Rodrigo Y Gabriela -Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Mon 3rd Jul, 2006 in Music Reviews

It is often tempting to define an act in terms of their genre, be it rock, metal, hip hop or any other musical form. Critics in particular are frequently guilty of this, never so often as in the case of Rodrigo Y Gabriela. A musical duo from Mexico City, who moved to Dublin, formed from the remnants of a metal band; that play instrumental songs on acoustic guitars. It seems easier to reduce these complex musicians to their component parts in order to understand them.

In fact, Rodrigo Y Gabriela are not bound by the conventions of any one genre. They are acoustic musicians that wear Slayer t-shirts at concerts; they are furious and passionate guitarists who remain seated at their shows, and drink red wine on stage. They combine percussive drive with an almost lyrical sound to the lead guitar, without the aid of dedicated percussion instruments. Genre is not an idea that encapsulates Rodrigo Y Gabriela; they are a genre unto themselves.

Their music is so immersive and passionate that it seems to create its own little universe within each song, and within the larger scheme of the album. To describe the music is beyond mere words, as the music itself is an expression of those things that cannot be articulated. Tamacun is a foot-tapping, shoulder-moving piece written about a Mexican version of the Crocodile Hunter; Diablo Rojo, written after experiencing a rollercoaster in Copenhagen, is a percussive explosion, built around a repeating chorus that builds to a crescendo before diving back into the verse.

The division between rhythm and lead guitar roles is occasionally misleading, with the two blending the parts to create the unbelievable layers of their sound. Rodrigo tends to dominate the parts that would usually be described as lead guitar, developing a style of rippling guitar melodies that almost take on a lyrical quality.

Though Rodrigo is an accomplished musician, both technically and creatively, it is Gabriela’s distinctive style, or perhaps the interplay between her style and his, that makes Rodrigo Y Gabriela such an inimitable force.

Having scammed a guitar from a desperate suitor of her older sister, Gabriela began playing along to Zeppelin records, and in doing so developed her deceptively skilful style. So adept is she in her rhythm playing that she weaves complex harmonies and triplet beats within the broader rhythmic structures. As if this weren’t enough, Gabriela also takes care of most of the percussion on the album amongst it all, beating the body of her guitar to create the pulsing, vibrant rhythm that underscores the music. Though it might often seem otherwise, there are no percussion instruments on the album, only the guitars.

In order to grasp the amazing complexity and vigour of Rodrigo Y Gabriela, it is truly valuable to see them performing live. The DVD component of this album gives the home audience the chance to see this side of these performers, as they dominate the stage without having to stand up. Included are three live tracks, the songs ‘Tamacun’, ‘Diablo Rojo’ and their amazing cover of ‘Stairway to Heaven’, all of which are on the album itself.

Covering a classic like ‘Stairway’ was always going to be a challenging, but Rodrigo Y Gabriela do it with great aplomb. From the moment Rodrigo begins the opening arpeggios, their version is immediately recognisable, but inescapably their own – though there is no doubt what song is playing, it is so far removed from the original as to stand on its own. This is especially true in the interlude and the solo that follows, as Gabriela begins to flex her rhythmic muscles and give it the unmistakable character of their own music.

The tutorial, a DVD bonus definitely worth seeing for any fan, is a fascinating insight into the dynamics and physical mechanics of Rodrigo Y Gabriela’s music. Technical understanding is not required to appreciate the complexity of Gabriela’s deft movements, as she gradually introduces each layer of her playing on the track ‘Tamacun’. Both Rodrigo and Gabriela discuss the technical and emotive motivations behind the song, revealing themselves as charming, relaxed individuals, apparently devoid of pretension. This impression is further reinforced as they recount the story of their development as a duo on another extra, with interviews and live footage interspersed to offer a detailed understanding of the roots of the band and of the album.

 It is beyond words to describe the music of Rodrigo Y Gabriela. Unconventional and seductive, engaging in spite of the challenging absence of lyrics, suffice it to say that this album is by turns explosive and delicate, all delivered with charm and enthusiasm that seeps through every note, chord and percussive beat.