumentals – despite being so esoteric and thus alienating some – but deem the singing out of place.
The achievements are scarce but worth their isolation. One such is ‘Holy’ where the intriguing and evocative intro with Spanish guitar, violins, and rhythmical percussion is complemented by understated vocals, and powerful lyrical images: “Holy/The face of God appeared to me/Holy/Mother Mary, let them all dance/Slowly/Hold me in your arms/And please console me/Forgive what I’ve done/I’m your son/Please don’t send me to hell”. Other tunes where the music is not hampered by the vocals include ‘Sleepwalking’ and the excellent ‘My Brother The Gun’.
The question mark over this album remains despite these nuggets, and novelty merit notwithstanding, I can’t see this sitting in too many cd racks.
2/5
Words: John Elmes
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