First, a clarification: there have been two different Latin acts calling themselves
Los Buitres (which means "the Vultures" in Spanish). One is an Uruguayan rock en español outfit; the other is a regional Mexican group. And the group heard on
No Tengas Miedo (Don't Be Afraid) is definitely the Mexican group, who have also gone by
Los Buitres de Culiacan, Sinaloa. Not that anyone who is familiar with Uruguay's
Los Buitres would hear
No Tengas Miedo and think that they're the same band; this early 2009 release is pure norteño, and Mexico's
Los Buitres wear their norteño orientation like a badge of honor on gutsy, infectious tracks such as "El Rey de los Vicios" (The King of Vices) and "Soy el Loco" (I'm the Crazy One).
No Tengas Miedo isn't just Latin pop with an accordion; this is hardcore norteño rather than crossover norteño, and the lyrics are often as humorous as they are edgy and in-your-face. "Las Ladies Mafia" (The Mafia Ladies) and "Los Mariguanos" (The Marijuana Users) are narcocorridos that have very much the type of dark humor one would expect from Grupo Exterminador or
Los Tigres del Norte. So even though
No Tengas Miedo isn't rock en español, it most definitely has plenty of bite -- and it isn't hard to imagine the Mexican rockers who have embraced
Los Tigres del Norte and
Los Tucanes de Tijuana embracing
Los Buitres as well and identifying with them on an ideological/philosophical level despite their differences on a melodic/musical level. Bottom line: norteño fans who appreciate edgy artists like
Los Tigres del Norte,
Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Grupo Exterminador, and the late Chalino Sánchez will have no problem getting into the ballsy
No Tengas Miedo. [A version of this album was also released with a bonus track.] ~ Alex Henderson