jlc2005's Full Review: Resurrection by Chris Perez Band
Why would I review an album that has been out of "print" for several years? It's a good question and the answer is because it is an important album which has gone under-appreciated. This was the first CD by The Chris Perez Band following the passing of his wife, Selena. This is an album which harks back to the very soul of rock and roll; emotional expression.
Chris did not try to cover up the fact that he had his guts punched out on March 31st, 1995 when he lost the woman he loved. He used that pain as inspiration to address not only his personal pain but taps into broader sentiment we all feel through life. His song, "Best I Can" is a man pouring out his heart to the woman he loves who is no longer with him as he tries to carry on alone.
This CD was an emotional release for Chris and allows those of us who loved Selena from afar to address some of what we felt and still feel. It is also incredible music, beautifully produced but never "over-produced".
On this CD, Chris gets to show his guitar skill and rock and roll roots in an impressive way. Vocals and back-up musicianship are excellent. Sounds range from melodic to funky. Some songs are in Englisha nd some are in Spanish. All rock out from ballads to those which will get you a ticket from the highway patrol if you're not careful.
The song "Solo Tu" when read just as lyrics sounds like a soft, sweet sentimental song but this is one of those "watch your speed" songs on the CD. It's hard rock funk-techno, almost a screaming anthem, literally to the "fire of love" ignited by "only you".
Chris is best known for his vintage white Fender Stratocaster but he is also known to play a variety of unusual, vintage electric and acoustic guitars. I wish these had been listed on a song by song basis.
It's no secret that Chris and Selena were simply crazy about each other and that there is now a big gap in his life. That theme is readily apparent but so is the theme of seeking a way to carry on by being brave enough to touch the pain in life in order to remember what was once there.
I have to stress that this is an emotional album but not a sad one. These days we are used to commercial rock and roll which is crafted for profit and it is truly refreshing to hear music written for a purpose, to make us reach into ourselves and feel something inside. This album does a masterful job of this, giving the listener just the right balance of pensive introspection and plain, old, rocking out and letting it all out.
The song in English "Another Day" (Un Dia Mas) paves the way for the follow-up CD from 2002, "Una Nioche Mas" which could not be more different from this CD. There, Chris reaches out to his Tejano roots for an all-Spanish CD which even contains some laugh-out-loud moments in "La Gorda". The vastly different personalities of the two CDs confused some listeners, but in reality it's just Chris being who he is. He was a hard rocker who became part of Los Dinos where he became associated with Cumbia. His talents, however, reach far beyond any one music genre. With his vast, natural talent, I would not be surprised to hear him playing Bach and move right into Led Zeppelin and then into some Mexican dance music.
The CD "Resurrection" is for anyone who in this cold, plastic world, can still feel emotions. Based on loss, the underlying inspiration is to appreciate what we have while we have it. The final, hidden track "The Mission" is the most simple track musically but the lyrics are hauntingly powerful. It's great music.
On a personal note, I wish Chris and his extended family the very best life has to offer. I hope this talented man can find a way of living with the pain and find some happiness. He seems to find that solace in his music which is powerful and well crafted and uniquely his own.
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