International music reviews

"El libro oculto" is Rata's fourth record and it starts a new era in the band. No more Purple or Rainbow influences, but a more heavy sound like Accept or Judas Priest. Guitar player Walter Giardino (one of the most talented in the world)leaves his ego behind and let the band write most of the songs. The sound is great (specially in "Agord, la bruja" or "Basura") and the album shows a mature and powerful heavy metal band. The new Rata Blanca sound would be shown in their next album "Entre el cielo y el infierno" with a new line up.

Rata Blanca is The Argentine Iron Maiden with a little bit of everything(the main diference is that unlike Maiden keyboards are a constant and important part of the music here),for starters the guitar player who's name is Walter Giardino has the same style as that of yngwie Malmsteem,in fact he studied with him in the past,many times Giardino has been chosen as the best guitar player of the americas and his speed and musical skills are very hard to equal. the singer here has been compared to Bruce dickinson many times and many have stated that this is the south american Iron Maiden. the sound is a combination of heavy metal with neo-classical influences,the sound is awesome and very impressive,the band is formed by a bunch of formidable musicians. anyone who likes Iron Maiden or Stratovarius or Malmsteem will definetely find a golden piece here,the lirics are in spanish but for those of you who don't speak spanish this is still an incredible band that deserves your attention.

the following album "Entre el cielo y el infierno" changes their singer and style entering a much heavier side to their music,I didn't like that one too much. the best three Rata Blanca albums released until 2000 are "Magos espadas y rosas","El guerrero del Arco iris" ( my personal favorite),and this one "el libro oculto". there are two more albums,the first one "Rata blanca" and the latest one "Rata blanca 2". this is a highly recommended album.

i love rata blanca, they are from argentina! if you like ozzy and clasic metal you will love this ,spanish lyrics and real metal music ,the guitar player walter giardino is one of the best i ever heard,in their next album entre el cielo y el infierno they change the vocalist and change their style to a similar sound of judas priest

I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO HIS MUSIC FOR A ALMOST 3 YEARS NOW AND I CAN'T GET ENOUGHT OF HIM, HE'S THE BEST

Aleks, mi hermano Aleks, sorprender? mas fuerte de lo que ha hecho con su disco para la pel?cula SEXO PUDOR Y LAGRIMAS, que espero coloquen en AMAZON pronto pues en MEXICO es todo un SUCESO. Un beso a todas las lindas chicas que gustan de la musica de Aleks, mi hermano Aleks. PD. ALeks gracias por lo momentos gratos que pasamos al escuchar tu musica.

Aleks Syntek is definitely a talented singer/songwriter/musician. I have all three of his releases and I highly recommend them! They're full of beautiful melodies and excellent arrangements. He's a great singer that can rival the so-called "best".

ESTE ES UNO DE MIS CD'S FAVORITOS
SE DEJARON CAI LA GARRA, TODAS LAS CANCIONES ESTAN DE POCA
COMO MEXICANA ALIVIANADA CREO QUE ESTO ES LO QUE ESTABAMOS ESPERANDO PARA SALIR DE LA DEPRE LA ROLA "ASI ES LA VIDA" ES PURO SENTIMIENTO CHIDO. LA ROLA BEATRIZ ME HACE LLORAR PORQUE SE LE NOTA EL AMOR. REYLI SE DEJA CAI CON ESTA MUSICA.
SUPER RECOMENDABLE

I first encountered the song "Asi Es La Vida" in one of my college Spanish classes. My TA was from Mexico, and she wanted us to learn more about Latin American culture along with the language. She always had us listen to different music and translate the songs, and I fell in love with this song. The rest of the CD is fantastic also! It's shame that most bands from the United States can't put out a CD filled with top-quality songs like Elefante has.

I bought this upon the suggestion of the local 7-11 guy, had only heard Asi Es La Vida on the radio. But, this is a much better disc than that one popular song reveals. In fact, this is one of my all time favorite discs of any kind of music. It has a level of sophistication that is rare in popular music. I have become a promoter for Elefante. The recording is a delight. More please.

Only in your site I've seen the song "De que manera te olvido"

Este CD tiene canciones hermosas pero, la que me pone la piel chinita es "EL TAPATIO" Chente la canta con tanto orgullo y por eso me encanta. Saludos para todos los de Amacueca, Techaluta, Atoyac, Cd. Guzman y Zacoalco. Y les recomiendo este CD del mejor cantante-Vicente Fernandez. I love you!!!

It would be hard to imagine a better mariachi-filled Chente disc than this classic! It's loaded with some of his best-loved songs ever, it's cheap and it is as good as it gets.
Songs like "El Tapatio", "No Me Se Rajar" and "El Polvorete" are as ballsy as you will ever hear from anyone, and I never get tired of hearing the extremely catchy "Tu Voz". These songs are all top quality, the mariachi is second to none and so is value of this CD. It's a must for the Chente fan, and easily earns a no-brainer five-star rating.

I got this CD several years ago and it one of my favorites. It's upbeat but relaxing music helps keep me going when I'm working on a large project around the house or just relaxing. My copy is in fact getting damaged thanks to my kids (teens) playing it also so I'm glad to be able to find another copy. Great gift for someone who likes a steady beat or theme to their music (ie: pop or disco). Great clasical dancing music also!!

This is a great CD. I bought it about 5 years ago and my wife and I still listen to it regularly when we want to wind down and relax at the end of a long day. It has beautiful melodies that stay in your head and speak of a peaceful, quieter world than our own. Can't recommend this enough.

Same as the other person that wrote a review. I had bought this tape about eight ago and it was incredible. Unfortunetly, it broke and I have been trying to find its replacement ever since. I am thrilled to finally find it. This CD is relaxing but not depressing. Most Irish/Celtic music is either depressing that you'll cry listening to it or is to upbeat and somewhat harsh to the ears. Emerald Castles is all instrumental with Guitars, Harpsichord, Recorder, Oboe and Percussion.

If you know anything about Juan Gabriel then you already know this is an excellent cd, full of energy and fun and his extra-special flair.

Most live albums don't do justice to the artist or his work. Not the case with Juan Gabriel. His live albums are his best and "En el Palacio de Bellas Artes" (Mexico City) is no exception. This album doesn't come to immediate "life" as does "Celebrando 25 Anos en el Palacio de Bellas Artes," but when the Mariachi move in about midway through the first CD, Gabriel really comes to life and there's no stopping him after that. He's got all the classics covered, most versions superior to his studio work. The "Hasta que te conoci" medley (25 minutes beginning on disc 2) and "Viva Mexico" are wildly exciting. A sidebar: If you are interested in the videos (2 volumes) and wonder what's on which volume because the songs aren't listed, Vol. I ends 15 minutes into the "Hasta que te conoci" medley. The songs in the vidoes follow the order of the CD song listing except that there's a lot of extra music on the videos because they total 180 minutes and the CDs about 100 minutes.

En el palacio de las bellas artes was my introduction to Juan Gabriel. What a n explosive introduction it was! His music is truly beautiful and exemplif ies his ability to capture the emotions, hopes and fears of everyday living. an energetic performance electrifying and tangible energy flow between performer and audience.

Alejandra Guzm�n est� en su mejor momento en esta grabaci�n grabada en vivo en Canc�n, M�jico. LA Guzm�n tine una gran fuerza interpretativa y su voz y proyecci�n est� mejor que nunca. Su set ac�stico donde canta tres de sus mejores �xitos es una de las mejores canciones. Esta reina de corazones seguir� reinando por mucho tiempo.

This CD of Ale Guzman is one of the best you can have, all the songs are excelent.

Alejandra really knows how to make music and this cd is a proof of that.
The production starts with her 1994 hit "Mala hierba", the song sounds better than the studio version. Then comes one of the biggest hits of 1990, this song also gave tittle to her best selling cd, I'm talking about "Eternamente bella".
Ale added almost all her hits, except the one of her latest cd of those days; "Cambio de piel".
The best songs are: "Loca", "Despertar", "Te esperaba" and my personal favorite "Mirala, miralo".
There's an acustic set for her hits: "Llama por favor", "Rosas rojas" and "Cuidado con el corazon". There're also new songs like "No hay vacuna para el amor" and she invited for this occasion one of the most important voices of Spain; Miguel Mateos.
If you like soft rock or Alejandra, don't wait any longer honestley, get this one.

From beginning to end,, you can't miss a song from this cd. Just listen to ENSENAME...and you will get the chills for sure.. TWO THUMBS UP for this super tejano singer..

the first time i heard bobby.i had just started listening to latin music.he is the type of singer that i wish american singers could be like.he has heart and soul and he sings stuff he can become part of...thank you glory

I think this is a very good song. Warning: When this song starts playing you will get up and start dancing. Unfortunally, this song did not get any air play in San Antonio, Texas. So if you want to here this song you have to buy the cd.

This is a great CD, I love it. Erotic City is a incredible song----if we can't make a baby, can we make some time?---and I woudl Die 4 U is one of the best songs/rock/r&b about Jesus that I have ever heard. Its incredible. I recommend that you get this as well as Purple Rain!!!! His Royal Badness has been then and now is an amazing!!!!

play Erotic City anywhere in Any Club &The House will Be Packed.The Long Version here is Extra Tight.one of His Best Grooves Ever.His Speeded up Voice&Sheila E. in the background alone make this cut Wicked.I Would Die for u long version blows the original out of the Water.The Horn by Eddie M.is Tight to the bone.Sheila E.Grooves here.Prince always use to add Color&light to his Songs by given them a Different Twist on the Longer Versions.this Still Rocks.

the song has some cuts with the tonuge but hey look at the gangster rap:

Vico has always has some tight rhymes. Like he says in one song he has el flow. My favorite songs of this cd are Capicu and Masocote. I like his cd cause he keeps it clean. Its not full with sex and violence like most reggaeton is. Eddie Dee and tego are also featured in the cd.

No sab?a nada de este guey antes de ir a una tienda y eschuchar unas canciones de el...Este disco trae buen ritmo, buen estilo y buen sentimientos...A todo tiempo hace eco del titulo del disco...deja ya de leer nuestras opiniones y escucha a las muestras y compra el disco!

Vico C is back! I love his lyrics and beat. The duos are awesome and will get you up and dancing. What I like best about Vico is that he can give you a funky beat without the explicit lyrics. Go out and get this one!