C M J 

From the pages of the CMJ New Music Report, Issue: 681 - Sep 4, 2000

DISTRITO 14-Live In Chicago

Veteran Spanish rock band Distrito 14 takes its name from the Zaragoza neighborhood it calls home. On Live In Chicago, the quintet captures the essence of its 15 years of rocking and rolling together through the recording of a 1999 club performance.

With a reliance on roots revivalism and prog-rock structures, Distrito 14 makes plenty of room for lead guitarist Francisco Jaraba's soaring solos. Singer and main songwriter

Mariano Chueca, whose deep vibrato at times recalls Peter Murphy, sings compelling lyrics about such everyman topics as growing, learning and love, and hangs his sing-along choruses on catchy melodies. Produced by long-time collaborator Jack Letourneau (Yardbirds, Animals, Andy Summers), Live In Chicago also includes two new songs performed in English, and updated versions of the band's well-worn hits from Spain. With such epic tracks as "Another Chance" and "Dreaming Again," these seasoned rockeros may finally get the recognition they deserve.

-Enrique Lavín-

Volver a prensa