Lullavy "Ruina"

Lullavy "Ruina" (p)2017 self-released

Sometimes you need just a few seconds to fall for something so i fell in love with the Lullavy's "Ruina" within the first 5 seconds of "Quien Este Ciego Para Ver". 

Just to put some reference points: if you ask me what albums released within the new millenium I consider the best then I'd tell you it's Rival Schools' "United By Fate" for years 2001-2010 and The Jealous Sound's "A Gentle Reminder" for the years 2011 to-date. These albums are closely related to post-hardcore, and despite being, you know, 'radio-friendly' in certain terms they represent successfully what this genre has converted into since its early times.

"Ruina" is not radio-friendly (if we're not talking about iCat.cat - for this radio station it surely is a piece of pie) but it shouldn't scare you off cos it has the distinct emotion through rawness - the same emotion the early records of The Appleseed Cast or Braid had. It's so fucking great when the band you know nothing about builds the song and sound of such the natural greatness that it knocks you off and stomps you down. There's nothing about lush production, there's nothing about experementation in experementation's sake. The trio uses quite minimalistic approach to create the melodies that are burning inside while being locked within the 3-4 minute guitar-driven song - sometimes harsh and loud, sometimes tiny and subdued.

By the way, it's totally my fault that I wasn't learned of Lullavy before as a) the band has 'the family ties' to WANN whom I like alot, b) the album was recorded by Frank Rudow (of Manta Ray fame), and c) the album was mixed and mastered in the Canarian La Caterva Grabaciones where some of the great albums (for example, Pumuky's "Justicia Poetica") were baked.

The best tracks: Este Silencio, Intruso, Quien Este Ciego Para Ver, La Contencion

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P.S. When I tried to find a video to any of the songs from the album the youtube's 'artificial intelligence' has led me then to the videos by Jawbox, Jawbreaker and Sunny Day Real Estate.

P.P.S. When I come into the Ultra-Local record store in Barcelona the next time I will wear the "Catalan post hardcore wanted" plate across my forehead.

baden bah! "Piel Sinfonica"

baden bah! & Joven Orquesta Sinfonica Ciudad de Salamanca "Piel Sinfonica" (p)2017 baden bah

The Salamanca-born indie quartet is not that big fat band that's up to use the symphonic orquestra to celebrate its own hugeness. For the tiny bands this courageous step is more about of an adventure of 'let's see where it might lead us' kind. The result is never guaranteed for the bands like this. It all comes to their abilities, their self-confidence and - primarily - to their songs. baden bah! have got the plenty of good songs. And they've got the self-confidence, surely. Teamed up with Joven Orquesta Sinfonica Ciudad de Salamanca (The Youth Orchestra of Salamanca Town) together they managed to create the emotionally rich live set of songs. You may hear the band's both impatience and nervousness in the first three tracks but it doesn't spoil the whole record - it just adds more heart and soul to the well nuanced and translucent album which "Piel Sinfonica" undeniably is. Maybe it's 2-3 songs too long to keep the certain level of listener's attention but it has an excuse - the last two ones are the best here.

The best tracks: Una Vida Sencilla, Ya Es Primavera, Invicto, A Tres Metros Del Suelo

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Pet Fennec "Mount Pleasant"

Pet Fennec "Mount Pleasant" (p)2017 Milagros A LOUR

The first longplay by the Basque band Pet Fennec takes a lot of influences in itself. The reviewers have already marked The Posies, Built To Spill, Pavement and other 90's american indie milestones as the main impact makers but there are also the distinct Fleet Foxes and Band Of Horses' flavours in there. For my ear the most pleasant taste in this plate is that one of Nada Surf as evidenced by the track "Vishal News". At the end of the day, the band have managed to create very versatile album - though not so original but highly enjoyable anyway.

The best tracks: Under The Sun, Vishal News, Richmond

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