Tu Inspiración

Album Review

The word "bouncy" is often used to describe duranguense groups like Alacranes Musical, and yet, the word "melancholy" sometimes comes up in connection with them as well. Is that a contradiction? Not really. Tu Inspiracion (My Inspiration), like other albums in their catalog, has plenty of energy and plenty of melancholy. Musically, Alacranes Musical (whose name means "musical scorpions" in Spanish) have a reputation for being highly exuberant, and they live up to that reputation on uptempo, danceable offerings such as "Mirame Amor," "Dame Tu Amor," and "Perdidamente Enamorado." But lyrically, Tu Inspiracion is full of the type of melancholy lyrics that regional Mexican music has long been known for. Heartbreak, loss, unrequited love, and romantic disillusionment have been prominent themes in regional Mexican music for generations (just as they have been prominent themes in country music for generations), and they are certainly prominent themes on this 2008 release. To non-Spanish-speaking ears, Tu Inspiracion might sound like it is a polka party album above all else — and to be sure, the disc's wealth of exuberance could easily fill up a dancefloor at a Mexican gathering. But those who do speak español will realize that lyrically, there is plenty of tristeza (sadness) and lágrimas (tears) on "Mi Otra Mitad," "Adios Amor," and other tracks. In mariachi/ranchera's classic era, melancholy meant the great Antonio Aguilar singing "La Puerta Negra" or "Hace un Año" at a slow ballad tempo; in these musical scorpions' duranguense world, melancholy lyrics are usually accompanied by a fast tempo (although the group slows things down on "La Historia de Siempre"). That combination of musical exuberance and lyrical melancholy is one of the things that has made Alacranes Musical appealing, and it is a combination that continues to work well for them on the memorable Tu Inspiracion. [Univision issued a 13-track edition in 2009.]