Rodrigo y Gabriela have a new album out, called 'Rodrigo y Gabriela' the first one to have a real marketing push behind it, and the first to have a big-name producer (John Leckie).

The band consists of just two acoustic guitarists, but they do not think of themselves as 'folk' or 'flamenco': they consider themselves to be a rock act, and their audience seem to agree as their concerts are packed out with twentysomethings in t-shirts doing the devil horn sign.

Gabriela and Rodrigo actually met in their native Mexico when they were both in the same thrash metal band. Their live set contains covers of Metallica songs and little phrases from the White Stripes, Nirvana and Metallica are often dropped into the middle of their own tunes. They have now moved to Ireland and have their new base in Dublin.

The new album holds no surprises for anyone who has heard any of the earlier stuff (some of which can be downloaded free here) but that is not a bad thing. The highlights of the new album are the opening tracks Tamacun and Diablo Rojo. The only disappointment is the cover of Stairway to Heaven, a version which has more than a touch of noodly jazz about it – think Earl Klugh – purely on the basis that world really doesn't need yet another cover of that, no matter how technically good it is.

Another track which is growing on me is Ixtapa.  When it starts it sounds very much like Tamacun, but a couple of minutes in it changes pace, slows down and then builds up again with a very rock-like churn before being joined by some gypsy violin which sounds like it came straight from the Hot Club de Paris. 

I was lucky enough to get the limited edition of the album, which has a bonus DVD. The DVD has a documentary/interviews of the pair's history, including some footage of their thrash metal days, live footage of three songs, and a tutorial in how to play the song Tamacun.

Just don't expect to be able to play Tamacun after watching the tutorial!

The music itself is infectious. Gabriela provides the rhythm with flamanco-style strumming as well as all the percussive effects of hitting the strings and the woodwork of the guitar, while Rodrigo mostly plays the melody/lead parts. This is not the gentle John Williams/Julian Bream style of acoustic playing, but more like the exciting mexican style found on Roberto Rodriguez soundtracks, with some jazzy touches.

R y G have enough confidence to give away mp3s on their website – seeing it not as a loss of sales, but safe in the knowledge that few music-lovers with any soul would be able to hear those tracks without wanting to buy more.

The band are on an extended tour at the moment, and will be playing a dozen dates in the UK at the end of May/beginning of April. I was lucky enough to see them a couple of years ago and can confirm that they are a compelling live act.