(Right-click and press 'save as' to download the tracks).
Banda
Banda is extremely popular in Colima and will define the soundtrack of any trip here. Whether that is a good thing remains to be decided. Banda bands consist of brass, woodwind and drums. The bassline is parped out by a big fat man with an even bigger fatter tuba thing that goes over his shoulders. They can have upwards of 8 to 16 members.
You are likely to hear songs like 'El Guapo' by Banda Fresa pumping out of some slow-cruising pickup. Mexicans are very macho and show their prowess in the size of their woofers - you can often tell the trucks are coming from the shaking of your windows long before they actually arrive. In this song, the singer is boasting about how handsome he is; perhaps the driver of the truck is sipping on a beer and singing along.
Grupero
Grupero is fairly similar to banda, but these guys at least have some guitars and strings. The accordian features strongly, too. In fact, the accordian seems to be all over the place in Mexico for some reason. I don't know much more about 'El Camaleon' by Los Alteños de la Sierra, which was one of the first tunes that I heard here, other than that it is extremely catchy and that it is sung by middle-aged men in cowboy hats.
Pop
Radio stations play pop music, too. Britney is there, as is some British stuff e.g. Coldplay. I was pleasantly surprised to have heard Kasabian a few times. Latino pop is popular and Shakira and Ricky Martin have loads of songs in Spanish. Julieta Vengas is the Mexican Kate Tunstall, and has picked up a couple of Grammies for her albums. 'Me Voy' (Chorus: 'Qué lastima pero adiós' - 'It's a shame, but goodbye') was all over the radio last summer and keeps the traditional accordian sound.
Juan Gabriel
By the above classification, Juan Gabriel is the Mexican Elvis. He has been on the go for over 30 years and everyone knows all the words to his songs. Gemm and I went to see him in the MegaPalenque (Colima's 15,000 seater cock-fighting ring) and it was a real spectacle. He was as gay as a lord and pulling off ridiculous dance-moves that had every woman over 40 years old on her feet. Perhaps Tom Jones would be similar at home. 'Hoy Todos Mis Dias' has a bit of Mariachi trumpet action - a symbol of Mexican musicians if ever there was. In this version, he was playing in the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Mexico´s Albert Hall) with the backing of an orchestra and choir so the sound is BIG.
Rock en Español
There is also some decent rock music around. But I don't have the track I'm after justnow. Perhaps I'll upload it when I get it. Look up Motel online - perhaps you can find it. Mainly it's like rock music, but with singing in Spanish. Obviously.
Reggaeton
Reggaeton fills the music TV channels in the way that R'n'B does at home. It is also popular in nightclubs and with young 'fresas' (spoilt rich kids) driving their parent's cars. It is wank. 'Pasame La Botella' by Match and Daddy has a catchy chorus at least. In Britain, I think that the song 'Gasolina' made it into the mainstream if you need another example. It was huge here.
Rap
"Don't call me Gringo, you beaner."
Molotov are Chicanos (Mexican Americans) who rap in half-English, half-Spanish about the daily abuse that they get from the Yanks. They are very angry young men. 'Frijolero' means beaner/bean-eater and is common abuse and derives from the frijoles (refried beans) of which the Mexicans are so fond.
Acoustic
Silvio Rodriguez is actually Cubano, but he's on here anyway because 'Ojala' is a bit of class. Most Mexicans would recognise it and be able to sing along. There is live acoustic guitar music in loads of the bars in town. Once the guitar is pulled out, it is common for parties to evolve into all-night group karaoke sessions. 'Ojala' features regularly.
