Latin Roots: Argentine Rock

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The Argentine rock band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Argentine rock band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.

Courtesy of the artist

Today's Latin Roots co-host, Josh Norek, was given a hefty task: Define the broad swath of Argentine rock with just a few bands. But Norek, co-host of The Latin Alternative, is up to the occasion precisely because he spent time in Buenos Aires as a student during a vibrant period for music.

He begins by playing a classic from Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, a band that incorporated ska influences into its early work in the 1980s. That was at a time when rock in Argentina was moving beyond Anglo imitations, incorporating Latin influences and, as Norek suggests, even becoming dangerous. Norek also delves into the indie-rock sound of Babasonicos and Banda de Turistas' Argentine spin on British rock.

Listen to Latin Roots' Argentine Rock playlist on Spotify.

Latin Roots is made possible by the Wyncote Foundation.