Kinky: Omar Gongora, Carlos Chairez, Gil Cerezo, Ulises Lozano, Cesar Pliego.
Principally recorded at Taninah Mino's Jungle House, Quintana, Mexico; Phantom Vox, Can-Am Studios, Los Angeles, California.
Five-piece alt-rock band Kinky earned accolades for its blend of dance-rock, psychedelics, and gritty indie rock, both on a simmering 2001 debut and in its ferocious live shows. They upped the ante on a stellar, arching follow-up just one year later. ATLAS is perhaps Mexico's answer to the Stone Roses' first record. While it certainly never reaches the heights of that exalted record, it captures the same spiritual mesh of dance floor giddiness and edgy melodic rock. The record opens on a high note with the political statement "Presidente," a forceful yet light-hearted spanglish blast with a mile-wide hook. Cake's John McCrea pops in on "The Headphonist," and helps set the album into a retro-groove, a level Kinky holds through a comfortably consistent and engrossing breakthrough LP.
Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.206) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...[The album] reiterates the quirky humor and tight electrojams that turned Kinky into critical darlings....Stylish, easygoing concoctions..."
Spin (01/04, p.100) - "...A hodgepodge of electro-gauze, fuzz guitars, Latin beats, and sweetheart tunes..." - Grade: B+
Entertainment Weekly (12/5/03, p.98) - "Finding the perfect beat that resides somewhere between cumbia and crunk funk, this Mexican quintet whips a party vibe with an open bar and no curfew..." - Rating: B+
Uncut (5/04, p.106) - 3 stars out of 5 - "There's still plenty to enjoy about Atlas...the band retains their knack for arresting lines..."
