Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Los Pataconas - Spanish Banditos
 | Los Pataconas' Spanish Banditos is a vinyl album with lots of cool tracks for your pleasure. Their style is unique and engaging, blending spaghetti western and surf and rock and Spanish guitar. |
Picks: Bultaco, Scotch On The Socks, Malindi Blacky, Los Vikingos, Tormento, Sabotaje, Mazinger Z, El Forajido, Mon Gran, Link Wray Woman, Massamardo, El Enfado Del Centrollo
Track by Track Review
Spaghetti Surf (Instrumental)
Big chords and reverb run amok beneath a tremolo shimmered melody line that's Sid Barrett-like. The break features ongoing drums and a circling riff developing into a twang-jam on one side and a throbbing progression on the other. Very cool!
Rock (Instrumental)
Big chord splash is the main thing here. This instro employs a muted chunk chords and a back alley kind of progression. "Scotch On The Socks" is like a updated fifties small label instro.
Rock (Instrumental)
Exotic bongos and very cool chords launch this track, which uses slowly shifting wah wah to create a guitar voice that lends a seventies progressive rock feeling. The melody and arrangement are really nice!
Rock (Instrumental)
Spooky cords and throbbing tremolo open "Los Vikingos." Quickly, it drops into a playful lead tone and melody. twango deluxe, with a few glissandos for good measure.
Spaghetti Surf (Instrumental)
A basic two-note surf pattern and moody twang play against each other to great effect. "Tormento" is rich and superbly cool. A bit sad, maybe slightly spaghetti western-ish, and very fluid. This grabs you and takes along for the ride.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Sabotaje" grooves on a surf platform. Glissandos and fast trembling guitar create a very cool sound. Regular laughs and other voicings add a horror edge. Great track!
Rock (Instrumental)
A light hearted melody line adventurously suggests spaghetti westerns and spies. On the bluesy side at times, "Mazinger Z" is easy to listen to.
Surf (Instrumental)
"El Forajido" ("The Outlaw") is a rich and vibrant track with heavy Fender reverb and Spanish twang. With roots in spaghetti westerns and Southwest twang, overlaid by cabalero traditions, this song engages and commands. Its emotional content is both bold and sad. Wonderful.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Mon Gran" is a bluesy rock number with charm and a grin. Really fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
Groovy muted chop chords are heavily reverbed for a super surf sound. The melody is very nice, and the Link Wray chords are in keeping with the title. The melody is somewhat haunting and very engaging. The bongos in the middle add an exotic charm. Exceptional arranging and writing.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Flamenco" sports the fluid emotion of the genre it's rooted in, and has charming tone and tremolo, along with just enough surf. A fine melody, drama, a spaghetti western edge, and attractive sound. The double picked lines are dribbling cool.
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
Very cool Spanish guitar and exotic dramatic drums play off each other very well. The arrangement is strong, and "Massamardo" is rock solid. I found that this track grew on me substantially as I listened.
Rock (Instrumental)
"El Enfado Del Centrollo" is a full bodied rock instro with hints of spaghetti and surf whammy. Dramatic at times, and occasionally reminiscent of Epitaph's "Outside The Law."
Nit De Llampecs
Rock (Instrumental)
Pomp and circumstance as if "For A Few Dollars More" had been written as "Washington Square." It's an interesting contrast, as is the flute and guitar. Cool drums!