LoathsomePete

Rodrigo y Gabriela are one of the most amazing instrumental duos that create far more sounds that one would think two musicians were possible of making. Their music is energetic, engaging, and insanely catchy that will burrow its way into your ears and stay there indefinitely.

Instrumental albums are always hard to review because they are predominately used for background music. Without the inclusion of lyrics it can be very hard to identify with the message that the musicians are trying to get across to the listener. Music may be a universal language, but it is an ambiguous one that is interchangeable between the listeners. It is because of this fact that musicians tend to go for a grander theme if they’re attempting to convey a message, or in the case of Rodrigo y Gabriela just playing some amazingly complex acoustic music, with the ferocity of a full band.

The two songs that stand out the most on the album are the covers of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and Metallica’s instrumental “Orion”. It is always interesting to watch a band of a different genre covering a popular song, especially when it is a vastly different version. If you were not aware of what Metallica’s “Orion” sounded like, then it is completely feasible that you would think that the song is an original done by the duo.

As I said earlier, instrumental albums are always challenging to review because it is hard to critique an album without the lyrics present. Both Rodrigo and Gabriela are incredibly accomplished musicians, never missing a beat, note or chord. Rodrigo y Gabriela is a perfect album to throw on and create a festive atmosphere, or just something to listen to when lying down. Beautifully crafted musicianship by two incredibly talented individuals who are rapidly rising in fame in the music industry and can potentially bridge the gap between independent music fans and mainstream fans.

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