Best of 2017. Albums 41-50

Every year it becomes more complicated. It takes more time to listen to much more music and then to peel much more really great albums off of the final Top50. Fifth year in a row - I present you the list of the best albums of the year. And I bet you this list is not like any other (though it never was an intention).

50. Atras Tigre "Fainos Salir" (p)Triunvirato 
The catchy synth-driven indie pop with strong melodies and twee aroma that skips back the decades and wraps you with the vintage 60's atmospheres. Atras Tigre are one of the discoveries of this year, I have never learned of them before.
BANDCAMP

49. Sierra "A Ninguna Parte" (p)Sonido Muchacho
Sierra's pure indie rock (in the 00's meaning of the term) outdoes many of more renowned competitves within the frames of the genre. For example, you can't find such the consistent album in The Maccabees back catalogue.
BANDCAMP

48. Proyecto Solaz "Propaganda" (p)
A harsh, angry, disturbing record. To listen to it is not a pleasure, rather it's a trial. So if you want some sweet music to befriend you and embace you, you'd better pass along. But if you want some solid mass to punch you in your face - you're welcome!
BANDCAMP

47. La Iaia "Tornar A Ser U" (p)Right Here Right Now
Strangely captivating folk/indie pop album from Catalunya. The singer sounds like he's tracking the vocals for the child cartoons tunes - but it hardly could be a problem (even if you've never been much into the Tullycraft back catalogue).
OFFICIAL SITE

46. Jay "Fuimos Nosotros" (p)Matapadre
Read full review

45. Maresme "Golden Coast" (p)Foehn Records
If you need some medicine to ease the pains of longing for the new Oso Leone release (my case) or sedate yourself off of living in the cold unfriendly country (my case as well) - there is much to dig out in Foehn's roster, and the Maresme debut album could be your perfect choice.
BANDCAMP

44. Karen Koltrane "Album" (p)Foehn Records
"Album" effectively creates the mood that slowly takes you away from reality like if you dive deeper and deeper into the sea. Moreover, it has probably the best cover design of the year.
BANDCAMP

43. Autumn Comets "Realejo" (p)Records del Mundo/ La Estanquera
When I listen to Autumn Comets I always think of what if Smashing Pumpkins came another way after their resurrection. Now they might produce records like this instead of that shit what they really produce now…
SPOTIFY

42. Me And The Bees  "Menos Mal" (p)La Castanya
This album (arguably the best in Me & The Bees' career) is full of short ultra-melodic 60's Merseybeat songs with jangling guitars and bright young male/female vocals. The most optimistic album of the year that resembles The New Pornographers and - especially - The Apples In Stereo.
BANDCAMP

41. Pandan-Lagl "Pandan-Lagl" (p)Gran Tigre
The lo-fi side of El Relevo Aleman's Jose Carlos and Cristina. Recorded with the drum machine, the album delivers everything I like in El Relevo Aleman in more stripped-down and intentionally underproduced way.
BANDCAMP

31 - 40 >>>
21 - 30 >>>

EMERGÈNCIA! 2017 (Bcn) 11/03/2017. The Report

Planning the new trip to Barcelona we had no intention to visit any particular shows cos in November'2016 nothing was announced for March'2017. It was only the question of chance - would our visit coincide with any event or not. This time we were happy enough, and the mere first day of our stay coincided with the new edition of Emergencia Festival. The announced lineup included the bands such diverse as Guiro Meets Russia, Grande Days and Bala along with the new residents of Foehn Records - Maresme. Apparently it should be a 'must see' show.

When we arrived at the venue (MACBA/ CCCB group of buildings) the audience was quite limited (literally it counted in 15-20 persons) but the new spectators continued to arrive all through the shows climbing to the climax at the headliners' act.

First we met Marc Campillo (the head of Foehn) and his beautiful partner Susana. We talked a bit before Space Surimi started playing, and then the conversation became quite complicated due to the high levels of noise generated by the band.

Space Surimi appeared to be an abstract hip-hop duo. They looked cheerful and funny but for us it was almost impossible to understand a mere word.

What's truly great about Foehn Records - this label has its own face you're not gonna mix up with someone else's. There are some bands, when you listen to them you are like: "Wow, apparently this band should be signed by Foehn!" Maresme definitely is one of these bands, and Maresme in fact is signed by Foehn. Their slowly evolving and dreamy music may call to mind the works of I Am Dive, Combray, Oso Leone and other Foehn-nested peers. The four-piece looked and sounded absolutely well-coordinated and consonant, so I was pretty shocked in a good way when Marc told me it was the first time they performed together on public.

Then the Valencian duo Guiro Meets Russia were set to perform in the hall of the CCCB building. When I listened to their debut album "Dystopia" ((p)2016 Verlag System) it didn't impress me much (maybe it's because I quit lisening on the 3rd track). Seems like I was in the wrong mood. But seeing them alive I fell in love with their music, and listening to "Dystopia" now I like it alot.

Meanwhile, the things got much more complicated. The matter was one more event should take place that night in Barcelona - the unexpected performance of Marcos Cao (formerly of La Sonrisa de Julia) in the Bar Mediterraneo. The plan was as follows: 1) in the middle of Guiro Meets Russia's act I accompany Tatiana (who was afraid of walking alone) to Bar Mediterraneo, leave her there and then 2) run back to CCCB to see Grande Days, and after that 3) return to the bar to take Tatiana back to Emergencia fest. Honestly, in a more appropriate situation I would like to see Marcos Cao performing, but this time we should divide ourselves onto two locations, and I should provide Tanya with her happy hour with Marcos.

First I learned about Grande Days when Pedro Gracia Perez de Vinaspre, the frontman of other Donostarrian band Havoc, recommended them via his Facebook post. I've downloaded their recent EP "Spark" and found it quite interesting - but without any ohhhs and wows. Just liked it and that's all. But how amazing they were live! Absorbing the 90s American post-hardcore and math influences (Jawbox, Polvo, etc) they constructed the compositions that were gliding from tiny trembling harmonies to the walls of harsh noise with all pieces glued together by overcompetent rhythm section. This was the seating party (as the audience was seated in the cinema hall), and I was pretty sure I'd break my neck headbanging if it was an usual rock event.

The Galician band Bala consists of two chicks: Violeta (drums, vocals) y Anxela (guitar, vocals). What kind of music would you expect from two girls? Barely it's the groundbreaking sludge metal, but that's what they really do. They smash, they crash, and they burn. They roar. It's absolutely mindblowing - and simultaneously refreshing. From my point of view they deserve the international recognition not less [read: even more] than Hinds and Mourn.