Technically, rock en Español has been around almost as long as English-language rock & roll. The first Spanish-language rock came in the late '50s, when
Ritchie Valens recorded his hit version of "La Bamba" -- then, in the '70s,
Santana demonstrated that arena rock doesn't necessarily have to be in English. But it wasn't until the '80s that rock en Español became a serious movement; that was when numerous Latino rockers started writing in Spanish exclusively (as opposed to occasionally) and found that there was a huge market for their work. Those who are heavily into rock en Español can tell you that Spanish-language rock (as opposed to Latin pop) is every bit as diverse as English-language rock -- whether you're looking for grunge, rap-metal, ska-punk, or grindcore, you can find a wide variety of rock that is devoid of English lyrics. On
Bye Sami's debut album,
Otro Dia Mas, rock en Español means emocore. This release has all of the emo trademarks -- fast tempos, driving punk-pop aggression, and lyrics that are as angst-ridden as they are vulnerable.
Otro Dia Mas, unlike hardcore political punk, doesn't use loud guitars to fight the power;
Bye Sami deals with introspection and everyday romantic ups and downs. On tracks like "Es Mejor Decir Adios" and "Si Te Voy a Olvidar," the obvious comparisons include
blink-182,
Jimmy Eat World, and
Fenix TX (among others). But unlike those English-language bands,
Bye Sami does most of its self-analysis in Spanish -- the only English lyrics are on a hidden track that the Mexican band provides at the end of the CD.
Bye Sami is hardly the only Spanish-speaking emo outfit, but while
Otro Dia Mas isn't groundbreaking, it is enjoyable and heartfelt.
Otro Dia Mas is a CD that both rock en Español and emo enthusiasts should be aware of. ~ Alex Henderson