Rodrigo y Gabriela

11:11 (ATO)

By Sarah Collins
Published: September 29th, 2009 | 12:00am

Rhythm guitar has a few connotations. It’s expected that the rhythm guitarist will be an inferior musician, a backup to the lead guitarist. Frequently, it’s just a vocalist who’s looking for something to do with his or her hands while onstage. None of this is true of Rodrigo y Gabriela. Gabriela Quintero’s maddeningly complex rhythm work is at the front RyG. She slaps and strums with such force that you’d never guess it was only two acoustic guitars. Even when a third stringed instrument sneaks into the recording, or a piano provides accompaniment, it’s Quintero’s frenetic strumming that stands out. Not bad for a self-taught girl who got her start in metal bands.

11:11 is the group’s second effort, the follow up to their self-titled debut. It’s not a departure from their first effort, mostly because their sound is unmistakable no matter what they’re playing. There are some new effects, and a few new instruments, but the dueling guitars are still the focus of every song. RyG took advantage of their newfound notoriety on this record, working with the metal heroes of their early days. Colin Richardson, who’s worked with Slipknot and Trivium, mixed the record, and Alex Skolnick of Testament guests on a tribute to Dimebag Darrell. All of the songs on 11:11 are tributes to their favorite musicians. Sometimes it’s obvious, like when strains of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” work their way into “Buster Voodoo.” Most of the time, it’s subtle, as their influences get folded into their unmatchable fretwork.

Rodrigo y Gabriela are adamantly not a flamenco band, but they are obviously not a metal band either. They fuse far too many styles to be considered one genre. What they are is unique; a combination of ancient traditions and modern tastes. They are at the top of musicians of their generation or any other and always mind-blowing.

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