SUMMER/VERANO 2005

Finding hope in a bleak world

Jarabe de Palo's CD "Bonito"

Mara Reynolds

The fourth album by this eclectic group from Spain was yet another success. Keeping with their tradition of fusing styles and themes, “Bonito,” like its predecessors is a beautiful reminder that though we indeed live in harsh and often depressing times, it is for this reason more important than ever that we keep high hopes and seek out the beauty in our lives.

“Bonito” is less funky than Jarabe’s previous albums, and has fewer melody-driven tracks. But don’t let this fool you. Every song on the album is up-beat and fun to listen to, and while the tracks may not have the same moving beauty as found in previous albums (for example, the track “Mama” from "De Vuelta y Vuelta"), "Bonito" as a whole is, well, bonito.

"Bonito" is the perfect album to listen to if you need a good cheering up; whether along with children’s voices on the album’s title track or shouting along to the punkish end of “no sé estar enamorado,”Bonito caters to many listeners, many styles, and many moods.

© 2005 El Andar Magazine