HECHO EN MÉXICO

Just when the administrators of all prog e-zines were starting to pose 2007's best album surveys, a big surprise of No. 1 worth was yet to be released before the end of the year: "Hecho en México" is a definitive Cabezas de Cera masterpiece, a monster album that once again reassures this ensemble as a top item in the current avant-garde prog scene. Essentially, "Hecho en México" defines a further exploration of the sonorities that had been elaborated and delivered in their double effort "MetalMúsica"/"Aleaciones Aleatorias", but this time the repertoire shows a more ambitious compositional structure and a more refined way to continue the exploration. In fact, you can tell that most of the time, the ensemble creates their peculiar experimental magic with a dose of delicateness that was not so usual in the aforesaid double album: it is as if the band had decided to bring back some of the ethereal magic that made the best of "Un Segundo" (the other CDC master opus). The fact that all these tracks were basically recorded live (with some extra dubs that do not distort the original spirit) only gives us reason to admire this band and this particular recording more. 'Tercera Llamada' is an effective opener, since its candid colors (between Latin and Arabic) and dynamic rhythmic structures (like a jazzy version of 80s King Crimson) are really uplifting. The contrasts between the relaxing and explicit passages are simply immaculate. 'Tiroxina Rex' keeps the momentum going, with a notable increase of punch and complexity; yet, it never turns into obtuse sonorities, on the contrary, it preserves an agile mood all along the way. 'Peregrino' is the first predominantly serene piece in the album: the Arabic factor, not uncommon in CDC's repertoire, returns with a moderate vengeance. The mood and tempo shifts are like special moments in a spiritual continuum. 'Al Mictlán' creates a mixture of exotically driven textures and experimental muscle: the wind midi assumes a leading role when generating disturbing sounds with spacey undertones, while the charrófono and the drum kit go rearranging the jam's basic scheme over and over. Now we get to the largest piece in the album, 'Rompecabezas'. It starts with a deceitfully relaxing section of cosmic roots, before the jam begins to settle in and grow in a powerful crescendo that ultimately leads to some of the most delirious passages in the album (at least, before 'Parkour'): in moments like this, it seems that the music born of neurosis can be appealing in a very mysterious way. 'Corazón Alegre' displays a very different atmosphere due to its more lyrical framework: the combination of jazz-rock and fusion is managed in a relaxing fashion, although at some point the track delivers some weird cybernetic ornaments as a momentary contrast. 'Parkour' is the most dissonant piece in the album: it mixes the wildest side of contemporary Crimson, RIO and heavy prog in a musical thunderstorm that also incorporates some cybernetic ornaments. The closer 'Caguamán' finds the band exploring their ethereal side, as a soft breeze that aims at providing some rest to the listener's soul after it has been shaken by the incendiary 'Parkour'. More than just excellent, "Hecho en México" is an amazing 2007 masterpiece: Cabezas de Cera is, without question, a big part of the prog crème nowadays.

Creative, dynamic and fantastic music!

There are a lot of adjectives that one can use while listening to a band like Cabezas de Cera, their music can transport you to new worlds and put images in your mind in almost every single song they compose, that's something that not all the bands can achieve. So as you know, I am a big follower and supporter of this band, so with this new review I hope more people get interested in their music, believe me, they are worth listening.

Cabezas de Cera's "Hecho en México" is an album with new compositions, however this was recorded live and released in the last days of 2007, thankfully, I could attend to the introduction of this album, which remains as one of my favorite CDC concerts I have ever witnessed. This album features nine songs and a total time of 90 minutes, and once again, one can listen to exquisite music that comes from the experimentation and ambition of these three talented Mexican musicians.

It kicks off with "Tercera Llamada" which happens to be the shortest song of the album. It has their distinctive sound as a trio, drums-winds-strings, since the first minutes one can notice the complexity and creativity they share, it is common to hear that the instruments as individuals have their own world, however, the three of them manage to create unity, and a strong song.

One thing that features this band is the exquisite use of electronic drums, so they can create sounds that one cannot imagine drums would do. This can be appreciated in the second track called "Tiroxina Rex", whose sound transmits a lot of things, it is not the common music with a common structure, no, it is challenging and unique, that's why I love them. In some of their tracks, you can appreciate both, the explosion and the calm, this song is not the exception.

"Peregrino" is a pretty nice song that seduces the listener. The first moments are full of Mauricio's great acoustic guitar playing, along with that delicate sound produced by Ramses' winds, and of course, the always precise use of Paco's drums. This is a soft, in moments peaceful track that can make you close your eyes and see things, create a story and enjoy the colors and textures it suggests. After three minutes the song changes a little bit, becomes stronger for moments, but then it slows down again, creating a nice mix of emotions.

"Al Mictlán" starts softly and gradually progresses, the atmosphere is quite friendly, there are moments where some kind of eastern sound appears, at least I feel it. Before minute three the stick takes the leadership and shows once more the musician's skills. This is an excellent song, however is one of those that I simply don't love.

On the other hand, the next track is one of my all-time CDC favorites, "Laberinto" which since the first time I listen to it in a concert, let me perplexed, with my mouth, mind and ears wide open and enjoying every single second of what I was listening; right now, that feeling has not changed at all. This is an extraordinary composition which starts with electronic drums, then winds and strings join little by little and begin to build up a structure, begin to fly and put together different elements and nuances that catch the listener's senses, and retain them until the very end.

"Rompecabezas" is a thirteen-minute track, the longest composition here, which shows once again their capacity and great compositional skills. It starts with a relaxed atmosphere for the first minute, but later it changes, creating a jazzy sound with some strange noises as background, the eclecticism of this band is always welcomed, you can tell it by this song. The piece is divided in several parts, some of them a bit heavier, some other calmer and relaxing. So here, you can expect nothing but a mixture of sounds gathered together in one body. However, I had to admit, that this is not really my favorite song.

"Corazón Alegre" is a beautiful composition with a charming sound. The stick and flute together create together a friendly moment, it is like watching the sunrise. Later the song changes a little bit, but its essence is still the same. Here I imagine the story of a person thinking about the world's nature and beauty. Minutes later the song becomes a bit funkier, where stick and drums build a new sound. A pretty enjoyable track!

Now if you want more experimentation, check out "Parkour" a unique song that I particularly enjoy a lot when I listen to it, either from my CD, or in a concert. Different sections of passages here, that maintain you expectant, waiting and asking yourself what's next, when you feel the song is stuck, then it suddenly explodes and makes everyone's head and body move (I've seen it in the different shows I've attended). There is a great vibe on this song, the music and the band invite you to explore new lands and actually, to explore yourself and know some hidden behaviors of you.

Last but not least is "Caguamán" which I have to tell, is not the perfect closer song, I have never felt comfortable with this as the last one of this great album, I don't really know why. It is actually a great song, It is obvious, but I simply did not like it was the final track here, maybe at the middle of the album I could enjoy it more, I don't know. But well, here once more they create interesting moods and atmospheres, the winds, stick and drums complement each other very well.

Hecho en México is an extraordinary album by this wonderful band, it is clearly not my personal favorite of them, however, it is a strong record that any progressive rock fan should listen, the music here is not the conventional prog, it is original, unique I would say. My final rating is four stars.

Enjoy it!

CABEZAS DE CERA have been a functioning unit since the nineties. These guys are a little different with their home made instruments and this desire to seek out different styles of music like world music, jazz, experimental and so on. They really combine the structured with the improv soundscapes, as well as the acoustic and mellow to the powerful KING CRIMSON like sounds. They have this local Mexican vibe but reach out to the world for their inspirations as well.

I was a pretty big fan of their self titled album from 2000. Loved the music, really disliked the 4-fold envelope, plus slip case package that I got containing the cd. Folds go horizontal, and vertical and it's all very confusing with no front cover other than one of the three of the folds that shows each musician, their name and instruments etc. That's the front cover! Not the one shown here on the site. Rant over.

So with four recordings to their name at this point we get the live "Hecho En Mexico" or "Made In Mexico". A trio here of horns/ wind synths, drums and chapman stick/ electro-acoustic guitar. None of the song titles match any from their previous studio albums. Not surprisingly we get some traditional sounding music that the crowd seems to love, and those are my least favourite moments. We also get some avant leaning music that is challenging and much more to my liking. The sax is a good example of an instrument that can be smooth and traditional as well as dissonant and experimental. Electronic drums. The bass is great though. We even get a Celtic vibe because of the whistle on that seventh track.

Very much a hit and miss affair in my world, but that 13 minute track "Rompecabezas" along with the final two tracks are my top three. Not enough to save this though from being a 3 star album. I'll stick to the debut and perhaps get rid of the package that the cd is in(haha).