Aside from being a clever album title and a symbol for optimism in a country that continues to recover from its 2001 economic collapse, "Argentinidad al Palo" ("Hardcore Argentinism") is a great song on which party rock octet Bersuit epitomizes the myth of Argie superiority over the rest of the world. Musically wrapped in basic Argie folk rhythms that are secured and tightened by bassist Pepe Céspedes and drummer Carlos Martín, the song highlights the group's strengths: an ironic altrock attitude and a musical approach that incorporates global rhythms such as Colombian cumbia, Uruguayan candombe, and Argentine folk, as well as more conventional rock influences.
"The longest street in the world/The widest river/The best girls in the world/The dulce de leche/Hardcore Argentinism!" sings Gustavo Cordera on the title track, flowing over a catchy melody with double-entendre lyrics. The album opens with two highlights, the funky dance track "Coger No Es Amor" ("Fuck Isn't Love") and the reflexive tone of "La Soledad" ("Loneliness"), where the band works a melody against a delicate turntable scratch courtesy of Bajofondo Tango Club's Luciano Supervielle. That gesture was unimaginable twelve years ago, when Bersuit cemented its arena-size stature with nerve and sweat instead of subtlety.

miaminewtimes.com | originally published: April 29, 2004

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