Album of the day: La Vida Boheme - Nuestra

Sometimes the discovery of a new band knocks your socks off.  This week I attended the Latin Alternative Music Conference with my friend Clara.  The headlining band, Superlito, were high school friends.  They were playing late and she was looking for someone to hang out with her for the evening.  Excited by the prospect, I happily volunteered.  If there's one thing I've learned it's that latin music always involves dancing, and well, I'm always up for dancing.  Plus, the prospect of seeing new music is always exciting.  As is hanging out with Clara. 

The line-up was long.  We wandered in and out of the band area, checking out the opening acts but ultimately going back to the bar area where she encountered a number of  friends, former band-mates and a group of new people sharing a common heritage.  At some point we stopped checking on the opening acts in leiu of conversation.  As we neared the time when Superlito was scheduled to take the stage, I was suddenly distracted by the sounds coming from the stage.

La Vida Boheme, from Caracas, Venezuela took the stage.  Looking post-punk in outfits smeared with (what looked like soot) their energy overcame the crown.  If Steve Albini had a Venezuelan dance band, this is what it would sound like.  The guitars screamed in discordance over an intoxicating bass line and drum beat.  The audience went crazy, dancing and singing along with their anthemic choruses.  They were one of the best live bands I have ever seen.

The next day I bougt a copy of their album Nuestra, hoping to recapture the moment.  The album does not disappoint.  The opening song "Radio Capital" is an infectious post-punk dance song that contains a creative use of the refrain "Gabba Gabba Hey."  Each subsequent song, some more down-tempo and contemplative always with fierce guitar sound and back beat.   The whole album just screams with passion.