Honestidad Brutal

Recorded in Buenos Aires, Madrid, and New York between late 1998 and early 1999, this double CD reflects a fruitful, painful and intricate moment in Calamaro's life. Recorded when he was 37, the album contains 37 songs, selected from more than a thousand recorded during this period -- a result of the split-up with his Spanish girlfriend, sleepless nights and plane travels. Most of the songs are about regret and lost-love panic. The brilliant "El dia de la mujer mundial," the track that opens the album, shows it all. There are other outstanding songs that go along with this feeling, like "Los aviones," "La parte de adelante," and "Negrita." Track 10 of both CDs is reserved in some way for Argentinean soccer player Diego Maradona. The first one, "Maradona," is a joyful ode to the sportsman, while on the second one, Maradona himself sang with Calamaro. There's also a song dedicated to Miguel Abuelo, the former leader of Los Abuelos de la Nada, a band that Calamaro integrated between 1981 and 1985. Musically, the album contains the classic ballads and rock songs that are present on almost every Calamaro album, but he incorporates elements from tango, blues, bossa nova and funk. It didn't sell as well as the previous album, but it's certainly a step forward. ~ Ivan Adaime