LOS SUEOS DE UN HIGADO

The madman behind The Mars Volta, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is without a doubt the most prolific progressive rock artist of 2009. Here is a short album he recorded with his younger brother and some other folks, including the lovely Mexican singer Ximena Sariñana. More so than any other release, perhaps, this one contains highly accessible music, highly recommended to fans of smooth vocal jazz blended with slightly frenetic rock.

"Boiling Death Request A Body To Rest Its Head On" The first track consists of a funky bass groove and strange electronic sounds. Ultimately this piece works out to be an extended jazz rock jam saturated with Rodriguez-Lopez's guitar throughout the first half, while an electric piano solo takes over during the more subdued second half.

"How To Bill The Bilderberg Group" Sariñana has a slightly smoky, gritty sound on this song, which is an easygoing one filled with light guitar, piano, and fretless bass.

"Locomocion Capilar" This piece has a somewhat complex rhythm, which makes it interesting, but unfortunately the vocals don't go with the piece at all.

"Las Flores Con Limon" This begins as an atmospheric track with the sultry voice of Sariñana (sounding a bit like Amy Winehouse here), but it soon picks up and becomes something a bit heavier, going back and forth between sections. Overall, it is a very experimental piece and can be difficult to listen to in places.

"Victimas Del Cielo" The introduction to the final track jumps out loud and clear, but the heaviness quickly subsides to give way to gentle guitar and piano. This is Sariñana's best on the album; she sounds humid yet soars all at once- a stellar performance.