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El segon pis

by Balago

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1.
73/80 09:13
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2.
D'ahir 02:10
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3.
A l'interior 05:38
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4.
Aanval 02:50
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5.
El retard 05:02
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6.
14 març 01:37
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7.
Gest. 02:22
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8.
Hsh.+Dis. 04:27
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9.
Velbert 02:19
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10.
Amherst 05:41
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about

Really aware that inspiration needs to be researched and, in this case, really pursued, Balago have assumed the gestation of “El segon pis” as a true learning process. David Crespo, Jordi Soldevila and Guim Serradesanferm, the same trio that captivated the Spanish independent scene two years ago thanks to a debut, “erm”, a work with a considerable expressive and emotional value, have got rid for a year of everything that was not related direct or indirectly to music, and they have wiped the slate clean. However, this has not resulted in a change of their ultimate essence, since the new record keeps each one of the sensorial features and evocative signals of Balago’s style, but it has changed its forms indeed.
Although “73/80”, the first track of the record, immediately remind us of the pulse, the rhythm and gestures of “Erm”, you can feel that something is going to change. In the first place, Balago have learned to control their explorations. And this means that they have made their melodic ambitions much more concrete —starting from the elegant guitar lines and electronic support of the intro theme. They just get straight to the point. Where they needed a static development structure in order to reach their objectives, now they not only take the best short cut, but their sound investigations come as authentic organic material. They stir up at first sight, catching the listener with no concession, fascinating face to face and, at many times, making you tremble in only two minutes. This is mainly due to the bass, which constitutes a basic instrument in this album: its steps play a guiding role or they just stay there, depending on the mood of the song. The electronic part is the one that has taken more advantage of this conjunction between bass and guitar. Relegated before to a second role, where it functioned almost just as a complement, now all the contributions of the sampler and the programming part have got the control of the sound of the band. And these are great news, because this electronic rediscovering has redefined the language of the guitars, the pianos and also the language of the bass, all of it in order to provide them with another glance, consisting of a greater melodic perspicacity and a better control of the rhythmic tempo.
“El segon pis” represents a summit of the independent European music of 2003 because it gets risks and redefines a sound that used to be closed in its own universe, all this without renouncing to its origins, its identity signs, its influences and its capacity of stirring. Being great and almost sick music consumers, Balago have reclassified their shelves and put Hood, Matt Elliot, Arca, Boards of Canada or Low as their first preferences. This Catalan band learns from their teachers, using them to arrive at their own conclusions. That’s why, despite of its complex syntax and heterodox forms, the second album of Balago, in scarcely forty minutes of addictive, demolishing and unforgettable sadness, is able to raise itself up as the most brave and touching national album of the year.

David Broc

credits

released December 20, 2004

Produced and recorded by Balago

Mixed and mastered by Miguel Aguilar

Artwork by 11Invisibles

Foehn Records, 2004

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Balago Barcelona, Spain

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