We were on the way to a concert when Ojitos suggested making mixtapes.

“You should make me a rock en español CD and I’ll make you a reggae mix. That way we can both learn more about each genre.”

“One CD? That’ll be tough.”

“Well, just put on the stuff I should know.”

“Like the obvious songs?”

“Yeah, sorta.”

“Still, one CD?”

Okay, this sounds easier than it actually was. I looked at my iTunes library and wondered how I’d pick about 18 for a mix. I needed a theme. Best songs to dance to at a party? My favorites? My favorite artists? Mexican bands only? South American bands only? Songs on a certain topic?

They were all wrong.

There’s a line in High Fidelity where Rob, the book/movie’s protagonist discusses the fine science of making a mixtape for a potential mate. He claims that it’s just like breaking up, hard to do. In the movie, Rob expands:

The making of a great compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem. You gotta kick off with a killer, to grab attention. Then you got to take it up a notch, but you don’t wanna blow your wad, so then you got to cool it off a notch. There are a lot of rules.

He’s right.

I stared at my iTunes library for half an hour trying to make playlists and pick songs. I wasn’t getting anywhere. I packed up my things and decided to head to my parent’s house. On the way there, the idea hit me. If this was supposed to be a guide to rock en español, it should be organized like most guides, alphabetically!

I settled on an A-Z of rock en español theme focusing on bands from all over the Spanish-speaking world. It didn’t matter if they were form Texas or Spain, as long as the song was sung in Spanish (primarily), I’d include it. I started with Los Abandoned and ended with Zurdok. I tried to include at least one band per letter and eventually came up with 40 odd songs for 2 CDs.

I called it Queso Fresco.

I’d offer up the mp3s or make a podcast, but I’m feeling a bit lazy. If you are interested, let me know. Track list after the jump.

Edit (4.2.08): I made a mixtape of the first 12 songs. This is only A-E with a couple songs added that didn’t make the Queso Fresco cut. Those songs are Pantalón by Los Abandoned and De Marcha by Los De Abajo (I counted them as a D band).

queso fresco // rock en español (a-z), disc 2
que rico – los amigos invisibles
bolero falaz – aterciopelados
risa – babasónicos
tengo la voz – bostich
las flores – café tacuba
viento – caifanes
llegó la luz – chetes
sí señor – control machete
el karaoke de mi noviecita – el cuarteto de nos
la tumba falsa – ely guerra
lamento boliviano – enanitos verdes
el matador – los fabulosos cadillacs
el diablo – fobia
estilo internacional – gepe
tonta canción de amor no. 2 – el gran silencio
devuélveme a mi chica – hombres g
amargo adios – inspector
la vida no es igual – jaguares
bueninvento – julieta venegas
sin tí – king changó
sambita – kinky

queso fresco // rock en español (a-z), disc 1
día cero – la ley
cuando apagues la luz – liquits
lo pasado, pasado – maldita vecindad
me vale – maná
hoy – maneja beto
minha galera – manu chao
un pato – natalia y la forquetina
fuera de control – no te va gustar
pupilas lejanas – los pericos
niño bomba – plastilina mosh
tren al sur – los prisioneros
pasa montañas – quetzal
ixtapa – rodrigo y gabriela
bizcocho amargo – si*sé
de música ligera – soda stereo
pobre de ti – tijuana no!
bailas – volován
paula – zoé
una vez más – zurdok