Lately I’ve been listening to an increasingly large amount of rock en Español. And, as my knowledge grows and as I discover each new band – some old and some new – I find myself more and more blown away by what I am hearing.

What I have discovered is some 30 years of great music waiting to be explored by my guero ears.

So here is a brief primer of what I have uncovered thus far. For starters, I would recommend Cafe Tacuba, a band from Mexico City, that is making what may be the most innovative rock in the entire world. Or as All Music Guide so aptly put it:

This isn’t some artsy, pretentious mishmash of intellectual crap full of inside jokes. This is dirty, raucous, greasy, innocently wild, soulful, and raggedly elegant rock & roll that happens to be art because of its originality, energy, and guts. This is a serious candidate for rock record of the year. Cuatro Caminos is as brave as Zapata’s revolution and as much fun as an electrified Latin son band playing the Clash and Chuck Berry at the same time.

Another artist worth listening to is Juanes, a Columbian rocker who may have one of the largest musical followings in the world. His music fuses rock, cumbia and pop with great melodies and dynamic guitar playing (Juanes is the only Latin rocker with a endorsement from Fender guitars).

Digging more deeply into the current trends in Latin rock and pop, one of the outrageous and captivating bands has to be Argentinian rockers Bersuit. Their new albums La Argentinidad Al Palo, Libertinaje and Hijos del Culo are filled with raw energy and incredible performances. One common thread among all theses bands is Argentinian producer Gustavo Santaolalla. Other Latin America bands worth finding and listening to include: Julieta Venegas, Zoe, Zurdok, Molotov, Maná (quite possibly the greatest Mexican rock band), Soda Stereo and Control Machete (Mexican Rap). So there you have it. One man’s take.

Even if you can’t understand a word of Spanish, the music will move you. Besides, being open to new ideas and new means of expression is always a good thing.