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$E VENDE RINCON – Gracias
Album | 03/05/2024 | Barhill Records
Originally released 03/08/2022 | Independent
30:17 | 11 tracks | Vinyl/CD/Digital
Garage Rock / Punk’n’Roll
Rincón, Puerto Rico
Surfers‘ Village Rock
Although the village Rincón has less than 20,000 residents, it is a famous place amongst surfers, whale watchers, and (predominantly) US-American tourists. El Pueblo del Surfing, as it is also called, is furthermore home to Joe (drums), George (bass), Yuri (guitar), and Manolito (vocals). In August 2022, the quartet released a full-length album which referred to the sellout of tourism in poorer countries, but for the most part is a gigantic homage to Rock’n’Roll, Blues Rock, Garage and Punk Rock. Almost two years later, this album has been made available on CD and LP by German label Barhill Records, so the sounds of $E VENDE RINCON shall be heard worldwide.
Heat’n’Roll
First of all, it should be recorded that Gracias contains half an hour of pure joy, movement, and humid heat. $E VENDE RINCON present a spicy bowl of Blues-powered Rock music from the 1950s and 60s together with a powerful Punk Rock attitude, and plenty of sea salt. Although continental American (and especially East Coast-based) sounds make the majority of the ingredients, it is the Caribbean condiment that makes Gracias what it is. And it is a great album without fillers indeed.
Surfing on Popular Waves
On the other hand, Gracias contains few highlights. The Punk’n’Roll banger Complicated, the sing-a-long anthem Yo Non Te Creo, and the Misfits-esque Cult 45 stick out the most. And the latter of the three already leads to the main point of criticism. $E VENDE RINCON perform well, they are catchy, and they add a certain spice to the Garage and Punk Rock genre. But Gracias also sounds a lot like a compilation featuring The Ramones, The Misfits, The New York Dolls, and probably many other famous bands. Gracias is crammed with references to the history of post-war Rock music. It is nevertheless highly entertainig.
7/10 Mangoes
Band photos by Francis X Guzman
Promo materials by courtesy of Barhill Records
We will dance again
Mia Schem
