Since Mecano’s beginning in 1982, the Spanish rock band has grown and evolved into a musical masterpiece. During its early stages, they were new wave…then they fell in the “rock en español” era in the late ’80s, though their music was anything but rock. As Mecano reached outside of Spain and Mexico, their sound began to become more European versus Latin.
By the time Aidalai the album captured something for everyone making the album has a worldwide appeal. It didn’t hurt that various versions of the album were released incorporating songs sung in Italian for Italy and songs sung in French for France. I think the album as a whole has a very world music feel as it corporates rock, bossa nova, flamencos, as well as ballads, and instrumental.
When an album is this diverse, you tend to think it won’t be a coherent work of art. The way Jose and Nacho, the group’s two composers and band members, work together; the album flows so evenly. That doesn’t mean that I like it. Over the last ten years, I have learned to appreciate the group’s discography and how they have grown; but for me, “Aidalai” is my least favorite album from the group’s history.
In no way am I saying the album is bad. There are songs that I love and there are songs that do nothing for me. 1917, which is the instrumental song from the album, is a beautiful classical piece infusion with pop and rock. El Fallo Positivo is a terrific combination of a ballad and a ballad as it speaks about AIDS. And J.C. is a cute little pop song that is quite enjoyable. Overall, the quality of music is superb but just not the style of Mecano I like.
Since that day, I have been study Latin pop and rock music and have become a Latin pop music historian through the publishing of articles, fanzine, and websites. My goal is to teach people about Latin pop music and the history behind it with my website, Siempre En Domingo.
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