Gure Jarrera

With the arrival of Mikel Anastesia (bass) and Mikel Bap (drums), Negu Gorriak passed from being more of a creative project to a genuine band looking to connect with the arena rock masses. Hard-riff rocking abounds on Gure Jarrera, mixed with a little turntable scratching on the nagging "Lehenbiziko Bala" before hitting a murderous edge on "El Dezacon Sal," complete with solos that hang on the edge of Sonic Youth noise. "Song Number One" throws in some AC/DC moves, and thrash meshes with a taste of tandem harmony lead guitars by Inigo Muguruza and Kaki Arkarazo in a Thin Lizzy vein on "Zipaoean Matxinada." The guitar onslaught reaches its apex on "NG, Geurea Da Garaipena," hitting home with Thin Lizzy-meets-Lynyrd Skynyrd leads and riffs framing Fermin Muguruza's snarling but convincing rap vocals. But Negu Gorriak again mixes up their guitar riffs with a few different rhythm trips. The D.I.Y. sound collages using samples from the Meters, James Brown, and Sly & the Family Stone are one step more sophisticated than on Negu Gorriak. Triggered by a Linton Kwesi Johnson sample, "B.S.O." takes off on the dub route and the closing "Gora Herria" alternates light ska with hard, melodic chords and exuberant gritos. The political quotient in the lyrics surpassed even Fermin Muguruza's normal vehemence, as evidenced by the legal action stemming from "Ustelkeria" (Rottenness). But Gure Jarrera is one more forward step on Negu Gorriak's radical path, an advance over the first album and a launching pad to the astounding Borreroak Baditu Milaka Aurpegi. ~ Don Snowden