Maybe we're finally starting to realize that the definition of "Latin" music is more complex than we gringos assumed. How do you put ska, rock, electronic, salsa, pop all under one umbrella? Artists and bands such as Shakira, Fabulosos Cadillacs, Mana, Ozomatli, Gustavo Cerati are making inroads that are not all heading in the same direction musically. Mexico’s Moenia is another such group that’s a diamond in the rough so to speak. Moenia sounds good but needs to forge a stronger identity. They’ve got the voice and the attitude already. This is a very , "If you love Depeche Mode, OMD, and Erasure, then you’ll love Moenia!!!" album.
Moenia sounds good but needs to forge a stronger identity. They’ve got the voice and the attitude already. This is a very , "If you love Depeche Mode, OMD, and Erasure, then you’ll love Moenia!!!" album. DM’s influence is so felt throughout t he album that I assumed that even their cover photo would be shot by Anton Corbjin. Alas, it was not. Still, you have a decent album that sounds very smooth in spite of the obvious influence. Fear not an album of covers or songs that sound suspiciously translated. The synthesizers, haunting vocals, drum machines, and themes of love, devotion, desire, and faith are ever present. If you speak some Spanish you’ll be able to get the gist of most songs, but it’s very much like Depeche Mode’s international language of depair that reigned a decade ago.
"Quisiera Adivinar" sounds dreamy and thoroughly modern, while "Sin Gravedad" sounds like dated club music. The feline "No Hay Palabras" is classy, and "Manto Estelar", "No Dices Mas" and "Ya No Es Asi" have a bouncy Erasure feel to them. The electronic "En Esta Noche" is the only song that sounds circa 2000.
The uneveness of the album’s production hurts the otherwise distinct style of the group. Had techno not happened or had this album been released a few years ago, this album would sound spectacular. The bands that serve as muses to Moenia were revered because their sound was so different from the hard rock of their contemporaries. Moenia arrived on a different playing field. Somebody like Moby or William Orbit could have brought their work up to date. Even Cher, Tina, and Madonna have witnessed the power of techno modernize their sound.
If you’re looking for guilty pleasure you won’t be disappointed with Adicion. After all, more Depeche Mode is better than Macarena.
Moenia Adicion
