User Submitted Album

El Circo

Maldita Vecindad Y Los Hijos Del 5to. Patio

1991

3.25

Rating

224

Votes

Distribution

Rock

Album Summary

El circo is an album recorded by Mexican rock band Maldita Vecindad. The album was released on 24 September 1991 under the BMG Entertainment Mexico label. La Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio (English: The Damned Neighborhood and the Sons of the Fifth Patio, usually called only "La Maldita") is a band formed in Mexico City in 1985. They are pioneers of rock en español and one of the most influential rock bands in Mexico. They first made an impact with Mojado, Un poco de sangre, Cocodrilo, Pachuco and Un gran circo, songs that narrate the problems, adventures, and beauty of a society anxious to improve its economic status. Their wardrobe has incorporated elements of the pachuco, an archetypical character represented by Tin Tán in Mexican cinema. Tin Tan is sampled in one of the group's biggest hits, 1991's Pachuco. The last studio album they recorded was in 2009. Since then, the band has collaborated with other bands, as well as having participated in tribute albums for José José and the Tigres del Norte. Their sound incorporates many styles, including ska, rock, and traditional Cuban forms such as the bolero and Cuban Son. Roco, the band's vocalist, dresses in a manner reminiscent of the pachucos.

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Reviews

Sort by: Top Date

Jan 16 2024 Author

9/10. This was a lot of fun, and a very quick listen. I think I'd like to listen to more stuff like this

Feb 02 2024 Author

All killer no filler.

Mar 02 2024 Author

Ooh, an interesting entry, I had not expected someone to throw in some Latin Ska. I liked it, very tight, punchy, and fun.

Mar 02 2024 Author

Never heard of this artist before, so I got to go in completely blind. With the first few seconds I thought, "Oooh, some ranchera?" NOPE, LATIN SKA BABYYYYY. This was fun, filled with variety, danceable, kickass, and other praise-worthy adjectives. I had a blast with this. Thank you for adding it to the list!

Aug 05 2024 Author

Being Spanish one of the most spoken languages in the world, and the second largest native language spoken in the world (don’t quote me), that just around 10 Spanish albums made the 1001 list, seemed very off. Having Soda Stereo, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Caifanes, Cerati, Héroes del Silencio among others it was really sad to not found any of them in the list. So, that is why this one is a refresher. I grew up listening to this guys, and this is an amazing and incredible album from start to end!

Feb 04 2024 Author

Loving all the non-English language albums on this extra list so far. Thanks for suggesting.

Jan 17 2025 Author

A fine addition to my "What the fuck is this and why does it slap so hard" collection that I am slowly accumulating by going through these user submitted albums. Also a worthy addition to the "Albums that sound the least like their album covers" list. Extremely unexpected but welcome Ska Punk jumpscare.

Jan 17 2024 Author

From reading this band's Wikipedia page, I'm sorta surprised they aren't represented on the actual list. They seem unique and ahead of their time in many ways.

Feb 02 2024 Author

This was awesome

Oct 08 2024 Author

very very enjoyable album. Maybe the lyrics were all f-ed up, but I'd like to think they weren't. because how can something sound so festive, joyful, upbeat have bad lyrics?

Oct 26 2024 Author

This was awesome! Well named - as it sounded a bit like a circus - a little of this, a little of that - not afraid to be all over the place. I love it!

Oct 26 2024 Author

So fun! So good! Thanks!

Oct 26 2024 Author

Good pick-me-up today!

Oct 26 2024 Author

Super fun! Loved it.

Jan 30 2025 Author

To whomever indicate this album, you'll probably going to like Mad Caddies

Mar 23 2025 Author

¡Excepcional!

Mar 31 2025 Author

I loved this one so much!

May 23 2025 Author

Wow, what a fun pull! Posing a very important question of “hey if what makes ska fun is the latin influence, why not check out the uncut version?”

Nov 04 2025 Author

Wow! I'm 220+ albums in to the user list and thus far this is the best discovery. I've listened 5 times in a few days and have it queued up for a run later today.

Nov 04 2025 Author

super fun, love whatever kinda vibe this has - 9/10

Jan 16 2024 Author

An interesting and fun listen! 8/10

Jan 21 2024 Author

El Circo is absolutely rollickin', and gets a lot of mileage out of the sublime sound of complete contemporaneity; Not easy when you include this much ska. As circuses go, less polished acrobatics but more value for the price of admission at that. The only thing dating the record is a bit of sounds-like-rap, an attempt at hipness maybe fifteen years back.

Jan 31 2024 Author

I don't speak a word Spanish. But I really liked the energy and the 'ska'-ness of this album

Feb 18 2024 Author

Very interested in the blend of influences like punk and Ska in a Mexican idiom. Was even able to pick up a fair amount of the lyrics with my mediocre Spanish, a rare treat with these non-English selections.

Mar 01 2024 Author

One of Latin Rock classics. I didn't have it quite on my radar, since I've always been more of a fan of Argentine rock, but I've enjoyed rediscovering it and enjoying it. Such a powerful story with vibrant and catchy tunes. Thanks for sharing

Apr 03 2024 Author

oh hell yeah! This is going straight on the work playlist. What a cool album. Never heard of it before, great energy, bit of an exotic (to me) flavour. 4/5.

Jun 12 2024 Author

Vey high energy, keeps things just different enough to keep attention. Don't understand the lyrics but that's on me. 3.8

Jun 30 2024 Author

Brilliant inclusion, thank you for submitting. Love the ska, brass, Latin rhythms and percussion. All mixed in with ska guitars and a strong party vibe. Bringing to mind Police, Manu Negra, Pogues and slightly B52s. Great!

Jul 17 2024 Author

Happy to see another cool Mexican artist that completely got ignored on the original list. This was so much fun. Ha, I like how they start out with the classic Ranchera sound before going full ska on us. Engaging sound, with strong energy and drawing on a rich musical palette. Really enjoyable. Fave Songs: Kumbala, Querida, Un poco de sangre, Pachuco, Un gran circo, Mare

Jul 27 2024 Author

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Pachuco, Solin, Un gran circo, Mare

Aug 07 2024 Author

Fun

Aug 15 2024 Author

This was a great album. I wish the original list had included more music like this. Musically, I was expecting a ranchera album based on the opening, but was pleasantly surprised when the ska kicked in. The high energy was maintained throughout as well.

Sep 19 2024 Author

This was like Mexican Debo. Super funky and catchy rock that was a great time throughout. Mare was my fav song.

Oct 13 2024 Author

What a pleasant surprise this album is. Great Mexican rock with several influences, styles and a fantastic opener in Pachuco.

Nov 16 2024 Author

Wow! This is way more varied than I expected, and really good fun. Punky at points, ballady chill at others. Another lovely surprise I'll definitely come back to.

Dec 15 2024 Author

My initial comparison is NOFX, or maybe Less Than Jake: it's got that attitude and speed that comes with a punk record, but with a liberal amount of horns. It was only later in the record that I figured out this wasn't a ska-punk record, but, like, Los Tigres Del Norte punk record. It's fun. Enjoyed thoroughly. Favorite tracks: "Crudelia", "Querida"

Jan 02 2025 Author

Mexican punk rock, yes please.

Feb 13 2025 Author

Much fun 🙌

Feb 16 2025 Author

This was a pleasant surprise and super fun to listen to!

Mar 22 2025 Author

An incredibly catchy and varied Latin ska album with hooks for days. This was just very very fun

Apr 09 2025 Author

Good stuff, thanks for adding

Apr 27 2025 Author

Loved it. Very cool injection/combination of all sorts of influences.

May 22 2025 Author

This one was a lot of fun.

Jul 01 2025 Author

Ska from Mexico! While the original list certainly dabbles in the 2 Tone era of ska, I was surprised to find no trace of any third-wave ska. No Doubt, Operation Ivy, and Streetlight Manifesto would all make bespoke choices, but I'm equally as happy to check out something from somewhere outside the US or UK. Maldita Vecindad are a key band for the alternative latin rock sphere, and are perhaps the best to ever do it. Their unique approach to ska music by taking root in traditional Mexican songwriting makes them more than an excellent band, but a party band. These guys elevate the genre and make it their own in a tight 36-minute romp. Primo. CONTENDER FOR THE LIST: 100% yes.

Sep 01 2025 Author

September 2, 2025 If I listened to this when it was actually generated, it’d be perfect for that day’s hot weather. Now it’s overcast and like 15°C, but honestly- I think I need this record more today. A bit like that Fishbone record, in that it’s very much late-stage 80s production, before grunge did a lil reset, but also like it in that it has basically no drag whatsoever. 4/5

Sep 12 2025 Author

Fun Mexican rock would listen again

Nov 06 2025 Author

Such a fun listen, love the cover art

Nov 17 2025 Author

A collision of Latin rhythms, ska, punk attitude and street-corner storytelling. It has the feel of street performance and that gives it a warm and fun energy. It does feel like they're pulling a lot from son, cumbia, danzón, perhaps even more than from early punk. While reading up on it it seems this really was a foundational album for lots that came after it. Highly enjoyable

Nov 18 2025 Author

The first track is Spanish and punky? Spunky? It becomes much more poppy and rocky thereafter - sprocky? Decent enough album, although I don't have the first clue what they're singing about, which is always a risk. I could be humming along here to some guy describing utterly despicable things. I'm not sure I am, so let's just say I enjoyed it.

Jan 17 2024 Author

A fun groovy time, ya dig?

Mar 25 2024 Author

Not into this kind of music, even though I understand it's good in the genre.

Apr 18 2024 Author

Pretty decent, not super interesting though (other than the album cover). 3 stars.

May 25 2024 Author

I'll need more time, but I left happy.

Jun 26 2024 Author

4 3

Jun 29 2024 Author

Liked that this LP put a bit more energy into what I would expect from traditional Hispanic pop music, a little bit more verve in the instrumentation did a lot for my enjoyment of the genre.

Jul 10 2024 Author

Rock mexicano. Pachuco. Se me ha hecho un poco largo para lo corto que es. Ni fu ni fa.

Aug 28 2024 Author

A super-energetic Hispanic rock album. Bouncy, buoyant, brilliant fun. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Pachuco Date listened: 03/09/24

Oct 08 2024 Author

Fun and hip, but there's little here that really stays with me... blends together to easily. Un Gran Circo was the standout for me and the only track that really engaged. Still an interesting listen.

Oct 23 2024 Author

Stadium rock

Dec 03 2024 Author

This is fun, even though I can't understand a lick of it! Giving early 90's ska punk fusion.

Jan 23 2025 Author

Bloody good time this

Jan 26 2025 Author

Yea, it was ok.

Apr 07 2025 Author

First time listening to Mexican rock, enjoyed it.

Jun 10 2025 Author

Always good to hear something a bit different. Latin fun Ska type stuff. Glad it was only 30 mins though.

Jun 16 2025 Author

This album was a pretty fun listen, but it was hard to tell why it was particularly significant. It's interesting rock music for 1991, but it doesn't particularly feel like they are pushing the envelope 3/5

Jul 24 2025 Author

Fun and definitely above average cool. What an albm title, though. "Pata de Perro" is fave cut. Glad to know it. Gracias to recommender.

Aug 06 2025 Author

That was fun. I definitely think that Beck and Sublime heard this at some point. I was excited to hear that the band was influenced by The Cure, but I really couldn’t hear that influence. And here I thought that Menudo was going to get an album on this list…

Oct 31 2025 Author

This veered to far into ska for me. Which is one of few music genres I can't stand. This was fine though.

Nov 22 2025 Author

Weird mish-mash of traditional Hispanic tunes with late 80's pop-rock. I quite liked a lot of the tracks.

Jan 16 2024 Author

Kumbala was cool, but the rest of the album didn't resonate with me.

Mar 04 2024 Author

A few interesting tunes, but the majority just gets on my nerves.

Mar 04 2024 Author

This is the first time that I heared of this band. Although it sounds pretty nice and sometimes catchy, it is still ska/punk; a genre which I have absolutely no affinity with. And that they sing it in their native language doesn't help either.

Dec 23 2024 Author

Mexican rock music. My first thought was there are a lot of Latin albums on the user list. My second thought was this isn’t typical Latin music. It still had the horns and high tempo of most Latin music but having a grungier singer and a mire present percussion helps make this rock out pretty decently. I enjoyed it and once again wish I knew Spanish. 4.9/10

Feb 16 2025 Author

Love the variety, always! Unfortunately, not many tracks on here that clicked for me, some of the genre stuff going on didn't quite hit. But still, cool to hear this, and I appreciate the selection. 2.5/5

Mar 26 2025 Author

A little bit too much of everything

Mar 28 2025 Author

El Circo is decent enough, a little bit flat for my preferences, nice ska but not enough ska punk to it. Best track is Kumbala, despite its lack of punk stylings, but a 2/5 because I didn't enjoy it like I wanted to. Just gonna listen to Ska-P instead.

May 05 2025 Author

No point

Oct 14 2025 Author

Det bästa med albumet är att den är kort. Visst, det är lite glatt också.