¡Alfaro Vive, Carajo! (EP)
| ¡Alfaro Vive, Carajo! | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by At the Drive-In | ||||
| Released | June 1995 | |||
| Recorded | 1995 | |||
| Studio | Rosewood Studios | |||
| Genre | post-hardcore, punk | |||
| Length | 16:53 | |||
| Label | Western Breed Records | |||
| At the Drive-In chronology | ||||
| ||||
¡Alfaro Vive, Carajo! is the second EP by At the Drive-In, released in 1995.[1] The title takes its name from the Eloy Alfaro Popular Armed Forces, a clandestine left-wing group in Ecuador. The EP has been described as having a more darker tone than their inaugural release, Hell Paso, while also having more developed lyrical depth by lead singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala.[2] Plastic Memories is omitted from the vinyl release of the EP, and was later re-recorded and released on the El Gran Orgo EP as Picket Fence Cartel.[3] The back-up vocals on Ludvico Drive-In were done by Laura Beard and Sarah Reiser, who were friends with Bixler-Zavala and were also fellow band members in the short lived group The Fall on Deaf Ears.[4] The two girls died in a car wreck two years later. This is the last CD to feature Jarrett Wrenn and Kenny Hopper who went on to create Crime in Choir.
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [5] |
| Sputnikmusic | 3/5[6] |
Sputnikmusic gave the EP a middling, if not negative, review. While complimenting the high energy and enthusiasm Bixler-Zavala and Jim Ward's vocals exude, the site also acknowledges the poor production of the songs. Sputnik mentions the unoriginality of Ward's guitar riffs and subsequently praises Kenny Hopper's bass lines that serve as the fulcrum to which the songs are actually differentiated. Furthermore, they call the EP "sloppy" and note the amateur quality of it.[7]
DeBaser also mentions the mediocre quality of some of the songs. However, they compliment various aspects of different tracks such as the drumming by Davy Simmons in Instigate the Role and the dichotomy of tones in Circuit Scene.[8]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bradley Smith" | 2:43 |
| 2. | "Instigate the Role" | 2:59 |
| 3. | ""Ludvico Drive-In" | 2:30 |
| 4. | "Circuit Scene" | 3:27 |
| 5. | "Plastic Memories" | 4:14 |
| Total length: | 16:53 | |
Personnel
- Cedric Bixler – Lead vocals
- Jim Ward – Guitar, backup vocals
- Jarrett Wrenn – Guitar
- Kenny Hopper – Bass
- Davy Simmons – Drums
Additional musicians
- Laura Beard – backup vocals
- Sarah Reiser – backup vocals
Production
- Mike Major – recording
References
- ^ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &; ClashMusic (2017-08-23). "Complete Guide: At The Drive In". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "At The Drive-In: 20 Years, 15 Releases and a Hell of an Influence". Heavy Blog is Heavy. 2017-01-18. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
- ^ At The Drive-In - ¡Alfaro Vive, Carajo!, 1995, retrieved 2025-12-02
- ^ "The Fall On Deaf Ears, un accidente y cómo Cedric Bixler-Zavala escribió «Napoleon Solo» de At The Drive-In". REVENGE OF THE NERDS MX (in Spanish). 2024-07-04. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ "Alfaro Vive, Carajo! - at the Drive-In | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "At the Drive-In - Alfaro Vive, Carajo! (Album review ) | Sputnikmusic".
- ^ "At the Drive-In - Alfaro Vive, Carajo! (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
- ^ debaser.it, Galensorg (2016-11-11). "At The Drive-In's Breakout EP Alfaro Vive, Carajo!". DeBaser. Retrieved 2025-12-02.