Corruption 5- Justice 0: the game in Spain

This country it's becoming a very sad joke. Today Spain has decided to favour corruption instead of justice, as simple as that. The first person condemned as a result of the Gürtel case, one of the biggest (if not the most) cases of corruption in Spain, has been Baltasar Garzón, the judge who tried to investigate it, who has been disbarred for 11 years (virtually ending his career, as he is now 57). If you didn't know, the corrupted, Francesc Camps and co., were absolved. Of course.

Yes, he ordered the wiretaps of the conversations between the advocates and their impisoned clients (the corrupted ones). I do understand that this fact is, in principle, illegal, and also in principle, a reason to harm the legimitate defense right of any accused. But these orders to intervene the conversations were endorsed by the anti-corruption prosecutor, by the judge Antonio Pedreira, who took the case when Garzón was inhibited, and by judge José Manuel Suárez Robledano. And they have not been charged of prevarication. Nobody, while the open case was being developed warned Garzón that the practice of the wiretaps was illegal.  Not to mention these wiretaps, among many other findings, revealed that advocates and corrupted (with some precious help from politicians from a party with the absolute majority in Spain) were trying to get away with it. With the money, of course.  

Not my words, but the ones from Reed Brody, international observer from Human Rights Watch, to  resume the situation: "The enemies of Garzon achieved their goal. Given the simultaneous accumulation of charges, there remains the fear that has been subject to retaliation for his role in several controversial cases." "Unless there sufficiently clear and compelling circumstances, to prosecute a judge for his prosecution threatens judicial independence. Many undemocratic rulers would not let pass the opportunity to apply criminal sanctions to silence judges whose work is opposed to vested interests." Seems I don't live in a democracy. Nobody told me that. Oh, and the reference about totalitarism on the sentece says it all. Couldn't be a more biased justice?

As Javier Alvarez, Professor of Criminal Law at the University Carlos III of Madrid adds: "This sentence should be valued as a triptych, the three trials in which the sole objective is Baltasar Garzon. Today, drug traffickers, terrorists and the extreme right are celebrating. The Supreme Court has convicted the judge who has given the most prestige to the Spanish courts. The Government can not accept a sentence like that, it must act now with measures of grace." I'm sure he won't do that. They are celebrating too.

I'm fearing the worst is yet to come. The trial for judging Francoism. The labour reform... Urdangarín.... SPAIN, WHAT A SHAMEFUL COUNTRY!

The Shins, Veronica Falls, Nat Johnson= great songs!

Three favourite bands of mine have showed new songs today. What a wonderful afternoon!

We were lucky to hear it first at the Primavera Club past November, but today London's Veronica Falls have "officially" showed the world a new tune: "My Heart Beats". Melody and rhythm, essential trademarks of the band, for another indie-pop perfection clocking in less than three minutes!


I told you before, we absolutely love Nat Johnson's music, and we are counting down the days to grab "I'm Across, I'm Asshore" their awaited new record. Here's another taste of the album, with a youtube video of "Your Majesty". Wonderful song. We salute you Queen Nat!


And finally, another music genius, James Mercer, coming back as The Shins with a highly anticipated new album, "Port of Morrow". After haunting us with the great new single "Simple Song", now he offers the video of its b-side, "September".

The Shins: “September” (b-side of “Simple Song” 7”

Spanish indie 6: suggesting the best national acts

After a long hiatus with this section, we are back with new proposals. Enjoy!

Reina Republicana. Born in 2009, but really active in 2010, after two singles (one with Las Robertas) and several changes in the line-up (initially it was formed by members of Kokoshca, Tristessa and Half Foot Outside), by the end of 2011 they released their first, self-titled, LP. With the new voice of Maite Rodríguez, and the help from Banin Fraile, Florent (Los Planetas and Los Pilotos), Guille Mostaza (Ellos) y Paco Loco, the album flourishes as a wonderful collection of shiny indie-pop tunes. Here's great pop for everyone, from shoegazers to La Buena Vida fans or c86 lovers. Hail to the queen!.

Christina Rosenvinge. It was a matter of time Ms.Rosenvinge had a space here. Musically active since "la Movida Madrileña" (80s) she pursued a very personal career, working with Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) during the 90s-early 2000s. Back to Spain from NY and from English to Spanish, her latest albums, the excellent "Tu Labio Superior" (2008) and "La Joven Dolores" (2011), have consolidated her status as a national indie muse. My advice? Check the exhaustive boxset, just out now, "Un Caso Sin Resolver", and enter the world of this unique artist.
Christina Rosenvinge - Mi Vida Bajo el Agua

Cosmen Adelaida. You'll always find interesting groups on El Genio Equivocado's roster, a Spanish label with a special nose to detect and recruit talent. Like this band born in Madrid in 2007, that after two EPs, at the end of 2011 released "7 Picos" their mini-album debut, an impressive and highly addictive small collection of the most diverse indie-pop. Ranging from gorgeous twee-pop (irresistible girl-boy vocals) to creeping guitars on a grunge style, to synths and loops that recall names like Stereloab, Cosmen Adelaida has created a unique pop caleidoscope. Band to follow closely.

Discoverer 29: new indie findings

New indie proposals for you!

Lower Dens. Just when I heard "Brains", first song of their second album, "Nootropics", out this spring, the Primavera Sound announced them among the line-up. Baltimore based, this is the band of Jana Hunter, a great folk artist (and guitarist), that worked with Devendra Banhart and Andy Cabic (Vetiver). After a hiatus, Hunter returned to "music" in 2009, releasing "Twin-Hand Movement", Lower Dens' debut LP, in 2010. And what a record this is. Atmospheric, epic yet introspective, misterious, colorful, dreamy, instrumental yet compelling when Hunter's soaring voice appears, tense but placid at the same time. Like a guitar-driven's "Teen Dream", ethereal, but a bit closer to you after each spin.

Summer Twins. Chelsea and Justine Brown are twin sisters in their (ridiculously early) twenties, that decided to form a band (they are four live) in 2008, inspired by 50s and 60s rock records. After an initial self-released EP, "The Good Things" in 2010, now they have just presented their first album, "Summer Twins", on Burger Records. A sun-baked collection of wonderfully catchy (check "I Don't Care" and tell me you don't like it) dreampop tunes. Think of Tennis with a little hint of retro garage rock, or Best Coast with a focus on vocal harmonies. Great expectations.
Lost Lander. Although a new band, behind Lost Lander there's the mastermind of Matt Sheehy, from the really recommendable group Ramona Falls. Besides, the just released debut album, "DRRT", has been produced by Brent Knopf, Ramona Falls frontman and former member of Menomena. The combination of both forces makes this album very special. Indie folk-pop are the barebones of the songs, embellished and propelled to something lush and atmospheric, with a mesmerizing production. The result is hypnotic, with many contenders for the best songs-of- the-year lists inside. 

"American Adulterer", JFK, a sick, sex addict, president?

American Adulterer- Jed Mercurio

That's what British doctor-turned-novelist Jed Mercurio proposes in this original novel: a unique take on John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th American President, and quite probably the most loved one. A take that, without excluding his political achievements (Bahia Cochinos, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the Berlin Wall, his fight for civil rights), deals basically with two not very pleasant sides of his presidency: his health, and his sex addiction. Kennedy fans, you have been warned. 

Mercurio builds the novel, that we can define as historical fiction, upon two pillars. First, a detailed (too clinically detailed for my taste, making it a bit annoying) and never-ending list of afflictions. From Addison's disease to thyroid, from ulcers to osteoporosis, JFK was a medical "goldmine", and a men condemned to a short life in constant pain. And second, Kennedy was a "fornicator". True, he famously told British Prime Minister Harold McMillan: "If I don't have a woman for three days, I get terrible headaches." But in "American Adulterer", the amount of  women that the "great man" uses makes it the most impressive achievement of his administration. 

"American Adulterer" is episodically structured. There's the real account of political issues that Kennedy had to dealt with, but mixed with a constant need to be medicated, in order to keep the illusion "America the strongest" has the most vital and healthier of presidents, and a countless string of concubines (from Marilyn Monroe to White House interns and professional prostitutes) to solve the different nature of his "other issue". It's a quite engaging cocktail, addictive for the reader too. 

Many questions arise while you read. Do we really have to believe he loves Jackie Kennedy? The book never questions it, but he's incapable to remain monogamous, tracing an interesting inner debate between love and sex. The first lady, at the same time, is a misterious passive-aggressive figure (obvious she knows about it, but she never shows). Personalities like British PM McMillan, Nikita Khrushchev, the aforementioned Marylin, Mary Meyer,  Frank Sinatra, the FBI that towards the end of the novel starts instigating him, while there's a White House network built to provide him the needed safeguards for his sexual adventures... There's plenty to get you going on this novel.

At the same time, there's a sense of dispersion throughout the book, as if Mercurio couldn't combine all the elements he has, leaving some secondary characters as sketches (women are particularly neglected as developed characters here). That feeling, and the clash between the huge, real problems JFK faced during his mandate and the infidelities gives "American Adulterer" a ligthweight tone that in too many occasions becames a farce. The Cuban Missile Crisis is the best example.

Overall, a risky, quite engaging and original book on one of the most popular politicians of modern history.

SCORE: 6,25/10

"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

The Indie Anthology 4: essential songs

Back from a work trip, with our four "anthologic" tune, first from Spain.

Song: Arte
Artist: Nosoträsh
Year: 2002

This twee-pop wonder of less than two minutes was the spearhead of "Popemas", a landmark album on the Spanish indie scene that this year arrives to its 10th anniversary. A collection of little miracles with the form of tunes ("Gloria", "Corazón Colilla" are also gorgeous) reduced to the barebones, the essence, in an example of concission and a ridiculous talent to find unforgettable melodies with lyrics to be sung in the intimacy, like in "Arte", where romanticism and quotidianity are adorably combined. The Asturian female-band found an incredible moment of inspiration and braveness with this unique record, one to be remembered (as the Primavera Sound did last year). Here's my modest homage.

"Now that is art".