Nicaragua: Pump the jams
I plan on watching the Grammy's tonight...not because I have been in the loop with American music this past year, not because I want to see my favorite artists perform, not because I'm super into awards shows, but mostly because I like music and this is supposedly an event to celebrate music. Anyway, in the spirit of Grammy Sunday, this entry is all about music. I will not be analyzing this year's Grammy nominees, making my prediction on who will win, nor sharing my opinion of the most-deserving artists. Instead, in this post I present to you my Definitive Ranking of Latin Music on a scale from "Unbearable" to "Love it."
1. Ranchera
Sad trumpets, wailing drunkards, and repetitive bass are factors which make me cringe upon hearing any and all ranchera tunes. This genre is also why I avoid karaoke nights in Nicaragua.
2. Cumbia
This is the kind of song that gets stuck in one's head and provides an annoying soundtrack for the rest of the day, adding anxiety to normally tranquil and mundane tasks. It's also pretty difficult to read, study, or live peacefully when the neighbors decide to crank the cumbia at all hours of the day...and night.
3. Bachata
A year and a half ago, a volunteer on his way out told me, "All bachata songs are the same. It's the same beat, same high-pitched male voice whining about the same story of fixing his poor, broken heart by conquering new women and promising them the world." At the time, I was still giving bachata a chance. After a year and a half of listening to the same bachata songs over and over and over, I wouldn't mind if bachata died.
4. Soap Opera Ballads
Everybody only really knows the 30-second chorus which plays during the opening credits every night.
5. Reggaeton
Now we're warming up on the dance floor.
6. Pop Latino
Because who doesn't like a catchy, feel-good pop song every now and then?
7. Reggae
In Spanish!
8. Merengue
A fun one for dancing.
9. Salsa
Step aside, merengue. Salsa knows who's boss.
And there you have it. There's no such thing as a noise ordinance here in Nicaragua, and at any given moment at least three of my neighbors blare a variety of these genres on their speakers that are way too big for simple home entertainment. Part of me will miss the "play music as loud as you can" culture when I soon move back to the States; most of me, however, will enjoy the awaited peace, quiet, and freedom to listen to the music that I want.
1. Ranchera
Sad trumpets, wailing drunkards, and repetitive bass are factors which make me cringe upon hearing any and all ranchera tunes. This genre is also why I avoid karaoke nights in Nicaragua.
2. Cumbia
This is the kind of song that gets stuck in one's head and provides an annoying soundtrack for the rest of the day, adding anxiety to normally tranquil and mundane tasks. It's also pretty difficult to read, study, or live peacefully when the neighbors decide to crank the cumbia at all hours of the day...and night.
3. Bachata
A year and a half ago, a volunteer on his way out told me, "All bachata songs are the same. It's the same beat, same high-pitched male voice whining about the same story of fixing his poor, broken heart by conquering new women and promising them the world." At the time, I was still giving bachata a chance. After a year and a half of listening to the same bachata songs over and over and over, I wouldn't mind if bachata died.
4. Soap Opera Ballads
Everybody only really knows the 30-second chorus which plays during the opening credits every night.
5. Reggaeton
Now we're warming up on the dance floor.
6. Pop Latino
Because who doesn't like a catchy, feel-good pop song every now and then?
7. Reggae
In Spanish!
8. Merengue
A fun one for dancing.
9. Salsa
Step aside, merengue. Salsa knows who's boss.
And there you have it. There's no such thing as a noise ordinance here in Nicaragua, and at any given moment at least three of my neighbors blare a variety of these genres on their speakers that are way too big for simple home entertainment. Part of me will miss the "play music as loud as you can" culture when I soon move back to the States; most of me, however, will enjoy the awaited peace, quiet, and freedom to listen to the music that I want.
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