ROLLING STONE Hails The “Unstoppable Groove” of CALLE 13’s Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo In a FOUR-STAR Review:

By: corrientelatina | 11.20.2008

“Calle 13 speaks for many, and in a way that many of us do not dare… genius rhymes, about topics that truly form a part of the urban agenda… Los de atras vienen conmigo is without a doubt one of the best albums of the year” – El Nuevo Herald (translated)


“Calle 13 made a conscious effort to expand its musical boundaries, experimenting with candombe, banda and tropical beats that add a touch of world music to the mix. But the lyrics —irreverent, incisive and unfailingly intelligent—remain the core of an act that has set a high bar for what Latin rap can aspire to.” – Billboard


“Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo, the third album by Calle 13, follows a tremendous run of success in which the Puerto Rican urban music duo won six Grammys in the span of two years, was praised left and right by critics, and toured internationally, including crowd-pleasing performances at the Vina del Mar International Song Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Like its predecessor, Residente o Visitante (2007), Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo is a step forward for Calle 13 — another step away from the reggaeton scene from which they arose and toward a fearlessly experimental style of urban music unlike anything else out there at the time of its release. In fact, right off the bat, during the album's opening song, "Que Lloren," vocalist Residente distances himself from the reggaeton scene, taking rival reggaetoneros to task for their lyrical vacuousness and declaring Calle 13 the thinking-man's urban music. While that's more or less true from a lyrical standpoint, as once again Residente proves himself thoughtful, satirical, and twisted — someone who embraces his reputation as an outsider, someone who prides himself on individuality — the musical productions of Visitante are more rhythmically infectious and stylistically versatile than ever. If this is thinking-man's urban music, it's mighty funky at the same time. Indeed, the album's highlights — of which there are many, among them "No Hay Nadie Como Tu," "Esto con Eso," "La Perla," "Electro Movimiento," "Fiesta de Locos," "Tal Para Cual" — are production standouts, melding together an assortment of Latin rhythms, exotic instrumentation, and futuristic electronics. As on Residente o Visitante, many of the highlights are also collaborations: Cafe Tacuba is featured on "No Hay Nadie Como Tu," a five-minute tour de force that kicks the album into high gear after the opening salvo of "Que Lloren";… Ruben Blades is featured prominently on "La Perla," a seven-minute workout that is simply magnificent” – ALL MUSIC GUIDE

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