Tan Bajo

Davila 666 have changed nothing since the release of their 2008 self-titled album. On 2011’s Tan Bajo, the Puerto Rican garage rockers sound just as snotty, just as loose, and just as fun and wild as they did on their debut. The six members of the band whip up an impressive storm of noise built of guitars, drums, cheap organ, and vocals (all sung in Spanish) that can only be called enthusiastic. The group is inspired and influenced by the past 50 years of garage and punk; the clanging guitars, shouted vocals, and bashed tambourines are pure Northwest '60s rock & roll, the aggressive power of the guitars comes from the Stooges, the bright melodies and the hip swinging beats come from the “popular” garage bands like the Standells, and the lo-fi go-go appeal comes straight from the garages of the U.S.A. The album may be highly influenced by the past, but it’s not a museum piece to be appreciated. Tan Bajo is a sweaty, noisy party of an album that blasts through the 45-minute running time like it’s a sprint, with only the occasional ballad for a breather. It’s to the band's credit that the quieter songs work as well as they do; not only can Davila 666 crash and bash through three chords, they can also show a little soulful restraint when they need to. Davila 666 have that all-important spark of primitive energy and power that have made bands from the Sonics to the Hives so vital and alive, and Tan Bajo is another great record that all fans of garage rock, new or old, need to add to their collections.