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четверг, 20 декабря 2018 г.

Best Of 2018. Top50 Albums. 12 - 20

Yes, this time it's only nine records in the section. It's because the Top10 will contain 11 albums this year.

20. Tom Boyle "Vuelve A Empezar" (p)self-released
Indie pop + noise pop + dreampop = the best post punk record of the year.

19. El Petit De Cal Eril "El Disc Triangular" (p)Bankrobber
It may sound like pretty simple music but it's hard to split these complex songs onto the components and influences. I liked the previous Joan Pons' effort ("La Força") alot but "Triangle" is even more elegant and beautiful.

18. Loudly "Elfactorgrotesco" (p)Clifford

17. The Magic Mor "Move The Lines To Make Circles" (p)self-released
The highly melodic psychedelic rock - not that kind of 'psychedelic' where psychedelia impacts the structure of songs bringing in all these 7/8 or 11/13 time signatures. It's rather that kind of 'slightly psychedelic' that creates the athmosphere and brings additional width to the sound.

16. Maryland "Resplandor" (p)Ernie Producciones

15. Aldrin Y Collins "Odisea En El Espacio Del Confort" (p)BCore Disc/ Musarañas
As simple as it gets, the best post hardcore album of 2018.

14. Rufus T. Firefly "Loto" (p)LagoNaranja
While being a bit calmer than "Magnolia", the new record doesn't contain such the armor-crashing hit as "Rio Wolf" - but the album works great anyway cementing Rufus T. Firefly's position as one of the most fascinating bands of the scene.

13. Usted "Odoro" (p)Keroxen
I've never heard of Usted before I purchased "Odoro" at Jumping Man record store in La Laguna (TF) just because it was released by Keroxen - a label co-headed by my friend Mladen Kurajica. Anyway it appeared to be the great cross-genre record, as versatile as totally unpredictable.

12. The Crab Apples "A Drastic Mistake" (p)Hidden Track
During the last Primavera Sound I missed the chance to see them live (there were some 'free entrance' showcases and this was one of them). I stayed inside the MACBA building while they were performing outside. Now I feel guilty about that. I should've learned of them earlier.






вторник, 6 февраля 2018 г.

Maryland "Resplandor"

Maryland "Resplandor" (p)2018 Subterfuge
Everything changes.
Sometimes I am afraid of the changes cos they may be wrong. The guitar-based bands switch to synths. The rock bands start playing some sick jazz. The bands disband. The bands lose the members. The good bands leave the equally good labels. The musicians die. 
The Viguese alternative rock quartet Maryland didn't manage to avoid some changes - a couple of years ago they were a quintet, for instance. It's been too long since their last album "Los Años Muertos" to keep the things intact. But, fortunately, this didn't impact the the core things. They're still that loud and that melodic as they used to be, and they're still that Maryland I fell in love 5 years ago. Spearheaded by the Castelo brothers - Ruben (vocals, guitars) and Pablo (bass, backing vocals) - the band skipped over the past years and picked up right where they left off producing high quality alternative rock squeezed out of the junction of power pop and punk. In the ever-changing world this is kinda good news.

The best tracks: Disculpas Aceptadas, Sueño Lucido, Nueva York, Arde


суббота, 9 сентября 2017 г.

#Sonorama20. Interlude. The 5 Years Rankings

As this was our fifth Sonorama (some kind of a jubilee) I'd like to select some best events we witnessed for these years.

Top10 performances on secondary stages (including Plaza del Trigo that should in no way be considered secondary):
10. Love Of Lesbian – 2016, Plaza del Trigo (concierto secreto)
09. The Handicaps – 2013, Red Bull
08. Sin Rumbo – 2013, Carson Camping
07. Igloo – 2013, Plaza del Trigo
06. Yo, Estratosferico – 2017, La Carpa Meetin Arts
05. La Habitacion Roja – 2015, Plaza del Trigo (concierto secreto)
04. Disciplina Atlantico – 2016, Burgos
03. Ninos Mutantes – 2014, Plaza del Trigo (concierto secreto)
02. Havoc – 2015, Burgos
01. Maryland – 2014, Plaza del Trigo. The best ever concert I witnessed in my whole fucking life.

Top5 discoveries:
05. Proyecto Solaz
04. The Bright
03. Bestlife (Under Your Seat)
02. Correos
01. Joe La Reina
Accidentally, all of them are of the year 2014. I hope this year's discoveries (Yoyo Banana, Tierra Vertical and Molina Molina) will enter the next rankings successfully passing the test of time.

Top5 of our fails:
05. 1st night of Sonorama 2013 when we tried to enter recinto ferial with our Canon D450 in the bag and they didn't let us go.
04. Our unawareness of conciertos secretos (2013) as there were nobody to tell us about.
03. Wrong place for Rufus T. Firefly (Plaza del Trigo, 2015) in the epicentre of watergun wars.
02. Never being present on all the accompanying events (breakfasts, visits to bodegas, tastings, etc.)
01. Totally missed concierto secreto that followed the aforementioned Rufus' performance - that one with Zahara, Xoel Lopez, Sidonie, Angel Stanich and others.

понедельник, 25 августа 2014 г.

#SonoramaRibera2014. The Report. Day 4, 16.08.2014. All has come to an end

The day that presented us with one of the greatest shows of the year has started from the set of Ricardo Vicente. The resident of Marxophone label made the full-band performance that sounded as beautiful and confidential as muscular enough. The man on the second guitar looked like the former Havalina bass player Nahum Garcia. It wouldn't be any surprise for me if it was exactly he. 
Ricardo Vicente
After Ricardo stopped playing we stayed on Plaza waiting for Maryland. This galician band made it to TOP10 in my own list of the best releases of year 2013 but I couldn't even think that they're such great onstage! It was an absolutely fantastic show indeed! With wreckingball energy, melodies galore and sincere enthusiasm they arranged on Plaza del Trigo la gran fiesta para todos los espectadores. In the crowd before the stage we were so close to the group of girls prepared for the show - they have all these festive crackers and confettis and multicoloured spiral-twisted bands. They gave us a part of their packs so we were involved in this celebration. In sum with what occured onstage it was grandiose, by all means.
Maryland
We were so exhausted emotionally that we decided not to stay here for Sexy Zebras - and this decision later appeared as a great mistake because after Zebras' set the new 'secret show' was announced. This time there were Second. But we were not there, unfortunately.

Before the evening/night set we paved our way to Restaurante Miguel because two days ago  Javier Ajenjo gave us two coupons for free lechazo in there. Lechazo was great but what made our presenсe there unforgettable were the plates attached to the walls. All these plates were signed and decorated by the musicians who were there before: Tuya, Tachenko, PLV Havoc, Sharon Bates... Even my all-time american favourites Nada Surf. So, we were permitted to take a photo with the latest plate - one with Ninos Mutantes' handpaintings.

The evening set started for us with the Paciente Cero's set in the Hangar tent - the tiny stage situated opposite to the mercadillo. The band contacted me in twitter a week and a half before the festival and invited me to their show. I agreed.
Paciente Cero rocked. They played highly melodic alternative rock with interesting rhythmic consequences and memorable vocals of band leader Rafa Tunon. These guys are ready for the larger venues and I hope they would be invited for the next edition of the fest. After their set I approached them and told them who we are and from where we are. The guys were pretty shocked by the fact that somebody from hell knows where could attend their show.
Dos pacientes con dos rusos
Then I was forced to run like hell to catch the last two songs finalizing the actuacion of Belako. Initially I intended to see their full performance but Paciente Cero were too cool to leave them so I catched only the final part. Fortunately, the part that I managed to watch included the song "Sea Of Confusion" that I consider their best song. After Belako we came to Castilla stage to look at Juventud Juche. This trio made aggressive and essentially un-melodic punk rock. We stayed there for 2-3 songs and then moved further. The 'further' were Rick Brendan, the rock'n'roll clowns of political incorrectness and glam-rock freak-show positivism. To our surprise, it sounded better than looked and than we might imagine from such description.
Rick Brendan
Then we returned to Hangar tent to see one more young band that I occasionally followed on twitter. Versos Rotos as Paciente Cero before them showed their ability to hand over the larger venue. They sounded very clean and rich, and their songs had really catchy choruses. Some of the young female fans were detected in the crowd - for young rock band it's always good. 
Versos Rotos
Our next stop was Nacho Vegas on Ribera stage. Nacho with his guitar stood in front of the crowd. Right beside him there was Abraham Boba sitting playing on his keyboard set.
Nacho Vegas (right) and Abraham Boba (left)
We stayed there for some time and then came to VIP zone to drink some wine - an obligatory ritual for us these days. After our blood/wine balance was fine-tuned we came to Tachenko. Honestly speaking, I mostly don't like the albums of this band but their live set changed my mind on them. They were really consistent and their songs sounded much better than on albums. The perfect live band they are.
Tachenko
I don't know why and how but after Tachenko we somehow appeared in Future Satrs stage where some synth-based band was playing at the moment. It was the band Panama from Australia. They sounded like indie rock Simply Red but the songs were catchy enough to enjoy them so we spent some time there until Panama's set was over.
Panama
We spent 10 minutes or so at the main stage where Duncan Dhu were performing. This band of Basque origin disbanded in 2001, but in 2013 they returned to activity. I've tried them earlier but couldn't find my soul much into their music. But it seemed right to look at them just to show respect. 
Grises are from Basque Country as well. This year the band from Zupiskoa put out their third album called "Animal", and its quality pushed their show in 'not-to-be-missed' category for us. Grises fully met our expectations being loud, outrageous and roaring. Though mostly they showed us their electronica side but at times the band exploded with the bursts of alternative rock guitar chugging or elements of techno-dance rave.
Grises
Tired but happy we came to Future Stars to see Parade. But the show of Parade was delayed due to a) prolonged performance of Wilhelm And The Dancing Animals, and b) problems with connection. When the 'robot rock' band of Antonio Galvan finally started to play we understood that we were already too tired. So, Parade were the last band that we saw on this Sonorama.
Parade
So, say goodbye to all these sunny happy days full of great music and best people in the world! Say hi to yearlong days of grief and depression. Though... the memories are with us, ain't they?



четверг, 28 ноября 2013 г.

The Best Of 2013. Albums 10 - 4

10. Cyan “Delapso” (p) Sony/BMG
Under the wing of the international major label the Barcelonians Cyan have perfected their sound for the 3rd album, having now all the components in the right proportion and delivering the stark guitar/piano-pop melodies (both easily sing-alongable, as "Philippe Petit", and not so easily distinguishable, as "Solo Es Una Herida") brushed with ethereal strings and translucent electronica.

09. Maryland “Los Anos Muertos” (p) Ernie Producciones
From the very beginning of their 3rd album the band do it full-throttle: the drums are banging, the guitars are ringing and buzzing, and overall picture makes me recalling the international punk-rock acts such as Alkaline Trio, for instance, or the 1st album of the fellow countrymen Mi Pequena Radio
It seems to me that the Galician indie-label Ernie Producciones, who are also the home of such the renowned musicians as Julio De La Rosa or Ninos Mutantes, make no faults at all in selection of the artists they promote. Really, I haven't ever listened to the bad album with the 'balancing man' stamp on it.

08. Dorian “La Velocidad Del Vacio” (p) PIAS
The first impression: Dorian started to move towards the Great Britain islands, so it's no surprise that "La Velocidad Del Vacio" was recorded with Phil Vinall (the british producer who worked with Elastica, Black Box Recorder and Placebo, to name a few) behind the dashboard. But the experience of the band prevented them from being another Bastille or someone like that, and Marc Gil and his companeros got no problems with self-determination. The sound of the album is a bit colder in comparison with the previous effort "La Ciudad Subterrania" but their electronica truly have the heart. And the small amount of guitar noise.

07. Igloo “04. El Conjunto Vacio” (p) Ernie Producciones

The previous album of the Galicians (yes, they're also on Ernie Producciones) Igloo was much more straightforward rock, but the band is inclined to improve the sound with every subsequent release, and in terms of the sound palette "El Conjunto Vacio" is the major step forward. This album isn't easy, it doesn't wear all its insides on its sleeves. You should listen to it deeper and deeper, and then even much deeper to reach the comprehension of what Beni Ferreiro ans his pals have created for us. Gone is the sheer post-punk of the previous releases, let's meet the best rock band of Gattaca.
And don't forget the best cover of the year!

06. Mucho “El Apocalipsis Segun Mucho” (p) Marxophone
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away there was the band who almost reached international success, and the band was The Sunday Drivers. After the dismissal of the band in 2009 the leader Jero Romero launched successful solo career, and the other members teamed up with Martin Perarnau from Underwater Tea Party and started Mucho“El Apocalipsis Segun Mucho” is the second full lenght work of the band. It's the concept album dedicated, as you might see from the title, to the end of the world. 'The end of the world according to Mucho' is accompanied by the pleasant melodies you can easily sing along with. What really makes this album so good is the Mucho's ability to create the song that is lightbodied enough to attract listeners while being not too conventional at the same time - in the wide pallette of rhythms, tempos, dynamics etc.

05. Ivan Ferreiro “Val-Miñor – Madrid. Historia Y Cronologia Del Mundo” (p) Warner Music Spain
“Val-Miñor – Madrid. Historia Y Cronologia Del Mundo” is also the concept album of sorts. It was conceived as the vehicle to transfer the solipsist vision of its auteur to the grateful listeners. So it is probably the most personal album of Ivan Ferreiro. The good thing about "Val-Minor..." is that Ivan rejected the sound and rhythms of cheap cabaret ballroom which was usual on two of his previous works: "Mentiroso Mentiroso" and "Picnic Extraterrestre". The bad thing - the album doesn't contain the direct hit of "Cancion Humeda" or "Fahrenheit 451"-like grandeur. Despite this fact, the album has shown that creative form of today's Ivan Ferreiro is somewhere between 'mighty' and 'omnipotent'. You can't resist to the atmosphere of his travel, and you simply fall into - and it doesn't matter whether or not (or how) you relate to the world named 'Ivan Ferreiro'.

04. Miss Caffeina “De Polvo Y Flores” (p) Warner Music Spain
Luckily I can just repeat something I have said previously: "With the new album "De Polvo Y Flores" ("Of Dust And Flowers") Miss Caffeina distinguished almost unbelievable level of melodicism. The songs 'Gigantes', 'Venimos', 'San Francisco', 'MM' and especially 'Hielo T' got such the armour-crashing choruses that it seemed like the band had written them for the pan-universal song contest where Miss Caffeina would be the only contestant from planet Earth". 
Vertigo, sparkles and the pack of melodies any given renowned hitmaker would kill for.