The Barcelona-based label BCore Disc has had a recent spate of releases both new and reissued so here's a round-up in case you feel like broadening your musical horizons.
Starting with a reissue first we've got Eskorbuto's Anti Todo, originally out in 1986. In photographs the band look rather like American punks of that era (more Dictators than Ramones though) but their sound, at least as evidenced here, owes more of a debt to their UK contemporaries, for example The Exploited, with its Oi! meets Pub Rock mix. From that description you'll gather that they're admirably straightforward in their playing and opinions, and they manage to be so throughout the entirety of the album, the title of which translates as ‘anti everything’. From within that seeming cul-de-sac of an outlook on life though they bring forth ten largely positive sounding (and at times almost anthemic) tracks.
Next up are Vistalegre with their debut self-titled release. Think Superchunk, Husker Du, Celibate Rifles etc., and you're in the right ballpark. This is a great and uplifting collection of songs (14 and none more than three minutes long) and the band thoroughly deserve recognition on the world stage - at least the post-grunge one. The fact that they sing in English is probably something that will be in their favour in that regard, but given the trio's individual pedigrees (membership of the much loved No More Lies included) you'd be hard pressed to not enjoy this even if it was gargled. 'I Just Discovered', 'Divers', 'Fireworks' and 'The Recipe' are the crowning glories but overall this is a definite contender for inclusion in a personal top twenty of the year.
A second reissue (of sorts) is third up. Hardcore outfit GRB released only one LP back in the day but their recorded legacy went beyond that - so BCore here collect their self-titled cassette-only debut release and the 1000 copy ¡Estoy tan contento! Ep, from 1985 and 1986 respectively. Maqueto + Estoy Tan Contento 7" comprises 25 tracks sure to appeal to anyone who's ever flung themselves about to the likes of Extreme Noise Terror, MDC or Minor Threat.
Another new band in the fourth spot. Margarita hail from Madrid and on their second album Explota El Cuerpo they come acros as a kind of calypso version of The Rapture coupled with the melodic bits of the likes of Lungfish and other such bands on Dischord. Apparently this is a slight change as their sound used to be heavier and certainly on initial listens you might find yourself wanting a bit more weight behind the poppier exigences of the ten songs. There's a definite sameness to the bulk of the tracks but repeated listens see them coalesce into a pretty tight set of jerky numbers.
Lastly another bringing together of earlier releases in the shape of The New Raemon's 20 track Epes Reunidos. Sort of in the vein of David Gray, there's not any great variation of pace in evidence but the songs dot back and forth between acoustic-only workouts and a more filled out sound to varying degrees of noticeability. Final track 'Sucedaneos' features some pretty embarrassing vocals though and it's unclear if it's by way of a bad Robert Smith impersonation or an over egged attempt at emotion. Definitely a bum note to end on.
