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Staff IconThe Misteriosos - The Misteriosos (Cover Artwork)

The Misteriosos

The Misteriosos (2005)
Triptone

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: Anchors
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Published on April 14th 2006


When you hear the phrase “blast from the past,” it’s often just some tired cliché stated because the person from whom it came can’t think of anything better to say. Now myself, I try to avoid clichés as much as possible, but if there’s any band that fits the “blast from the past” description, it’s the Misteriosos.

Just the name sounds like something straight out of the Twilight Zone. Their self-titled record is drenched in psychedelia and the low, droning vocals of Tula Storm transport you right back to the the 1960s. Listening to this record will undoubtedly make you think of a music video from the 1960s, where it was only the band playing in front of a swirled, color-drenched background spinning around to the point of hallucination. They’ve captured that essence to perfection, every instrument sounds so completely on point that it’s scary.

Not quite as scary, however, as the visions this record conjures up if you close your eyes, lay down in darkness, and just take it in.

It’s one of those records, not merely a casual listen. An experience of sorts. Not a life altering one, not a phenomenal one, but an experience nonetheless. The layers and textures are gorgeous, the guitar tones so perfectly pitched, the vocals so soothing and right for the music behind it. Some songs do have a bit more pep to them than others, but it’s the extended instrumental passages that feel the most authentically brilliant. All the eerie sounds of the Wurlitzer, the tight blues rhythms, the hauntingly lifeless vocals of Tula Storm, all combines to create an absolutely perfect atmosphere. I’ve never heard a band replicate a time period in music like this trio has been able to. Truly impressive.

The nine-minute “The Sun” isn’t so much a test of endurance, as an ability to not succumb to the drone and chunky bass that will simply put you into a dazed state, only heightened by the robotic like vocals of Storm, bouncing off the echoed chord progressions.

A staggeringly impressive recreation of the height of `60s psychedelia.



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    GreenVandal (April 17, 2006)

    Actually, musically they share many similarities. The differences arrive when you look at the vocals and the tone of the music. I dont see that as drastic enough to give new genre names.

    Anchors (April 16, 2006)

    They overlap, yes, but they're distinct scenes on a whole. Nobody is confusing Fugazi with La Quiete or The New Pornographers. Bands in one genre may have qualities of others, but it's not one unified genre, thus negating your comment.

    And you can claim I have a limited amount of musical knowledge all you want, Will, doesn't make it true. Lets be honest with each other, you've got the greatest area of knowledge in punk. I'm sure you'd agree with that, and anyone who's seen you on here argue with... everyone, would agree you do seem to have a great wealth of knowledge in that area.

    I do have more knowledge of hardcore and screamo than most, but I also know a great deal about hip hop, post rock, rock 'n' roll (oldies), and plenty of other things. I don't limit myself. I can find plenty I like in literally any genre. House music, folk, pop, what have you. My comment about The Subhumans was entirely to get a rise out of people. I've never listened to the Subhumans. I'm aware of who they are, and some of the stuff they've released, but I've never actually listened. So that's pretty irrelevant.

    And no, you're not as reactionary as you used to be, but you still do have a decent amount of negative things to chime in on my reviews. I've said I'm always open to constructive criticism, which is still true, but making a pompous comment such as "you should change your rating scale," come on.

    Anonymous (April 16, 2006)

    Indie is a genre wholly based on the fact that it doesn't really exist.

    GreenVandal (April 16, 2006)

    "Indie, post-hardcore and screamo have TONS of overlap in their audiences nowadays. It's not at all inaccurate to lump them together in that sense."

    Agreed. It's not the 90's anymore and kids who wear bandanas of all different shapes, sizes, and colors are listening to all three, sometimes SIMELTANEOUSLY.

    But seriously, those three genres have become intertwined because people think all three of them are edgy and artsy. I think thursday was the one who really took a piece from each genre and got tons of recognition for it, thus opening the flood gates.

    And "screamo" and "post-hardcore" (neither of which I consider to be actual genres) are the exact same thing. If anything, screamo is a sub genre of post-hardcore, not to mention that indie is one of those context sensitive "you know it when you hear it" kind of genres that actually doesnt mean anything at all.

    Anonymous (April 16, 2006)

    Indie, post-hardcore and screamo have TONS of overlap in their audiences nowadays. It's not at all inaccurate to lump them together in that sense.

    Anonymous (April 16, 2006)

    Anchors,

    I don't see how me complaining about your reviewing style shows that I'm "bitter" about anything. Sure, I used to have the reactionist posting method where I'd complain about shitty bands being reviewed or whatever, but that's long past.

    Despite your claim to having musical knowledge, I remember a time when you called the Subhumans "shitty street punk" or something to that effect.

    -Will

    GreenVandal (April 15, 2006)

    I was pretty jaded by 16. Now look how positive I am!

    sickboi (April 15, 2006)

    I'm really starting to think Will is older than he says...

    Anchors (April 15, 2006)

    Big boy, you're 18 now, congrats! Movin' on up in the world.

    And uh, not sure if you're aware, but indie, post hardcore, and screamo are three very different scenes and genres, so your whole claim about my knowledge being relegated to one type of music is refuted right there by your own dumb statement.

    Not that I need to validate myself as it is, but I have plenty of knowledge beyond those three scenes, and the diversity and number of albums I've reviewed illustrates that nicely.

    Regardless of age, Will, you're far too young and inexperienced in life to be as fucking bitter as you are. It's a nice day today, go play some basketball, go for a run, get an ice cream cone. Really, life isn't so bad.

    Anonymous (April 15, 2006)

    Well never in the review did you say that it didn't have replay value.

    In fact, you said "It’s one of those records, not merely a casual listen."

    And by scene, I think we all know what scene you're drawn to, the screamo/indie/post-hardcore thing... You don't have much grasp or knowledge beyond that.

    So just keep throwing outdated insults at me (I turned 18 like 5 months ago and am going to the University in the fall). You sound like an asshole and just make my point stronger.

    -Will

    Anchors (April 15, 2006)

    Oh, do you? Revise it to what, exactly? Something more akin to YOUR grading scale? I'll get right on that.

    Please, Will, do me a favor, and explain to me just what "scene" entails. Tell me what's "scene," and what's "not scene." Or are you just completely talking out of your ass, like everyone else who uses those classifications? There's no "scene." There's hardcore "scenes," punk "scenes," movie "scenes," there is no unfified, elitist "scene" as you seem to always take issue with.

    I gave it a seven rather than an 8 because it doesn't have a whole lot of staying power, or replay value if you prefer. If I were to go get this to listen to right now, I'd very much enjoy it, but I'd probably go another 4 months or who knows how long without listening, where as an 8 album would stay at least marginally in rotation.

    It must be hard being 17 and this jaded already.

    Anonymous (April 15, 2006)

    Once again- 8 sounding record (from the review, which had little bad to say about it), but given 7 stars because it's not "scene" enough.

    Anchors, I think you should consider revising your personal grading scale.

    -Will

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