Pequeñas anécdotas sobre las instituciones


Pequeñas anécdotas sobre las instituciones is the third album by Argentine group Sui Generis, released in 1974 by the Talent label.
A concept album, it was originally meant to be titled "Instituciones", but Sui Generis' producer suggested them to change the title to "Pequeñas anécdotas sobre las instituciones", reflecting the repressive nature of the Argentine social and political institutions at the time, as they were perceived by the 60s and 70s generation.

Details

's concept was to write a song about every influential and traditional institution, including the Catholic Church, the government, the family, the judicial system, the police, the army, and so on. Two tracks, "Juan Represión" about the police, as well as "Botas locas" about the army, were removed from the album by the record label, who was concerned about government censorship and the growing social and political violence in Argentina at the time.
Other tracks had to be partly changed, including "Las increíbles aventuras del Señor Tijeras" about film censorship, "¿Para quién canto yo entonces?" also about censorship, and "Música de fondo para cualquier fiesta animada" showcasing judges and political corruption, which had to be completely rewritten.
These were not protest songs but symphonic / prog rock tunes with lyrics that mixed everyday language and scenes with highly imaginative and surrealist vocabulary and imagery, as showcased on the front jacket, where several of the songs are represented in a vignette.
Exceptions were "Botas locas" and "Juan Represion", both having direct lyrics and a simpler folk style that linked them with the band's earlier productions, and were not included in the original release as mentioned, nor in the cover illustrations.
When first released, the album wasn't welcomed by the audience as its two predecessors had been because of its progressive rock orientation, something that didn't suit well at the time with a majority of fans, who were expecting more of the band's trademark youthful anthems. With the passing of time, it would inspire new generations of Argentine musicians and become a classic in its own right.
In 2007, the Argentine edition of the Rolling Stone magazine ranked it 31st on its list of The 100 Greatest Albums of Argentine Rock.

Track listing

All songs written by Charly García, except where noted.
Side One
  1. "Instituciones" - 4:50
  2. "Tango en segunda" - 3:32
  3. "El show de los muertos" - 6:04
  4. "Las increíbles aventuras del Señor Tijeras" - 5:51
Side Two
  1. "Pequeñas delicias de la vida conyugal" - 3:38
  2. "El tuerto y los ciegos" - 2:02
  3. "Música de fondo para cualquier fiesta animada" - 4:32
  4. "Tema de Natalio" - 6:00
  5. "Para quién canto yo entonces" - 3:42
Bonus tracks on 1994 remastered version released by.
  1. "Juan Represión" - 3:25
  2. "Botas locas" - 4:58

    Album credits

The group