Amparanoia is a band from Spain, formed in 1996. The name is a wordplay on the lead singer's first name, Amparo, and the word "paranoia". Their first album, El Poder de Machín, has been described as being "bright, exuberant... with a heavy Latin influence"http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:qndxlfgekcqq~T1, whereas their more recent release, Somos Viento, has been called "a moreacoustic blend of Cuban and reggae forms". Amparo Sánchez ranks as the queenpin of the internationalist Euro-mix force gathering steam behind Manu Chao, a close friend and sometime collaborator. But the individual, festive blend of elements Sánchez has put together combined with catchy songs and her powerful singing gives Amparanoia a distinct identity. The constantly changing sound works off a Latin, reggae, and rock foundation and lyrics offering social critiques drawn from daily life struggles mo