I’ve been sitting here for a while now, trying to come up with the right words to use in describing Totimoshi’s new album, entitled Ladron. My first urge is to pepper this review with words such as “density,” “ponderous,” “hypnotic,” or the ever cliché-riddled “heavy.” As I’m sure you’ve noticed, however, all that such words manage to do is to all say the same thing, while basically managing to say nothing at all.
Surely there has to be something I can say that will cut through this review the way that the opening guitar riff cuts through the thick baseline on the album’s opening (and title) track, “Ladron”? Having found that magnificent opening sentence, I could then ride along in echo of the chunky rhythms created by bassist Meg Castellanos and drummer Tyler Cox.
It would all be so easy.
But easiness is not the first thing that comes to mind when listening to Totimoshi’s music. Of all the words that I might use to describe the sounds that are pouring from my stereo’s speakers, in fact, easy is the last of the bunch.
Brooding, or even thoughtful; yeah, that might work. Maybe.
In an interview from StonerRock, Castellanos described the band’s sound as being “definitely (a) heavy, crunchy, grindy rock with an emphasis on Spanish sounding melodies.”
Totimoshi come by that Spanish (or more precisely, Latin) influence naturally. Main songwriter, guitarist, and visionary, Tony Aguilar is the son of migrant farm workers, while Castellanos, herself, is half-Cuban. Perhaps it is the presence of that deeply ingrained heritage that allows Totimoshi to separate themselves from the average “heavy” rock bands that are out there today?
Perhaps.
Perhaps it is what also allows their music to transcend genres and expectations, and eventually land full-blown and triumphant in its uniqueness?
Perhaps.
Perhaps it might have a great deal to do with the fact that I can’t even begin to describe the deep-down thrill that is listening to Ladron while lying in the dark with my headphones on? That it might have a whole hell of a lot to do with why I feel heavy and awkward and tongue (finger?) tied as I try to write about the sound of the music?
Definitely.
So. Ladron. Okay, let’s talk about it. According to Aguilar, the whole concept of the album is to be found within the title itself. Ladron, you see, means “thief” in Spanish.
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