Bloque

Amazon.com
The spirit of rock took a holiday from its American birthplace and paid a visit to the far-off terrain of the Colombian-born and -bred Bloque--only to find itself in a midlife crisis. And indeed, the genre couldn't find better comrades than this sophisticated musical battalion, named after the commando unit trained to track down Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. The main songwriting team of Ivan Benavides and Ernesto Ocampo have crafted a fine group of songs sung entirely in Spanish but possessing a musical multilingualism that should win over those que no lo entienden. Shades of postpunk art rock saturate the guitar textures of "Dano en el Bano" and "Sin Lagrimas," and they even rip off Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page for the opening lick of "Nena." Never absent, however, are the classic rhythms and vocal harmonies of traditional Latin music, updated innovatively and respectfully on postmodern sambas like "Majana" and "No Volvere." Most of us stateside may not recognize this rock when we see it again, but you always come back from the best trips a little changed, anyway. --Justin Hampton

USA Today
The Bogota, Colombia, collective's self-titled debut revitalizes the rock en espanol movement with a pummeling wall of sound that incorporates political venom, disco fever, rock-guitar distortion, snide humor and hip-hop beats.

Bloque,Bloque,Warner Bros / Wea,Latin Music,Latin Pop,Pop,Rock

Average customer rating: Mixed colombian and caribean music, with rock

Bloque De Busqueda Bloque De Busqueda Manufacturer: Sonolux Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000002FXX Release Date: 1997-01-21

Tracks:

1. el Hedor
2. Nena
3. Lo Que Sucede
4. Majana
5. Ay! D Andar
6. hay un Da en el Ba
7. No Volver
8. descarga
9. despilfarros
10. MacHobayo
11. Milagros
12. rap del Rebusque
13. Currubuco
14. donza Invisible

Customer Reviews:

Mixed colombian and caribean music, with rock.......1999-09-08

Bloque de Búsqueda is a Colombian group. At the beginning this group worked with Carlos Vives. Afterwards, they separated for a while, and then got together to play different rhythms including typical Colombian and Caribbean music, mixing this music with rock. Now these musicians work in the US. Some of their names (among others) are Ernesto Ocampo, Mayte Montero and Oscar Ivan Medina. They recorded their first cd in Colombia and an American producer then re-recorded it. Their company name is Gaira.

Average customer rating: with energy excellent on a world class level Decent but not great. Rock from the New World O my God!

Bloque Bloque Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rock en Español | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music International Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Los de Abajo ASIN: B00000AG8E Release Date: 1998-10-06

Tracks:

1. Dano En El Bano
2. Nena
3. Sin Lagrimas
4. Majana
5. Ay Donde Andara
6. El Hedor
7. No Volvere
8. Rap Del Rebusque
9. La Pluma
10. Lo Que Sucede
11. Descarga
12. Currubuco
13. Unknown - Do Busqueda

Amazon.com

The spirit of rock took a holiday from its American birthplace and paid a visit to the far-off terrain of the Colombian-born and -bred Bloque--only to find itself in a midlife crisis. And indeed, the genre couldn't find better comrades than this sophisticated musical battalion, named after the commando unit trained to track down Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. The main songwriting team of Ivan Benavides and Ernesto Ocampo have crafted a fine group of songs sung entirely in Spanish but possessing a musical multilingualism that should win over those que no lo entienden. Shades of postpunk art rock saturate the guitar textures of "Dano en el Bano" and "Sin Lagrimas," and they even rip off Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page for the opening lick of "Nena." Never absent, however, are the classic rhythms and vocal harmonies of traditional Latin music, updated innovatively and respectfully on postmodern sambas like "Majana" and "No Volvere." Most of us stateside may not recognize this rock when we see it again, but you always come back from the best trips a little changed, anyway. --Justin Hampton

Customer Reviews:

with energy.......2007-04-14

I discovered Bloque because of a David Byrne article that mentioned them. The article was about how the idea of "world music" is silly, because a) how can you possibly lump all the world's music not from the US and UK into one category? and b) the idea of world music implies that there's "authenticity" in the traditional sound of a particular country, which should never change.

Bloque was mentioned in the article as a band that blows gaping holes in this view of things, and do they ever. This record is loud, brash, energetic, a delightful mish-mosh of disparate genres, and doesn't quite fit on any shelf of the music store but would be much more at home in the rock section than the "world" one. I don't know a word of Spanish so I've no idea what they're singing about but it doesn't matter. Music is music and it's good.

The one complaint I have with this record is that it sort of loses steam in the latter stages. I'm a big believer in albums, particularly debut albums, being shorter, not longer. Shave a couple tracks off the second half of this disc and it would get more spins in my player than it does. But the first half in particular is dynamite. Especially given how cheaply this is selling right now, I recommend that jump on that and get this disc.

excellent on a world class level.......2002-03-22

It's definitely Latin, but you can't limit it as such. There are elements of rock, blues, funk, hip hop, psychedelia, and a little bit of that andean flute to add a curiously soft edge to the harder grooves. But don't think that they're trying to cover too many styles--they're not. Amazingly enough, they pull it off and these incredibly varied songs seem to flow seamlessly. And if you listen to it and think that you like some songs less than others...give those songs a second try. You will discover something different about each song each time you listen.

Decent but not great........2001-04-23

All these reviews are over-hyped. Dont get sucked in. Bloque is a decent album, but there are better rock en espanol albums out there.

Rock from the New World.......1999-11-06

Bloque de busqueda's (The real name of this group) International version CD is excellent, I already had the Colombian version (Named $5.000.0000) but I was blowed away with the adds to this CD. It is a must if you want to see the future of rock. I have seen them live too, and they are definitevily a treat!

O my God!.......1999-08-30

Even though I am a great admirer of all of El Bloque work (formerly known as La Provincia) in the past and their collaboration with Carlos Vives because of its new and fresh sound I was totally blown away by what I heard here...this CD totally rules! It's the best thing ever! The music made by this Bogota-based band is out of this world. It's a supreme combination of everything that it's awesome, exciting and bold about latin and rock music a wonderfully performed blending of real music made by real musicians that will blow your senses away and grow roots in your gut. You cannot miss it!

Average customer rating: with energy excellent on a world class level Decent but not great. Rock from the New World O my God!

Bloque Bloque Manufacturer: Luaka Bop ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rock en Español | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music International Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Rock en Español | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Los de Abajo ASIN: B00004RD0R Release Date: 2000-03-28

Tracks:

1. Dano En El Bano
2. Nena
3. Sin Lagrimas
4. Majana
5. Ay Donde Andara
6. El Hedor
7. No Volvere
8. Rap Del Rebusque
9. La Pluma
10. Lo Que Sucede
11. Descarga
12. Currubuco
13. Silent

Amazon.com

The spirit of rock took a holiday from its American birthplace and paid a visit to the far-off terrain of the Colombian-born and -bred Bloque--only to find itself in a midlife crisis. And indeed, the genre couldn't find better comrades than this sophisticated musical battalion, named after the commando unit trained to track down Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. The main songwriting team of Ivan Benavides and Ernesto Ocampo have crafted a fine group of songs sung entirely in Spanish but possessing a musical multilingualism that should win over those que no lo entienden. Shades of postpunk art rock saturate the guitar textures of "Dano en el Bano" and "Sin Lagrimas," and they even rip off Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page for the opening lick of "Nena." Never absent, however, are the classic rhythms and vocal harmonies of traditional Latin music, updated innovatively and respectfully on postmodern sambas like "Majana" and "No Volvere." Most of us stateside may not recognize this rock when we see it again, but you always come back from the best trips a little changed, anyway. --Justin Hampton

Customer Reviews:

with energy.......2007-04-14

I discovered Bloque because of a David Byrne article that mentioned them. The article was about how the idea of "world music" is silly, because a) how can you possibly lump all the world's music not from the US and UK into one category? and b) the idea of world music implies that there's "authenticity" in the traditional sound of a particular country, which should never change.

Bloque was mentioned in the article as a band that blows gaping holes in this view of things, and do they ever. This record is loud, brash, energetic, a delightful mish-mosh of disparate genres, and doesn't quite fit on any shelf of the music store but would be much more at home in the rock section than the "world" one. I don't know a word of Spanish so I've no idea what they're singing about but it doesn't matter. Music is music and it's good.

The one complaint I have with this record is that it sort of loses steam in the latter stages. I'm a big believer in albums, particularly debut albums, being shorter, not longer. Shave a couple tracks off the second half of this disc and it would get more spins in my player than it does. But the first half in particular is dynamite. Especially given how cheaply this is selling right now, I recommend that jump on that and get this disc.

excellent on a world class level.......2002-03-22

It's definitely Latin, but you can't limit it as such. There are elements of rock, blues, funk, hip hop, psychedelia, and a little bit of that andean flute to add a curiously soft edge to the harder grooves. But don't think that they're trying to cover too many styles--they're not. Amazingly enough, they pull it off and these incredibly varied songs seem to flow seamlessly. And if you listen to it and think that you like some songs less than others...give those songs a second try. You will discover something different about each song each time you listen.

Decent but not great........2001-04-23

All these reviews are over-hyped. Dont get sucked in. Bloque is a decent album, but there are better rock en espanol albums out there.

Rock from the New World.......1999-11-06

Bloque de busqueda's (The real name of this group) International version CD is excellent, I already had the Colombian version (Named $5.000.0000) but I was blowed away with the adds to this CD. It is a must if you want to see the future of rock. I have seen them live too, and they are definitevily a treat!

O my God!.......1999-08-30

Even though I am a great admirer of all of El Bloque work (formerly known as La Provincia) in the past and their collaboration with Carlos Vives because of its new and fresh sound I was totally blown away by what I heard here...this CD totally rules! It's the best thing ever! The music made by this Bogota-based band is out of this world. It's a supreme combination of everything that it's awesome, exciting and bold about latin and rock music a wonderfully performed blending of real music made by real musicians that will blow your senses away and grow roots in your gut. You cannot miss it!

Average customer rating:

Hombre Tierra y Alma Bloque Manufacturer: Sony Bmg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000Q7ZGC4 Release Date: 1993-02-01

Average customer rating:

El Hijo del Alba Bloque Manufacturer: Sony Bmg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000Q7ZGBU Release Date: 1995-01-30

Average customer rating:

Hombre, Tierra Y Alma Bloque Manufacturer: Nices Popular Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000MMVTDI

Product Description

1. Humanidad Indefensa 2. Ya no hay nada en la calle 3. El llanto del poeta 4. El infierno esta aqui? 5. Meditacion 6. El verdadero silencio 7. Por fin he vuelto a ti

Average customer rating:

En Directo (IMPORT) Bloque ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rock en Español | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000MC52EU

Product Description

Import from Spain. Track listing 1. Undécimo Poder (6:07) 2. Descubrir el Sentido Terrible de la Vida (3:48) 3. Rey de la Noche (4:03) 4. Hijo del Alba (3:19) 5. Savoy (3:35) 6. Ni un Día Más (3:57) 7. Abelardo y Eloísa (6:25) 8. El Verdadero Silencio (3:51) 9. Maldito Traidor (3:25) 10. Radar Love (5:26) 11. Caracosida (4:23) 12. Rockin' in the Free World (5:58) Total Time: 54:17 Line-up - Juan Carlos Gutiérrez / vocals - Juan José Respuela / guitars - Iván Velasco / guitars - Luis Escalada / drums - Pepe Masides / bass - Marcos Gómez / keyboards

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