The Bottom Line
Lunatico is GoTan's follow up to La Revancha Del Tango, and it brings more to the table. You'll find more experimentation, more diversity, more guest artists. The album is more interesting than La Revancha, but it also requires more from the listener.
Pros
- Adventurous electronic tango
- "Amore Porteno" with Calexico
- Tango topped with rap in "Mi Confesion"
Cons
- Requires a little more work from the listener than previous albums
Description
- 12 tracks of electronic tango
- With Calexico, Christina Villalonga, Kosmos, Jimi Santos, Juan Carlos Caceres
- Released by XL Recordings / Beggars Group
Guide Review - CD Review: GoTan Project - Lunatico
But Lunatico is not quite the same old thing. It’s still the heart of tango with an electronic twist, but true to their charter, they've remained experimental. They’ve experimented with rhythm, mixing tango with a little swing, jazz and pop. They’ve experimented with instrumentation by using bandoneon, bass, piano and drums then adding acoustic guitar, strings and, of course, their signature electronics.
And they’ve experimented with style. “Amore Porteno” introduces an evocative, Saturday afternoon noir cowboy movie air to the track with the help of Arizona’s Calexico and the haunting voice of Cristina Villalonga, back again on Lunatico.
“Lunatico” surprises with percussion that imitates the click-clack of horse hooves; “Mi Confesion” starts with a traditional tango and then superimposes spoken word by Jimi Santos and rap by Koxmoz. Listening to the dirge-like Paris, Texas was depressing, but then that was probably the point, if it was named for Wim Wendor’s dark movie by the same name.
La Revancha del Tango was a grabber, surprising the listener quickly with its seductive, eclectic, electronic rhythmic melodies. Lunatico is not as immediately engaging to the casual ear, but for those who really pay attention, it offers much more inspiration and musicality.
