Primavera Sound 2018 in brief, day 3

Without hesitation, we arrive to the third and final chapter of our quick chronicles of "our" Primavera Sound Festival 2018. Saturday 2nd of June was a pretty exciting day, intense and complete, with promising newcomers and surefire heavyweights. It was a full schedule... so let's begin!

The Good

Ms. Graham, indeed does ring a bell
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Third female afternoon in a row: Núria Graham and Christina Rosenvinge were the responsible of igniting our afternoon. The young Catalonian artist and her band were excellent (once again, we must add) showcasing the highly recommendable 'Does it Ring a Bell?' with stunning aplomb and confidence. She's great and, if there's some hope in the world and we're not completely deaf, she should hit big. She was followed by a veteran that was particularly expressive  and enticing at Seat stage. Ms. Rosenvinge showed charm, mystery, strength... plus an unquestionable knowledge of what does it mean being in front of a large audience, leading the way.     

Slowdive: We were a bit late to be in a front row position, but contrary to what was going to happen afterwards with the Arctic Monkeys, the sound was so powerful and the gig so fierce and tightly executed we were able to enjoy it even from a distant (and chatting) location. Like The National yesterday, you can't go wrong with Slowdive. What an unexpected, much longed, welcomed and special return to form this has been. Please keep coming...

 Rosenvinge, still a case to be resolved, luckily. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Too much Mordor (part II): History repeating with what happened the day before. Criminal sun, dust and too many people wandering around. And the collapse to leave the area was appalling after the Monkeys gig, although it has to be said that some of the blame should also rest within the public shoulders, not contributing at all to ease the circulation.

Arctic Monkeys: Arguably the biggest name of this year's edition... that was major disappointment. Not because of the band itself, that was impeccable (although not very engaging and with a setlist heavily focused in their last two records, not the most dynamic) but due to the strangely weak sound, hardly listenable from the far-yet-not-that-far location at Mango stage. For once, it was easy to understand that thousands of people weren't really into it, chatting and looking for things to do/go.

Rolling Blackouts C.F., pop waves (always) from down under. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever/Jay Som: Yeah, we're going to give an ex aequo this time. Because both bands provided us the most joyful moments of the Festival. First, the mighty Australians (probably the most featured band at this Blog with taking into consideration their short career to date) demonstrated WHY any good festival that claims to be so SHOULD have several Antipodean bands in their roster. Energetic, jangly and unstoppable. Later on, it was time for Melina Duterte and her colleagues to conquer the (not so big, kudos to everyone to chose the Americans instead of Lorde, you are hope) audience gathered at Pitchfork stage. There's a natural charm that can't be faked. The Californian quartet looked, acted and played like a genuinely fun, easygoing, bunch. The kind of people you would like to go for drinks and goof around. Add they have enough, lo-fi, quirky and immediately lovely, songs to knock you down, and we must assume the fact: here's a band to love. Two, to be more precise...

But WE like the bus! Fun with Jay Som. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Here are the links of the previous chapters! Day 1 and Day 2

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 192 (Primavera Sound Festival Special)

Today we have a special Jukebox for you, a miscellaneous playlist devoted to the Primavera Sound Festival that, beginning (for us) next Wednesday, will keep the whole week pretty busy enjoying awesome groups live! Many bands and artists to see, so we thought it might we worth to warm-up with some tunes from the acts that look more appealing for us, plus "some mandatory" gigs to attend like Slowdive, The Twilight Sad, The National or Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. We'll keep you posted and, as usual, all these songs are also available at our Soundcloud, so please join us! And see you at Forum!

Direct links to 2018 Jukebox playlists

Week 171  Week 172  Week 173  Week 174  Week 175 Week 176  Week 177  Week 178 
Week 179  Week 180  Week 181  Week 182  Week 183 Week 184  Week 185  Week 186
Week 187  Week 188  Week 189  Week 190  Week 191

Primavera Sound 2018: my draft schedule

Here comes one of our favourite Blog traditions! The timetables of the Primavera Sound Festival 2018 have been disclosed, so it's time to organize our, temptative, very early, work in progress, draft, personal schedule. Unfortunately, at first look (sure some additional bands will be added) it is clear this is the less exciting edition for us, with not too much we are really eager to see, plus some of the (usual) overlaps reducing the options even more. But anyway, while we do some 'research' to complete the routes (one of the most attractive things of Festivals) and keep an eye on the final surprises (that bigger and open hidden stage) here's what our PS 2018 looks like right now. Suggestions are kindly accepted!

Wednesday,  May 30th, Parc del Fòrum
19:00 Javiera Mena (Primavera with Apple Music)
20:00 Spiritualized with orchestra and choir (Auditori RockDelux)
20:55 Wolf Parade (Primavera with Apple Music)
22:15 Belle and Sebastian (Primavera with Apple Music)

Very temptative day, as the only mandatory gig would be Spiritualized. It still hurts that Belle and Sebastian has lost the aforementioned compulsory condition. But it's been a while now...

Thursday, May 31st, Parc del Fòrum
17:40 Vagabon (Primavera with Apple Music)
19:15 The Twilight Sad (Pitchfork)
19:40 Warpaint (Seat)
20:50 The War on Drugs (Mango)
23:00 Amaya Laucirica (Night Pro)
23:35 Fever Ray (Primavera with Apple Music)
23:40 Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds (Mango)
Ok day with not a lot of must-see acts (The War on Drugs and Vagabon) but the additions of The Twilight Sad (although it clashes with Warpaint, first let down the Festival) and recently discovered Amaya Laucirica has made the day worthy. We end pretty early, which it seems is going to be some kind of a trademark of this PS' edition for us...

Friday, June 1st, Parc del Fòrum
16:50 Fontaines D.C. (Day Pro)
17:40 Waxahatchee (Primavera with Apple Music)
19:10 The Breeders (Mango)
20:20 Father John Misty (Seat)
21:30 The National (Mango)
23:30 Charlotte Gainsbourg (Primavera with Apple Music)
00:40 Cigarettes After Sex (Ray-Ban)
03:20 Omni (Adidas Originals)
The most promising day for us, with up to seven acts we are really willing to see, gets seriously jagged because Fontaines D.C. (soon to be featured at the Discoverer series) is only playing at Day Pro (meaning the city centre) and we don't have the superpower of ubiquity yet, and the gap until Omni's gig looks gigantic... Still, from Waxahatchee to Ms. Gainsbourg there's a pretty fine afternoon-evening awaiting us.

Saturday, June 2nd, Parc del Fòrum
17:00 Núria Graham (Ray- Ban)
18:55 Car Seat HeadRest (Mango)
20:10 Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (Adidas Originals)
21:30 Slowdive (Primavera with Apple Music)
22:45 Jay Som (Pitchfork)
23:50 Arctic Monkeys (Mango)
And the last big day is kind of dubious. Excited to see Rolling Blackouts and Slowdive (although we saw them in March in a much smaller venue, so it's hard that a Festival show could beat that experience), and there are some nice options to warm-up and await until the Monkeys gig ends PS 2018 for us... but is that all?

Sunday, June 3rd, 
Tigercats, Waxahatchee and Jay Som could be enough reasons to consider a return to Sunday's, more so if that allows us to making some schedule switches. We'll see...

Stay tuned for further developments!!

Primavera Sound 2018: first impressions

History repeating folks. We have the feeling we could almost copy & paste what we wrote on 2017's Primavera Sound line-up and use it for this year's edition. Just unveiled after what it looks like a filtration/accident, reaching a new low for the Festival in what regards to its announcement. But anyway, that's not what matters at all. Let's focus on the line-up, then.

We know that #PrimaveraUnchained has already being labelled as a terrific one. And don't get us wrong, is pretty impressive and heavy on "big names". But, at least for us, this is kind of another letdown (at first glance, the great thing about PS is what you discover before and at the Festival)
Because the feeling of deja vu is even worse than last year. I mean it's great to have The National, Nick Cave, Father John Misty, even the Monkeys... but that was expected, not surprising at all. And that's where things begin to get slightly dissapointing. The amount of recent 'repeaters' is really considerable, while the first-time band, our discoveries, the 'middle-small' names, usually the key factor that makes PS stand out from the rest, is lacking (we repeat, at first take) looking like we are fated for spending too much time in Mordor this Spring. Where 's Flying Nun and my beloved antipodean bands? No Bats (again)? Fazerdaze? The Courtneys? Where's Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile? Beaches? Also, no Filthy Friends? Eyelids? Weather Station? Alvvays? I could go on forever...

Of course, this is just the Blog's first impression... We are sure we will 'discover' several proposals to add to 'our' Festival routes (Alex Lahey looking good at first listen!). So, honouring the Blog’s tradition, here’s our rough (we don't have the timetables yet) 'paint & colour' version of the line-up with our first impressions on the bands we are willing to see. Too much yellow indeed, right? Sure it will change (suggestions are welcomed)... As always, a lot to listen ahead!!

CONFIRMED ARTISTS FOR PRIMAVERA SOUND 2018

28 May -3 June

(SANDY) ALEX G • A$AP ROCKY • ABRA• ALEKSI PERÄLÄ • ALEX LAHEY • ALICIA CARRERA • ÂME II ÂME • ANNA VON HAUSSWOLFF • ARCA • ARCTIC MONKEYS • ARIEL PINK • ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO • BAD GYAL • BEACH HOUSE • BELLE AND SEBASTIAN • BJÖRK • THE BLACK MADONNA • THE BLAZE • THE BREEDERS • BUFIMAN B2B DJ NORMAL 4 • C. TANGANA • CALL SUPER • CAPULLO DE JÉREZ • CAR SEAT HEADREST • CARPENTER BRUT • CESARE BASILE • CHAMPION • CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG • CHRISTINA ROSENVINGE • CHROMEO • CHVRCHES • CIGARETTES AFTER SEX • CLARO INTELECTO • DJ COCO • CONFIDENCE MAN • THE CRAB APPLES • DAMED SQUAD • DAPHNI • DAVE P. • DEAD CROSS • DEERHUNTER • DEKMANTEL SOUNDSYSTEM • DELOREAN presenta Mikel Laboa • DOBLECAPA • DONATO DOZZY • EL ÚLTIMO VECINO • ESSAIE PAS • EVA GEIST • EZRA FURMAN • F/E/A • FATHER JOHN MISTY • FERMIN MUGURUZA ETA THE SUICIDE OF WESTERN CULTURE • FEVER RAY • FLAT WORMS • FLOATING POINTS Solo Live • FOUR TET • GABRIEL GARZÓN-MONTANO • GANGES • GENIUS OF TIME • GERD JANSON • GRIZZLY BEAR • HAIM • HERE LIES MAN • HINDS • HOLY BOUNCER • HONEY DIJON • HUNEE B2B ANTAL • IBEYI • IDLES • INTANA • THE INTERNET • JAMES HOLDEN & THE ANIMAL SPIRITS • JANE BIRKIN sings Birkin Gainsbourg Symphonic • JAVIERA MENA • JAY SOM • JLIN • JOE GODDARD • JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON • JOHN MAUS • JOHN TALABOT Disco Set • JON HOPKINS • JORJA SMITH • JOSEY REBELLE • KAREN GWYER • KEDR LIVANSKIY • KELELA • KELSEY LU • KERO KERO BONITO • THE KITE STRING TANGLE • KNOX FORTUNE • DJ KOZE • KYLE DIXON & MICHAEL STEIN performing the music of STRANGER THINGS • LA BANDA TRAPERA DEL RÍO • LA BIEN QUERIDA • LEVON VINCENT • LIFT TO EXPERIENCE • LINDSTRØM • LORDE • LYKKE LI • MADLIB • MAJID JORDAN • MALL GRAB • MANO LE TOUGH • MARCEL DETTMAN • MARIA ARNAL I MARCEL BAGÉS • MARINA HERLOP • MARION HARPER • MATTIEL • MAVI PHOENIX • THE MEN • METÁ METÁ • MIGOS • MIKE D Dj set • MOGWAI • MONTERO • MOUNT KIMBIE • MUJERES • NAT SIMONS • THE NATIONAL • NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS • NICK HAKIM • NIGHTCRAWLER • NILS FRAHM • NORTH STATE • NÚRIA GRAHAM • OBLIVIANS • OLYMPIC FLAME • OMNI • ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER • ORPHEU THE WIZARD • OSO LEONE • OUMOU SANGARÉ • PALMBOMEN II • PALMS TRAX • PANDA BEAR • PEGGY GOU • PÉPE • PETER PERRETT • PLAYBACK MARACAS • PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING • PUPUT • DJ PYTHON • RAMZi • REX ORANGE COUNTY • RHYE • ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER • RORY PHILLIPS • ROSS FROM FRIENDS • ROSTAM • THE SEA AND CAKE • DJ SEINFELD • SETH TROXLER Disco Set • SEVDALIZA • SHANTI CELESTE • SHELLAC • SLOWDIVE • SOLAR • SPARKS • SPIRITUALIZED with Orchestra and Choir • STARCRAWLER • SUMAC • SUPERORGANISM • SYLVAN ESSO • TEXXCOCO • THUNDERCAT • TIGERCATS • TOLOUSE LOW TRAX • TOM MISCH • TY SEGALL and The Freedom Band • TYLER, THE CREATOR • UMFANG B2B VOLVOX • UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA • VAGABON • VINCE STAPLES • VRIL • VULK • THE WAR ON DRUGS • WARPAINT • WATAIN • WAXAHATCHEE • DJ WEY • WILLIKENS & IVKOVIC • WOLF PARADE • XAVIER CALVET • YELLOW DAYS • YONAKA • ZA! • ZEAL & ARDOR • THE ZEPHYR BONES • 

Green- Definetely seeing them. Absolute must
Orange- If there are no overlaps (in particular with the green ones), I'll be there for sure
Yellow- Curious about it/on "research mode"/nice option if there's no overlap

These Go to 11: interviewing Victoria Ford

After a really long hiatus, the interview series are back! And to begin with, one of our most beloved national discoveries, Victoria Ford, answers our questionnaire. These Go to 11! 

Southern musketeers battling for victory

Ireneo Díez, Rafa López & Antonio Tejada, Victoria Ford

Hailing from Alcalá de Guadaíra, Sevilla, they formed in 2007, initially as a trio, then a quartet and now a trio again. After many local gigs, first recognitions arrived in the form of the 12doce award and being listed as one of the emerging national bands in 2010. In 2013 they came out with their debut EP 'Victoria', and after more Festivals, a semifinalist place at Proyecto Demo, radio airplay, and the praise from the Blogosphere. now here's a follow-up in 'Montaña, Guía y Milagros', out this week. Alternative pop with pulse & punch, mystery & manners, solemn synths riding waves of mournful yet expansive laments with guitars bursting like fireworks and lyrics biting with depth. A most promising band you should check out right now. Here we go!

"Su - Per - Sexy - Girl..." admit you danced  that

1. First record that you bought (be honest)
Ire: Fundación Tony Manero 'Looking for la fiesta' in 2001. Incredible but true. There are hits on that album and I was just 10.
Rafa: Robbie Williams, 'Intensive Care' in 2005. Haven't heard it again since the day I bought it. Before streaming life was complicated.
Antonio: Franz Ferdinand, 'Franz Ferdinand' in 2004. From my point of view, is the record that best reflects the spirit of the band.

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)

Ire: First I don't remember, really. Sort of, I recall seeing my father singing Nino Bravo in a karaoke of Sevilla. He nailed it. Nueva Vulcano in Sevilla is the last concert I have attended.
Rafa: First concert was Vetusta Morla in 2008, before they became massive. Last concert was The New Raemon at Nocturama.
Antonio: 2011, Supersubmarina with Full in Sevilla. Didn't go much to concerts before, but now I go to 3 or 4 each month. I even write reviews for a web. There's a lot to see! Last concert was Julieta Venegas, also at Nocturama.

Folks, we have a winner on this question!

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
Ire: ‘Entre tú y mil mares’ by Laura Pausini is a hit. I'm ashamed to admit it, but the chorus is a killer. Yes, the lyric is extremely cheesy, but melodically is very good.
Rafa: Take That. Boy band for fortyish.
Antonio: 'Ecos del rocío', folks. My father is a fan and a bit of me too. 

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

Ire: I'm not a music collector, honestly. But I have much affection for two things: The 'Alligator' vinyl. That album of The National is a wonder. And my copy of 'Heaven' signed by Mobius Band.
Rafa: There's some, but nothing really worth mentioning. My Telecasater is the only fetish that I have!
Antonio: Exactly the same for me. I have some records, but nothing remarkable. So I choose my amplifier. Ampeg is God.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)
Ire: ‘Quiromancia’ by Nueva Vulcano.
Rafa: ‘Tú, Garfunkel’ by The New Raemon.

Antonio: ‘Cornerstone’ by Arctic Monkeys.

Mr. Berninger, out looking for astronauts

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)

Ire: Rufus Wainwright, Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene or Dan Snaith of Caribou. But if I had to choose only one it would be Jon Brion, without a doubt.
Rafa: Matt Berninger, Jeff Tweedy and Jonny Buckland.
Antonio: Tom Chaplin and Tim Rice-Oxley.

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
Ire: Mobius Band, 'Heaven'.

Rafa: 'A rush of Blood to the head', Coldplay.
Antonio: Bon Iver.

Only dinosaurs that never got extincted.

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 
Ire: Solaris, the book.
Rafa: The complete saga of Jurassic Park.
Antonio: ‘The movie 'Her’, masterpiece.

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of
Ire: ‘Sábana Santa’ or ‘Los hijos de Steven Spielberg’
Rafa: I'll go with ‘Royal Canin’
Antonio: The hit. ‘Los santos que conozcas’

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Ire: Do what you always wanted to do without depending on nobody.
Rafa: A band that has to figure out life without much means. Just work and good songs without depending on trends.
Antonio:  Away from the inertia and that has its own style. Whether is music, cinema, painting...

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 
Ire: Recording demos with a Yamaha CP-70 at my studio.
Rafa: Touring around a lot with the band and with less hair.
Antonio: Playing at Primavera Sound Festival.

                                                                      Zillion thanks Ire, Rafa & Antonio, thanks Victoria Ford!

Stop Awful Covers 13

Not even in California you can hide from the artwork disasters. Here's another episode of our Awful Covers Series, several terrible examples of what musicians shouldn't allow to go on their album sleeves... 

ARTWORK ATROCITIES

Arctic Monkeys: Do I Wanna Know?

Not really terrible, but again (remember their "White Album"?) very very little effort

TEEN: Carolina EP

Good band, but just terribly worrying bad taste with the image chosen

Melt Yourself Down:  Melt Yourself Down
Indeed, someone's brain was melting down while doing this

Aye Nako: Unleash Yourself

I disagree, you shouldn't unleash such bad taste for a cover...

Twin Peaks: Sunken

Ok, I admit I just don't get what's the artwork about. Mr. David Lynch please?

Devo: Something Else for Everybody

Devo "have to do" freaky covers I know, but that awful?

The Polyphonic Spre: Yes, It's True

Horrendous image, pink fonts...Yes, it's true, that's an album cover...

 
We are Scientists: Something About You

No animals on covers should be a rule. Can you see why? Hard to find a better example

Cansei de Ser Sexy: Planta

That's what I call taking things "too literally"

The Love Anniversary Playlist

Today is a very special day, me and my girlfriend are celebrating our second anniversary together. So I hope you allow us this playlist, largely discussed and analysed, that is a compendium of the 24 songs/bands (one for each month being together) that have been/are important in our relationship. Needless to say, it is a extremely personal playlist, listed in some sort of chronological order regarding our relation, with a few of my favourites, few of hers, and many others that can't only be understood for us. But anyway, is the nicest excuse to put some music on!!

1. Editors - Munich
2. The Strokes - Someday
3. Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss a Beat
4. Franz Ferdinand - Michael
5. Nirvana - The Man Who Sold the World
6. R. E. M. - You Are The Everything
7. The Divine Comedy - I Like 
If we had to choose just one band/artist as "Our" soundtrack, it would be him, so Neil, be "warned" that at the November gig in Barcelona you'll have two ardent fans on the front rows 
8. Basia Bulat - Heart of My Own 
First gig together
9.  Eels - Hey Man (Now You're Really Living) 
10. The Decemberists - Don't Carry It All
11. Beirut - Nantes
12. Arctic Monkeys - She's Thunderstorms
13. Arcade Fire - We Used to Wait
14. Russian Red - The Sun The Trees
15. The Bright - Your Private Garden 
Most followed band together, so far
16. Kings of Leon - Talihina Sky
17. Miles Kane - Come Closer
18. The Vaccines - If You Wanna
19. Dum Dum Girls - Bedroom Eyes
20. Manos de Topo - Animal de Compañía 
Like them, we have a particular sense of humour
21. Ramones - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
22. Wild Flag - Romance 
23. The Walkmen - Song for Leigh
24. Cat Power - Sea of Love 
Perfect end of the playlist, don't you think?

The Sexiest Men of Indie

After two depressing, politically charged posts (I'm afraid won't be the last ones), here's a drastic change of topic. As promised on the previous post "The Sexiest Women of Indie", here's the male's list, compiled by my girlfriend, with the same criteria and her unique opinion/taste...

10. Thomas Mars
(Phoenix)

9. Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys)

8. Hamilton Leithauser
(The Walkmen)

7. Nick Valensi (The Strokes)

6. Daniel Kessler (Interpol)

5. Anthony "Caleb" Followill

(Kings of Leon)

4.  Joshua Tillman
(Father John Misty)

3.  Kristian Matsson
(The Tallest Man on Earth)

2. Tom Smith (Editors)

1. Ryan Gosling
(Death Man's Bones)

New music videos from Arctic Monkeys, Garbage, Miles Kane, Lambchop and The Shins!

New music videos today, for your viewing and listening pleasure! An in crescendo proposal, in 5 steps until reaching the perfect match of music and images, always in my modest opinion, while we check some of the newest music arrivals.

Step 1. Uninspired song and video
Arctic Monkeys: "R U Mine?"
You all know I like the Monkeys, and that "Suck It and See" was among my favourite records of 2011, but this new tune is quite mediocre, and the clip is, simply, silly. Scared to hear Alex Turner's plans to do next album immediately with this song as the pattern. Please no.


Step 2. So-so song with a nice video
Garbage: "Blood for Poppies"
Ok, Garbage wouldn't really fit in this blog anymore, but I admit I was curious to hear them back after such a long hiatus (remembrance of my teenage years). "Blood for Poppies" is not going to change any music standard or give Shirley Manson and Co. a second chance for assaulting "music stardom", but at least the video is quite suggestive with the homages to classic cinema, Luis Buñuel's references included.

Step 3. Uninspired video for a nice song
Miles Kane: "First of My Kind"
The leading song of the forthcoming EP from Miles Kane, to be released on the Record Store Day is another addictive track on the vein of "Colour of the Trap". The video, with Miles Walking through Paris and London is quite insipid, but this guy knows how to create a cracking chorus and an engaging, straightforward melody.


Step 4. Good video for an amazing song
Lambchop: "2B2"
"Mr. M", the latest Lambchop's effort is fated to be included among the best records of the year (review coming soon on the blog), and "2B2" is one of the most compelling gems you will find on it. The clip for the tune might not be very original, as it is conformed by several moments of their recent (sniff sniff, missed) European tour, but it works as the elegant and warm piece such a beautiful song deserves. Thanks, again, Kurt Wagner.    


Step 5. Amazing video and song
The Shins: The Rifle's Spiral
And finally, one of my favourite tunes from The Shins "Port of Morrow", with a visually stunning clip that immerses us, thanks to the imagination of Emmy-winning director Jamie Caliri. Surreal stop-motion animation that is also an obvious homage to Edward Gorey’s illustrations. Superb.

"Colour of the Trap", addictive treaty of retro pop

Colour of the Trap- Miles Kane

I know I'm late reviewing the album, but being honest I didn't really paid attention to Miles Kane until a friend showed me a video past November, after he was announced as the support act of the Arctic Monkeys at their gig in Barcelona. Which is sad, because I was missing a very good one. Not anymore.

Yes, it has been said and stressed every time Miles Kane's name is mentioned. The shadow of his pal Alex Turner is huge (he's credited on six songs of the album as co-writer). But as i cannot really judge to which extent the Arctic Monkeys' leader has been helping, I will focus on the tunes, because there's plenty to choose and enjoy here. Put your best clothes on, practice your best, seductive looks, and prepare yourself to the coolest image of the 60s. We're not reinventing the wheel, but fun is guaranteed.

The album opener is ridiculously addictive. "Come Closer" and "Rearrange" are superb retro indie-pop tunes, easily among the best songs of 2011. Marc Bolan, The Kinks, Paul Weller, "Wooahs" and "ahhs" to inject blood to the biggest stadium (you could learn something Chris Martin), crunching guitars and unstoppable melodies. Certified and deserved hits. And before we discover the "trick", Kane offers a brilliant change of path with the charming "My Fantasy", joined by Noel Gallagher in backing vocals. What a terrific start.

The second trio of songs doesn't start as promising, though. "Counting Down the Days" is an ok tune, but is too "cool" for its own good, or maybe too devoted to The Last Shadow Puppets, lacking a bit of punch. Luckily, "Happenstance" appears immediately to restore the situation and the vibe of "Colour of the Trap" with a sexy, fun, and irresistibly catchy, "low-light" duo between Kane and French actress Clémence Poésy ("Harry Potter", "In Bruges"). "Quicksand" comes next, with its, poppy, playful and carefree vibe. We reach half of the record, and by then we are seriously hooked by "Colour of the Trap".

A furious guitar precedes the controlled storm of "Inhaler", a piece of indie-rock paired with soul-infused backing vocals and a sense of urgency that I can define in just one word: stunning. The review, kind of a treaty on the styles of British indie-pop, adds a a new chapter, the psychedelic, with "Kingcrawler", co-wroted with Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals), where the insidious percussion and the cracking chorus will knock you down. Unfortunately, the record keeps spinning with "Take the Night From Me", a pompous ballad that is completely forgettable and hurts the album as a whole.

The last section of "Colour of the Trap" starts with "Telepathy", another great song, that would fit on a Tarantino movie, fuelled by the appearance of Alex Turner. With "Better Left Invisible" I can't achieve the same level of enthusiasm, having the feeling it doesn't fulfill what promises. And finally, we end the album in a high note with "Colour of the Trap" a wonderful ballad with just one problem: it has Turner's dna written all over. It would fit perfectly on his "Submarine" soundtrack. But anyway, with just a real faux pas and a couple of "fillers", Miles Kane debut as a solo artist can only be praised as an addictive, enjoyable and really inspired album.    

SCORE: 7,25/10

Concert night with the Arctic Monkeys!

After a pretty shitty week, with a so far horrible weekend making the move to a new office (some might add to our anticipated funeral) tonight I hope to have a break at the gig of the Arctic Monkeys (plus guest star and Alex Turner's friend Miles Kane, getting more addicted to "Color of the Trap" each time I hear it by the way) at Palau Sant Jordi, on their "Suck It and See" tour. I'll keep you informed!!

Coachella 2012 announced: pure envy

I was preparing a movie post, but I'm too shocked/depressed by the lineup of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2012 revealed today, to finish it. What at an amazing catalogue of bands! Sure, there are a few ridiculous, unacceptable (I'm being polite) facts, like The Black Keys (awesome band) headlining instead of Pulp or Arctic Monkeys, or the inclusion of names as awful as David Guetta, Dr.Dre & Snoop Dog (worse, they headline too) but man I count at least 16 names that I would love to see, and the same amount of bands that interest me. It's funny (ironic mode on) to see that some names showed in a very small typography are almost headliners in some Spanish festivals. Now seriously, please tell me something bad about that Festival, because right now I envy everyone who will attend!!

Friday April 13 & 20 April
The Black Keys, Swedish House Mafia, Pulp, Refused, Arctic Monkeys, Mazzy Star, Afrojack, Explosions in the Sky, M83, Amon Tobin, Cat Power, Madness, Jimmy Cliff & Tim Armstrong, GIRLS, The Rapture, Madeon, M. Ward, The Horrors, Frank Ocean, James Alesso, Sebastien, Yuck, Neon Indian, Dawes, Black Angels, Deathgrips, Wu Lyf, Breakbot, Atari Teenage Riot, Feed Me, Givers, Other Lives, Band of Skulls, R3hab, Wolfgang, Midnight Beast, EMA, Ximena Sarinana, Kendrick Lamar, The Dear Hunter, Honeyhoney, Hello Seahorse!, Sheepdogs, LA Riots

Saturday April 14 & 21
Radiohead, Bon Iver, The Shins, David Guetta, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Kaskade, Miike Snow, Jeff Mangum, Sebastian Ingrosso, Andrew Bird, Feist, Firehose, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, St. Vincent, Martin Solveig, Subfocus, Sbtrkt, Flying Lotus, Manchester Orchestra, Kasabian, AWOL Nation, Azealia Banks, Squeeze, A$AP Rocky, Buzzcocks, Kaiser Chiefs, Destroyer, The Head and the Heart, Laura Marling, Tuneyards, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Black Lips, The Big Pink, Childish Gambino, The Vaccines, Zed’s Dead, Grouplove, Jacques Lu Cont, We Were Promised, Jetpacks, Gary Clark Jr., Borgore, Dragonette, We Are Augustines, Mt. Eden, Destructo, Suedehead, Keep Shelley in Athens, Pure Filth Sound

Sunday April 15 & 22
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, At the Drive-In, Justice, Florence and the Machine, AVICII, La Roux, Beirut, The Weeknd, Girl Talk, The Hives, DJ Shadow, Calvin Harris, Nero, Wild Flag, Modeselektor, Dada Life, Porter Robinson, Santigold, Flux Pavilion, Dr. P, Gotye, Seun Keti, Egypt 80, Beats Antique, Fitz and the Tantrums, Araabmuzik, Company Flow, Real Estate, Zed, Le Bucherettes, Greg Ginn, The Growlers, Noisia, Morgan Page, Gaslamp Killer, First Aid Kit, Oberhofer, Lissie, Thundercat, Metronomy, Wild Beasts, Housse de Racket, Fanfarlo, Spector, Gardens & Villa, Airplane Boys, Sleeper Agent

Green- Definetely seeing them. Absolute must

Orange- If there are no overlaps (in particular with the green ones), I'll be there for sure

Yellow- Curious about it/"on research mode"