The most energetic Spanish live set since Mano Negra: SKA-P (from “Ska” and “escape”), six young musicians from the suburbs of Madrid, mix Ska with Punk, Hip Hop, Reggae and Polka. The band’s lyrics are radical, their attitude is anarchist, lead singer Pulpul extremely charismatic. And their fans love it.
CD REVIEW of their newest album: ¡Que Corra La Voz!SKA-P's “Planeta Eskoria” - which could be loosely translated as "Planet Scum"- made an unprecedented impact on European clubs and stages. Their verbal punches, accompanied by a more rock-punk sound than in previous albums (the album "El vals del obrero", "The Workman's Waltz", which is about to go gold in France, had more of a ska sound, and "Eurosis" an altogether more Latin sound) didn't leave European and South American audiences indifferent.
Because of their political commitment, SKA-P have become a persistent oil stain in some festivals (in Marseille they tried to ban the sale of one of their anti-bullfight T-shirts, but their gig was sold out); a musical earthquake (in Bern, Switzerland, they've been invited once more to the "Gurten Festival”); and a breath of fresh air - both musical and political - in the hugely popular “Fête de l’Humanité” in Paris, on September 15th last year...
To cut a long story short, we're witnessing a shock wave which no-one understands or can explain. As an example, we can say that the band played in Rome on March 9th this year, at a concert supporting the Palestinian cause, to more than 10,000 people; the latest SKA-P tour of Italy was almost sold-out (Rome, Milan, Bologne...). The same thing happened during their tour of France and their concert at the Olympia, in Paris.
Now here is their new opus: "¡Que corra la voz!" - "Let the Word Spread!" - Two years after the release of their previous album, the band continues to fire their brand of vitamin-filled ska at those who make their life difficult. And this summer they'll be shooting: they've been invited to festivals in Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary... and after that they'll continue touring around Spain, France, Italy, Mexico, Chile... an expansive, irrepressible shock wave.
“¡Que corra la voz!” is a more festive and ironic album that their previous effort, “Planeta Eskoria”. It will set the tone and the atmosphere of their new gigs. The drums (Luis Miguel) and the bass (Julio) reinforce the frantic rhythm of this album.
"¡Que corra la voz!" is a blend between " El vals del obrero" and "Planeta Eskoria", a sort of ska-punk ball of fire which burns down everything it encounters. Two excellent tracks by the lead guitarist of the band, Joxemi Redin add new spark to this musical bombshell.
The album opens with “Estampida” - "The Stampede" -, a song about social strata, which starts and ends with a bang. The next track, “Consumo gusto” -"All-consuming pleasure" - tells us about compulsive consumerism and its manipulation. “Welcome to Hell”, the album's first single, attacks the death penalty head on, in particular in the United States. Be sure to protect your ears... "Casposos" - "Healing Hands" -, the fourth track, begins like a popular fiesta, and PulPul (the band's lead singer) tells clairvoyants and the like to "stick their God-given gift up their arse” because they "don't even deserve their mother's milk."
“El Niño Soldado” - "Soldier Boy" - tells the story of children who are trained to kill in wars. “Intifada” - without a doubt, the angriest track on the album - asks out loud how is it possible that Israel has become the executioner with the help of "you-know-who".
Us Every Day" -, the eighth song on the album. It deals with the anti-globalization demonstrations in Genova and the death of Carlo Giuliani, murdered by the Italian fascist police.
As in all of SKA-P's albums, we find a song about animal rights - "Insensibilidad” - "Insensitivity" - tells us of the cruel fate of pets that are given to children at Christmas and abandoned on the roads as soon as summer arrives. Kogote, the keyboard player in the band, takes them in whenever he can.
The tenth track advises us to pay attention to the "Scab", who gets a musical pie in the face; this energetic song is sung by PiPi, the band¹s backing singer.
“El Olvidado” - "Forgotten - , re-addresses a subject which had already been tackled by the band in their album “El vals del obrero” (in their track "Insecto urbano", "Urban insect"): the homeless and the indifference shown by society towards their right to a dignified life. The theme of living with dignity reappears in the last song of the album “Colegas"- "My mates" -, a nostalgic recollection of past plans and conversations shared with their mates, some of whom have now vanished or are in prison.
SKA-P is an opinionated and talented band, and since they started out they have managed to spread their music like a trail of gunpowder. Their messages are sung along by audiences at all their concerts and, quite frankly, language is no barrier. Which is why it's not surprising that this musical pamphlet is called "Let the word spread!".
A word which should be consumed without moderation - but beware, because some ears are going to bleed...
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
