Many people like compilations. Many people don’t. The people that like to buy compilations say that it is the best way to get the best songs of an artist without having to buy many cd’s just to listen to some songs. The people that dislike (or just plain hate) compilations claim that the artists’ singles (which are what most compilations are made of, anyway) aren’t most of the times very representative of their real sound or style.

The compilation I’m about to review is a perfect example of a collection of random songs rushed into market just to leech some extra bucks out of the success of a recently dead band. In this particular case, Hombres G.

The artist

The Hombres G (G Men) started their career in 1984, with the surprise hit Devuelveme a mi Chica. From the release of that single, to the break up of the band, they broke many sales records in their country, and were well received in Latin America, especially in Mexico. Their genre is Pop, a very 80’s pop with a whiny voice leading the way, geeky music and even geekier lyrics that hooked many teenagers of those years (they still do). Their main influences were the Beach Boys and Jan & Dean.

The album

As I told you before, I don’t think that single collections (like this one) are good buys. This CD released in 1994 includes 20 tracks (20 singles from 1984 to 1993), from which only the first seven are good. Tracks 8 to 12 are average at best, and the rest of the album really, really sucks. This is a result of their constant evolution (I would rather called it de-evolution) from their smart pop to a bluesy soft rock that didn’t really work…

The liner notes are kind of interesting, thought. They include Summer’s opinion on each of the songs, and he doesn’t even try to hide that he loves all of them and considers masterpieces. Needless to say, I really disagree with him.

The songs

The album kicks off with Devuelveme a mi Chica, the first and biggest hit of their career, released on the winter of 1984. It is a really catchy first-person song about a complete dork who was cheated by her girlfriend and is willing to destroy the rich guy she’s now dating to get her back. The lyrics are really funny, as they tell you step by step the revenge of the nerd. “Suffer, sucker. Give me my girl back… or you’ll suffer with my itch powder” (very rough translation). Overall it is a nice upbeat funny tune.

Venezia was their follow-up single. It has a very long and stupid intro with some guy pretending to be a tenor, singing the chorus of the song. Once this finish, we get a very nice song for summer. It is clearly influenced by the Beach Boys, as you can quickly identify the airy guitar riff. The lyrics are in my opinion, very cheesy.

Martha tiene un Marcapasos is another silly party song. It has a very quick tempo, and its great to wake up in the morning. The lyrics talk about some girl named Martha that gave birth to a little devilish bully kid that kills off the children that play with him. If taken literally, the lyrics describe the birth of a pacemaker… Pop culture at its best.

Track #5 is El Ataque de las Chicas Cocodrilo… another absurd story, but with a slow, mellow rock melody. The lyrics of this song are not really good, but it still sounds very nice to the ear. But the best song is yet to come…

And the best song is Te Quiero (I Want You… as simple as that), a slow love song that will surely leave you sugar high, but it won’t ruin your teeth. The lyrics are frank and straight to the point, something rarely seen on pop love songs. Also, the 60’s sound is much stronger in this tune.

After two somewhat unremarkable songs, comes Una Mujer de Bandera. Another funny song… now about a mean girl that liked to give physical punishment to all the guys that stalk her. You will note that the sound has changed at this point: there’s no retro influence here. It’s just your average 80’s melody. Not bad, but not quite as good as the first singles.

And well… from Te Necesito to La Primavera there isn’t really anything good about any of the songs. No funny lyrics, weak music, lousy singing (David Summer’s voice became duller with the years), and overall, a general feeling of boredom.

Some of the songs start good but have an horrid chorus (Rita), or are just boring and overrated by Summer himself (I can’t believe he thinks La Primavera is their best song). Others try too hard to sound like the early Hombres G and fail miserably (Voy a Pasarmelo Bien), and well… I could stay up all night long ranting about how awful it is to listen to this album complete, but you should have got the point by now.

Just Adding…

This is the worst hit compilation I have ever bought. I mean, it doesn’t even include all of their singles!!! (I found out about this recently). So, follow my advice: if you want the hits of Hombres G, don’t buy this. Buy Peligrosamente Juntos. Why? Well, it costs almost the same, it includes the same bloody songs (plus two new ones), and includes a DVD with scenes from their movie, and their videos.

This get two starts only because I like some of the first songs very much.

Recommended: No

Great Music to Play While: Driving