Released
1998

Label
Opcion Sonica

Reviewed by
Donald Netolitzy

Visit
Opcion Sonica

Last Edit/Update
29 June, 1999

Various Artists From

Track Listing

1. Julio Revueltas / La Iguana
2. Reisgo De Contagio / El santo padrecito
3. Los Esquizitos / El Planeta sexual
4. Ansai / Marmelada tabu
5. Helicon / Cual es to nombra
6. Limbo Zamba / Basta ya
7. Nona Delichas / El umbral
8. Human Drama / Death of an angel
9. Delirium / Silence
10. Artefakto / Sumision
11. Ele.Ele.Te / Angula de ataque
12. Hocico / Coward as slave
13. Joeboy in Mexico / The door/jiage en la Sierra Madre

     One of the quiet delights of the past decade has been the degree to which the music available to the general public has diversified, not only genres, but in point of origin. Regional labels are increasingly accessible Scandinavian experimental on Cold Meat Industries, German industrial from the deceased OffBeat, and now, in Mexico, Opcion Sonica. Intriguingly, a national/cultural characteristic does permeate these labels, notable at even a cursory examination.
    And the Opcion Sonica Sampler does include a truly eclectic mix of music, diverse genres from a diverse label. Lyrics are generally in Spanish, with a few exceptions - Human Drama, Delirium, Hocico. And an ethnic/cultural flavor permeates all these works, from markedly latin, to quite subtle. And diverse? Very - the average underground/alternative music listener may very well find certain tracks of little or no interest. Ranging from the swaggering blues of Julio Revualtas, energetic and enthusiastic, the punkish Riesgo De Contagio, and Limbo Zamba, who demonstrate a great dynamic range to Los Esquizitos a smarmy, swirling latin rockabilly, easy to imagine as part of a David Lynch or Quentin Tarantino movie soundtrack.
    Other notable tracks include the technically proficient heavy guitar rock of Helicon, slower traditional rock by Nona Delichas, and the mild layered instrumental and synths of Human Drama. A strange presence on the sampler is Delerium - yes, that Delerium off Nettwork. Apparently licensed off Opcion Sonica as well, but a rather surprising and quite intrusive element - no latin flavor here.
    Within this melange of styles are tracks by a two notable industrial projects. Artefacto's classical industrial, utilizing supporting keyboards, often melodic and harmonious, against a strong grinding guitar and echoed vocals. Effective slow industrial, and quite danceworthy. Additionally, the EBM/Industrial group Hocico, arranging a wide variety of synthetic flowing tones, strong synthetic percussion, reminiscent in style to much of the european EBM sound. Effective use of distant, mildly distorted vocals produces a surprisingly placid net effect.
    In summary? The Opcion Sonica Sampler is precisely what it proclaims to be, a sampler, a quick introduction to a variety (and in this case, a diversity) of musical projects. While specialists fond of industrial, goth, and experimental music may not find many of the tracks all that appealing, there's an interesting assortment of lively, appealing music presented, certainly worthy of examination.