Viernes 13
““EP”
(One Shot Records)
As you might guess from its name, the ska septet Viernes 13 represents los hispanohablantes. The band’s sound reflects the influence of Latin music as well as that of more traditional ska, and lyrics on the EP are entirely in Spanish. High school Spanish was enough for me to get the point of the songs (thanks, Señora B.), but knowledge of a second language is definitely not required to appreciate the band. All six songs are sweet, especially “Johnny Pistolero,” which is possibly the world’s first ska gunslinger ballad. Viernes 13 is a wicked band- horns, guitar, and vocals are all tight and left me looking forward to a full-length release some time in the future.
