Corazones


Corazones is the fourth studio album by the Chilean rock band Los Prisioneros, released in 1990, by EMI Records. The album was produced by the Argentine producer Gustavo Santaolalla, along with Aníbal Kerpel, and was recorded, mixed and mastered in Los Angeles, California. It was the band's first album to be recorded outside of Chile. The album was distributed overseas by Capitol Records.

Background

Before the production of the album, Corazones, between July and August 1989, the group Los Prisioneros recorded at the Konstantinopla Studios owned by Carlos Cabezas Rocuant, "Beaucheff 1435". Whose name is due to the musician's home address Jorge González, where the songs on the album were composed the vast majority. A part of these themes were known in 1996 with the album compilation Ni Por [La Razon, Ni Por La Fuerza], and the other remain in public knowledge with Internet.
Some of these songs mixed melancholic melodies, more intimate lyrics and a couple of dance songs, all led by synthesizers and programmed drums, highlighting pieces such as "En forma de pez", "Ella espera" and "Las sierras electricas". The sound of the album is a continuation of the sonic search for La cultura de la basura, but with elements of house. In addition, González's acute social vision finds its place in "Las sierras eléctricas", with the romantic counterpart of "En forma de pez": a 7-minute suite inspired by Martin Gore from Depeche Mode. González left for Los Angeles, California in October 1989 with only the company of the band's manager, Carlos Fonseca, since Tapia was unable to obtain a visa to enter the United States. Narea had distanced himself after seeing his role as guitarist and occasional songwriter increasingly diminished.
The production of the album began without the collaboration of Claudio Narea, who left the group in the middle of the work process, in the midst of love problems that were finally reflected in the lyrics distributed on the album. Narea's departure was marked by the hidden relationship between his wife and Gonzalez, but he also had a musical reason: "He did not agree with the sound that the group's leader wanted to give the trio, influenced by synthesizers and electropop that unfolded in the '80." Finally "Corazones" was developed under Argentine producer Gustavo Santaolalla, who had recognition with his band Arco Iris and for collaborating on records with Wet Picnic and León Gieco. Although all of their previous albums had been produced by González, Santaolalla brought an "astounding new level of polish" to the band, infusing jagged electronic melodies with "soaring pop" production and regional instruments like the charango to solidify a sonic identity that was "originally and unquestionably Latin American".

Artwork

The album cover was photographed by Alejandro Barruel and designed by Vicente "Vicho" Vargas, The cover shows González wearing a white shirt with blood on the heart, however the bloodstain is on the opposite side of, this error was not corrected until the 1995 edition. The shirt used was purchased by manager Carlos Fonseca for the photo in a Paris store, located on Lyon venue. "We just knew that Claudio had left. It was very strange to take photos without him", recalled Fonseca.

Release

Corazones was released on May 20, 1990 on the EMI label. The album sold over 190,000 copies, and was certified with four platinum records. It stands today as one of the best selling albums in Chile. Its first single, "Tren al Sur", was released on May 7, 1990, prior to the album’s official release.

Reception

In 1990, Jorge was chosen as the composer of the year by the Chilean Copyright Society. In 2006 was chosen as the by Al Borde, and in 2008 as the ninth by Rolling Stone.

Legacy and influence

Some of the album tracks were covered by some singers like: "Amiga mía", covered by Javiera Mena for the 2012 movie Joven y Alocada, Fakuta, covered the song "Cuentame una historia original". Produced by Vicente Sanfuentes and Lego Mustache, the song "Estrechez de corazón" was covered by Carlos Cabezas, Francisca Valenzuela, and the group Villa Cariño. Being recorded in Triana studios by the famous engineer Gonzalo González, with a music video directed by Felipe Foncea. In the tribute album to Jorge González, "Nada es para Siempre", the musicians Gepe and Javiera Mena, accompanied by Cecilia Aguayo, Uwe Schmidt, Felipe Carbone, and Gonzalo Yáñez performed a version of "Cuentame una historia original". In 2020 David Eidelstein, the bassist of Los Tetas known as "Rulo", covered the song "Estrechez de corazón".

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jorge González.

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes.
Production
  • Gustavo Santaolalla – producer
  • Aníbal Kerpel – associate producer
  • Don Tittle – engineer
  • Tony Peluso – mixing engineer
  • Joel Stoner – assistant engineer
  • Mike Rees – mastering
  • Carlos Fonseca – executive production
  • Vicente Vargas – graphic design
  • Alejandro Barruel – photography