Spanish Alternative Rock Giants - Moenia s self-titled debut is not quite what an avid fan would expect. While the substance of the tracks falls neatly into the synthpop category, the sound is distinctly closer to that of New Order, OMD and Erasure. This owes a lot to the change in lead vocalists. Juan Carlos Lozano was the lead vocalist when Moenia debuted in 1997. Although Alfonso Pichardo had been a part of the band, he left before the album was recorded because he was frustrated by Mexico s apparent lack of interest in electronic and synthesized music. Although the album garnered gold in Mexico and the U.S., Lozano left Moenia to form his own, more guitar-centered band, Morbo. This left the door open for Pichardo to reunite with his bandmates for the 1999 release of Adicion.Despite the difference in lead vocals, Moenia s debut is definitely worthy of inclusion in their lineup. Unlike DM, Moenia s songs are a true collaboration. Most tracks on their albums are collaborations between band mates Jorge Soto, Midi! Hayashida and Alfonso Pichardo. Although Pichardo did not sing on their self-titled debut, he helped composed 8 of the 12 songs on the album. With Hayashida covering the production on all their albums, there is a strong continuity, despite the change in vocalists.Moenia, like other first releases by famous synthpop artists, has a rougher sound than current incarnations, which are rich in depth and breadth of sound. The synthesizer is less refined and the electronic sounds more dominant, but the music is solid and enjoyable. Like anyone will ever think People are People has gone out of style! Lozano s voice is enjoyable. Higher pitched than Pichardo s, Lozano brings a rough, gravel sound to his voice which is much more comparable to the lead singers of OMD and The Psychedelic Furs.Estabas Ahi, Dejame Entrar, No Importa Que El Sol Se Muera and No Puedo Estar Sin Ti are strong tracks and released as singles. Estabas Ahi and Dejame Entrar have similar sounds and are both bouncy pop hits, perfect for dancing. In contrast, No Importa Que El Sol Se Muera is a slower dance track, much more along the lines of New Order. No Puedo Estar Sin Ti is a strong track, but slows down slightly into each verse. The transitions bring the track down from a five- to a four-star rating.Although not singles, Color Melancolia, Terminales, Metamorfosis and Tolerancia Cero are all very strong tracks. Color Melancolia rivals popular club tracks from OMD and New Order. Terminales brings in stronger synth chords, foreshadowing Adicion s strong follow up. It even contains a much deeper and richer sound in the vocal tracks. I m not certain, but I d swear that has to be Pichardo not Lozano singing lead. It is one of three tracks on the album that definitely smack of Depeche Mode ala Music for the Masses. It is followed by Metamorfosis, an instrumental track which also heavily mimics Music for the Masses with its rapid beats and sense of urgency that are found in Behind the Wheel and Agent Orange. Halfway through, Metamorfosis grows stronger with a heavier dance beat. It is perfect for a night at the club. Tolerancia Cero has a very similar sound to Metamorfosis and carries longer sections of instrumental between Lozano s short verses. This gives the track a feel closer to that of Erasure or even The Pet Shop Boys.Y Nada Que Hacer and Ya Me Acostumbre are also strong tracks. Y Nada Que Hacer is a slower ballad. For those possessing the Pretty in Pink soundtrack, it s something like Bring on the Dancing Horses by Echo & The Bunnymen with a touch of OMD thrown in for good measure. Meanwhile, Ya Me Acostumbre mixes If You Leave with the sounds of Pretty in Pink. Translated, the song could easily fit on the soundtrack. The moment has arrived to tell you how I feel about you. I am tired from so much insistence. If you ask, I will tell you.The remaining two tracks are adequate, although nothing special. Contigo Estare brings in sounds highly compatible with Erasure s Wild album. A slower ballad, as usual I probably judge it a little hard for failing to really pick up the tempo at any point. On the other hand, Estoy Tan Cansado hearkens back to the weaker tracks on Depeche Mode s Some Great Rewards and People are People. Soft and slow, I probably grade it too harshly as well. If truth were told, I readily find myself singing to the songs before I click on them and after they have already past. Both songs are easily a solid three-stars, pushing towards four. Estoy Tan Cansado also brings in a fantastic violin and fades out to the sounds of the ocean. The chords in both songs are beautiful and they are worthy of playing while driving through the fog up highway 1 to San Francisco.Individual Track Ratings (* to *****):1. Estabas Ahi (You Were There) *****2. Y Nada Que Hacer (And There s Nothing to Be Done) ****3. Dejame Entrar (Let Me In) *****4. Contigo Estare (With You I Will Be) ***5. No Importa Que El Sol Se Muera (It Doesn t Matter If the Sun Dies) *****6. Color Melancolia (The Color of Melancholy) *****7. No Puedo Estar Sin Ti (I Can t Be Without You) *****8. Terminales (Endings) *****9. Metamorfosis (Metamorphosis) *****10. Ya Me Acostumbre (I m Already Accustomed) ****11. Estoy Tan Cansado (I m So Tired) ***12. Tolerancia Cero (Zero Tolerance) *****[...]
another raving review - Almost everyone has been raving about this cd and with good reason. I think this is Moenia s best CD in the sense that all the track are absolutely solid. Every song is fun and beautiful, musically and lyrically. My personal favorites, 1. Estabas ahi, (great dance song) 2. Y nada que hacer (soft beautiful lyrics), 4. Contigo Estare (good lyrics), and 11. Estoy tan cansado (atmospherical and simple). I dance to these songs and they also help me sleep, which is an odd combination but the music uses light synth beats. I guess they re techno, electro-pop and even if you don t speak Spanish, if you like 80 s music and electro synthpop, maybe even Brit pop, you d probably like these guys as well. Their newest CD, Stereohits is also amazing: covers of Latin 80 s songs and Alfonso sports a faux-hawk, can t beat that. Rock on...pa pa we-o.
Techno-Pop: Who d say they got it right? - Techno-pop. Does it ring a bell to you? Erasure? Pet Shop Boys? Back in 1997 when most Mexican music seemed to be stalled, these guys come out and break every standard set by the national music industry with one magnificent piece of an album. Morbo s soothing voice along with nicely planned beats and bytes made this one album a must for every mexican music appreciator. I d honestly say this is Moenia s ONE and ONLY album, not to imply that recent albums are bad, but this one has that special something that will keep you hooked for hours onto their tunes and still want to pop in this disc into your player countless times. Definitely, a must.
Moenia -- beyond description - Moenia s talent is unique yet universal. Even if one didn t speak Spanish the message of the beat simply carries the enraptured listener into the outer stratosphere of musical adventure. The singer s voice oozes feeling and is utterly sexy. I ve got every single disc and use these to drown out ugly sounds while I work. Songs like Contigo Estare, Manto Estelar, Estabas Ahi, No Dices Mas transform the daily grind into edgy excitement. Moenia, be platinum forever!!!
WOW!!!! - If you like Depeche Mode circa 1980 s then this Mexican group is definately for you!!! Excellent...cannot rave enough about it!!!