MALDITA VECINDAD
Next to the recent invasion of savvy postmodern Latin rock bands like Bloque, Los Amigos Invisibles, and Aterciopelados, Mexico’s Maldita Vecindad sounds relatively scrappy. Even Mostros (BMG U.S. Latin), the band’s latest and most accomplished album, feels garagey by comparison. But Maldita Vecindad helped lay the tarmac those jet-setting synthesists landed on, forming in 1985 and touring the States and Europe in the early 90s. They’ve come a long way in terms of breadth and sophistication since their first, hard-rock-dominated records, but while their recent tunes use healthy helpings of ska, funk, traditional Mexican melodies, and even Arabic music, rock and pop are still the dominant filters. “El barzon,” for example, jacks up an exuberant slice of Veracruz-style folk with hip-hop breaks and lacerating electric guitar lines. Although Maldita Vecindad packed the Aragon on a bill with Aterciopelados a few months ago, chances are there might be some room at this touristy smaller venue–so catch them now before everyone learns to love ’em. Wednesday, 7:30 PM, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn; 312-527-2583 or 312-923-2000.
PETER MARGASAK