Killer Opening Songs (Rodrigo y Gabriela - Tamacun)

Certain songs buzz along like the sound of cicadas in hot weather; a rapid vibration that descends upon the listener unannounced. These tunes drift through the air like a cloud of midges in the warm August sun (I know, I know, it's January, it's cold, very cold in London, but Killer Opening Songs has its own body temperature and it is right now in the mood for some fevered summertime musical madness) dripping icy drops of anticipation on your forehead.

These songs are liquid, they escape through your fingers; they play 'it' with you, helpless listener, and no matter how hard you try to catch them you won't be able to.

'Tamacun', the Killer Opening Song from Rodrigo y Gabriela's self-titled sophomore album is one of those tracks.

This Mexican duo has specialised in a style that is fast and rhythmic at the same time. Having met in Mexico City while the two of them were playing in a thrash metal band called 'Tierra Acida' Rodrigo y Gabriela soon grew frustrated with the domestic music scene and moved to Europe, where they have met considerable acclaim.

'Tamacun' is a musical wolf whistle, a song in heat melting in the listener's ear. From the outset, in the performance shown in the clip below, Rodrigo y Gabriela let rip and by the end of the track you'll be holding on to the edge of your seat, hands clammy, head shaking from side to side, clothes clinging to your skin and inside them, sweat running down your body.

And back on stage, smiling triumphantly yet another Killer Opening Song. Enjoy.



Copyright 2009

Road Songs (Largo)

Speed. It kills, doesn't it? That's pretty clear to me. So, why is it that when you are driving your car you can accelerate up to 100 - 120 miles per hour, if you so wish, even if the speed limit is 70mph on a motorway? That question has always baffled me, so if any of you has the answer, please, send it to me in a nice envelope with the Royal seal on it.

I sometimes go over the speed limit, but overall tend to drive slowly and defensively. The fact is that I love driving, I love going round bends as slowly as I can and soak up the perfection of a smooth turning.

Same with music. In my teens when I started to listen to rock'n'roll I realised little by little that as the 60s became the 70s and the 70s mutated into the 80s the music had at the same time turned faster. I stopped at Metallica. Slayer and the others who followed were too fast for me and my ears.

There is nothing more enjoyable than a song where the bass guitar kicks in nicely and rhythmically setting the mood for the entire piece, or where the lead singer will ease the whole band into a groove with a wave of his or her hand, in the same way a conductor does it with an orchestra. Music and driving are two pleasures that should be enjoyed without rushing the outcome. Could you imagine someone in a theatre belting out bang in the middle of a stage version of Hamlet: 'C'mon, mate, hurry up, when are you going to say the 'to be or not to be' soliloquy'? Me neither.

The songs that follow are unique in the sense that I am able to appreciate their full richness and beauty by means of the patience and focus shown by their performers. None of which is achieved by running around like a headless chicken.

Copyright 2008