At one point this column was going to say:
El Cantador’s new CD “Fools for Light” is fucking great.
The End.
Well, you see, I just can’t tell you that something is great and not tell you why or how I formed that opinion. I suppose the easiest way to get to this thing started is to start at the very begining. It’s a very good place to start, right Fraulein Maria?
Back in December, El Cantador kind of dropped off the grid. They were riding a crest of being played on the radio, featured for 92 Zew’s Second Tuesday series, winning best band in Mobile in the Lagniappe “Nappie” Awards and enjoying shows all long the Gulf Coast. Then they went through a very public line up change which left some fans siding with one member or the band.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. There was a vision these boys were chasing and they were going after it full speed. Even if it meant putting shows on the back burner to camp out in a beach house to have the freedom to record an album that they, and all of Mobile, could be proud of at the end of the day. No rush. No outside input. No boundaries. No rules. Which, in my opinion, is the best way to make a quality album. And with that, Fools For Light was born.
For those who remember the folky roots of El Cantador, you will be taken aback by this record but in an absolutely positive way. For three fellas, in a beach house, the fullness of the record will wash over you.
Yes. There are do dad’s used in it that make funky sounds.
Yes. They are loops and delays and effects.
Yes. There are legit handclaps.
And it makes for a great rock record. At then end of the day, the strength of the songwriting is what comes through the most.
Beyond the keys, the bass, the drums and the guitars – you have words that resonate with your soul. You can strip away everything and it will not effect the integrity of the songs.
The first time I got to hear ‘Fools For Light” start to finish was at frontman Heath Underwood’s house. It was right after 92 Zew’s Second Tuesday with Underhill Family Orchestra. UFO reminds me a lot of the first times I would go see El Cantador play. All the buzz and excitement. They are a baby band right now with all the potential in the world. El Cantador has moved from baby band to starting to take their first steps.”Fools For Light” can go head to head with any indie/alternative record that is out right now and win. And that is my professional and personal opinion.
Moving on to what has been called the “new” El Cantador.
I crashed an El Cantador practice. Mainly out of curiosity to see how they were planning on recreating this big sound for a live audience. They’ve recruited Lane Fisher to help fill out guitar parts. If you aren’t familiar with Lane, he is 2010 Winner of Serda’s Singer Songwriter competition. He also has his own solo project rolling when not playing drums with Underhill Family Orchestra.
Watching these guys rehearse was quite impressive. Even though Lane was new to the jam, he quickly fit in. There are things they do live that you don’t hear on the record and the chemistry among these four musicians is impressive.
Mobile is chock full of talent, but El Cantador seems to have the heavyweights in every respect. Since finishing the record, they’ve been picking up speed again. Lining up shows again and even heading to Savannah to record a music video with students from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
The album “Fools For Light” is available for purchase right now through their website www.elcantador.com. You can also pick up a copy of the record at their CD Release Party at Callaghan’s on June 18th. Plus you will get to see the new line up.The bar has been raised with this album. Mobile’s music scene has stepped up. Can’t wait to see who’s next.
