La Marcha del Golazo Solitario

After the one-two punch of Rey Azucar and Fabulosos Calaveras, it seemed there was no place to go for the Fabulosos Cadillacs but heavier and louder. Instead, the band did a sharp 180-degree turn with the rather peculiar La Marcha del Golazo Solitario. The thrash metal guitars and wild tempo changes have been abandoned for a jazzy, Brazilian feel. "C.J." is a straight bossa nova track, reminiscent of Antonio Carlos Jobim, while "Los Condenaditos" marries samba beats to bluesy slide guitar and a wall of horns. There's even an instrumental Latin-jazz number, "57 Almas," played entirely on piano, upright bass, and congas. Only "Roble," "Pirana," and "Necessito Una Nariz de Payaso, No Me Prestas La Tuya...?" continue in the Latin rock mode from their previous two albums, and these songs are not as aggressive as their previous rock tracks. Lyrically, the band has toned down the quirky humor as well, preferring to write songs that are more reflective and philosophical, although there is still plenty of smart-ass humor to be found in a track like "Necessito..." (the title translates to "I need a clown nose, may I borrow yours...?"). Though Marcha is a frequently enjoyable listen, one can't help but feel that it's a bit of a step back (or at least sideways) after the peaks of their previous two albums, both of which would ultimately serve as better introductions to the Fabulosos Cadillacs. ~ Victor W. Valdivia