Two words, over and over again.
A melody and some chords, over and over again.
Exit music taken out of context.

LISTEN:   Alado Sincera "Tú vas"   ·   [2009, Spain]   ·   [GET IT]

What's the worst thing that you've ever done to a lover? Grabbed them by the neck, knocked them to the floor, stepped on them, and then invited all your friends over to come do the same? Or maybe you filled their house full of dog shit, burned all their books and records, and captured it on video to show it to them later?

Well, it couldn't be worse than something you said to them that cut them deeper than any actions ever did.

Los Punsetes have nailed that feeling of blindsided betrayal and subtle shock on this tune so well that it leaves you buzzing with baffled amusement more than heartbreak.

LISTEN:   Los Punsetes "Alférez provisional"   ·   [2012, Spain]   ·   [GET IT]

This is one of those records that sneaks into the room, leans back against the wall, and slowly drags on a cigarette while all the other records clamor for attention in the center of the room. No hype, no hurry.

This record was released early last year while Abraham Boba was playing in Nacho Vegas' "La zona sucia" band. Like any top shelf member of another man's band, Boba sat back, that always reliable dude behind the keys that he is, and let Nacho do his thing, the star of the show.

Meanwhile, Boba and his record will be over there in the shadows waiting for you. Come over if you're intrigued, and it's cool if you're not. They're good either way.

LISTEN:   Abraham Boba "Podría haber sido peor"   ·   [2011]   ·   [BUY IT]

Everything about this tune by Sidonie takes you back. Back to that sound that first made you pay closer attention to the music you now love. Back to the centuries-old streets of a European city that within hours of getting lost on them seemed like home. Back to that first sip of liquor, chased by a small wince and a warm feeling settling over you that you knew could only lead to trouble. Back to that person who made every inch of your being howl.

LISTEN:   Sidonie "El aullido"   ·   [2011]   ·   [SPOTIFY]

You have to be in a certain mood for an extended instrumental intro. A fiery mood for a lingering lead. Bass drum, steady beat. Two notes from a guitar, back and forth, back and forth. The boys in Nueva Vulcano slowly drawing your attention towards their hearts. See? Right there on their sleeves. Go ahead, zone in, it's hypnotizing. Once you're in, they rip into the reveal: feedback, cymbals, a mash of chords. A heart made of pieces, hidden behind layers of bones, flesh, sounds, emotions, and diversions. Then the rhythm, the strums, the rumble of the drums. The sky loses track of time. Hearts become fists. Everything you believe in, everything you thought you knew, goes up in flames. It's only a fire.

LISTEN:   Nueva Vulcano "Solamente un Fuego"   ·   [2005]   ·   [BUY IT]   ·   [WEBSITE]

00:00 Begin
00:29 The Head and The Heart "Coeur d'Alene"  ·  [2011, United States]  ·  [BUY IT]
04:47 Torreblanca "Dejé de ser yo"  ·  [2011, Mexico]  ·  [BUY IT]
07:33 Anntona "Y además bastante fea"  ·  [2009, Spain]  ·  [FREE DOWNLOAD]
09:32 Real Estate "Kinder Blumen"  ·  [2011, United States]  ·  [BUY IT]
13:21 Lucinda Williams "2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten"  ·  [1998, United States]  ·  [BUY IT]
17:50 Sector de Agitadas "La mujer pantera"  ·  [2012, Spain]  ·  [BUY IT]
21:29 Pamela Rodriguez "Mantra"  ·  [2011, Peru]  ·  [BUY IT]
24:34 Wilco "I Might"  ·  [2011, United States]  ·  [BUY IT]
End 29:02

[intro and outro music by Turning Torso]

Feedback. Fuzz. Groove. Beat. Melody. Wobble. Jangle. Now you know how I feel. Anthem. Power. Pop. More groove. More beat. More fuzz. Now you know how I feel. New. Old. Different. One in a million. Now you know.

LISTEN:   Odio París "Ahora sabes"   ·   [2011]   ·   [BUY IT]   ·   [WEBSITE]

"Today has been one of the best days of my life."

Those first words from singer Ricardo Vicente on "El palacio de los gansos" are filled with redemption and gratitude. Redemption through a new opportunity, a second chance, earned the hard way: hitting rock bottom. Gratitude gained from the compassion of a lover, pushing past all the bullshit and detritus to find a place in his or her heart to offer that opportunity, he or she also taking a big risk.

"El palacio de los gansos" is a sincere song about real love. The uneasy kind that isn't always perfect. The type that gets beat up every now and then, staggers, and perseveres. The kind that's ripped to pieces like old photos, then put together like passionate lovers. The kind that goes through hell and makes it to the other side with a fighting chance.

"He who is the saddest wins" sings Ricardo over and over again during the song's apex. I know real love and I've been there. I believe it.

+++++

This is one of the best records of 2011. The New Raemon, Francisco Nixon & Ricardo Vicente are three of Spain's best contemporary musicians/singers/songwriters. Click the BUY IT link below and get this record. Check out their individual work, too. You'll dig it.

LISTEN:   The New Raemon, Francisco Nixon & Ricardo Vicente "El palacio de los gansos"   ·   [2011]
[BUY IT]   ·   [WEBSITE]

Sex, soul, rock 'n' roll, and salvation from just south of Barcelona. The music says the rest.

LISTEN:   Tokyo Sex Destruction "Move it"   ·   [2009]   ·   [BUY IT]   ·   [WEBSITE]

Manos de Topo has come a long way in three records. The Barcelona quartet's music is better, tighter, more complex, and more confident than it's ever been. Their latest, Escapar con el anticiclón, perfectly pairs fiery dramas with seductive pop songs, delivered in the very special way that only Miguel Ángel Blanca dares to sing them.

That voice, admittedly, is a dead end for many. But layered into the blend of brushes on drums, steady strings of rhythm, and the colorful drops from a xylophone, Blanca's once polarizing voice is an instrument like no other, adding an emotion and ferociousness that only a human instrument can provide. Especially when the passion that fuels that instrument is betrayal.

[video courtesy of the awesome waaau.tv, 2011]   ·   [BUY IT]   ·   [WEBSITE]