Best Of 2018. Top50 Albums. 31 - 40

<writer's block>

40. Da Souza "Futbol D'Avantguarda" 

(p)Famelic

BNDCMP

Much-lauded indie pop album is as incompromisingly quirky as hauntingly melodic. Sounds great live.

39. Monte Del Oso "Cosas Que Salvar De Una Casa En Peligro" 

(p)Farmway/ Underhill

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Read this

38. We Were Heading North "Lightness" 

(p)El Hombre Bala

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The tender instrumental music that suddenly explodes with the bursts of guitars to shift the focus from the soft pastel cinematic soundscapes to the grandiose God Is An Astronaut-like post rock.

37. Les Atxes "Decora Paneres" 

(p)El Mamut Traçut

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The album shows how to raise a bunch of good songs out of the crooked off-key guitar strumming and the fractured rhythm section.

36. Belako "Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence" 

(p)El Segell

SPTF

Four folks from Pais Vasco found their niche in the very beginnig of their career as a band, and they continue to tread the same path since - but every time the result sounds fresh and exciting.

35. Invisible Harvey "No Es Justo Que Llegues Ahora" 

(p)El Genio Equivocado

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Undeniably the best record of the prolific Catalan singer/songwriter Dimas Rodriguez.

34. Cycle "Electrik" 

(p)Subterfuge

SPTF

The renowned electro band moves into the guitar-driven rock territories with David Tabueña (ex-Mi Pequeña Radio) now onboard.

33. Tuxedo "Tuxedo III" 

(p)Musaranas

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The Valladolid-born slowcore, really beautiful and never boring.

32. Ornamento Y Delito "El Glamour De Las Provincias" 

(p)Fikasound

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Ornamento y Delito released the new album at the very end of December'17. While finalizing my '2018 Top50' preparations I've put it on to listen briefly to a couple of tracks to taste it and in a half an hour found myself with the mouth wide open.

31. The Prussians "Karma" 

(p)3 Notes

SPTF

The ultimate 'contemporary indie rock' album. A million of influences, the great sound, the pulsating rhythms, the good vibrations.

Top20 EPs and mini albums

Honorable Mention

41 - 50 >>>

21 - 30 >>>

11 - 20 >>>

01 - 10 >>>

Monte Del Oso "Cosas Que Salvar De Una Casa En Peligro"

Monte Del Oso "Cosas Que Salvar De Una Casa En Peligro" (p)2018 Farmway/ Underhill

In fact, I hardly could add something new to my review to the previous Monte Del Oso's album. You may go by the link and read it and that would be right what I'd like to say about "Cosas Que Salvar De Una Casa En Peligro" as well. The only thing I need to express now is the following.
Usually I listen both Monte Del Oso's albums in the iPod back to back so it sounds like one long album that I enjoy immensely. Now I am happy to declare this album got 10 tracks longer. Thank you, guys, for prolonging the magic.

The best tracks: Apocalipsis Nivel Usuario, Caminitos Del Señor, Hazme Crecer, Mucho Tiempo Demasiado

FCBK

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Best of 2016. Albums 11-20

I have to speed up the process to finalize it before Christmas. Hurry up, man, hurry up!

Previous entries:
Top50. Albums 21-30
Top50. Albums 31-40
Top50. Albums 41-50
Top10 - EPs and mini albums
Honorable mention #1
Honorable mention #2

20. El Petit De Cal Eril "La força" (p)Bankrobber

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With the help of his colleagues from Seward and Animic, Joan Pons (one man behind El Petit De Cal Eril moniker) has created the album that is short in timing but large in senses. From Jose Gonzalez/Isasa-esque tiny acoustic renditions to more upbeat tracks with full instrumentation it's easy to fall in love with these songs. Thanks again to iCat.cat radio for getting me acquainted to this band and this album.

19. El Tercer Semestre "33 1/3" (p)Aloud Music

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Born on a merge of math rock, free jazz and post rock, "33 1/3" is the vessel full of extreme beauty and fascination.

18. Kasparov vs Deep Blue "The Flare" (p)self-released

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Read this.

17. Big Summer "Trigger" (p)El Genio Equivocado

BANDCAMP

Read this.

16. Monte Del Oso "Existen Moscas Que Se Relajan Durante El Vuelo" (p)Farmway

BANDCAMP

Read this.

15. Leon Benavente "II" (p)Warner

SPOTIFY

Though not being the same sensation as their first longplay, the sophomore album of Leon Benavente is the work of magnificient quality. In equal proportions it is divided onto the cold and angry El Columpio Asesino-like post-punk rockers ("California", "Gloria", etc.) and the melodic bittersweet songs ("La Ribera", "La Vida Errando") but the best results they got when they unite the both ("Aun No Ha Salido El Sol").

14. Viva Belgrado "Ulises" (p)Aloud Music

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Read this.

13. Las Ruinas "100% Maximum Heavy Pop" (p)El Genio Equivocado

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I'm not sure this is 100% pop, but if it's really so this pop is 100% heavy. The trio spearheaded by Edu Chirinos (Edu Ruinas) continues their 'an album in a year' run with one more brilliant effort. "100% Maximum Heavy Pop" is one of these records that you may dance to, party to, get drunk to, laugh with, drive in a car with, travel by the train with, or do anything else with (or to).

12. Power Burkas "Llarga Vida Al Taranna" (p)BCore Disc

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Read this.

11. Homeless "Solidos Platonicos" (p)self-release

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The last album to enter the top list (to be honest I kept one blank spot for them till the last moment), Homeless' "Solidos Platonicos" was released the 1st of December, and from the first listen it was clear for me that this album deserves much. The only question was: how much? To find the answer I needed listens number 2 and 3. And then 4. And then in a week I had more listens of "Solidos Platonicos" than most of the albums in a year.
I'm still in love with their previous album "La Ciencia Lo Sabe". The new record differs soundwise (as it incorporates now the elements of the guitar player/producer/sound engineer Juan Antonio Mateos' parallel project The Magic Mor) - but the satisfaction is the same. And it's nice to know that the band doesn't tread the same path over and over again.

Top40 albums of 2016 so far. 9 months report

Three quarters of the year are gone. The summer is gone. The vacation is gone. The creative spark is gone. Even the hope is partly gone. And it's raining out there for hours. But there's always something to keep you going.

40. Edui Bercedo "Historias De Calor" (p)Los 80 Pasan Factura

39. Parade "Demasiado Humano" (p)Jabalina Musica

38. Higinio Orduña "La Cuesta Del Recinto" (p)Discos Imaginarios

37. Nocturnos "Hemos Visto Lobos" (p)self-released

36. Kill Kill "Reacciones A Distancia" (p)Miel de Moscas

35. Stay "The Mean Solar Times" (p)Rock Indiana

34. Fira Fem "Vida Nueva" (p)Subterfuge

33. Postman "Life Can Change In A Moment" (p)Keroxen

32. The Levitants "Coimbra" (p)self-released

31. Apartamentos Acapulco "Justo Y Necesario" (p)Discos Imaginarios

30. Disciplina Atlantico "Disciplina Atlantico" (p)Limbo Starr

29. San Borondon "POP!" (p)self-released

28. Fiera "Aljarafe" (p)Humo

27. Escuelas Pias "Nuevas Degeneraciones" (p)El Genio Equivocado

26. Keep Out "Spicy Mud Cake" (p)self-released

25. The Prussians "Kerala" (p)Green Ufos

24. Biscuit "Biscuit" (p)La Castanya

23. Murciano Total "Enquinias" (p)El Genio Equivocado

22. Delbosque "Interferencias" (p)self-released

21. Retirada! "Victoria Derrota" (p)self-released

20. Bestlife (Under Your Seat) "Invincible Anymore" (p)self-released

19. Cala Vento "Cala Vento" (p)BCore Disc

18. La Habitacion Roja "Sagrado Corazon" (p)Mushroom Pillow

17. Kasparov vs Deep Blue "Flare" (p)self-released

16. El Tercer Semestre "33 1/3" (p)Aloud Music

15. Leon Benavente "2" (p)Warner

14. Monte Del Oso "Existen Moscas Que Se Relajan Durante El Vuelo" (p)Farmway

13. LostTapes "Let's Get Lost" (p)Mushroom Pillow

12. Power Burkas "Llarga Vida Al Taranna" (p)BCore Disc

11. Big Summer "Trigger" (p)El Genio Equivocado

10. Poomse "This Is How We Fail" (p)Espora

09. Sorry Kate "Haven Hood" (p)Foehn

08. Pasavento "Tuvo Su Momento" (p)self-released

07. Sr. Chinarro "El Progreso" (p)El Segell De Primavera

06. Joan Colomo "Sistema" (p)BCore Disc

05. Trinidad "Karma" (p)El Hombre Bala

04. Viva Belgrado "Ulysses" (p)Aloud Music

03. Berlina "Desertico" (p)Grabaciones A Montones

02. Linda Guilala "Psiconautica" (p) Elefant

01. Viva Suecia "La Fuerza Mayor" (p)Subterfuge

The new list is twice as long as the previous [semi-annual] version. There's a lot of 'old friends' in there (and the leader is still intact), but some newcomers have made it to the top10 in the third quarter. The most unexpected of them is, without a doubt, Pasavento's mini album "Tuvo Su Momento". Produced by the men of many talents Marti Perarnau and Ramiro Nieto the debut release of Madrid-based combo fronted by Ignacio Quintero is the noise pop perfection in the vein of Teenage Funclub and their peers with the beautifully jangling guitars and sublime melodies. Never heard of them before the moment when this album suddenly appeared in one of my friend's Facebook post, but now Pasavento are in the forefront of my 'bands to watch' list. 

Also I should point out "This Is How We Fail", the perfectly crafted new album of Poomse (this time on mallorcan indie label Espora Records). Less dramatic, more Centro-matic - and it seems like to-date this album received more reviews from international reviewers than from local ones. The song that you may find below fucken blows my mind. 

There's still over 60 albums to come out up to the end of the year... A lot of stuff to listen to (and to choose the best from).

Monte Del Oso "Existen Moscas Que Se Relajan Durante El Vuelo"

Monte Del Oso "Existen Moscas Que Se Relajan Durante El Vuelo" (p)2016 Farmway

With the influences on their sleeves - early Superchunk, Sugar (for the advanced-level listeners I've got some more names: Edsel, Tsunami, Lotion) - Navarra's finest Monte Del Oso released the second album via the Farmway Records imprint. The first album was the pure delight, and the successor follows its way. I don't have much words in fact, as it's the kind of music where my heart really is, and when I listen to this music now I'm recalling alot of things like hanging out with my old music-oriented pals in university campus with tons of booze and completely no chicks, or collecting the compact cassettes with the handwritten credits and lyrics, or sticking the Henry Rollins and Dinosaur Jr. posters to the wall in my rented room (and you can't even imagine what it took to get Dinosaur Jr. poster in the deep suburbs of the 90's Russia)... We all know this emotion called nostalgia, and for me it turns into the bittersweet feeling when my youth is long lost and gone, but right now I've got something that relates Today's Me to these [not always] good old times.
Yet another brilliant album by Monte Del Oso. It's all you've got to know.

The best tracks: Las Personas Son Maravillosas Pero Yo No, Lo Nuestro Es Otra Cosa, Viva El Espiritu Deportivo

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The Best Of 2015. 4x4

See also:
11x11 (EP's and mini albums)
10x10
9x9
8x8
7x7
6x6
5x5

Monte Del Oso "Esto Tiene Que Doler" (p)Farmway Listen/Buy

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.

Cuzin "Problemas Epicos"

Cuzin "Problemas Epicos" (p)2015 Gran Tigre

This metropolitan trio includes the members of such the perfect guitar-driven bands as El Relevo Aleman and Buena Esperanza. I wasn't informed about it when I started to listen to "Problemas Epicos" for the first time. In fact, I've learned about the mere existence of the band only via the poster of their mutual concert with my other Y2015 favorites - Monte Del Oso. The pairing of these two bands on the same poster isn't accidental - the bands wear the same aesthetics on their sleeves, and their roots feed from the same soils: the american indie rock of the 90's. While Monte Del Oso lean to pure 90's indie (Sugar, Dinosaur Jr, etc), Cuzin are more about post-hardcore crossed with 2nd wave emo: Jawbox, Fugazi, Braid and the first two records of Jimmy Eat World, you know the names. And they play this kind of music to the mesmerizing results: "Problemas Epicos" is the absolute winner. Crafted with the distinct DIY approach, this album delivers quite minimalistic rock sound with tunes so tight and catchy* that for the fisrt time I hardly can exstract the best tracks here - they're all perfect.

*Please don't forget that when I say 'catchy' I mean "Frame & Canvas" & "Static Prevails" kind of catchy.

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Monte Del Oso "Esto Tiene Que Doler"

Monte Del Oso "Esto Tiene Que Doler" (p)2015 Farmway/Underhill

A supergroup of sorts, the Navarran outfit Monte Del Oso has just prepared the first longplay "Esto Tiene Que Doler". The band consisting of Ion Minde (guitar, vocals), Luis Gomez (bass) and Edu Ugarte (drums) delivers the 90's indie at its finest - while listening to the album you may recall such the good examples of 20 years old independent guitar-driven music vehicles as Built To Spill or Buffalo Tom along with more familiar names like Sonic Youth (of "Dirty" era), Sugar and Dinosaur Jr. Possibly thanks to these reference points you'd get the idea - a lot of guitars, the catchy tunes, the ever-competent and visceral drumming from the former member of Half Foot Outside and Muy Fellini - as well as the owner of Underhill Records - Edu Ugarte. Being fond of old school American indie rock I admired the album starting from its first sounds. And the only thing that makes me sad about "Esto Tiene Que Doler"... oh no, really there's nothing to be sad about because it's clever, it's intense, it's natural, and - what is probably the most important thing - it sounds honest. 

Additionally, for those like me who weren't happy about the apparent dissolution of Muy Fellini, this album can be the good pain reliever.

The best tracks: Esto Tiene Que Doler, Te Ayudare Con Esto, Amigo Fuego, El Estado de Las Cosas