Vasos Vacíos cover

Vasos Vacíos

Released

This Argentinian ska-punk-Latin-funk band’s biggest hit, “Matador,” was one of the few new tracks on this 1993 album, which mostly consisted of tracks from their six previous full-lengths, some re-recorded or remixed. But “Matador,” with its thunderous samba-inspired drums, punchy horns, and football-stadium chants, as well as its lyrics decrying the suppression of dissent by military dictatorships in Argentina and Chile, is a cri de coeur disguised as a fist-pumping anthem. “Quinto Centenario,” the other new song, blends twitchy ska with an interpolation of “America,” from West Side Story, then launches into a hardcore punk sprint. Meanwhile, older songs like “El Satánico Dr. Cadillac,” “Vasos Vacíos” (featuring guest vocals from salsa legend Celia Cruz), and their cover of “Revolution Rock” (a cover of a reggae song by Danny Ray that the Clash also covered, on London Calling) throw elements of funk and even Hawaiian guitar into the mix.

Phil Freeman

Suggestions
Made in Dakar cover

Made in Dakar

Orchestra Baobab
Extra Classic cover

Extra Classic

Gregory Isaacs
Two Bad DJ cover

Two Bad DJ

General Saint, Clint Eastwood
Me and Jane cover

Me and Jane

Bingy Bunny
Everything Goes Numb cover

Everything Goes Numb

Streetlight Manifesto
My Boy Lollipop cover

My Boy Lollipop

Millie Small
Café Tacuba cover

Café Tacuba

Café Tacuba
Ama-Zonas cover

Ama-Zonas

Colectivo Jaguar, Doctor Krápula