La Buena Vida

Band: La Buena Vida
Also Check Out: Yo La Tengo, Devotchka, Belle and Sebastian
Location: San Sebastián, Spain



So you get sick of listening to the same Mexican version of Hawthorne Heights and Spanish pop just makes you think of all the happy people that aren't you. Well, if you're looking for something much less menacing you should take a step towards a better life.

"La Buena Vida" translates to "The Good Life" in English. For this band's sound think Yo La Tengo and a little Belle and Sebastian. They've got mostly soft guitars but they mix in all sorts of other sounds in there very nicely. I'm a big fan of the horns, the short solos they have in their music are awes.

This band has some good staying power, they're so relaxed that they're not at all overbearing, but at the same time they have some very memorable songs that don't just get lost in the mix. The lead singer has a low wispy voice, so if you've got anything against girl singers you need not worry here.

Check out the video and don't forget the MP3, it's a must-listen!




La Buena Vida: Mi Año Natural MP3
Official Site: http://www.lapaginadelabuenavida.com/

"Ahora que te vas pediré perdón y dirás que no
y estará muy bien, ya sabes por qué
Yo me esconderé, ahora que te vas
Ya no saldré más; dime para qué, si no te voy a ver"

-Que Nos Va A Pasar

Made In Spain

Band: Los Fresones Rebeldes
Also Check Out: Cola Jet Set, La Buena Vida, Nosotrash
Location: Barcelona, Spain




This post is specifically aimed at giving some recognition to a few very interesting bands from Spain. First up is Los Fresones Rebeldes, and from what I understand they're actually already broken up. What's kind of the repeating story for these particular Spanish Indie Pop bands is the fact that they manage to create singular songs so sublime it's unbelievable. Sadly, the actual albums aren't all that outstanding, maybe one or two (at most) standout songs, while the rest is just a tamed version of their hits. Fresones Rebeldes claim as their outstanding track "Al Amanecer", a song I have seriously played on repeat for the past week. The video captures their energy and attitude pretty well and makes me almost want to fly out to Spain just to hang out at the carnival with these girls and guys. In general, this is just really fun, Beach Boysesque kind of music.

Los Fresones Rebeldes: Al Amanecer MP3
Official Site: http://personal5.iddeo.es/momonari/flash.html
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/losfresonesrebeldes


Band: Cola Jet Set
Also Check Out: Los Fresones Rebeldes, Beach Boys, Los Hombres G
Location: Barcelona, Spain



Everything I just said about Los Fresones Rebeldes, it's applicable to Cola Jet Set as well. I found out about Cola Jet Set before I heard about Fresones Rebeldes, but it turns out that Cola Jet Set rose from the ashes of LFR seeing as they have two ex members. My favorite is the dude who plays drums for LFR and guitar for Cola Jet Set, he looks like this kid they call "Pollo" in my design studio.

Anyway, the standout song, by far, for these guys is called "Quiéreme." The video for this one is also really fun, it plays out like a pop up book for kids. Honestly, every single band I mention here was found through YouTube by linking from one band to another.

If you were to put together a playlist of Los Fresones Rebeldes and Cola Jet Set, you'd have the soundtrack for the most amazing summer you've ever had where you wear eye numbingly bright colors and every single girl wears Mondrian dresses and either has hair like Marcia Brady or a helmet-like bob. I imagine this is what Holland used to be like in the olden days, but in lispy-Spanish.

Cola Jet Set: Quiéreme MP3
Official Site: http://www.violeyant.com/colajetset
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/colajetset

Band: La Casa Azul
Also Check Out: Belanova, and all the bands already mentioned!
Location: Barcelona, Spain





I saved the very best for last. I'm sure after hearing the previous two bands you probably think I've completely lost my mind. You're absolutely right, and here's the band that did it to me in the first place. After clicking on a Camera Obscura video (Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken) this band came up as a similar link. At first I thought this had to be a joke, there's no way a band could look like this and play the music they played... and also the term "Superguay" sounded SUPER GAY to me as a Mexican-American Spanish speaker. After seeing some live videos and learning the true story behind the band, I warmed up to them a lot!

Turns out that the first five people pictured above are simply actors used to film the videos and for other promotional issues. The man behind the music, Guille Milkyway, decided he just wanted to create the perfect band down to the finest detail. The fact this guy is so upfront about it makes me admire him. I hate those fuckers that make boy bands because they take the joke too far and lie about it the whole time, Guille on the otherhand plays all the live shows himself and does a good job about it. Also, I think I really love his vision, check out the video for "Como Un Fan" because it's just so insanely surreal.

Unlike the other two bands, i think Guille delivers a bit more when it comes to the individuality of his music. I recommend every single song except for "Superguay," that one is just too much for me.

This band is like Salvador Dali and Gaudi having a party with Austin Powers and sleeping over with the Brady Bunch.

La Casa Azul: Como Un Fan MP3
Official Site: http://www.elefant.com/en/grupos_dis.php?id=12
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lacasaazulband