European Power Pop Special: Spain (Power Pop Español)

Since we focused on Japan a few weeks ago, I wanted to concentrate on some European countries who do power pop right… and all the music is sung in English too. Spain is the main focus of this post. Notable labels Rock Indiana and Jam Recordings have provided me with these featured bands:

Wolrus “Wooden Tapes”

From A Coruña, Wolrus wear their influences on their sleeves from Buffalo Springfield, The Hollies, and The Jayhawks. The band has some serious guitar jangle and banjo chops plus lots of harmonies too. Opening with the impressive “Summer of 10’s” it’s got a catchy foot stompin’ rhythm. “Stone & Roses Blues” is pure late era Beatles, (“Two Of Us”) and the summery pop of “Clearer Than Me” is Beau Brummels-styled country.
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The Phantom Keys “Real Sounds of The Phantom Keys”

Old school mod-garage basically. This band does its best to emulate the looks and sounds of those ‘no hit wonders’ who made it onto all the obscure 60’s punk compilations, such as ‘Nuggets’ and ‘Pebbles.’ Fans of The Pretty Things, The Sonics, Downliners Sect and any Mod Surf band will enjoy this. So get your go-go boots on and do the hippy shake shake.

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Goodfellows “Happynitol 150mg”

The Goodfellows are a Spanish band whose musical inspiration is undeniably American power pop bands (like The Shoes and The Spongetones) they’ve made appearances on IPO compilations but here is their debut LP, inventively designed like a prescription drug (“10 Power Pop Revitalising Pills: Not a Fix but a Relief. A Boost of Good Vibes”) and overall this musical ‘medicine’ is sure to cure your blues with some excellent tracks like “Susanne” and “You Know The Secret We Hide.” Occasionally the vocals get buried by the jangle and  the accent can get distracting, but ultimately I’d refill this prescription.

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