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среда, 18 декабря 2019 г.

The Best Of 2019. Honorable Mention

As usual, the main list of the best albums is prefaced by the Honorable Mention list.
This time the list consists of 20 albums that are too good to be abandoned but there are some reasons why they are not included into the main list. I’m still feeling sad I can’t write something about every album mentioned below due to time restrictions (as I would like to think) or the horrible truth about deterioration of my English skills (something I’d prefer to avoid thinking of).
Anyway, there are two bands that have decided to call it a day this year. The first one is Tom Boyle. “Mar De Fondo” was intended to be the first in the series of EPs set to release in 2019 but the band abruptly split instead. The next one is Tourmalet. IMHO, “Fausto” is not their strongest effort – but the band was great and it’s sad they ceased to continue.
Clara Plath is back from the maternity leave with the album that set the new direction for the band. If you can imagine acoustic goth rock – that’s what it sounds like. The material of “Oscura” is 50% old/ 50% new and that’s why this album is not in the main list. 
Regarding Delafe’s “Hay Un Lugar”, melodically it’s a great album but it’s too subdued. You know, the music sounds like all the main parts were deleted from the mix during the mixing process, and now you can listen only to the echoes and secondary undertones of what was initially intended to be music. 
The Birkins’ “You Are Not Alone” is a true gem. When I first listened to this 2-disc tribute to Bowie’s immortal masterpiece “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars” my only emotion could be best expressed by that Futurama's Fry-starred “Shut up and take my money“ old meme. Look, they’ve got Jonathan Donahue in the mix!
And yes - Leon Benavente is in this section. 

En Septiembre «En La Constante Hay Un Bosque» (p)self-released BNDCMP
Grande Days «A Way To Collapse» (p)Elsa Records BNDCMP
Karabash «Societat Accidental» (p)Au! Records BNDCMP
Pauline En La Playa «El Salto» (p)self-released BNDCMP
The Night Animal «La Nocion del Impacto» (p)Orchard SPTF
Latigo Mantra «Diseccion» (p)Delia Records BNDCMP
Los Buges «Rendezvouz» (p)Discos Furia SPTF
Mad Robot «Punch Me, Kiss Me, Fuck You» (p)Endoftheworld/ Borx BNDCMP
Delafe «Hay Un Lugar» (p)self-released SPTF
Leon Benavente «Vamos A Volvernos Locos» (p)Warner SPTF
Blue Rodeo «Universo»/ «Vespertinos» (p)El Hombre Bala/ Los 80 Pasan Factura BND/CMP
Tom Boyle «Mar de Fondo» (p)self-released BNDCMP
Tourmalet «Fausto» (p)self-released BNDCMP
Power Burkas «Mai Nego L'Oci» (p)BCore Disc/ Famelic BNDCMP
Villanueva «Cuarto De Invitados» (p)Son Buenos SPTF
Clara Plath «Oscura» (p)Flor Y Nata BNDCMP
Birkins «You Are Not Alone» (p)El Genio Equivocado BNDCMP
Tucan «Maniacs, Fools & Jaguars» (p)MCR SPTF
Serpiente «Krizanteilu» (p)Humo BNDCMP
Tiger And Milk «Popular» (p)self-released BNDCMP


воскресенье, 10 декабря 2017 г.

Best of 2017. Albums 11-20

Step by step we are getting closer to the very top of the list.


20. Nudozurdo "Voyeur Amateur" (p)Mushroom Pillow
After beautiful but too calm "Rojo Es Peligro" the metropolitan trio returns with the album full of  emotions and bursts of guitar noise where Leo Mateos and his pals are swimming like fish in the pond.

19. Les Sueques "Moviment" (p)El Genio Equivocado

18. Cala Vento "Fruto Panorama" (p)BCore Disc
The last year's eponimous album of Catalan duo sounded more like the step onto Nueva Vulcano territory, the new one is the major step forward in terms of finding their own way. Sonically and melodically it is more refined record, the sound is thicker and the songs are catchier.
BNDCMP                       

17. Karabash "D'Humans I Essers" (p)self-released

16. Clara Plath "Yes I'm Special" (p)Flor Y Nata

15. Niños Mutantes "Diez" (p)Ernie Producciones
The recordings of the jubilee album (produced by Leon Benavente's Cesar Verdu) almost killed the band but resulted in the band's best effort to date.

14. Exquirla "Para Quienes Aun Viven" (p)Superball Music

13. Ran Ran Ran "L'Hereu" (p)Bankrobber

12. Los Planetas "Zona Temporalmente Autonoma" (p)El Volcan/El Ejercito Rojo    
I should admit I've never got into "Una Opera Egipcia". So for me the waiting period was even longer than for those who embraced Los Planetas' 2010 LP. And now I declare it was worth it to wait for it: the long brooding record that can easily take you away from wherever you are now.
SPTF             

11. Arista Fiera "Arista Fiera" (p)Elefant
Welcome to my convoluted world where the 7 song long debut album by a young dreampop band may stand atop the brilliant long-awaited double LP by the Spanish indie rock definitive band.

понедельник, 3 июля 2017 г.

Top30 albums of 2017 so far. Semi-annual poll

(in alphabetical order)

Aldrin Y Collins "Escuchas" (p)BCore Disc - bandcamp
Arista Fiera "Simetria Par" (p)self-released - bandcamp
Anchord "As A Real Return" (p)Saltamarges/BCore Disc - bandcamp
Black Mirrors "No Colours For Concern" (p)El Hombre Bala - bandcamp
Cala Vento "Fruto Panorama" (p)BCore Disc - bandcamp
Captains "Captains" (p)Jabalina Musica - bandcamp
Clara Plath "Yes, I'm Special" (p)Flor Y Nata - bandcamp
Cosmen Adelaida "Dos Caballos" (p)El Genio Equivocado - bandcamp
Diola "Diola" (p)BCore Disc - bandcamp
Disciplina Atlantico "Gran Oriente" (p)Limbo Starr - spotify
Exquirla "Para Quienes Aun Viven" (p)Superball Music - spotify
Havoc "Amado Lider" (p)Subterfuge - spotify
I Am Dive "Music For The Silent Running" (p)WeAreWolves - bandcamp
Jay "Fuimos Nosotros" (p)Matapadre - bandcamp
Karen Koltrane "Album" (p)Foehn - bandcamp
Les Sueques "Moviment" (p)El Genio Equivocado - bandcamp
Maresme "Golden Coast" (p)Foehn - bandcamp
Me And The Bees "Menos Mal" (p)La Castanya - bandcamp
Niños Mutantes "Diez" (p)Ernie Producciones - official site
Os Bru "Hvala" (p)Indian Runners - bandcamp
Oso Miel Oso "Debut" (p)Discos De Menta - bandcamp
Pau Vallve "Abisme Cavall Hivern Primavera I Tornar" (p)self-released - bandcamp
Ran Ran Ran "L'Hereu" (p)Bankrobber - bandcamp
Rufus T. Firefly "Magnolia" (p)LagoNaranja - bandcamp
Saïm "Accidents" (p)Bubota Discos - bandcamp
Shepherd "Mystic Wave" (p)self-released - bandcamp
Tuya "A War Is Coming" (p)El Rayo Verde - bandcamp
Ultim Cavall "Records De Kyoto" (p)Discos De Kirlian - bandcamp
Vol Menor "Contracorrent A L'Instint" (p)self-released - bandcamp
When Nalda Became Punk "Those Words Broke Our Heart" (p)Discos De Kirlian - bandcamp

воскресенье, 12 февраля 2017 г.

Clara Plath "Yes' I'm Special" (p)2017 Flor Y Nata

I had an intention to take a break from listening to the new music cos the preparation of last year's Top50 (in fact Top105) has made me quite exhausted. But the begining of the year 2017 is filled with events, and it makes taking a break some kind of a crime.

My dearest murcianos Clara Plath have released the new album less than two years ago since "Grand Battement" LP that performed perfectly in my annual 2015 chart. Frankly, "Yes, I'm Special" sounds much more refined than their debut just the way "Celebrity Skin" sounded more refined than "Live Through This". The harsher production of the previous album has its own advantages but standing in the way of progress is rarely a good choice. So now one of the best guitar-driven acts of the Spanish 'classic indie' sub-world have perfected their methods to create the record more diverse melodically and more intricate soundwise. If you did yourself a favor and fell in love with "Grand Battement" (the thing you'd better do), you'll not gonna miss this one for sure.

The best tracks: Inside You, This Lonely Boy, I'm Special



***BANDCAMP***


суббота, 27 августа 2016 г.

Sonorama 2016. The Report: The Best Of... Part One

I'd like to change the pattern I've been following for three years telling you about Sonorama. So this time I'm not going to do my usual day-by-day reports in this boring 'been there, saw that' manner.
And now let's strat from...

...The Band That Made Me Cry:
Modelo De Respuesta Polar (Saturday 13th, 13:00, Plaza del Trigo). Their current music (as evidenced by albums "Cariño" and "Dos Amigos") may tend to quietness and emotions hidden under the surface, but live they are tight and powerful as ever. Borja Mompo and his mates created their three-guitar soundscapes to such soul-wrenching effect that in a certain moment I've found myself crying. Nobody noticed it as I was wearing my usual sunglasses.

The Most Emotionally Impressive Show:
Carmen Boza (Sunday 14th, 12:00, Plaza del Trigo). If on Modelo De Respuesta Polar I just shed a tear or two, then the next day I've cried all the show of Carmen Boza through. I'm quite sentimental in everything that concerns music. I'm pretty easily getting goosebumps when I'm listening to a great song. And when I'm listening to the songs SUCH great sung by the voice THAT strong it's... I couldn't help but started to cry no matter how foolish I might look at the moment. This girl is so talented that when she only starts to sing it's already overwhelming.

The Best Show Overall:
Leon Benavente (Friday 12th, 23:35, Castilla Y Leon). It's beyond me how they do it. No visual effects, no stage scenery. Only three [almost] motionless persons and the velvet baritone and the over-the-edge splashing energy of the frontman Abraham Boba as the glue for all parts. On the new album "2" Leon Benavente shifted their stylistics a bit closer to the ice-cold postpunk-based crossover in the vein of El Columpio Asesino but the sound of their live performances stays more or less the same, and the new songs, such as "Tipo D" or "Aun No Ha Salido El Sol", perfectly fit to old favourites "Animo Valiente" or "Ser Brigada". That makes me wonder even further how they do it. Every time they are almost the same and every time it's thrilling.

The Second Best Show Overall:
L.A (Thursday 11th, 0:00, Castilla Y Leon). Two years ago we missed their show because they were set to perform at 02.00 am, and it was too late for us. This time it was much easier to spend 45 minutes with the crepuscular charm of Luis A. Segura and his band. The set covered the new era of the band (starting from the album "Heavenly Hell" on) with all the best tracks included, such as "Clocks" from aforementioned "Heavenly Hell" or "In America" from the most recent release, the brilliant "From The City To The Ocean Side". The red-lighted fog shrouded the stage while Luis played electric guitar, palyed acoustic guitar (without support of the band), played drums, and it was spectacular by all means.

The Best Show I Didn't See:
Izal (Saturday 13th, 0:45, Ribera del Duero). This edition of Sonorama has marked the new record in terms of attendance (I don't know the exact figure but it's over 60,000 people). It seems like the new record was set for the attendance of the single show as well, cos I've never seen the crowd like that. The audience has filled all the space of recinto ferial throughout - up to the WC's zone on the far back. Even the VIP zone was overcrowded that made us observe the show through the branches and leaves of the young magnolia tree. Moreover, in the middle of the show we were approached by our friend Rafa Tuñon, the frontman of Paciente Cero. So we talked to him a couple of Mikel's songs away.
Mikel Izal and his band has grown up to his current stature right before our eyes. Four years ago we saw them on some small local fests. Three years ago we could easily get to the first line before the stage to see them performing in 1.5 meters from us. And now they are The Most Important Band Of The Moment... It's nice, but I can't tell you that I saw their performance though I stayed there for this. The picture below will tell you why:

The Best Show No One Attended:
Clara Plath (Thursday 11th, 19:00, Carson Camping). It's such a pity that nobody came to see this band. Clara Plath was scheduled to play in Carson Camping at 7 p.m - right at the moment when the main stages come to action, so it was probably the worst timeslot to perform outside the recinto ferial space. But we were there, and we saw the band doing their best and playing competently and cohesively like if they were performing before the 200+ pairs of eyes.

The 'I Don't Get It' Show:
Kitai (Friday 12th, 14:00, Plaza del Trigo). This was the most brutal show of  all four Sonoramas that I beheld, equally cruel as to spectators as to musicians. The singer Alex acted with the ferocious beast-like aggression that splashed around like the wine he spoiled on himself in the middle of the show. The drummer Deiv played his drums on the God-like level. The bass player Fab did Flea pretty successfully. And the axeman Edu was competent as well. But all the components did not work well together musically. For me it seemed like the structure of songs didn't fit well for the venue, the music sounded disjointed at times and the melodies existed on the verge of falling apart.
But anyway, as a show it was one of these 'Yeah, I was there!' shows.

The Discovery Of The Year:
Disciplina Atlantico (Friday 12th, 19:50, Burgos). I was learned about this band before cos I liked their 4-song EP that was released earlier this year. But I didn't expect them to be so great onstage. They're loud, they're fast, they're noisey, they're melodic. They were vital. And I will pray for Disciplina Atlantico to successfully transfer their live energy into the studio recordings.

The 'Bloody Hell!' Show:
Echo (Friday 12th, 20:00, MeetinArts/Musica Creativa). We came to see this young band accidentally. We just walked through recinto ferial up to VIP zone to have ourselves some wine trying to kill time between Disciplina Atlantico and Leon Benavente. Absolutely unintentionally we decided to pass through the MeetinArts tent, and... This is what I like the most. You just hear something by chance and then you got stunned literally in seconds. This was the case. They looked young, I mean, VERY young - but what they did was really astounding. The girl with acoustic guitar on the forefront - oh my god, she sounded like she needed no microphone at all.

The Band Of The Year:
Igloo (Thursday 11th, 22:30, Burgos). Our favourite band, our friends, the amazing persons. Beni, Berto, Julian, JuanMa, we appreciate every moment we spent together, and we miss you so much now!
The band garnered less attention than it could due to the fact that their timeslot coincided with the Duo Dinamico show in the main stage. There should have been much more people otherwise, I guess. But it's usual situation when the lesser bands suffer from the main stages' schedule. Anyway we enjoyed the performance much cos it was the pure pleasure to see these folks onstage. Starting from the first track ("Ausencia Parcial") to the last one ("Sin Mentiras") we were raving as hell.
Other things to menion are: the pokeballs (don't ask), and the appearance of Rodrigo Valiente (The Trunks) for supporting role (next morning Beni and JuanMa themselves would appear along with The Trunks on Plaza del Trigo to return the friendly service back).

The Last Great Impression Of The Fest:
Viva Suecia (Sunday 14th, 21:00, Carson Camping). According to the merits of their album "La Fuerza Mayor", Viva Suecia is my favourite band of the current year. All they needed is to confirm their abilities onstage - and they surely did it on the last night of the festival. There couldn't have been the best way to finalize #SonoramaRibera2016 for me.

пятница, 5 августа 2016 г.

Sonorama 2016. 10 Hidden Treasures Of The Festival

The new edition of Sonorama will start in less than one week. So it's time to get yourself prepared. Almost 5 days, a lot of bands and a couple of additional stages - all this could make quite troublesome to observe all interesting things that would occur, so Spanish redes sociales recently started to produce some guides to help the audience to get through less-known names - the guides like this or this. Or this

If everybody else is doing it, so why can't I? Please find below my version of such guide - the list of 10 bands that might be overlooked but surely deserve your attention.

Thursday, 11th:
Clara Plath (Escenario Carson Camping, 19:00)
Led by the just-married couple of Clara Plath (vocals, guitars) and Roberto Lopez (guitars, synths, backing vocals), this up-and-coming band from Murcia is going to blow the pieces of your brains all over the General Guttierrez Park territory with their 90's grungy indie rock.

Copiloto (Escenario Burgos, 19:50)
Failing to achieve the mainstream success with his albums #2 & #3 (respectively, "Un Segundo Luminoso" and "El Inicio, El Desencanto y El Circulo de Confianza", both on Grabaciones En El Mar) though seemingly standing on the verge of it, the Aragonese singer/songwriter Javier Almazan somehow slowed the things down with his Copiloto project, but his abilities are still strong - which was evidenced by his most recent release "Los Puentes Hundidos" ((c)2015 Grabaciones En El Mar).

Igloo (Escenario Burgos, 22:30)
Standing tall amongst the best Spanish bands that never made it to the top, the Galician quartet Igloo without any doubt deserves to perform on the main stage. Anyway, the convoluted (and not always fair) ways of fame could just make this band one of the best kept secrets in the Spanish rock history.

Friday, 12th:
The Trunks (Plaza Del Trigo, 12:00)
Last year The Trunks were performing on the Red Bull Tour Bus stage before the pretty limited audience. This year they got the chance to attract much more people with their energetic and tuneful alternative rock on the Sonorama's most emblematic showcase.

Papaya (Escenario Charco, 15:45)
With the voice that can't be confused with someone else's, the tight melodies and the gentleman-like appearance, Chilean-born Canary inhabitant Yanara Espinoza appeared as one of the greatest discoveries of year 2015 with the debut effort "No Me Quiero Enamorar" ((p)Jabalina Musica). Definitely, it wouldn't be your smartest decision to omit her live performance.

Detergente Liquido (Escenario Carson Camping, 18:00)
Along with their pals Homeless and MOR right now before our eyes Detergente Liquido are resurfacing the indie scene of Cadiz. As fresh as funny, this band will surely do everything they can to make you fall for them.

Saturday, 13th:
Amatria (Plaza Del Trigo, 12:00)
An year ago (or so) Joni Antequera got his first hit single with "Chinches", the track off his third album (first under the wing of Subterfuge). The funny thing is that "Chinches" is probably the worst song he ever recorded. But the rest of his songs are much better, and his show seems to be the perfect way to start the saturday's program.

Paciente Cero (Escenario Burgos, 19:00)
These guys were so great two years ago, and they only got better since then (this is the case when the less words the better).

Sunday, 14th:
Carmen Boza (Plaza Del Trigo, 12:00)
I can [as proudly as humbly] declare this 'I loved her before she was famous' thing. Carmen Boza is great, and I'm pretty sure that her show will be the unforgettable one.

Viva Suecia (Escenario Carson Camping, 21:00)
The auteurs of the best album of 2016 so far and one of the most promising young bands right now - how much reasons do you need to consider it necessary to attend their performance?

среда, 6 апреля 2016 г.

A Pack Of New Videos #1

Please find below some videos that appeared on air during the first months of the year. Enjoy!

1. Clara Plath "American Do"


2. Les Suecues "Faldilles I Soroll"


3. Paciente Cero "Solsticio"


4. Nocturnos "Rey Absolutista"


5. Cumbia Ebria "Baila Conmigo"





вторник, 22 декабря 2015 г.

The Best Of 2015. 4x4

Los Ultimos Banistas "Expedicion" (p)Son Buenos Listen/Buy
Homeless "La Ciencia Lo Sabe" (p)Discos Del Rollo Listen/Buy
Clara Plath "Grand Battement" (p)RockCD Listen/Buy

Climbing higher and higher up the podium now I'm getting close to the pack of albums that surprised me the most. 12 months ago I wasn't learned about these 4 bands. Moreover, I had no idea about these 4 labels these bands were on.
Being nothing more just a devoted listener and music fan the main thing I like about music is when you suddenly get astonished by what you're listening to in this particular moment of time. I'm constantly seeking for the surprise, and when I got it from any certain song it makes the strongest emotion, it makes me shiver, it makes me go goosebumps, it gives me these good vibrations much talked about. So the most important thing I feel about these albums is that each of them - be it the true 90's indie rock (Monte Del Oso) or psychedelic pop brilliance (Los Ultimos Banistas), be it noise pop in its catchiest form (Homeless) or female-fronted guitar-driven rock charged with both emotion and sexuality (Clara Plath) - became a great astonishment for me. I hope they'll be the same for you.





четверг, 23 июля 2015 г.

Clara Plath "Grand Battement"

Clara Plath "Grand Battement" (p)2015
The first full lenght of the Murcian female-fronted band Clara Plath follows the path of the last year's EP "Hi Lola !!" - and these are definitely good news because the EP only slightly uncovered the band's potential to create the 'all killer no filler'-plateful of songs. After the album was released physically the band sent me a copy (you may see my happy face below) but I couldn't stand waiting when it would arrive, so I purchased the digital copy on iTunes just to get it faster.
Apart from the track that opens and closes "Grand Battement" (the 2 minute long "Kisses Goodbye") the canvas of the album is divided in equal proportions into the loud smash rockers ("Crazy Liar", "Waiting For My Dog", "Like A Rocket", "American Do") and calmer tracks like "Broken Dolls", "Grand Battement", "Distance" and "Second Floor" where the guitars share the leading role with the keyboards. The both types of songs are remarkable. The Kathleen Hanna-inspired hysterical screams on "Crazy Liar" refrain add some new dimension to the picture, so does the folk tune "Little Sue" only available as the bonus track. The songs are not that polished, they're not that hair-brushed. They're just real. These songs are from that perfect world where "simple" doesn't mean "mediocre", "melodic" doesn't mean "commercial", and "catchy" doesn't mean "calculated".
Under the bottom line "Grand Battement" is a kind of album where you may start to play any song just to give it a try and then accidentally find yourself having been auditioning all the album through for the second round just not being able to press the "STOP" button.

The best tracks: Crazy Liar, American Do, Distance, Waiting For My Dog



вторник, 23 декабря 2014 г.

Presentando la Banda. Clara Plath "Hi Lola !!" EP

Clara Plath "Hi Lola !!" (p)2014 Self-released
I am very pleased to present to you the young and restless quintet from Murcia: Clara Plath. Unfortunately, this short album has come to my hands too late to be included in the "best of" lists but it surely deserves it. First of all - Clara Plath, the namesake frontwoman of the band, has the beautiful sexy voice. The second - the music the band plays is good old school indie rock with the prevalence of guitars. I have a bent for this kind of music so two names have occurred to me right from the dark times of the 90's indie: The Geraldine Fibbers and Helium. Both bands were led by the girls with the deep voices (Carla Bozulich and Mary Timony respectively), and both bands were making music so loud that it was in controvercy to those girls' pretty appearances. Apparently, the Clara's songs are more conventional in terms of structure and dynamics but the 'loud clanging guitars and the rich voice of the female singer over them' template is present anyway.
The five-piece consists, apart from the girl at the mic, of Roberto Lopez (guitars and keyboards), Gabi Holden (guitars), Miguel Angel (bass) and Sergio Nicolei (drums). They are able to create the sound which is coherent and thick. The "Hi Lola !!" EP contains six songs plus one hidden track, and all the songs are memorable (with "A Whisper" as the most memorable amongst them) footstompers less or more rocking. Any of these songs might be a hit single, so this short album is very close to perfection within the chosen way/style/genre, I suppose.



You can easily get the full album HERE and/or like the Facebook page HERE.