How long will it take for Mexico’s Elefante to break in the U.S.? One of the most compelling Spanish-language pop/rock bands to emerge in recent years, Elefante has garnered success at home with memorable songs that marry contagious melodies with unusually well-written lyrics and elegant, even sophisticated arrangements (note the unexpected chord progressions of “La Limpia”), where musical lines (notably guitars) are as prevalent as the leading voice. Unlike labelmate Sin Bandera, which plays with more standard Latin pop and R&B influences, Elefante leans decidedly toward the singer/songwriter traditions of Spaniards like Joaquín Sabina and a light rock sound. But while “El Abnadonao,” for example, has a rockabilly accompaniment, “Yo Soy Igual Que Tú” is built on Caribbean beats, with both sounding equally convincing. More important, even at its most pared down (“Nada es Para Siempre”), the disc is memorable.—LC
