Artist: Barricada Album: Barrio conflictivo

Year: 1984
Duration: 33:45

A journey through the Barrio Conflictivo album of Barricada

Barricada is a Spanish rock band that rose to fame during the late 80s and is known for their hard-hitting music style that combines punk and rock genres. The band has produced numerous albums, and one of the most notable albums is Barrio Conflictivo. In this post, we will take a of the album, understand the history of the band that produced it, define the music genre of the album, highlight some of the best songs on the album, identify the most innovative part of the album and take an in-depth critique on the album.
Barricada started in 1982, in Pamplona, Spain. Originally, the band consisted of five members, but they would later settle as a four-member outfit. Barrio Conflictivo is their third album, released in 1986, and consists of ten tracks. It was recorded at Estudio IZ, a recording studio in Madrid. The band’s popularity increased massively after the release of the album.
Barrio Conflictivo falls under the rock genre, with a hint of punk rock music. The album features a fusion of old-school garage rock with political messages. The tracks are all in Spanish, which is true of most of the band's discography. The album's political slant was already expressed in the band name itself, Barricada, which possibly means ‘barricade’ or ‘roadblock.’ The band was known for their revolutionary lyrics, and Barrio Conflictivo was no exception.
The album is packed with hits that sent a shockwave through the rock music scene in Spain. Most notably is the song No sé qué hacer contigo, which means “I do not know what to do with you” in English. It’s a catchy song with a lively tune that narrated the experiences of youthful love. Another track off the album that deserves mention is El Pobre, which means “the poor” in English. This song embodies a lot of what the band represents. There is a clear political message about the institutionalization of poverty.
One of the most innovative parts of the album is the band’s use of the Basque region's sounds as a backdrop. This is an area that is known for its rich musical tradition, and Barricada incorporated it into their rock music. It was a gamble to incorporate sounds from different regions into their music, but it worked perfectly. Their use of these sounds set a new standard in the music industry.
Despite the high-quality tracks, Barrio Conflictivo is not without its criticism. Some critics argue that the album had no continuity, which they believe was a weakness of the album. However, the band's incorporation of unconventional instruments was a key selling point for the album. Some critics argue that the music on the album does not reflect the same energy and anger portrayed in their previous albums.
In conclusion, Barrio Conflictivo by Barricada remains a masterpiece in the world of Spanish rock and punk rock music. It’s a classic album that has stood the test of time. The band’s incorporation of traditional Basque sounds into their music made them trendsetters in music production. The album was a departure from their previous works, but it still retains some of their trademark political messages. Despite its critics, Barrio Conflictivo is a must-listen for any music lover who enjoys rock music with a political connotation.