Los Vengadores "El Arte De Vivir"

Los Vengadores "El Arte De Vivir" (p)2016 self-released

First we saw them live at the Burgos stage on Sonorama 2015. Just occasionally passed around the place and got caught by the sounds. Afterwards I purchased their then-current release "Caminos Cortos" via iTunes. It stuck in our car audio system for months.
Next we caught them whilst Sonorama 2017 and equally enjoyed their new program. We had a brief talk with the guys, they gave us the most recent album "El Arte De Vivir" as a gift.

There are the bands that carry you away with the intricate techniques and unusual ways of sonic sculpturing. 

There are the bands that blow you off with the wall of sound and groundshaking dynamics. 

There are the bands whose music makes you wonder ‘how they do it?’ 

There are the bands whose music makes you dance or laugh or cry on some primordial level. 

Los Vengadores (this time stylized as V.E.N.G.A.D.O.R.E.S) are none of these bands. Their specialization is the most important thing there is - the song. Just the song, not what furbishes it into something else. There’s no excessive experimentation, there's no extra sonic manipulation – just the good songs. A lot of good songwriting to enjoy. 

SPTF

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Flor Y Nata Records, Part II

The 2nd part of Flor Y Nata Records' recent releases overview. The 1st one is HERE.

Vermú "Vermú" (p)2018

From the very beginning of this EP you can smell the flavors of – at least – Niños Mutantes, Nunatak, and flamenco (thanks to the implementation of the castanets) in the air. The tight melodies are flourished with the heroic vocals and the neat arrangements. The result is 22 minutes of soul-touching balladry that makes us want more from the band.

FCBK

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Vuelacruz "Vuelacruz" (p)2018

The folk rock in the vein of The Lumineers that sporadically flushes into the neighboring genres, such as quite noisy indie rock (as evidenced by the track “No Hay Perdon”). The traces of the likes of Kodaline or Mumford & Sons’ more rock-oriented 3rd album are also evident. Thus, mostly this eponymous album consists of the tiny and quiet semi-acoustic songs orchestrated with winds and strings. The pleasant effort that’s got nothing you could turn your back on.

FCBK

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Urtain "Manual De Supervivencia Para Ilustres Decadentes" (p)2017

They’ve got three albums released through 2009 to 2014, and now they return with the new record produced in syndication by Flor Y Nata and local Mallorca imprint Espora Records. The band represents the pop side of rock: Merseybeat, power pop, Fito & Fitipaldis, Sidecars, you name it. Sounds like not my kind of music. But I remember how I first listened to Buddy Guy. Blues had never been my kind of music but somehow I enjoyed the art of one particular bluesman. This time I enjoy the art of this particular band cos it’s funny, it’s melodic, it’s intended to make you feel better. It’s just hard to resist to its reckless optimism.

FCBK

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Flor Y Nata Records, Part I

3 weeks ago I was surprised to find the mail receipt in my physical mailbox. It was the real surprise as I made no orders in the recent time. I walked down to the Post Office and received a small parcel revealed to be the Flor Y Nata Records promotional pack of CDs. Flor Y Nata Records is the Tarragona-based indie imprint. Once it appeared in my list of 20 most important Spanish labels. Later it managed to grow even more important on me as it signed one of my personal favorites Clara Plath. Now I am happy to be chosen as some kind of the blogger relevant enough to receive the promotional materials directly from the label.

Below is the first part of the coverage of what the current face of the label looks like.

Atticusfinch "Vacaciones En Shangri-La" (p)2018

Take the sweet pop melodies. Speed ’em up x1.3 times and then wrap ’em with the punk’y rock and roll arrangements. The result will satisfy the vast specter of music lovers whose tastes lay in - or around - indie pop/ power pop. I.e for those who love the bands in array from Aerolineas Federales to Los Fresones Rebeldes to When Nalda Became Punk, Atticusfinch will be the piece of pie.

FCBK
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Ambros Chapel "Portraits" (p)2017

Serious and tight indie rock with quite plaintive vocals (not so plaintive as ones of Manos Del Topo, though) and strong allusions to The Cure’sque post punk with some gothic aroma. The kinship with The National and other smile-less new millennium post punk-based acts is evident as well. I’ve learned of them only now but in fact it’s the fourth release by the band. They’re from Valencia, and the quality of their music may lead Ambros Chapel to grow into Your Second Favourite Band From Valencia.

FCBK
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Sidderales "Canciones Urgentes" (p)2018

Sidderales are the ‘what you see is what you get’ kind of band. Just look at their photos and you’ll immediately get the idea what kind of music they play: it’s rock and roll. The only question that remains is what kind of rock and roll they play. Since I’ve listened to their previous LP (“Siete” (p)2016 Flor Y Nata) for me there’s no secret that the Badalona-born quartet plays this form of rock and roll that tends to power pop, alternative rock and hard rock simultaneously. The new EP follows the path of “Siete” and as an amusing trick contains the cover version The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry” (not listed on the sleeve).

FCBK
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The 2nd part is HERE

Bay City Killers "The Distance"

Bay City Killers "The Distance" (p)2017 Red B Records

The inflammable rock band from Mallorca - fast, loud and ballsy. Bay City Killers go full throttle from the very beginning of "The Distance" and drive ahead with the fast and furious rhythm section, edgy guitars and the cracked voice of the frontman Jose Serrano at maximum speed until the end of the road. The guys position themselves alternative/punk, but their alternative/punk contains a good doze of southern rock so the album sounds pretty american. Pretty midwestern states kind of american. Kinda highway drivin', roadside bar hard drinkin'. I'd like to see them live cos I bet live Bay City Killers easily could get the water boiled remotely.

The best tracks: Lights On The Road, The Grave Of The Fireflies, Walking On The Edge

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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

FCBK

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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

SPTF
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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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Best of 2017. 3 albums more

Every year I'm trying to cover the pool of the albums as vast as possible but every time there are some great albums that appear afterwards. The albums below were released in November/December when the most of the poll was already completed. The part of me feels guilty for not including them in the Top50 but the other half of me feels happy for that because to include the new ones in the list means to throw some other great albums off the list what could be quite unfair to the albums that were accompanying me for the most part of the year. Nevertheless, ignoring them completely would be sort of a crime.

Paciente Cero "La Constante de John Doe" (p)self-released

Rhythmically this record – as intense as introvert – stands both legs in contemporary neo prog in alt-rock wrap-up. You know this over-the-top sound most common for the neo prog bands – Paciente Cero sounds more stripped-down than that, more down-to-earth. What they’ve got instead is the possibility to broadcast the clean emotions rare for usual prog rock. Whatever the frontman Rafa Tuñon sings about (you’d call them ‘socially oriented’ based on the lyrics) you can feel with the tips of your fingers that he really cares. The rhythm section (Marco Pedroza and Julian Jimenez) is astounding. The only guitarist Hector Baladron has got the tough task and he does the best in making the band sound truly natural.

Possible place within Top50: 20 - 30.

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Lula "Vida Salvaje" (p)self-released

The Comunidad Valenciana rock scene mainstay Patricia Escoin started her career back in the 80's as a singer for Los Romeos and never disappeared for long since. Now she fronts both indie rock trio Lula and power pop quartet Los Amantes. The latter’s “Open 24 Hours” longplay was good but the new one by Lula is something really special. The thick sound, the strong melodies, the nice guitar work plus the Pat’s voice which I consider one of the sweetest female voices in rock worldwide (maybe Veruca Salt’s Nina Gordon is the closest reference).

Possible place within Top50: 10 - 20.

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Berri Txarrak "Infrasoinuak" (p)Only In Dreams

In August of 2015 we were on the round trip clockwise through the Spanish north and had a brief stay in Bilbao. Amongst the pre-selected places for mandatory visit there was the record store Power Records. In the shop I was searching through the records when the shopkeeper came to me and asked: “Are you going to purchase this one?” pointing the finger at Berri Txarrak’s triple LP “Denbora Da Poligrafo Bakarra” in my hands. “Sure”, said I. “Ooh, you might’ve said nothing more, you are my men!” he said smiling.

I’ve never been a huge fan of the Basque power trio (imagine Bob Mould’s Sugar on speed), rather I always was some kind of ‘interested in’. But “Infrasoinuak” is the turning point when I could call myself a fan. I somehow missed the album at its release, so once when I learned of its release I purchased it via iTunes and in the next couple of hours I listened to it three times in a row. I went goosebumps in the process. I went completely mad sporadically playing air guitar with one hand and air drums with another. Melody-wise it’s a huge record. It’s not so colossal in size as “Denbora…” was, but it’s hard, it’s fast, it’s way more melodic than anything they’ve done previously.

Possible place within Top50: 01 - 10.

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Best of 2017. Albums 1-10

Finally, this is the closing part of the list. Enjoy it!

<<< 41 - 50
<<< 31 - 40
<<< 21 - 30
<<< 11 - 20
<<< Top10 EPs & mini albums
<<< Honorable Mention

10. Igloo "Aquellos Maravillosos Danos" (p)La Alianza Rebelde/ Ernie Producciones

The long-awaited successor of "04. El Conjunto Vacio" presents the band in the best form since the brilliant "La Transicion De Fase". The production is crisp, the melodies are sharp, and Beni's voice is powerful and velvety as ever. There are moments on the album where Igloo clearly go pop - but if this band goes pop without a doubt this is the best guitar-drenched pop possible.

SPTF

09. Os Bru "Hvala" (p)The Indian Runners

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08. Bifannah "Maresia" (p)The John Colby Sect

"Maresia" is like the magic seaside wind that whirls the synth-driven indie pop into the power pop melodicism and upbeat rhythms. It filters into your system and just makes your day brighter. Up to this moment I know nothing about the band, so this short review is just a reflexion of the emotions I get while listening to this album.

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07. Detergente Liquido "Mirad Lo Que Me Habeis Hecho Hacer. Por Favor" (p)self-released

The definitive indie pop record made by the members of the same community responsible for the intelligent noise pop of Homeless and mellow psychedelia of The Magic Mor - so expect a lot of sonic surprises all over here along with the pack of perfect songs.

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06. Havoc "Amado Lider" (p)Subterfuge

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05. Disciplina Atlantico "Gran Oriente" (p)Limbo Starr

Read full review

04. Mazoni "Carn, Os I Tot Inclos" (p)Bankrobber

You don't know yet what album is on the top of this list - and I tell you there's something you could hardly predict. But what really shook me to the core is this album by Mazoni purchased solely as a companion to some items I've bought via the Bankrobber website - I noticed the name and thought something like 'Hey, they performed at Ultra-Local so it's gonna be cool!' And it appeared to be way better than cool. Jaume Pla manages to create magic with only his voice and his guitar. That shows us the simpliest of the facts: if you have a great song you don't need much to make it work.

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03. Tuya "A War Is Coming" (p)El Rayo Verde

The new album of David T. Ginzo's projrect Tuya is the fine piece of electronica-fueled psychedelia - some drastic change for the band whose previous album sounded rather like an almanac of post-Guided By Voices lo-fi sketches. "A War Is Coming" is undoubtedly an ears delight as for those who prefer the precise sound sculpturing over the singalong simplicity as for their tastewise opposites, as Tuya's sonic experimentations never domineer over Her Majesty The Song.

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02. Rufus T. Firefly "Magnolia" (p)Lago Naranja

Full review

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01. Pau Vallve "Abisme Cavall Hivern Primavera I Tornar" (p)self-released

What I would like to tell you now is something like: "Since I was listening to this album for the first time there was no subject to concern what album would top the annual poll", but it's nothing like that. The truth is that for the last couple of months I constantly changed the places of these three albums within the top 3. These are the tremendous records but finally I came to conclusion that Pau Vallve's double album is the best of them. This Opus Magnum contains different emotions as well as different styles (indie pop, noise rock, psychedelia, urban folk, singer-songwriter in the vein of Josh Rouse, singer-songwriter in the vein of Elliott Smith's "Figure 8" or "From A Basement On The Hill", etc.) You may listen to these songs at morning or at night, in any state of mind, in any mood, when it's raining or in a sunny day, while driving or preparing yourself to sleep - and there always is a song that matches the moment.

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Best Of 2017. Honorable Mention

<<< 41 - 50

<<< 31 - 40

<<< 21 - 30

<<< 11 - 20

<<< EPs & mini albums

Ainara LeGardon "Ainara LeGardon" (p)self-released
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Malaspecto "¡Qué poca vergüenza! / Canciones Obsoletas" (p)El Hombre Bala
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NääN "A Traves D'Un Miratge" (p)self-released
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Diola "Diola" (p)BCore Disc
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vol menor "Contracorrent A L'Instint" (p)self-released
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Wild Honey "Torres Blancas" (p)Lovemonk BNDCMP

L'Hereu Escampa "Pren La Matinada" (p)Famelic BNDCMP

Zulu Zulu "Defensa Zebra" (p)Foehn Records BNDCMP

Campeon "Suncampeon" (p)self-released BNDCMP

Black Mirror "No Colours For Concern" (p)El Hombre Bala BNDCMP

First of all, all these albums of this section are exceptional. The only reason why they're out of the main list… Oh no, there's no one and only reason for all of them. Some of these albums (Diola’s unconventional punk rock album, vol menor’s “Contracorrent A L’Instint” full of indie pop brightness in 'under 1.5 minutes' format) have spent some time within the Top50 but the year end’s carpet bombing of the heavyweight contestants (Tulsa, Vetusta Morla, Eladio Y Los Seres Queridos, Autumn Comets) pulled them out of the final edition.

Another reason is my attempt to create the poll diverse enough without concentrating on some given genre as nobody would like to look through the list with only post-hardcore/90s indie rock entries. The albums of Wild Honey and L’Hereu Escampa also were in my long list but fell victims to their genres’ representation in Top50. There are 8 albums of indie pop and 5 albums of Catalan Post Hardcore TM more in the main list, so these two became the (un)lucky losers.

Basically, I'm trying to do the poll that could be interesting for other people, not only for me, sometimes distancing myself from my own tastes. And this approach... it really makes me develop myself. Sometimes it makes me discover the gems I'd never be going to discover may I take the other method. But I can’t deny my own vision completely. For instance, I hardly could imagine the band like La Iaia to be in my main list - but I listened to it, I liked it, and I'm still listening to it. In the other hand, Ainara LeGardon’s eponymous release is like some great wine where you taste all these nuances and overtones and you feel with the pores of your skin that this is really great - but it's obviously not exactly what you want and you're not going to drink it quite frequently and you're not going to recommend it to others. I do recommend “Ainara LeGardon” because it’s a great record - but it's the great record for minority. And I can repeat these words for NääN’s “A Traves D'Un Miratge”, Black Mirror’s “No Colours For Concern” и Zulu Zulu’s “Defensa Zebra” – these are the outstanding albums but they’re too special for such the post-hardcore/90s indie rock junkie like me.

Regarding Malaspecto’s “¡Qué poca vergüenza! / Canciones Obsoletas”… It may look like a joke, and it may sound like a joke. But why can't I throw these short sarcastic sonic glimpses out of my head for literally months??? Last September I was lucky to see them performing live and it was an exceptionally funny moment. You have to embrace their aesthetics of true spontaneity to enjoy the duo’s art in its fullness. By the way, they're punk rock. Not synth-pop or electro or anything like that.

And, finally, the harsh, brutal & honest punk/hardcore/under-grunge (think of Husker Du or Fleeper) with the power pop melodicity of Campeon is also highly recommended. The album is produced by Brian Hunt.

01 - 10 >>>

Best of 2017. EPs and mini albums

Just a wordless presentation of my choice in EPs.

10. Amphetamine Discharge "Raise Your Addiction" (p)Clifford 

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09. Lua Gramer "Dia Del Centro" (p)Clifford 

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08. Espiritusanto "Casa Mayor" (p)Jabalina Musica 

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07. Echo "El Sistema" (p)self-released 

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06. When Nalda Became Punk "Those Words Broke Our Hearts" (p)Discos De Kirlian 

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05. Llacuna "Llacuna" (p)Saltamarges 

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04. Glitterhouse "Pre-Shrunk" (p)self-released

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03. Leon Benavente "En La Selva" (p)Warner Music Spain 

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01-02. Polseguera "Sa Mata Escrita" (p)Famelic/ Bubota Discos/ Discos Walden 

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01-02. The Weeird "In The Garden" (p)El Hombre Bala 

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Best of 2017. Albums 11-20

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

<<< 41 - 50

<<< 31 - 40

<<< 21 - 30

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.

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

Read the full review

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.

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

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

Read the full review

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.

SPTF

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

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

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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.

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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.

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