I Am I

The children of Cuban refugees hailing from Florida, Nuclear Valdez was an anomaly, playing guitar-based rock & roll in an area better known for dancebeat music. Led by lead singer/guitarist Froilan Sossa, Nuclear Valdez churned out a fairly potent mix of rock tinged with folk and ethnic elements on their 1989 debut I Am I. Lyrically, the band often addresses the plight of ethnic minorities in South Florida as on the bracing singles "Summer" and "Where Do We Go from Here." Unfortunately, the lyrics are often clumsy and a bit heavy-handed, which dilutes their message. There's no shortage of melody, however, as the band ranges from the bluesy "If I Knew Then," to the hip-swaying shuffle of "Eve," to the lovely, folk-tinged "Run Through the Fields." I Am I is an intriguing record that hints at further growth.