Best Songs of the Year 2019: 25-1

Here we come! After much thinking we haved reached a final verdict (one of the hardest years to do it, the top positions are tunes with a very deep, personal meaning, in a very tough year), and today we are able to reveal you our latest list of Best Songs of 2019!. 25 jewels that you shouldn't miss and should be part of any exceptional musical repertoire. As always, you have the Spotify playlist below, so we encourage you to give it a listen! We also hope you have enjoyed this 'musical tour' as much as we have done preparing it. Here's for a great year of music ahead!
  

25. Alexandra- RVG
24. Red Bull & Hennessy- Jenny Lewis
23. Booksmart- Holiday Ghosts
22. Olympians- Andrew Bird
21. Weird Ways- Strand of Oaks
20. Vagabond- Steve Gunn
19. Old Man- Stella Donnelly
18. The Time We Had- Lachlan Denton & Studio Magic
17. Cattails- Big Thief
16. The Amputees- Tindersticks
15. Norman and Norma- The Divine Comedy
14. Honey- Drugdealer
13. Dylan Thomas- Better Oblivion Community Center
12. In Ceremony- Capitol
11. Bedroom- Hobby Club
10. Holograms- Tiny Ruins
9. Television Screens- Fontaines D.C.
8. Polar Onion- Allah-Las
7. The Barrel- Aldous Harding
6. Seventeen- Sharon Van Etten
5. Head Alone- Julia Jacklin
4. Forever Half Mast- Lucy Dacus
3. All My Happiness is Gone- Purple Mountains
2. One Bird in the Sky- Robert Forster
1. Light Years- The National

>

Music to look forward in 2016

Can't remember why, but didn't honored another blog tradition on 2015: our new year's music wishes. But this is not going to happen again! So here's our top ten summary of the releases/events we're looking forward the most in what regards to music. 

1. If this is a blog tradition, let's begin with "our" man & most beloved sure-fire: Jeremy Jensen, aka The Very Most, is returning big on this 2016 with 'Syntherely Yours', a collection of synthpop songs from the band, out thanks our dear friends at February Records. The LP features and awesome list of guests including Lisle Mitnik from Tiny Fireflies, Adriano from Postal Blue, Colin from The Smittens, Charles from Math and Physics Club, Thomas from Pale Spectres, Adam from Adam and Darcie, Laz from Bubblegum Lemonade/Strawberry Whiplash,... And there's more...

Most deserved tribute for Ms. Melberg

 2.... Because The Very Most is also taking part in 'Constant and True: A Tribute to the Songs of Rose Melberg', that February Records will release in late Spring. A compilation CD of indiepop artists paying tribute to one of the GREATEST: Rose Melberg and her essential bands (Tiger Trap, The Softies, Brave Irene, Go Sailor, Knife Pleats). Bands like Rocketship, The Smittens, Band a Part, LAKE, Seapony, Marc Elston, are already confirmed, so no wonder why we are already excited...

3. More sure-fires. Eleanor Friedberger returns to action with 'New View' on January 22nd, same day that marks the arrival of 'Adore Life', the sophomore album of Savages. And what can be said about our beloved Basia Bulat and The Divine Comedy returns? The Canadian angel has LP 'Good Advice' scheduled on February 12th, and the always necessary Neil Hannon is giving us some clues his new work will be ready by Spring/Summer. With these two coming up with new songs, the world will be a better place to live in... 

The great Jess Weiss on boards. Fear of Men take 2

4. Despite there's no exact day for the official releases revealed yet, these two might be the most anticipated and awaited new albums of 2016 for me. I'm referring to my dear Fear of Men, that have finished recording their sophomore album, the much awaited follow-up of the terrific 'Loom'. And another band we have a real soft spot for at the Blog, Paolo and Claire, a.k.a Young Romance, which after giving us stunning song after stunning song in several EPs and singles, now jump into the long format with their debut full album. So anxious to hear both... and please do not forget Barcelona on the forthcoming tours this time!

5. In what regards to national releases, 2016 should be the year where favourites of mine come back wth new music. Cosmen Adelaida, Doble Pletina and When Nalda Became Punk (triple YAY!) for sure, but fingers crossed during 2016 we'll see also the follow-up of 'Mundo Fatal' by my beloved Me and the Bees. Expecting new songs by Big Summer and Aries too. And would we have the second album of Boutade this year? Here's hoping for a confirmation... 

Paul & Jacqui, the mighty pop duo, finally in Catalonia!

6. There are three gigs that I'm really excited about. First, and just around the corner, Robert Forster at Apolo presenting his excellent 'Songs to Play'. And two "first times" that I'm so eager will finally take place. Tindersticks in April 14th at l'Auditori. And two days afterwards, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott at Blues and Ritmes Festival in Badalona. Finally! Already nervous, can't hardly wait! 

7. More about live music. Another Primavera Sound Festival ahead. With not a single name announced yet. Expectations are huge as always, so it's time to post/especulate my wish list, right? Check it here. And if it's a disappointment, it might be time to consider moving to another Fest (Bilbao maybe?)

PJ Harvey, ready for shaking the world again

8. Even more & records expected. "Heavyweights" as PJ Harvey, with new record set to Spring that, judging by the info so far, it's going to be a mandatory one (again)... and The National, which are already recording but still without a defined release agenda (testing tunes on the road?) What about The Luxembourg Signal (confirmed by Beth Arzy on Twitter), Hospitality, Rose Elinor Dougall (please, please, please, been waiting for ages!), The Julie Ruin, Slowdive (if confirmed, that would be simply anthologic), Minor Victories (very curious), Peter Buck (what about that super-Earth's project with Corin Tucker? Too good to be true...?) Dum Dum Girls, or The Swapsies? 

9. And for sure infallible labels like Shelflife, Jigsaw Records, Slumberland, Matinée, Test Pattern, Fortuna Pop!, Dufflecoat, WWNBB, February Records, El Genio Equivocado, Discos de Kirlian, La Castanya, Kanine, Fishrider (and others coming from down under), Merge, Sub Pop, HHBTM, to just name a few, have prepared a wonderful year of music for us. 

10. And ending in a more personal note, there's a book on one of my all-time favourite bands, The Go-Betweens, coming very soon on Libros de Kirlian. I contribute on it (thanks for the opportunity Marcos Gendre) with the prologue, which might be one of the most heartfelt pieces I've ever written. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a very special read...

For sure, many more records, songs, gigs and amazing moments related with music are awaiting us. Come on 2016, we're listening you!

The Indie Anthology 47: essential songs

For the next round of our Indie Anthology I propose you one of my favourite tunes from an indiepop (and very often neglected) genius...

Song: I Don't Believe You
Artist: The Magnetic Fields
Year: 2004

Jumped quite late on The Magnetic Fields' bandwagon. Some friend recommended me, telling me that being such a huge The Divine Comedy's fan I would love '69 Love Songs'. But I do admit that when I got the album in my hands I thought, a triple record? And so the moment passed... but barely for a couple of years, when 'I' was released and I got haunted by 'I Don't Believe You', its instant melody and magic cello. Then quickly came 'All My Little Words', 'The Book of Love', 'I Don't Believe in the Sun', '1.000 Fireflies' or personal favourite 'Nothing Matters when we're Dancing'. Stephen Merritt, the impossible crossover between Stuart Murdoch, Neil Hannon and Calvin Johnson. Pure genius.

These Go to 11: interviewing When Nalda Became Punk

Back with our interviews (slowly back to normal, but different life), and our next guest is one of the most exciting (imo) Spanish bands in recent years, When Nalda Became Punk, injecting joy and infectious charm to indiepop... or whatever you want to call it. These Go to 11!

When Nalda Became Punk

Whatever you call it, gorgeous music

Born in 2006 as the solo project of Galician (Vigo) Elena Sestelo, under the "lonely" name of Nalda, putting out a demo but then came into hiatus until summer of 2010. A second demo, “Time to meet your family” was followed by the arrival of Roberto Cibeira in 2011: When Nalda Became Punk was a reality. After a 7” single out on Pebble Records, their debut album "A Farewell To Youth" came out in early 2013 on the infallible Shelflife Records, With Antonio Llarena completing the actual trio formation they have played many shows (mighty Indietracks included) and they have now released their new EP "Indiepop or Whatever!" Diverse (everything fits if it's pop), straightforward and fresh, WNBP make music that can make you smile, whisper & dance, all at the same time. What's not to love? Here we go!

Speechless, I'm speechless

1. First record that you bought (be honest)
Elena: The first record I bought that I remember was a Beach Boys compilation on a double tape, I can’t remember the title but I remember that there was a TV on the cover. Of course after that I bought a lot of albums that now make me be ashamed, but fortunately that was the first.
Roberto: I think it was “Camino Soria” by Gabinete Caligari.
Antonio: Even if now I’m totally ashamed, I have to say that it probably was the one by Glenn Medeiros that included “Nothing’s gonna change my love for you”… It was pop after all, wasn’t it?

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)
E: That’s a bit worse, the first gig I remember I was by myself with my classmates and not with my parents, was… it’s so embarrassing… Heroes del Silencio, it’s clear I didn’t know what I was thinking about at the moment. The last one was Big City and Nine Stories in Vigo, a very nice one.
R: I’m not sure, but I think the first one was Duncan Dhu. The last one, Iván Ferreiro in Santiago.
A: The first one Doctor Explosion and Dover, in Murcia. The last one, Big City and Nine Stories in Vigo.

Advice: shut off you phone

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
E: I’ve got a lot of guilty pleasures that I enjoy a lot, maybe not bands, but commercial songs with catchy tunes such as “Call me maybe”, the great “Hey ya” or my favourite karaoke song, “Angels” by Robbie Williams.
R: Lady Gaga’s “Poker face”.
A: I love Abba, I think “Dancing Queen”, for example, is such an amazing song! And I also like every single by Katy Perry… tough I’ve never listened to a whole album.

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
E: I have a few signed albums of favorite bands and they are really valuable for me but I think what I appreciate most are some pictures I took with the members of Belle and Sebastian in London, those pictures always bring me a lot of good memories.
R: The singles box by Los Planetas.
A: I buy lots of music but I don’t buy many rare things, so I’ll say my “T-shirt weather” single by The Lucksmiths signed in their farewell tour or “Formula One Racing Girls” signed by Helen Love, both for not only musical reasons.

Neil Hannon, our favourite gentleman

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)
E: I’ve got a lot, but now I have in mind “Tonight we fly” by The Divine Comedy.
R: One of the lyrics I like most is “Northern Sky” by Nick Drake.
A: Lots and lots… Today I’ll say “¿Qué nos va a pasar?” by La Buena Vida, but I could tell you hundreds!

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
E: I’d love to meet Damon Albarn, I owe it to the teenager I once was.
R: I’d like to meet the members of Sigur Ros.
A: I’m really shy when it comes to talk with musicians I like, I just get them to sign a record or take a picture, but not much more… I’ll say Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy, I already have some pictures with him, but it would be great to go out for a drink with him.

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
E: It’s not my favorite but I love the one for “Remember that I love you” by Kimya Dawson, it’s really cute.
R: “Doolitle” by Pixies.
A: I don’t know… there are so many great artworks out there! The cover of “Kung fu” by Ash is quite cool, it was really well thought!

Pop ruined my life

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both)
E: I’m afraid I’m more of movies, I don’t think I can recommend one that you already didn’t know, for example I enjoy very much the films by Wes Anderson… Also "Once", "Wall-e", I don’t know, there’s a lot…
R: Movie: "Blade Runner". Book: “Demian” by Herman Hesse.
A: I prefer books, it entertains you longer and you can connect with the characters more than in a movie… A book: "High Fidelity" by Nick Hornby, it is like a bible for the people who love pop music, isn’t it?. A movie: "Edward Scissorhands".

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of
E: Right now I’d choose “Song for Carrie Mathison”, I’m really happy with the result of the tune and how they work with the lyrics.
R: “When Nalda Became Punk”, “Modest Circus” and “Song for Carrie Mathison”.
A: "Song for Carrie Mathison", it is the first song in which I wrote half of the lyrics! Elena was amazed that I was able to fit the word “Lasagna” in it… then I remind her that Oasis did it first in “Digsy’s dinner”.

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
E: That must be the question that I hate to answer the most because I never know what to say… I think that indie are the people that make music apart from the music industry, just doing what they want without thinking in success, money and that kind of things.
R: The possibility of doing things with the only aim of having fun, at your own way and doing just what we like.
A: For me it is enjoying the music you love without paying much attention to all the short of things that happen to be around the music but, in the end, don’t add anything special. For example, the feeling you get at every second at Indietracks Festival or at Madrid Popfest. That’s real indie for me! I also think that the Math and Physics Club explained it quite well in their song “We are D.I.Y.”.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
E: I don’t know, I’m such a pessimist! So I prefer not to think about it, but I just hope I’ll keep on enjoying writing songs.
R: With a lot of records released, playing everywhere they call us, meeting new places and interesting people.
A: Ah! Good question!! Who knows? Certainly not me…

Zillion thanks Nalda!

Bloodbuzzed-Chella, the Perfect Festival

I couldn't resist the temptation. I've been seeing too many fake Coachella posters out there not to make mine, so here it is: BLOODBUZZEDCHELLA, a dream-like Festival, full of impossible gigs & unbeatable comebacks! It has been very fun but extremely tough to complete. Many bands missing of course, and others were not included because I've seen them recently, or like Basia Bulat and Savages, because they are playing in Barcelona in the coming months... Coming with us?


* Van Morrison performing "Astral Weeks"
* The Beautiful South with Jacqui Abbott
* 10.000 Maniacs with Natalie Merchant
* Monkey Swallows the Universe
* The Concretes with Victoria Bergsman

Discoverer 72: new indie findings

It's Sunday, so here you have more new indie proposals, enjoy !

San Fermin. Forget the terrible band name (I'm not Hemingway so I won't pretend I like bullfighting and getting drunk) and allow me to introduce you to Ellis Ludwig-Leone, a young songwriter from Rhode Island based in Brooklyn that after finishing his musical studies in 2011 became assistant of acclaimed arranger Nico Muhly (among other works) while prepared his own songs prior to collaborating and recording. The self-titled album is out since September via Downtown Records and is a surprising blend of chamber-pop and contemporary classical composition, where the ever-recurrent topics are "characterized" and sung with several vocal contributions. You'll hear The National, Tindersticks, Sufjan Stevens, The Divine Comedy and a dozen bands more at the same time, so be prepared. San Fermin, the band, is a unique experience.

Break It Up. Short drive to Philadelphia to meet drummer Casey Bell, who in 2009 found guitarist-vocalist Jen Sperling, and after several iterations of members added guitarist-vocalist Dan Morse, initially their producer, to complete the band. In 2011, they debuted with blogosphere's hit single “Excavate” and, since June, we have their ridiculously enjoyable self-titled LP available at their bandcamp. An immediate collection of hyper-vitaminated power-pop tunes, fuzzy and noisy guitars, traces of riot girrrl enthusiasm, a knack for melodies and a genuine feeling of enjoying themselves while playing together. A MUST.

The Clothes. And we end our "trip" in Macerata, Italy, to introduce you to singer and guitarist Massimo Scoposki and drummer Laura Palmiz. It seems the idea of having a band came to Massimo during his Erasmus in Nancy. Whatever the case, the White Stripes alike duo recorded their debut songs last year, and the result, “Fairy Lights Dress” EP (a mini-album of seven songs) is available since February, and for free at their bandcamp. You should be virtually running to grab the tunes now, because The Clothes are a C-86 injection straight to your spine and brain. Punk-pop, a relentless, true live spirit packed with the most "in-your-face" version of jangle melodies. Not to miss.  

Amoeba, music lover's paradise

Amoeba's logo. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Now that I've been able to post the pictures of our trip to Southern California it's also time to unveil our several visits to another must-see on L.A.: the Amoeba store. What an incredible place!Who cares about walk of fame's, Hollywood stars, chaotic cities and traffic jams where there's such a paradise awaiting for you?

Heaven, I'm in heaven...
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

So, it's time for a question I always wanted to solve.
What's in my bag?

My bag, "deconstructed"
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

To begin with:
Sleater-Kinney- Dig Me Out & One Beat
Seapony- Falling
Adam Green- Friends of Mine
Dum Dum Girls- End of Daze EP

On happy collector's mode
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Ex Cops- True Hallucinations
Rose Melberg- Portola
Fanfarlo- Rooms Filled with Light

Plus three collector's gems from personal favourites:
R.E.M. - Up and New Adventures In Hi-Fi special editions
The Divine Comedy- A Secret Story special edition

Valentine's Day Video Playlist!

Romantic hearts, here's a quick (just a few) indie video playlist for you, "curated" by girlfriend & me (of course). The ones we agree on...

I’d Rather Dance with You - Kings of Convenience
 
R.E.M.- You Are the Everything

First Day of my Life - Bright Eyes
 
You Are My Joy- The Reindeer Section

Anyone Else but You - The Moldy Peaches

Tonight We Fly - The Divine Comedy
 
Sea of Love- Cat Power

A night with Neil Hannon, the charming man

The Divine Comedy. An Evening With Neil Hannon. Auditori de Girona, November 2nd
  

The charming man
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Finally back online (Internet problems are crucifying us), and the first thing pending was, without a doubt, the chronicle of Mr. Neil Hannon, aka The Divine Comedy, in Girona. A very special, long expected, and gratifying evening alongside the music of the charming (and a bit worryingly thin) Irishman, as the universal song by The Smiths was unintentionally announcing.

We had our worries, sure. Would the audience listen him? We weren't sure if a gig in Girona (the city was having its autumn celebrations week), part of the Temporada Alta Festival, would be that successful, or if people would know his music. Some scary "ladies of certain age", with tones of make-up  on her faces, and kids among the public weren't the nicest signs. Then, as the quite beautiful auditorium was getting full, some of the public gathered behind the stage, which was a bit weird. Even with Neil appeared, he seemed shocked because of that strange location of a few concertgoers. But he quickly managed it, transforming it into an element to joke and make funny remarks about.

Mr. Hannon on piano. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The gig started with him on piano playing tunes from his latest album "Bang Goes the Knighthood", like "Assume the Perpendicular", that opened the concert, "The Complete Banker" with its wise and so true lyrics or record title "Bang Goes the Knighthood". In between of them, the first classic, "Generation Sex". By then, we were certain than we didn't have to fear. The public was enthusiastic, and, at least on the front rows, knew his songs. 

And on guitar. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

As it happened two years ago, when I was lucky to saw Neil in this acoustic, intimate show format in Barcelona, songs on the piano were alternated with short breaks in which our beloved singer/composer/one-man band switches the instrument for a guitar. "Perfect Love Song", with a surreal guitar-tuning moment and the haunting "Lucy" (great rescue) were excellent choices to change the mood before "attacking some darker melodies again on piano.

"Geronimo", "Snowball in Negative", or the baroque "When the Lights Go Out All Over Europe", which I found more appealing in its live & "naked" version than recorded arrived at the central and more "dense" section of the gig. But fortunately, Neil has an outstanding presence live. A mixture between a mischievous kid (these looks) a goofy, theatrical comedian (fake cigarettes?) and some sort of a distant, subtle impersonation of Oscar Wilde singing songs about love, loss and human miseries.

Indie Piano Man. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

But in my opinion, you can only make fun, being a musician, if you have talent and songs to show it. Otherwise, you are a fraud. And Neil's weighs zillions of tones. How many could transform "Time to Pretend", the MGMT's ubiquitous tune into a perfectly suitable song from The Divine Comedy with such grace? Who can merge it with "National Express" and made them fit as if they were created on the same studio session? Or engage people with such a difficult tune, extremely wordy like "The Lost Art of Conversation"?

"Songs of Love". Photo: Bloodbuzzed

And most importantly, who can match such an immaculate indiepop banquet for the listener in the final stage of the concert and still exclude many amazing tunes (missed "Absent Friends")?  Let's name it. Just him and his guitar he played "Songs of Love" (funniest comments of the night for me regarding how "disgusting" the lyrics of the songs are, still smiling one week after when I remember) followed by "A Lady of Certain Age". And back on piano, "Our Mutual Friend" and the epic finale of "Tonight We Fly". Mind-blowing. With the public giving the Irishman a standing ovation, it was a matter of seconds he returned to the stage for an encore, playing "The Frog Princess" and "I Like", which, and on a personal note, was the perfect song to end the gig. Thanks for another evening to remember Neil.

Side note: Cheers for your 42nd birthday, dear Neil!!

The Indie Anthology 21: essential songs

The next chapter in our Anthology is reserved to a very special artist, very dear to me, who I'll be seeing live, for the third time (first in the best of possible companies), next Friday. A great singer, clever lyricist, smart observer of personal relations and social behaviours, capable of making you laugh or wallow on your own pain when you feel miserable (oops maybe I have said too much here). A composer and creator of wonderful pop songs.

Ladies and gentlemen, the indie-pop genius of Mr. Neil Hannon, The Divine Comedy.

Song: Absent Friends
Artist: The Divine Comedy
Year: 2004

"A Lady of Certain Age", "Our Mutual Friend", "Tonight We Fly", "Songs Of Love"... I could be arguing with myself for decades. I can't decide which is my favourite song of The Divine Comedy. So why I choose "Absent Friends"? It's not the first that brought me to his music either (the amusing "Alfie" or "Everybody Knows that I Love You" are the ones). But "Absent Friends" was the one that made "click" on me, the one that made me move from an occasional listener, waiting for a greatest hits compilation, to a devoted fan. There's something on his voice, always delicate but never more powerful than here, brilliantly accompanied by the orchestration (the chamber pop master at his finest hour?). There's something on the orchestration, upbeat, epic, and martial, but allowing every word to be heard. There's something on the words, heartfelt and honest. A song about long-gone, missing, somehow fallen heroes have never sounded so touching and uplifting.

See you in a week dear Neil!!   

Autumn 2012: agenda of concerts

September is just around the corner. So, in order to avoid the inevitable depression, and the huge VAT increase (courtesy of our beloved government who doesn't consider music as culture) in two days, is a good occasion to take a look to the forthcoming concerts that I hope to attend until the end of the year. Our provisional agenda so far (hope it grows)!

SEPTEMBER
8. Paul Heaton at Music Hall (really hoping to go, but it is a bit expensive)
23. Los Punsetes at Plaça dels Àngels (as part of BAM Festival). More to see that night, to decide...
29. Sharon Van Etten at La [2] de Apolo. My dear Sharon again...

OCTOBER
5. The Tallest Man On Earth at Casino l'Aliança del Poblenou
6. Veronica Falls at BeCool
14. Fanfarlo at Apolo. Yeah! Finally!
16. The Wedding Present at Sidecar

NOVEMBER
2. The Divine Comedy (An Evening with Neil Hannon) at Auditori de Girona
7. The Walkmen at Bikini or
    Allo Darlin' (supporting The Wave Pictures) at Sidecar
20. The Chameleons at Sidecar

DECEMBER
5 to 9. Primavera Club
10. Father John Misty at Sala Apolo

Many are still pending, due to "calendar issues", and the majority, due to "economic issues", but green means
confirmed: already got the tickets!

The 25 greatest artists of the last 25 years: the top 10

And after the first batch of groups... the top ten!!

10. The Divine Comedy. The gentleman of indie and one specially beloved. An incredible songwriter, witty, clever and bright, and a unique talent for creating that tune that sticks in your head while hits your heart, something Mr. Hannon has been doing for 20 years now. And always with a smile.

9. Arcade Fire. From terrific hype to most beloved indie band to universal music stardom, the Canadians have been capable of achieving massive success without losing any of their idiosyncrasy. On the contrary, they arguably did with their richest and most interesting album, "The Suburbs".

8. Arctic Monkeys. They revolutionized music industry with their brilliant debut album, and consistently proved they weren't a hype, but one of the best bands of the past decade. The superb "Suck It and See" is the last evidence Alex Turner's band is fated for greatness.

7. Oasis. They ruled the world a few years in the mid-90s, but don't forget that behind all crap that surrounded brit-pop, "Definetely Maybe" and "What's the Story (Morning Glory)" are just masterful rock albums. And Liam's voice still captures something very few singers can. A generation sung through his throat.

6. Belle and Sebastian. They have lost some charm with their last records, but "Tigermilk" and the immaculate "If You're Feeling Sinister" are still central chapters of the "indiepop Bible". Their influence among other bands is so easy to trace. The world would be a much awful place without them.

5. Pulp/Jarvis Cocker. Pulp was, with the perspective of time, the best band of brit-pop. In fact, they were way more than that. They are a music treasure coming from Jarvis' unique, genuine mastermind.

4. PJ Harvey. Probably, the best solo artist of the last two decades, that keeps challenging herself after twenty years of amazing career, as the indispensable "Let England Shake" has proved.

3. The National. "Alligator", "Boxer" and "High Violet". Enough said. In my opinion, and without a doubt, the best band of the new century, millennium or last decade.

2. R.E.M.. Starting at 1986, "Murmur" doesn't count, but we have great albums like "Life's Rich Pageant", "Out of Time", "Up" and their final "Collapse Into Now". Plus, of course, THE ALBUM: "Automatic for the People". They will be forever missed.

1. U2. Two undisputed (and personal favourites) masterpieces, "The Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby", an excellent album like "Zooropa", and many many great songs from other records. Ambition and ideas translated into the best live show, "Zoo TV". A band that was capable of reinventing and challenging themselves. Still hoping they are able to do it again.

Bands/artists deserving a mention although didn't make the list: Phoenix, Lambchop, Stone Roses, Pixies, Pavement, Primal Scream, Pearl Jam, Damon Albarn, My Bloody Valentine... Hope you enjoyed!

End of holidays, back to work playlist

Back to the office, back to work. I'm not in depression mode (yet) but I thought an appropriate playlist for the moment was in order... Enjoy!

1. Chain Gang- Sam Cooke
2. Career Opportunities- The Clash
3. Slave to the Wage- Placebo
4. Maggie's Farm- Bob Dylan
5. Daysleeper- R.E.M.
6. The Engine Driver- The Decemberists
7. Happy Hour- The Housemartins
8. Come Home Billy Bird- The Divine Comedy
9. Tus Amigos- Los Punsetes
10. Overcome By Happiness- The Pernice Brothers
11. Take Your Carriage and Shove It- Belle and Sebastian
12. Valet Parking- The Auteurs
13. No Surprises- Radiohead
14. Mr. November- The National
15. Working Class Hero- Elbow covering John Lennon

The Perfect Bloodbuzzed Music Festival

Yesterday, on a radio programme, some music journalists talked about their perfect Festival line-up. Social networks also had their say, and aside of an entertaining hour, it forced me to think what would be mine. Took me a while, but I finally have my selection.

To be "professional", I considered a "draft" schedule and copied the five-day structure of this year's Primavera Sound Festival, with a very special line-up on the opening and closing days. It has been impossible to include everyone, but it has been a lot of fun doing it. Welcome to the first edition of Bloodbuzzed Music Festival!

Day 1, at the Impossible Stage
17:00 Angelou
18:00 The Softies
19:15 Mazzy Star
20:45 Nick Drake
22:15 10.000 Maniacs with Natalie Merchant performing "MTV Unplugged"
00:00 Bob Dylan (back in 1975)

Day 2, at the Perfect Stage
17:00 Kat Flint
18:00 The Very Most
19:15 The Mynabirds
20:45 The School
22:15 Camera Obscura
00:00 The Divine Comedy
02:00 Pulp

Day 3, Perfect Stage
17:00 Fanfarlo
18:00 Cat Power performing "You Are Free"
19:15 Beirut
20:45 PJ Harvey
22:15 The Decemberists
00:00 Arctic Monkeys
02:00 Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Day 4, Perfect Stage
17:00 Motorama
18:00 Sufjan Stevens (excluding "The Age of Adz")
19:15 Beth Orton
20:45 The Walkmen
22:15 Doves
00:00 The National
02:00 R.E.M.

Day 5, back at The Impossible Stage
17:00 The Concretes with Victoria Bersgman performing "In Colour"
18:00 Monkey Swallows The Universe
19:15 Saint Jude's Infirmary
20:45 The Beautiful South (Jacqui Abbot period)
22:15 Oasis, performing their two first albums
00:00 Joy Division

What would be yours?

19J: We are Many More, Peaceful, and Way Better

We are many more. Back home from the afternoon's demonstration that has collapsed the centre of Barcelona, the same that has happened in Madrid (bravo for the beautiful end with violins!) and many cities in Spain. I will leave the numbers of participation aside (they range from 20.000 to more than 350.000 thousand depending on the source), because I'm not an expert, and the experts in my country are called so because they are capable of lying in their own benefit. But allow me to say just this: the collapse has been so huge it took us an exact 1 hour and a half to move from Plaça Catalunya to the first corner at Fontanella street, barely 10 meters? And almost 3 hours to reach the end of the demonstration at Pla de Palau. Make your own conclusions.

We are peaceful. Besides the amount of people gathered, today has been a total triumph due to the absence of violence. The protest has been the best proof that what happened Wednesday was the exclusive responsibility of a radical small group that doesn't represent the movement, formed by common people, fed up of corruption and lies. Not making any reference to the police, because the video and the facts about their behaviour is easy to find on the web (also in this blog).

We are better. Puig dimissió (Puig, resignation) has been the most chanted slogan/comment this afternoon. Who wouldn't agree? But Puig alone is not enough. The resignation chants must include Mas, Zapatero, media directors, and a looong etc. The movement has to go further, it has to demand Camps, Fabra or Botín to go to prison. Because what we claim is that Europe/world, has to be for the citizens, not for the markets.

The only thing that I don't like in this sort of demonstration (besides the smoke) is the music. Sorry but I can't. So, can we include some indie music next time? Like this great tune by the even greater Neil Hannon? It couldn't be more appropriate (please check the lyrics), even the video is filmed in Spain. Let's protest with class.

Neil Hannon - 'The Complete Banker'