Mama Pulpa
Mama Pulpa: Vancouver´s favourite Mexican band has released their new CD
Vancouver´s favourite Mexican band has officially released their new CD called Tocadiscos, which means Turntable, “the name is an homage to the old sound of the vinyl records and we tried to give that sound to the whole record” told me Alfredo, the singer, guitarist and main composer of the band when I was in Mexico City last year. The band used a lot of old instruments to give the CD an LP sound.
Tocadiscos is their second album. As I was listening I found myself chanting most of the songs, do I have the gift of clariaudio? Not really. Mama Pulpa played all these songs on their last tour in Canada. One year later and after a lot of mixing the long play is ready for human consumption. Mama Pulpa consists of Alfredo, Marco on the lead guitar, Juanito on bass and Esteban on drums. The band is based in Mexico City and the lyrics reflect the urban life mixed with love stories and ganja.
The album opens with a power pop song Esta noche. This Night, that talks about a heartbreaking situation. However the rhythm is uplifting, guitar driven and catchy. It has the classic Mama Pulpa style, but they sound more mature. I don´t want to argue never again. Its a goodbye song. Love the bass line also.
The second song could easily be the single. Que mal gusto, Bad taste, it talks about the corrupt political class in Mexico and like the remix intro said, about the Mexicans that damage. Mama Pulpa always have some social criticism taking advantage of the exposure they have. Hans Mues from the band Antidoping adds his guitar here and DJ Rayo spins the turntables.
The third song is more on the Mama Pulpa previous style, funny and ironic lyrics with the Mexican picardia. De Nalgas. The translation would be On my ass, and it is about a gorgeous woman. The song includes a curious keyboard line that we are used to in the band. Of course the rock solo by Alfredo.
The fourth song has a jazzy touch, a bluesy sexy melody. No es tan facil. Is not that easy. Meaning you can´t live with your woman but you can´t live without her. Love hurts. Complicated affairs. The song includes a cool sax and and an awesome solo of acoustic guitar. Also by the lead singer. This song is a jewel.
The fifth tune starts like a El Personal song, seems like is going to be a funny one, but turns into a plead. It has a nice Latin rhythm and cool keyboards. I like that this album its more musically complicated and diverse than their first release El Mundo es tan Dificil. Así is the name of this song. It reminds me also of the 70s, check out the horn section as well.
The sixth song reminds me of the 60s. Starts very groovy, a gogo. It is also a love plead. The keyboard is totally sixties. The album is very well mixed. The lyrics are Mexican style and the solo is rock and roll. The name of the song is called sabes… which means you know…
Next song is an ode to Vancouver. An instrumental rock song. Guitars that lead through the landscapes of gray, rain, mountains, the ocean, Stanley Park, Grouse mountain. Maybe some sun and the beach, for a moment I thought it was going to morph into surf punk but the breeze came back. Then I remember dancing drunk to this song in Victoria screaming Hey at the chorous just before the killer solos and Wawahs. Maybe is the Vancouver weed that inspired this song. Love it. Oh yes, the name of the song is Vancouver.
Number 8 is a classic Mama Pulpa irony. This is the pro legalization of marihuana song. El señor Pacheco. Pacheco is both the state of being stoned, but it is also a Spanish last name. The song starts with a totally Latin rythm, almost popular, the chorous morphs into a rock. This was one of Vancouver´s favourite songs when they played LIVE. I am enclosing a video I shot at Hokos. They say leave him alone becuase he doesn´t bother anyone, yes, better jail the ex presidents.
Malas Calificaciones is the next song. Is a poppy rock song dedicated to the youth. Bad grades. It sounds more like the last album, is like a cliche of themselves.
The 10th song is another power pop song. No pensar en nada. Don´t think about anything. It is a very catchy song. Nice response when it was played LIVE. Sometimes you feel like this and you don´t want to think about anything.
The next start with a heavy bass. More in the punk, the voice then has a fuzzy effect. Me Voy. Meaning I am leaving. I like the guitar lines as well, it remiands me of the UK. The instrumentation is really good. The lyrics are about a heartbreaking situation again.
Badum Badum is a classic Mexican childhood song. It is vulgar, irreverent and really you have to be Mexican to understand it. If you grew up in Mexico it will bring memories of your early years. This song has a lot of famous Mexican musicians collaborating with voices, instruments and rythms. The people that lended their voices are Sergio Arau, Francisco Barrios, Armando Vega-Gil from Botellita de Jeréz, Ali Gua Gua from Las Ultrasónicas, Amandititita, Ro Velázquez from Liquits, Pablo Lach, Julián Lach (the engineer with his son and the son´s friend)
The album closes with another experimental trip. Cronicas Marcianas is more of a post rock experimentation of the band. Its a jamming, its a fresh trip to the outer space.
Produced by Alfredo Fernández & Luis Yáñez.
Recorded by Luis Yáñez, Hans Mues & Jorge Vilchis at Watagushu Studios & Ameyalco Records.
Mixed by Pablo Lach at La Azotea.
Art by César “Kone” Evangelista.
Masterized by Peter Doell at Universal Music Studios in California. Peter Doell is an old cat in the business and has worked with James Brown, Miles Davis, REM, Jackson Five, Marilyn Manson, Frank Sinatra, Beach Boys, ben Harper among other luminaries.
Other guest musicians include some of the best in the Mexican Independent Music scene which is huge:
Mauricio Díaz from Los de Abajo: Barítone and tenor Sax in No es tan Facil, Así, No Pensar En Nada.
Aldo Max from Los Músicos de José: Piano Rhodes and Tenor Sax in Así, Organ in Sabes.
Sr. González: Congas in Sr. Pacheco, Djembé and shaker in Así.
Jorge Vilchis from Gusana Ciega: Rythm guitar in Malas Calificaciones.
Germán Arroyo from Gusana Ciega: drums in No es tan Fácil.
Mauricio Mendoza from La Comuna: tarolas reggae-dub en varios temas y drums in Badúm.
Finally check out THIS VIDEO that I shot of Señor Pacheco at Hoko´s in Vancouver
