LogFAQs > #955877967

136. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs Matador (1993)
from the album Vasos Vacos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3__HmlJIyIU

Matador exists at an intersection between modern and traditional forms of music. At its heart, this could be referred to as ska, but the Latin influences run so deep that this defies simple categorization. The prominent use of candombe drums add another layer. And though candombe would be considered a traditional genre, the combination with modern rock feels almost too perfect. Ska has always been a confrontational genre, but it has never felt more commanding than while paired with these drums. This massive rhythm section combined with the shouts gives a communal quality, like the band is leading a street parade.

With most ska acts, the percussion tends toward peppy rhythms. This typically results in a laidback atmosphere, one that sometimes rubs me as disingenuously upbeat. By dropping that aspect entirely, the horn section which serves as the other pillar of ska takes on an entirely different form. In Matador, the horns suggest building tension. Perhaps this is not a street parade but a riot. Even without knowing the language, Matador is a deeply evocative title. The atmosphere suggests not just a bullfighter but a warrior. With the political context of the actual lyrics, this is a marching song demanding its listeners come out fighting.

---

My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/