Corridos Al Sinaloense

Chronique

The title Corridos al Sinaloense might lead some regional Mexican enthusiasts to assume that this 2009 release by Los Nuevos Rebeldes (whose name means "The New Rebels" in Spanish) contains banda. Corridos al Sinaloense roughly translates to Corridos Sinaloan Style, and banda is closely identified with the Mexican state of Sinaloa. But in fact, Corridos al Sinaloense is essentially norteño, not banda. This 28-minute CD does contain something associated with banda: a chugging tuba. But Corridos al Sinaloense doesn't have the huge wall of brass that banda is known for, and norteño-style accordion is prominent throughout the album. As the title indicates, everything on this disc is a corrido. Previous releases by Los Nuevos Rebeldes demonstrated that corridos were one of their strong points, so it makes perfect sense for them to record an album that offers corridos exclusively (some of them narcocorridos -- that is, corridos about drug trafficking). And the fact that Los Nuevos Rebeldes have such an earthy, rootsy, unpretentious sound is a definite plus on lively corridos such as "El Boludo," "Hasta la Madre," "Corrido de Angel," and "Los Cuernos del Diablo"; this is simple storytelling, but it's effective storytelling. Granted, albums of corridos can become predictable. Corridos typically follow the pattern of: (1) introduction to the story, (2) developing the story, and (3) resolving the story. The corridos on this album are no exception; they fit that time-honored pattern, and Corridos al Sinaloense doesn't offer a great deal of variety. But if Corridos al Sinaloense is somewhat predictable, it is enjoyably predictable. Corridos al Sinaloense doesn't pretend to reinvent the regional Mexican wheel, but it's still a worthwhile listen if one is a seasoned corrido enthusiast.

© Alex Henderson /TiVo