Atom Rhumba have made it! The "most promising band" label with which so many media have tagged the Basque band, picturing them as "one of the best bands in Spain" ever since the times of Hormonal Riot (1997)- all of that is obsolete with this album. Atom Rhumba are not "promising" anymore. They are the raw, palpitating and infectious reality. Backbone Ritmo is the proof that they have overcome any label or influence recognised before (JSBX, Gories, Contortions...), and have got down to what they best do: the infectious, pure Rythm of the best rock and roll.
That "promising band" label has been long following them: in ‘97 they came out triumphant from the Villa de Bilbao -the most prestigious band contest made in Spain. Dirt Shots (1999) followed and they begun touring endlessly and getting recognition from every media. 2001's Chasin' the Onagro, produced by Mick Collins, got up in every "album of the year" top-ten, critics hailed them and touring wasn’t limited to Spain -France also surrendered. So it was time to move forward and live up to the expectations created. Hundreds of incendiary shows have paid a reward: they play better and they write songs like few can write. And so they've finally recorded what fans and media alike were long asking: the best rock album to appear in Spain in many, many years, a record that can look over the shoulder to any international release. Now, we are talking about a band with few competitors anywhere.
Backbone Ritmo has been produced by well-known Kaki Arkarazo and, as usual in them, it’s played alive, first-second take, the way true raw rock albums are done. Which is not an obstacle for the variety and risk the album exhudes: Kaki has managed to get an amazing sound, full of groove but rich in angles and nuances. The opening trio will make you surrender to the anfethaminic enthusiasm that the album exhales, breaking any other attempt they ever made. And in just 5 songs, Atom Rhumba prove that any expectations were, if anything, way too cautious. The B side is richer in experimentation, dangling in the craks of diverse music genres (country, soul, garage). Way beyond any etiquette.
So, are you listening to the best Atom Rhumba album? To the best album of the year? There are many questions you can ask, but the answer is in just 10 songs. Dance to the Backbone Ritmo.

AN OPINION ABOUT “BACKBONE RITMO” – BY EDUARDO RANEDO
In several conversations with Enric Boser -guitar player in The Meows-, we have both reached the same conclussion: besides from any other consideration of either a technical, writing skills or a sound kind, the first proof that any Spanish release deserves to be mentioned for its excelency is the fact that, to sum up, it doesn’t seem to be done here. Many will be shocked or scandalized knowing that this criteria is used by some critics, but that’s what it is... After many years listening to recordings that, in spite of having good songs, made you be embarrassed because of their simple and cheap reproduction and copy of foreign patterns, or because of the deficiency of the studio recording -whic happened even when famous producers landed in our independent scene to, supposedly, sell some of their skills-, it is about time for the level of demanding to be raised a little.
Well then, “Backbone Ritmo” draws the difference from the beginning. Indeed, no one will be shocked if told this record comes from outside this country, if it was stocked in the stores as a new release edited by DFA, Elektra or In The Red.
Atom Rhumba have always been a brave band. They have proved so along their whole career, giving constant steps towards the modeling of their own unique personality as a band without giving up their quest for the essence of musics which are uneasy for the common profile of the fan, and they prove it now demanding the promotional sheet writing -a commonplace for unjustified hailings- to a critic of which they know his null will for diplomatic comments and his easy making of enemies in a local scene which is as talent-lacking as devoted to vanity. But it’s a trick: they know they hold in their hands a record that easily rises above the medium level of anything released in Spain in the latest years, a record that will not leave anyone in indifference and that can put them, with any little luck getting them in a good place at festival stages, in an enviable status. Because this is what it is. An outstanding record, as accesible as uncompromising and full of respect for its references, among which you can easily find Soft Boys, Captain Beefheart, Kim Salmon or the quintaessencial funk. A record loaded with danceable songs, seldomly obscure and dissonant, in spite of the complication of their structures and their distancing from the conventional, easy path.
If when their third album “Chasing the Onagro”, in which they went guided by the hand of Mick Collins, appeared, some noticed that it would be difficult for the Rhumba to get any better, “Backbone Ritmo”proves that they were wrong. And it proves so with an enrichment of the vocal approach, as well as with the complete adaptation of a mainly rocking guitar player such as Álvaro Segovia, and with the clever use of the rythm section which goes far beyond its use as a mere support. The songs are, simply, the best ones they have ever recorded to date, and although there is little remaining of the original line-up of the Basque quartet, no one can doubt that what they listen to here is the brain child of Rober, who was only lacking to find those who would be the best company for this adventure.
The recording was done last summer in the Garate studios owned by Kaki Arkarazo, and it includes tasty colaborations from Jomes Bap!, Hendrik Roever (Los Del-Tonos), Josetxo Ezponda or Kaki himself, who also produces with expertise a record as unique as confirming of the value of a band which has been always accompanied by praises. Justified praises, maybe a little exaggerated in the beginning, but which reaching this point no one will be able to question.

Eduardo Ranedo (Ruta 66 Magazine)