CafA© Tacuba - CafA© Tacuba

This is Cafe Tacuba's first album and the one that put them on the map, and not just in "rock en español" circles. Straight out of the gate they show as much allegiance to the mosh pit as to their Mexican roots, but it is the clever blending of the two that gives them such appeal on both sides of the border. Sometimes irreverent and humorous, this five-piece outfit comes on at times like Madness in sombreros, while at other times they tackle ballads, norteños, and straight pop ditties. Underlying it all is a cultural edge and awareness in their music that demands serious attention, albeit not at the expense of having a really good time. In the process, Cafe Tacuba carve out a diverting and singular territory all their own. --Derek Rath Amazon.com

A promising band

It was the year of 1992 and the rock scene in Mexico was swarming with new bands, each one with a different style and proposal. One of those bands was Café Tacvba, named after a coffee shop in Mexico city, today (13 years later) they are still one of the few good Mexican rock bands.

This debut album with a variety of themes in the lyrics and with a very `mexican' style in its music, showed what seemed to be a very promising band. The vocal style that Sizu Yantra has (that's the most recent name that the vocalist has adopted, another peculiarity about the band) is quite different to what you expect from a vocalist, in time you get used to it and you actually get to like it, his style has evolved and improved ever since. `Las batallas' and `Maria' are a couple of ballads in which you can easily see the richness of their music and lyrics, and, on the other hand, we have `Las persianas' and `Rarotonga', two songs that are totally different in style and ideas, ideas that were fresh then and still are today (the `Rarotonga' video was definitely a keeper)

Even though the songs mentioned above were the singles released, my favorite tracks are the less known songs, `El catrin', `Labios jaguar' and `La zonaja' are songs in which you enjoy the music, but not as much as the lyrics, and this is mostly because Café Tacvba talks about the Mexican culture in their albums, in `El catrin' we hear the story of a guy that seems to have gotten out from a lottery card, `Labios jaguar' deals with a guy involved in relationship with a French type girl while he analyzes the advantages of being with a `trajin princesa' instead.

Bottomline, a very interesting proposal and a very enjoyable album to listen to, regardless of the other albums they have released ever since, `Café Tacvba' remains as one of my personal favorites, fresh ideas and a different proposal in this album made of Café Tacvba what they are today: one of the greatest Latin-American rock bands.
May 6, 2005

tomando café

this band from méxico is amazing. their first album is an epilogue of unexpected music to come from café tacvba. a very good album in its own respect, talking about, most likely, experiences of the past ("las batallas", "la zonaja"), and the area in which they live ("el catrin"). Also just going out of line with songs like "las persianas" about a lover killing the beloved, but ironically with an upbeat rhythm. though the album is great two tracks ("rarotonga", "cometer suicidio") keep this album from getting a five-star. not bad songs but ones that are "tired out" once they are heard at least four or five times. Anyone who wants to hear something different or just want to hear some good music from méxico are recommended to buy this album. the album is filled with upbeat songs, an occasional slow song here and there, and just plain good music all the way. those who are way too focused on mainstream need not apply. October 31, 2004

la secu 23

introduces us to the many moods of the tacubitos. fun lyrics and music. how desperate of attention would you be to try to drown yourself en el excusado? April 29, 2001

Maria , Maria

Wow! Cafe Tacuba is a 4 piece band with great talent! This First album is gorgeously made. The most powerful song on the album is Maria, this song will remind all of us of the beauitful feeling of being in love! It sounds as if he is singing Marjorie, Marjorie but he is not he is singing Maria, Maria. Cafe Tacuba will always be around and if I had to start with one album this will be the one. Go ahead and order it through Amazon and you will not be disappointed. bye. February 16, 2001

"Coolisimo"

This album left me in shock. I honestly did not think I would get so attached to one group. Before I never would have pictured myself listening to this type of music, but with one listen of this band opened my ears to another level of music. Trust me, you wont be disappointed if you buy this album, it ROCKS! December 23, 1999

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