Formed in 1982, Soda Stereo rose from the wreckage of Argentina's brutal military regime to become a potent force within the Rock en Espa¤ol movement. They arrived just as civilian rule was being restored in the country, and the public had barely begun to pick up the pieces of the "Dirty War". Soda's response to these intense political and cultural events was not to make politically charged music, but rather to transcend the gravity by ushering in an era of pop rejuvenation. While their lyrics were far from casual, Soda Stereo and its audience - eventually quite massive - seemed to agree that it was time for a more light-hearted side of life again. The trio of Gustavo Cerati (vocals, guitar), Zeta Bosio (bass) and Charly Alberti (drums) started out heavily influenced by the Police and Talking Heads as well as other new wave acts. For some time they played small clubs on the Buenos Aires underground circuit. However, with the release of Signos in 1986 came their first major success, and the album's moody and soulful guitar-synth jaunts proved the band was quite capable of musical and lyrical subtlety.
The same year's tour through countries like Chile, Peru and Venezuela made Soda Stereo one of the first Latin American pop bands to tour extensively throughout South America. Guitarist Carlos Alomar produced 1988's Doble Vida, that dispensed with the new wave influence in favour of more soul-flavoured horn arrangements, while 1990 brought the raw, rock-based opus Canci¢n Animal. The band ended 1991 with an outdoor concert before some 250,000 people in Buenos Aires. Further studio work during the 90s revealed a band unwilling to concentrate on one style, at times to the dismay of their hardcore fans. However, despite the stylistic metamorphoses and solo projects, Soda Stereo constantly maintained its power-trio format, driving it to new heights and delighting listeners with electrifying concerts. Prior to their disbanding in late 1997, the trio released a final studio album, recorded an MTV Unplugged session, and undertook a farewell tour.
DISCOGRAPHY: Soda Stereo (CBS 1984)***, Nada Personal (CBS 1985)***, Signos (CBS 1986)****, Ruido Blanco (CBS 1987)***, Doble Vida (CBS 1988)***, Canci¢n Animal (CBS 1990)****, Dynamo (Sony 1992)***, Sue¤o Stereo (BMG 1995)***, Comfort Y M£sica Para Volar: Soda Stereo Unplugged (BMG 1996)****, El Ultimo Concierto A (BMG 1997)***, El UUltimo Concierto B (BMG 1997)***.
COMPILATIONS: La Historia De Soda Stereo (Sony 1992)***, Zona De Promesas (Sony 1994)***, 20 Grandes xitos (Sony 1994)****, Lo Mejor De Los Mejores (Sony 1994)****, La Historia De Un Idolo: Volumen 1 (Columbia 1995)***, La Historia De Un Idolo: Volumen 2 (Columbia 1995)***.
Encyclopedia of Popular Music
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