Released 30 years ago
Baile de Máscaras
Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio · 1996
50 min · 15 tracks · rock en español
A vibrant blend of rock, ska, and Mexican folk rhythms that pulses with cultural pride and social commentary.
Top tracks — play these first
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El chulo — This track encapsulates the party spirit and social critique that defines the album, mixing infectious rhythms with sharp lyrics about societal realities.
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Ojos negros — A haunting ballad that stands out for its emotional depth, weaving personal longing with broader cultural themes through its lyrical narrative.
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Aunque — This song's powerful chorus and poignant verses exemplify the band's skill in merging personal stories with universal messages about struggle and resilience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends rock, ska, and folk elements while addressing cultural themes, making it distinctive within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a lively track that features a prominent brass section, setting an energetic tone that persists through the first half.
- Several tracks incorporate traditional Mexican instruments alongside electric guitars, creating a distinct fusion of genres.
- The lyrics often shift between Spanish and indigenous themes, reflecting social issues and cultural pride in a conversational style.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- wave-like pacing experience
- celebratory yet critical themes
- short bursts of energy
- immersive storytelling through music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Baile de Máscaras is Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio's third studio album, released in 1996 after their acclaimed album El Circo. This record arrives at a crucial moment in their career when they were solidifying their place as pioneers of the rock en español movement while expanding their sound to incorporate more traditional Mexican elements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Café Tacvba· Los Fabulosos Cadillacs· Panteón Rococó
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Viva mi desgracia (Organillero) 0:20
- 2 El chulo 3:18
- 3 Por ahí 2:36
- 4 Vuelta tras vuelta 3:49
- 5 No les creo nada 3:11
- 6 El dedo 4:00
- 7 Saltapa'tras 4:25
- 8 Ojos negros 3:37
- 9 Cenizas 2:52
- 10 El vigilante 2:45
- 11 Aunque 4:59
- 12 Don Palabras 3:23
- 13 Vida vidrio 4:28
- 14 Canción Omaha 0:57
- 15 Lamento 5:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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