11:11

Description

The Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo Y Gabriela, now based in Ireland, is certainly not ready to renounce their roots. The proof lies in their third studio album, 11:11. Recorded in Ixtapa, Mexico, and mixed in London under the guidance of Colin Richardson, the album is hardly surprising: it still revolves around acoustic guitars and Latin rhythms. Rodrigo Y Gabriela are also fond of covers: 11:11 thus follows a very particular concept. Each song is "inspired by" Carlos Santana, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Paco de Lucia, or Pink Floyd — artists who have entered legend thanks to the effectiveness of their string playing... Fearlessly and without reproach, the lovely Gabriela and the equally handsome Rodrigo attempt this stylistic exercise with equal talent. "Hanuman," which opens the album, pays a beautiful tribute to Santana, "Atman" honors the memory of the late Dimebag Darrel (the Pantera guitarist murdered during a concert in early 2009), and the "Logos" inspired by Al Di Meola is simply enchanting. The album may sometimes lack originality, but 11:11 is quite convincingly fluid. It offers a performance of guitar playing that is sometimes surprising and always captivating. When it comes to electrifying the listener, Rodrigo Y Gabriela invite Alex Skolnick from the metal band Testament. And when they wish to flirt with the flights of flamenco, the famous Strunz & Farah are called upon to lend a hand. One can finally appreciate Rodrigo Y Gabriela's loyalty to their choice not to sing. They thus deliver instrumental music that is rich in expressiveness, undoubtedly nourished by the duo's sensitivity.