Rata Negra return with “Una Vida Vulgar” their third and best album. A truly pop infused punk record with an incredible production. The album harks back to their previous work in Juanita Y Los Feos but with more pop elements and a bigger and better production. Each of the ten tracks are so good, that they could be released as a single.The Rhythm Section is locked in and the guitars buzz but it’s the vocals that take this to pop heaven. The first side of the album starts with Venid A Ver and doesn’t let up until the Phil Spector esque Cuando Me Muera. Flip over and it’s straight back to the upbeat gems, which just keep coming until the final track Romance De Lobos which ends the album in a more reflective album. Una Vida Vulgar is pure perfection and for fans of X, Blondie and Rik Agnew. (Sean Forbes)
Our take: As La Vida Es Un Mus’s description states,
Una Vida Vulgar is the third and best album by this band from Madrid, Spain. I’ve listened to all of Rata Negra’s records as they’ve come out, and while I loved the first two albums,
Una Vida Vulgar feels like a significant leap forward for them. I’m not gonna lie, this record is pretty slick. Listen to the first two tracks and see if they’ve lost you. The layered, vocal-oriented production and pop songwriting wouldn’t be out of place on a Warped Tour compilation, and the second (and poppiest) track, “El Escarmiento,” reminds me of Jimmy Eat World circa
Clarity (probably a deep reference, but I’m very old). The thing is, though, Rata Negra is fucking great at this shit… their singer is incredible, the songs are great, and the sunny vibes keep me coming back to the record. If you’re on board with those two tracks, when Rata Negra returns to their more familiar shouty, nervy punk sound on the third track, “Desconfía De Ese Chico,” the band’s existing fans will feel like they just got a warm hug.
Una Vida Vulgar is that rare feat: an example of a band growing and evolving without abandoning what they were great at. And even without that context, it’s a great summertime, windows-down record.
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