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Jet
Lag are one of the most important new Spanish bands. Based in
Madrid, they quickly became the “next big thing” in the Spanish
alternative scene after their debut album (“Amplifier”,
Bittersweet Recordings, 2000). The songs in that first record put
them really close to some of their heroes: REM, Fountains of Wayne,
Foo Fighters, Wilco…, bands that know how to mix an elegant pop
songwriting with high power guitars and rock attitude.
Papers
and magazines acclaimed the record unanimously and also wrote great
reviews about their live shows, much better than expected for a new
band, maybe because Jet Lag had started one year before testing
their songs on stage touring as supporting act for some great
American bands on tour in Spain (Gigolo Aunts, Nada Surf) and played
in the best rock festivals all over the country (Benicassim,
Festimad, Sonorama…)
Now,
Bittersweet Recordings releases “Beautiful Scars” in Spain (and
recently Get Hip for USA and the rest of the world), an impressive
second record. Jet Lag have got something difficult to reach for any
band, but even more for a Spanish band: to have their own
personality. Now they don’t need references: they sound like…
Jet Lag. Probably Jeff Lipton (who mastered the record; Bill Inglot
mastered their debut) was right when compared its sound to Wilco’s
“Summerteeth”, because “Beautiful Scars” is an ambitious
work, that makes sense from its powerful beginning to the final
piano sustain. But it also leaves a chance for amazing pop hits in
between a bittersweet atmosphere, created from a huge range of
arrangements. Find out why they are called “the Spanish R.E.M.”.
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