VER (DETRÁS)

Well, it is cool to find new names in the musical scene, and better if they come from your country and make great music, this is the case of Mexican trio Rodototoed, a band that I've just discovered but that has been in the musical realm for some years, actually, this is their third album which was released in 2012, so a couple of years passed until I found "Ver (detrás)" a release which was recorded live, and consists of six tracks that make a total time of 30 minutes of nice psych prog rock.

The songs don't have a real name, they just have an order in Roman Numbers. The first is "I", which starts with some lost bass notes, accompanied by some free jazz drums, seconds later the guitar appears with some loops, giving the impression that the music will take you to another galaxy. It is like an improvisation, a mixture of kraut with space rock, nice. Suddenly "II" starts, so it is actually one long song divided in six parts. In this second one, the trio keep jamming, adding new sounds while the seconds pass, playing and having fun with their instruments, but also sharing to the listener their trippy offer. I like when they get a bit crazier and the music becomes nervous and faster.

However, it slows down and they continue playing, making new passages with different time changes. When "III" starts the atmosphere is spacey, but really soft, what I like here is that the music flows and there is a moment after four minutes where the guys become crazy and share much more interesting music, I feel the climax is in this one part. Then it vanishes and "IV" begins. It also flows but it does not reach a climax, this time they just keep playing in a sot way, they have fun but I feel the music leads to nowhere, I mean, it does not have direction in moments. Plus, this is the longest "track" of the album.

It is actually not easy to notice when a track finishes, they follow the same line and play and experiment, but there is not a sign that distinguishes one from another, not really. So "V" starts with a cheeky guitar tone, while drums play some things and bass rests. It lasts for 3 minutes and then "VI" appears just to finish the album in a tense and spacey mood; at first it is softer, but later it becomes a bit rockier, just a little bit. And then, it just finishes.

Though I can say I enjoyed some moments, I cannot deny I feel the album lacks of several things, it lacks of a goal, of a personal touch, of memorable moments, and I know this is a live jam and the talent of the musicians is evident, however, the result might not be the best or the one that you want to keep in your collection. Anyway, I hope they keep making music in my country and produce more and better releases. My final grade, 2 stars.

Enjoy it, though!