Kinky - Barracuda Review

Four albums in, these Mexican electro rockers remain ruthlessly consistent in both ends (party hearty!) and means (dance beats, as many, and as booming, as possible). At Kinky's ferocious live shows, it's a winning formula. On record, though, the band's manic mash-ups of rock and Eighties synth pop and Latin dance rhythms can be ham-fisted, and the inane party chants — "Those girls!/That's what you want!" — add little to the proceedings. Barracuda's expert grooves work best under close study. Strap on your earbuds and savor the frenzied bass-and-guitar interplay in "TachiMariPedónCocongo," the lyrical blips in "The Day I Lost the Beat" — which is, of course, the last thing Kinky are liable to lose...full text The buzz: Highly successful in their native Mexico and throughout Latin America thanks to hits like “Más” and "A Dónde Van Los Muertos?", Kinky have yet to see their mostly Spanish language alternative poptronica cross over into America, despite three previous albums and some notable song placements on U.S. television (a Nissan commercial and Showtime's “Dexter” among them).

The verdict: How you feel about Kinky’s fourth effort will likely be determined by how you view their overall progression toward more gloss, increased pop, bigger beats and added sonic trendiness (hey, ‘80s British New Wave!). If you see it as a good path, leading Kinky into a mainstream future without short-changing their more nuanced, fun past, then you’ll be right at home with “Barracuda.” If instead you wish they’d get back to being the more interesting band you first enjoyed—the group that knew how to let a beat breathe, wasn’t afraid to slow it down, and veered more toward rocky electronica than alt-dance-pop—well, this just isn’t your Kinky record. Both camps ought to be able to agree on one thing: “Those Girls” (featuring Molotov's Randy Ebright) is a catchy hybrid that should get most everybody out on the floor....full text Kinky, Mexico’s finest techno-pop group cranks the beats up a notch on their fourth studio album, Barracuda. The electric quintet from Monterrey, Mexico came together in 2000, first with the trio of Gilberto Cerezo (vocals, guitar), Ulises Lozano (keyboard), and Carlos Chairez (guitar). Bassist Cesar Pliego and drummer Omar Gongora joined later in the summer. Considering some of Barracuda was co-produced by Money Mark (Beastie Boys) and Chico Sonido, it easy to understand the level of sophisticated electronica that eminent from this album. Their music is smidge reminiscent of the ‘80s underground techno glory days but has a modern feel and you’d swear you are in some hip new L. A. club.

You may not recognize the name Kinky (in relation to music) I can almost guarantee you have heard at least one of their hits, (although you had no idea who it was.) Their song, “We Are the Galaxy” is the official anthem for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. The breakout hit "Más" was featured in a Nissan car commercial, on the video game SSX 3, in the 2004 movie “Man on Fire,” and on an episode of NCIS. "Uruapan Breaks" was featured in the Showtime series Dexter and on the series Soundtrack. With success already in the bag, they set out again to create a Spanish pop album better than last.

Do not fret. Barracuda is for not only the Spanish- speaking, while they have thrown in a few English-language tracks it’s really an album for all, even the gringos! Invigorating tempos and rhythmic hooks in this album actually transcend language. It will have you wanting to get out on the dance floor. (I even picked up a little Spanish on the way.) ...full text