Clics Modernos  by Charly García

Clics Modernos (1983) is not just an album; it is the zero point where Argentine rock (rock nacional) shook off the dust of the past and loudly entered the modern era. It was the second solo album for Charly García, who, having already reached the top with Serú Girán, traveled to New York in September 1983. With a bundle of cash and some demos in his luggage, he entered the legendary Electric Lady Studios. There, he collaborated with sound engineer Joe Blaney, who had worked with the Clash, bringing an air of international production that was missing from Latin America.

The album was a sonic revolution, marrying New Wave and Electronic Rock with García's personal lyrical brilliance. For the first time, García replaced traditional drums with the Roland TR-808 drum machine, creating a pulse that resembled more the New York scene than Buenos Aires. All the music and lyrics were written by Charly García. Although the sound was "danceable" and modern, the lyrics remained deeply political. It was released on November 5, 1983, just a few weeks before Argentina returned to democracy after years of harsh dictatorship. Tracks like "Los Dinosaurios" became anthems for the disappeared of the junta, using metaphor to talk about the fading terror.

The cover, a photograph of García in front of graffiti in New York, became so iconic that in 2023 the corner of Walker Street and Cortlandt Alley was officially renamed Charly García Corner.