POP MUSIC REVIEWS : Caifanes, Arau Power Up at the Greek

Rock en espan~ol has scored another touchdown.

This time, it was generating a sold-out crowd Friday night at the Greek Theatre to see today’s premier Mexican band Caifanes and veteran Sergio Arau.

It turned out to be one of the year’s finest rock en espan~ol shows, even though Caifanes’ drummer Alfonso Andre--who is suffering from hepatitis--only played the last three songs (he was effectively replaced by jazz drummer Fernando Toussaint).

After a short but strong set by Arau, who plays blues-based rockers with an accordion-based norten~a flavor, the lights were turned off and the theater’s speakers blasted Los Lobos’ “Kiko and the Lavender Moon.” It was a perfect touch to set the mood for a satisfying Caifanes show that mostly concentrated on the trio’s two last--and best--albums.

Caifanes’ repertoire seems more exciting than ever. With the new material they now seem to actually enjoy what they do. When touring the world for nearly three years promoting the 1991 album, “El Silencio,” their shows, at that time, contained moments that were boring, monotonous and depressing. Those elements were missing Friday night.

Although still often unjustly compared with the Cure because of the dark nature of its early music, the 1995 Caifanes is now a truly original alternative-rock band with unmistakable Mexican roots.

If singer Saul Hernandez is Caifanes’ soul, lead guitarist Alejandro Marcovich is its brains and heart. More subtle than spectacular, many of Marcovich’s elegant solos seemed taken straight from a ‘50s Mexican bolero trio record. His no-nonsense approach to guitar-playing was the symbol of a serious band shining at its peak.