*Apr 16, 2026*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcAHHKY3Y0I
Is this a fucking joke? I'm not playing your little game. Hasta la vista, cabrón.
*May 8, 2026*
In December of last year, Frontman for Extremoduro (as well as the one-off, Extrachinato y Tu*), Roberto “Robe” Iniesta passes away. Also in last December, this massive ass anthology shows up on the user list.
I initially thought this was a troll, but with that external factor in mind I genuinely think this is here out of love for the band.
SIIIIIIIGH fine I will indulge you, though I will whinge the whole time. Bite-sized pieces, I believe that’s the way forward.
The first ten tracks cover are split between debut Tú en tu casa, nosotros en la hoguera (1990) and Somos unos animales (1991). That’ll be a good start!
Versión 2004, versión 2004- are all these modern re-recordings? That’s disappointing if true. What’s the point of a multi-decade anthology if a bunch of them were recorded the same year?
I can confirm- “Decidí” is quite different in its original form, with a lower-quality recording and a more punk influence. The 2004 recordings are obviously more professional (that song is good both ways), but also feel, idk, anemic? More money for a better recording studio doesn’t necessarily improve the overall quality.
The multi-part “Quemando tus recuerdos” is the third song that grabbed me, after “La hoguera” and “Decidí”.
“La canción de los oficios” (Versión 2004) is back to average bar rock, and is probably a good place to end for now.
*I've heard their only album Poesía básica before, because it's also on this website!
*May 30, 2026*
We’re back! sorry I was busy listening to literally anything else -_-
The next ten songs represent their next two albums, Deltoya (1992) and ¿Dónde están mis amigos? (1993). But also they don't! Hello, Versión 2004, for all ten tracks!
Both the power pop "Ama, ama, ama y ensancha el alma" and "Sol de invierno" are already some of my favourite Extremoduro songs so far, re-recordings aside.
“Bri Bli Bli Bli” is my favourite from the 1993 album. Checked the original, and surprise- it sounds better. And has a prominent saxophone! Makes me wonder what else I’m missing out on from the original album(s).
That’s disc one complete! (There are two more discs in this piece of shit.)
Next time: I'll deal with the cuts from Agila and Canciones prohibidas, released in '96 and '98, respectively.
*June 4, 2026*
"Buscando una luna" and "So payaso" are pretty good (for the latter, I watched the egg-throwing music video)
"Esclarecido" has some nice, crunchy riffs.
"Golfa" is a change of pace? Over two hours into this project? Impossible! Okay, it's not THAT different from their other, more melodic songs, but it contains perhaps the most tasteful orchestration so far from this band, even more than that sicc trombone solo in "So payaso".
At this point, I should confess one thing that's been weighing heavily on my heart, so here goes: I don't speak Spanish. I have read multiple sources on the web describing the lyrics as POETRY, so obviously there's a crucial element I'm lacking here. Of course, the one that I ran through a translator app was "Salir", which without the nuance is just "I'm drunk and high and I miss you".
I'm sure knowing the lyrics would make Robe's voice more palatable. I don't hate it, per se, but so many times there's a musically interesting intro to a song, only for his raspy voice to come in and do exactly what he does in all the other songs. I'm sure people think the same about Anthony Kiedis, in that he has to be the frontman for some incredible musicians with his limited range- but I would never describe his lyrics as poetic.
Aight that's enough of this. Next time, I'll find out what Extremoduro sound like in the 21st Century!!
If I wasn't curious about their turn towards symphonic and prog rock, as hinted at on RateYourMusic, I'm not sure what else would compel me to finish this. The behemoths from the OG list were nice partly because there's a finite number of them (also I really enjoyed both Ella Fitzgerald and the Magnetic Fields). This compilation can't be a means to an end if there is no end to the list lol
*June 8, 2026*
It is 30°C where I am, and was 33°C in Extremadura today. Good! We shall both suffer then (i have no idea if OP is from there, but Extremoduro is and that's enough)
Easy breezy four songs today, from 2002's Yo, Minoría Absoluta.
"What do Extremoduro sound like in the 21st Century?" Answer: So far, much like how they sounded in 1998, and '96, and '93.
*June 12, 2026*
The prog has begun
The irony of listening to more Extremoduro than what's contained in this compilation (I suppose I already have done that by comparing the original album versions to the new ones). Nevertheless, I stand by my decision. 2008's La Ley Innata seems to have been written as a single continuous piece, so naturally, this compilation (which by now, I'm assuming was built by faceless men in suits from Warner Music) only includes about 2/3rds of it. Hence, I simply listened to the album in full.
*clap* *clap* *clap* Well, they finally did it. They made something that lives up to the legend of the Spanish rock gods their fans purport them to be, complete with an orchestra, face-melting guitar, and possibly the best vocal performance Robe had recorded up to this point. It's not that much of a left turn from them, with plenty of chugging hard rock to enjoy, but it really is the summation of their strengths, in my opinion. The coda is whatever, but everything else exceeded expectations.
Good job to all those involved, and what a way to wrap up Canciones 1989-2008. Haha, only jokes, there's still almost an hour left of this. I'll leave that to another day, so as to not spoil the mood La ley innata has left me in.
HL: "Dulce introducción al caos", "Primer movimiento: el sueño" (not on the comp), "Segundo movimiento: lo de fuera", "Cuarto movimiento: la realidad"
*June 16, 2026*
Listened to the songs from their last couple albums. They're pretty nice, ngl- once again showing the more melodic side of Extremoduro. "Si te vas" is definitely the highlight here, and the guitar has never sounded more Queen-like than it does in "El Camino de las Utopías".
But what I really noticed today is I'm F R E E . I'm finally free!
Goodness gracious, other people have already said as much, but what a way to make someone resent a band. A lengthy compilation spanning decades of music could be a great way to get into an artist. For instance, I had Forty Licks, the Rolling Stones comp, downloaded on my iPod touch I got when I was 10. It was a great gateway into classic rock. Without the admittedly crucial element of the lyrics, I don't feel like I've learned much about this band, even after 4-ish hours. They were punky at the start of their career, before getting more ambitious with the song structures later, but ultimately not much fundamentally changes in the music. I suppose someone might find that a strength- a hard rock band cutting their teeth in the 80's that didn't try nu metal, rap metal, or any other trends thrown their way. (The aforementioned Stones chased trends from psychedelic pop to new wave, which people remain contentious about.)
Still, I... sigh... didn't... hate it. Yes, the audacity of foisting this on strangers is frustrating. Yes, I did think several times there are other bands I could be listening to, had I not decided I was going to complete this whole thing.
"I mean it's alright, like"
