De Bichos Y Flores

La Vela Puerca

Stuck between Brazil and Argentina, the tiny country of Uruguay makes up for its lack of size with the powerful and pulsating rock en Español meets ska meets reggae sound of the inventive La Vela Puerca. On De Bichos y Flores, the follow-up to their self-titled debut, the group is led by Sebastián Teysera's strong vocals laid out over bass, drums, guitars, saxophone, and trumpet. Think of a South American version of the British punk icons the Specials and the Police, with a little bit of Afro-Uruguayan murga rhythm thrown in, and you'll get the right sonic seasonings of this combo. "Por la Ciudad," "El Huracan," and "Por Dentro" encompass their folkloric, Jamaicanized bounce, while the midtempo "Contradecir" features strings. All told, it's lots of fun. If only the United Nations could blend cultures this easily. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

De Bichos Y Flores Album: