Search - Mundo Live on DVD

Speaking the International Language of Music

Todd Krieger | United States | 12/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although Aleks Syntek's concert DVD "Mundo Live" is scheduled for American release in January 2006, it was released elsewhere in December 2005, and I was able to experience the original released version.

First, I will mention what I did *not* like about the DVD.... The interactive portion of the DVD contains what I think is a "test" to help determine which audio format would be ideal (narrated by Aleks Syntek himself). There was no way (to my knowledge) to skip over the test, which lasts roughly two minutes, hence one has to wait through it each time he loads the DVD if he wants to set the playback format. (Most other setups presume one already knows which format he/she wants.) In regard to the performance itself, the only thing that will turn people off is the clash of various musical tastes with certain songs, since Aleks' talents and music are extremely eclectic- One can easily get a wrong first-impression. If I was to introduce Syntek to a rock purist, for example, I'd have him skip over "De Noche En La Ciudad" and "Tu Necesitas". Once again, this DVD/CD was targeted for Latin audiences, whose musical tastes of course differ greatly from our mainstream. In other words, not everybody will like everything. ... The video camerawork is also OK, but not great. This was not an easy concert for camerawork, but the shots often jumped around too quickly, and there was not enough focus on guitar, bass, drum, or keyboard work. (With all those stage gyrations, I also would have liked an iso on Aleks' banjo in "De Noche".)

The only other "negative," which is more-personal, is there are no songs from "Bienvenido a la Vida" or "Lugar Secreto".... Two of my favorite albums. But then again, this is testament to how much great music Syntek has put out.... In a relatively short period of time.

The concert performance itself, aside from the issues mentioned earlier, is almost beyond reproach. The hour-and-a-half presentation has the aura of a big-time mainstream rock act.... (Although Aleks himself doesn't look at all like a typical rocker.) It is hard to imagine an absolute top-caliber rock/pop band being from Mexico, of all places.... But here it is, larger than life. The reason why I latched onto Syntek was that there have been so few top-class acts in recent time, but this is no doubt one of them- The music has a vitality and dynamism of the great '60's and '70's bands. All the songs taken from the album "Mundo Lite" were phenomenal, particularly the full-blown version of "Te Sone" and "Arriesgando El Corazon." Aleks' solo of "Una Pequena Parte De Ti" is fabulous as well, with the masterful blend of expressivity, voice control, and composition. "Bendito Tu Corazon" uses a variance of percussion and tonal flavors to make that song so unique. "Mis Impulsos Sobre Ti" was re-done with more energy and "edge" (although the intro was dropped, which I happen to love).

Singing partner Ana Torroja appears late in the concert, joining Aleks to do not only their Latin Grammy-nominated hit "Duele El Amor", but also a cover of a song by Ana's old band, Mecano- "Las Curvas De Esa Chica".

But the real gem of the concert was the performance of the early hit "El Camino", which is just awesome in concert. Sadly, the CD version of "Mundo Live" has this song omitted, due to limited play time of the CD media. Hopefully, a later CD version will be released with this song (and other omitted songs) included.

(An interesting side note- During the post-concert credits, an orchestral version of "Te Sone" was played. It would not shock me at all if Syntek someday composes some music for symphony orchestra. As far as I'm concerned, as of right now, he is the best songwriter on the planet.)

My initial reviews have been exclusively of music by Aleks Syntek. I did this not just because I've been a huge fan, but because he is still almost a total unknown outside the Latin community. Yet I think his music is just too damn good to be denied the non-Latin community. Sure the lyrics are in Spanish, but take it from one who doesn't know Spanish- Aleks Syntek conveys the international language of music as well as any pop/rock artist who has come out during the past 20 years."