m-e-c-a-n-o

A band. From the 1980s when, apparently, right, apparently, pop music was happening in Spain with the 'Madrilenan Groove'. That's from Wikipedia, so don't hold me to account if that never existed. 7 full-length albums. They look unbearably '80s fancy dress party' mostly but it's actually quite endearing. Really good, vaguely corny songs about stuff - their discography is literally like a microcosm of every other indie band ever.

Debut Album - Self-titled, fairly groundbreaking, songs about sex and hangovers and being young and in love in citieszzzzzzzzz. 7.9/10.

Next album - 'Where Is Fairyland' (um...), pretension and 'filler' barometer rising, first song is an INSTRUMENTAL, some song about a fire that broke out in a nightclub, um, yeah, 6/10.

ETC ETC ETC ETC until...

Last Proper Album - 'Aidalai' - running out of ideas and hooks, sort-of a concept album but totally not in a fun of Montreal way. Check the tracklisting;

1. El fallo positivo. It's the 80s, everyone has AIDS, this is a song about that.
2. El uno, el dos, el tres. Introspective 'this has been our struggle' thing.
3. Bailando salsa. Token Spanish thing, obvz.
4. El 7 de septiembre. 'Love'. Obviously.
5. Naturaleza muerta. "A tale of love between a girl and a sailor and the revenge of the sea who was in love with her." says Wikipedia. If true, ACE.
6. 1917. (Instrumental) Historical, about 'some revolution' in Russia.
7. Una rosa es una rosa. 'A rose is a rose'. Love is super difficult, according to this.
8. El lago artificial. Two songs about drugs? 9/10.
9. Tú. Three songs about love? 2/10.
10. Dalai lama. Buddhist leaders actually aren't given enough exposure in synthpop. Represent.
11. El peón del rey de negras. "The hilarious adventures of a lowly black chess pawn and all the injustices that he has to put up with, but also the perks of working for a royal family (like sleeping with the Queen). An allegory of social classes and class struggle." (Wikipedia, LOL)
12. J.C. Christian anthem. Probably. Dios mio.
13. Sentía. Post-love. Like post-punk, but even more depressing.

There's like 'some musical' being made of them, but, seriously, they are really good if you are into highly danceable frenetic music. It hasn't aged well but that potentially makes it more charming. They rule. JUST LOOK.

'luna de miel'

A few notable things about the time I went to Roses and had the most fun ;

• Spanish hip-hop KILLS IT, seriously.
• All the kids know Nena Daconte which is like 'friendly dance pop/rock' for the Facebook.es age. Even Jose Luis, the cook from 'the restaurant' knew it AND AND AND sung with us, spatula in hand.
• There is a band called 'La Oreja De Van Gogh' ('The Ear Of Van Gogh').
• This dude we met referred to AC/DC in Spanish letters and it was a bit like 'whu?' and then 'ohh' and then 'lol you're really spanish'.
• Dreadlocks are cool. Bob Marley is cool. This is the extent of the 'alt' scene in Roses.
• 5-year-olds can speak Spanish, Catalan, French, Castellon and some English. Does this make us stupid? Yes, yes it does.
• No-one really gives a shit about Benicassim.

I am now like 'tattoo' and 'cultural' or something. DEME DEME MAS.