by Emily Myer
Daily Lobo
Any CD called The Nasty Cactus Compilation, Vol. 2 is bound to raise a few eyebrows.
Although it sounds like it would be a hard-rock CD, it is a collection of music representing Las Cruces' local music scene. It features some hard rock, along with alternative, punk, country, ska and Latino music.
Thanks to the varied genres, this album is bound to entertain almost anyone. The bands are all great talents, most notably Captain Jookie, Nectar, Liquid Cheese and Nosotros.
Captain Jookie opens the CD with "Applejacks." The track features complicated, fast-paced bass guitar riffs. While the band is great as a whole, the bassist is its driving force.
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"Applejacks" is followed by Nectar and its track "Latex." For the most part, Nectar is an average punk band. What raises its music above the ordinary is the use of tenor saxophone improvisational solos and a mellow jazz rhythm toward the end of the song. It is interesting to hear rock musicians who are capable jazz musicians as well.
Liquid Cheese has a ska sound in its track "Day Before Today." It is refreshing to hear a ska band, thanks especially to the talented trumpet soloist.
The lyrics tell yet another story about a couple breaking up, but it is hard to be sad with the upbeat music accompanying the lyrics. The sound fits right in with ska bands of the '90s.
The track that gives Nasty Cactus a particularly diverse sound is "Cinco Sentidos," by Nosotros. This Latin track features intricate and beautiful guitar playing and a great male vocalist - a pleasant change from the other tracks on Nasty Cactus, which are primarily rock varieties.
Nasty Cactus Compilation, Vol. 2 is surprisingly sophisticated. It does a great job of bringing together a variety of big-city sounds from small-town musicians. Anyone who enjoys underground bands or rock music would be pleased with it. After listening to it, one can only imagine how fantastic the concerts must have been.
More information about Nasty Cactus Music and these musicians may be found at www.NastyCactusMusic.com.
Nasty Cactus Music is a production company in Las Cruces. This album, along with its counterpart, The Nasty Cactus Compilation, Vol. 1, is the company's effort to bring attention to bands in southern New Mexico. In October 2003, and again in September 2004, Nasty Cactus sponsored two-day festivals in Las Cruces featuring the bands on the albums.
New Mexican Erection started Nasty Cactus Music and uses it as a record label. The band is on the album and will also release its album Co-Dependant on Feb. 8.
The Nasty Cactus
Compilation
Grade: A
