Los Natas
El Hombre De Montana

July 2008
Released: 2006, Small Stone Records
Rating: 2.0/5
Reviewer: Waspman

Argentina’s Los Natas have been kicking around for quite a while, since 1994 in fact. In that time they’ve put out a slew of singles and albums of solid, Latin-flavoured rock music. I actually reviewed their 2002 album, COSARIO NEGRO, and wasn’t too fond of it. The review seems to have gone missing, but I probably would rate it around a 2/5.

After a long break the band have now returned with their latest slab of psychedelic rock. To my ears, not much has changed since 2002, but then again, this isn’t the kind of music where great strides are required. The music is still standard, bash ‘em out rock, without much variation. This would be OK, except for the fact that there’s just no fire to Los Natas’ music. Song after song whips by, and not a dent is made, or ear bent. I fully admit that part of it may be that the music is sung entirely in Spanish, and therefore indecipherable to these ears. Still, the music isn’t much to write about either.

Compounding the problem is a painfully dull production job – surprising given that veteran Billy Anderson (Neurosis, Fantomas, and many more) was behind the board for the recording. Nothing sticks out; the guitars churn away, the drums thump, and Sergio Ch. turns in one of the least expressive vocal performances I’ve ever heard. His vocals have no fire, no expression.

There’s nothing actively bad about EL HOMBRE DE MONTANA, but it’s just incredibly dull. With so many better bands out there playing ‘70s-styled hard rock, it’s tough to recommend Los Natas. Pass.