By
LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ
Associated Press Writer
After
a foray into techno and trip-hop, Aterciopelados have
returned to their alt-rock roots with their first studio
album in five years.
``Oye''
or, ``Listen'' in English, features up-tempo rhythms mixed
with minor key melodies, political criticisms wrapped
in pop-bass riffs, and whispers throughout of flutes and
indigenous drums.
It
is this unique sound that has helped the multiple Grammy-nominated
Aterciopelados maintain their popularity and integrity
as one of Latin America's top alt-rock bands for more
than a decade.
``Oye
is a call to attention, to wake up to things that are
going on around us, our society, the environment, consumerism,''
Aterciopelados' singer and guitarist Andrea Echeverri
said. ``It's also an invitation to listen ... after five
years without an Aterciopelados album.''
``Oye''
is a strange balance of opposing elements woven together
by Echeverri's sultry and powerful vocals. The result
somehow makes the album intimate enough for a romantic
dinner and at times energetic enough for a mosh pit _
or Miami's American Airlines Arena, where Aterciopelados
kick off their U.S. tour Saturday.
For
Echeverri, 41, and fellow songwriter, producer and bassist
Hector Buitrago, 42, that balance is important in life
as well as music. They are recognized on the street, but
unlike Colombia's one-name megastars Shakira and Juanes,
they don't require private security everywhere they go.
The
two have remained friends and collaborators years after
their romantic relationship faded _ their studio at his
house, their practice room at hers.
And
when the birth of Echeverri's daughter with husband historian
Jose Manuel Jaramillo inspired her to write about motherhood,
Buitrago gladly produced and played on Echeverri's 2005
album. When Buitrago sought to do the more experimental,
Eastern-influenced album ``Conector'' earlier this year,
Echeverri provided vocals.
``Oye,''
released Tuesday by the independent label Nacional Records,
echoes both independent projects. It retains the strong
flavor of Colombian indigenous and mystic sounds from
``Conector,'' especially on ``Peace'' and on ``Cross of
Salt.''
Meanwhile,
Echeverri says she was again inspired by her daughter,
this time to write ``Listen Women'' and ``Mr. Money,''
which question societal pressures to look like Barbie
and to buy everything, including love.
``I
want her to understand there are a lot of points of view.
Consumerism is inevitable, but it's important to ask yourself
how far you have submerged yourself,'' she said.
But
even with Barbie, it comes back to balance. Echeverri
admitted her own daughter has a few of the plastic dolls
at home.
``I
tell her that I don't like them and explain why,'' she
said, ``but you don't want to come across too heavy.''
Aterciopelados'
search for balance is epitomized in the album's song,
``Complement,'' whose lyrics praises the beauty of contrast:
``You give me what I lacked/What before I didn't like/The
other half of my orange/You begin where I leave off.''
It's
a love song, but it has broader political undertones,
Echeverri said.
``It's
a symbol about tolerance. The opposite of what you are
could be exactly what you need. It's the yin-yang,'' she
said. ``It's something we need more of today.''
As
with their last studio album, ``Gozo Poderoso,'' which
went platinum, the group recorded the CD in Bogota where
they live, inviting local artists to contribute. ``Oye''
refers obliquely to the political challenges Colombia
faces and its relationship with the United States. In
``Protest Song,'' the duo denounce a laundry list of offenders,
including terrorists, agricultural fumigators _ a reference
to the planes that fly over Colombian forests to fumigate
poppy plantations _ and even duck hunters.
``There's
a story about someone close to President Bush who was
duck hunting and shot someone....'' Echeverri explained
with a laugh, referring to Vice President Dick Cheney's
February hunting accident and leaving it open as to whether
this is serious political commentary or a moment of ``not
coming across too heavy.''
Most
likely with Aterciopelados, it is a balance between the
two.
