Los Fabulosos Cadillacs

Following a lengthy hiatus, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs have picked up where they left off in 2002—for better or worse. La Luz del Ritmo, the Argentine band’s 12th studio album, is a compilation of five new songs, six remixes and two covers. The group remains faithful to the mix of ska, reggae and tropical rock that catapulted it to the fore of the rock en español movement. But therein also lies its weakness: In 2009, La Luz del Ritmo sounds somewhat dated, at best nostalgic.

The opening title track, a celebratory, tropical big-band number reminiscent of LFC’s biggest hit, “El Matador,” sets a promising tone of reinvigorated energy. Yet by the next cut, an unimaginative ’70s soul- and rap-tinged “Mal Bicho,” the disc is already losing steam. A few of the new songs—the wistful, ’90s-guitar-pop-styled “Nosotros Egoístas” and “Hoy”—have a subdued, almost deflated vibe, perhaps due in part to last year’s unexpected passing of drummer Gerardo “Toto” Rotblat.

The album’s greatest strength is a song that taps into the growing popularity of the cumbia villera genre beyond Argentine borders: The pairing of synth-heavy cumbia (courtesy of Damas Gratis’s Pablo Lescano) with LFC’s trademark brass on “Padre Nuestro” makes for a hearty, supple blend. Overall, La Luz del Ritmo proves that LFC’s still got it; now it’s got to continue bringing it up to speed.—Monika Fabian

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs play Hammerstein Ballroom Sun 5.

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