McOnak "Galarrena" Mauka Musikagintza
Release date: December 4th, 2015
Running time: 40:34, 11 tracks (Digital version: 44:28, 12 tracks)
“Galarrena” is the long awaited McOnak’s sophomore album. Once again, the album was released at the Basque Books and Records Fair which is held every year in Durango (Biscay) at the beginning of December. Ander Marino (drums and backing vocals, from Gernika), Koldo (bass and background vocals, from Lekeitio), Kemen (electric guitar, and background vocals, from Lekeitio), Migel (banjo and background vocals, from Zumaia), Ruben (accordions, keyboards and background vocals, from Gernika) and Joseba (lead vocals and acoustic guitar, from Lekeitio) have delivered a fantastic album together with some guests, mainly Otilio Elorza on tin whistle.
Being from the coast, the title was specially chosen by the band. Galarrena in basque is a windstorm that occurs in the Cantabrian sea waters. Galarrena is also the Herriko Taberna (The People’s Tavern) in Lekeitio. And finally, “Galarrena” was also a song by a punk band from Lekeitio and Arrasate called Ume Gaiztuak that released a couple of demo tapes and a vinyl single in the 90s.
The album kicks off with “Jaso aingura”, an accordion and tin whistle led song with a Basque sound. The martial end is the first catchy moment on the album. And there are quite a few songs on “Galarrena” that are catchy as hell. For instance, “Hitz gordinak”, the first single off “Galarrena” (Remember that this song is available for free at Bandcamp )
The next track is the second single, “Bizirik” and it’s a brilliant number featuring Pogues infused accordion banjo and tin whistle arrangements and a laralala sing-along chorus at the end of the song. This song is one of the band’s hottest moments on stage as I witnessed last weekend when the band presented the album in Gernika together with Bastards. (The video for the song can be watched here )
“Gu” is a fresh number with a lively accordion and infectious chorus.
“Galarrena” is a folk song straight from the pub: the lads drinking beer and singing along. Excellent accordion work by Ruben.
McOnak move to the cow punk territory on the fast paced number “Ontzia noraezean” (featuring sax by guest Patxi Bidart) . It’s followed by the amazing bluegrass infused song “Erria txikota”, where Joseba share vocal duties with Maitane Mazmela and guest Batiz adds some guitar. Great banjo picking by Migel too.
“Ohial laranjak” is a Basque rebel song from the XXIst century. Kick ass ballad in The Pogues vein.
Another fast-paced number: “Eutsi Palestina”, a solidarity song based on the banjo, tin whistle and accordion sounds.
“Kaka zapalduta” can only be found on the sold out CD limited edition and on the digital edition. Awesome song featuring mandolin by guest Haritz “Mugar”
“Lur azpian” is a catchy pop-rock song with a Hertzainak twist where sax, keyboards and electric guitar play the major roles.
The album comes to its end with “Azken gauetan”, another badass slow number. It’s sung by Joseba and Valentina Ridolfi. The atlantic feel is obvious, I daresay there is a music link with Newfoundland. Don’t forget that Basque fishermen went to Newfounland to hunt whales in the XVIth century.
“Galarrena” has been recorded, mixed and mastered by Txortx and Pitu Etxebarrieta, who have pushed the band’s sound in the right way at the recordings sessions at MuxicOn and Altxatune studios. The album packaging is a labour of love: a digipack with a 12 page booklet with all the lyrics, line-up, guests, studio credits and thank-yous. For instance McOnak thank Shane McGowan, Gari (Iñaki Garitaonaindia from Basque seminal band Hertzainak) and Tom Waits for their music.
McOnak have already presented their album in Vigo (Galiza), Oviedo (Asturies), Vitoria-Gasteiz,and Gernika (Basque Country). Moreover, there will be playing the St.Patrick’s Day gig at Kafe Antzokia in Bilbao (March 17th 2016) and the day after they’ll be playing the VIIth St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Madrid sharing the stage with The Fatty Farmers.
I’ve been listening to this album for the last fifteen days and I can guarantee you that it’s a must have album: Basque folk, Celtic punk, Rebel songs, country…. You can find whatever you like and I’m sure that you’ll enjoy every single track. Go ahead and grab a copy!
Release date: December 4th, 2015
Running time: 40:34, 11 tracks (Digital version: 44:28, 12 tracks)
“Galarrena” is the long awaited McOnak’s sophomore album. Once again, the album was released at the Basque Books and Records Fair which is held every year in Durango (Biscay) at the beginning of December. Ander Marino (drums and backing vocals, from Gernika), Koldo (bass and background vocals, from Lekeitio), Kemen (electric guitar, and background vocals, from Lekeitio), Migel (banjo and background vocals, from Zumaia), Ruben (accordions, keyboards and background vocals, from Gernika) and Joseba (lead vocals and acoustic guitar, from Lekeitio) have delivered a fantastic album together with some guests, mainly Otilio Elorza on tin whistle.
Being from the coast, the title was specially chosen by the band. Galarrena in basque is a windstorm that occurs in the Cantabrian sea waters. Galarrena is also the Herriko Taberna (The People’s Tavern) in Lekeitio. And finally, “Galarrena” was also a song by a punk band from Lekeitio and Arrasate called Ume Gaiztuak that released a couple of demo tapes and a vinyl single in the 90s.
The album kicks off with “Jaso aingura”, an accordion and tin whistle led song with a Basque sound. The martial end is the first catchy moment on the album. And there are quite a few songs on “Galarrena” that are catchy as hell. For instance, “Hitz gordinak”, the first single off “Galarrena” (Remember that this song is available for free at Bandcamp )
The next track is the second single, “Bizirik” and it’s a brilliant number featuring Pogues infused accordion banjo and tin whistle arrangements and a laralala sing-along chorus at the end of the song. This song is one of the band’s hottest moments on stage as I witnessed last weekend when the band presented the album in Gernika together with Bastards. (The video for the song can be watched here )
“Gu” is a fresh number with a lively accordion and infectious chorus.
“Galarrena” is a folk song straight from the pub: the lads drinking beer and singing along. Excellent accordion work by Ruben.
McOnak move to the cow punk territory on the fast paced number “Ontzia noraezean” (featuring sax by guest Patxi Bidart) . It’s followed by the amazing bluegrass infused song “Erria txikota”, where Joseba share vocal duties with Maitane Mazmela and guest Batiz adds some guitar. Great banjo picking by Migel too.
“Ohial laranjak” is a Basque rebel song from the XXIst century. Kick ass ballad in The Pogues vein.
Another fast-paced number: “Eutsi Palestina”, a solidarity song based on the banjo, tin whistle and accordion sounds.
“Kaka zapalduta” can only be found on the sold out CD limited edition and on the digital edition. Awesome song featuring mandolin by guest Haritz “Mugar”
“Lur azpian” is a catchy pop-rock song with a Hertzainak twist where sax, keyboards and electric guitar play the major roles.
The album comes to its end with “Azken gauetan”, another badass slow number. It’s sung by Joseba and Valentina Ridolfi. The atlantic feel is obvious, I daresay there is a music link with Newfoundland. Don’t forget that Basque fishermen went to Newfounland to hunt whales in the XVIth century.
“Galarrena” has been recorded, mixed and mastered by Txortx and Pitu Etxebarrieta, who have pushed the band’s sound in the right way at the recordings sessions at MuxicOn and Altxatune studios. The album packaging is a labour of love: a digipack with a 12 page booklet with all the lyrics, line-up, guests, studio credits and thank-yous. For instance McOnak thank Shane McGowan, Gari (Iñaki Garitaonaindia from Basque seminal band Hertzainak) and Tom Waits for their music.
McOnak have already presented their album in Vigo (Galiza), Oviedo (Asturies), Vitoria-Gasteiz,and Gernika (Basque Country). Moreover, there will be playing the St.Patrick’s Day gig at Kafe Antzokia in Bilbao (March 17th 2016) and the day after they’ll be playing the VIIth St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Madrid sharing the stage with The Fatty Farmers.
I’ve been listening to this album for the last fifteen days and I can guarantee you that it’s a must have album: Basque folk, Celtic punk, Rebel songs, country…. You can find whatever you like and I’m sure that you’ll enjoy every single track. Go ahead and grab a copy!
Tracklist:
01 - Jaso aingira 3:39
02 - Hitz gordinak3:58
03 - Bizirik 3:57
04 - Gu! 3:13
05 - Galarrena 3:30
06 - Ontzia noraezean 3:18
07 - Erria txikota 3:48
08 - Ohial laranjak 5:00
09 - Eutsi Palestina 3:22
10 - Lur azpian 3:26
11 - Azken gauetan 3:23
Bonus track on Mp3 version:
10 - Kaka Zapalduta 4:00
Website
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Click to buy:
Elkar (CD)
CDbaby (mp3)
iTunes (mp3)
Amazon.com (mp3)
Amazon.de (mp3)
Amazon.es (mp3)
Amazon.fr (mp3)
Amazon.it (mp3)
Amazon.co.jp (mp3)
Review by Kinksmarkham
01 - Jaso aingira 3:39
02 - Hitz gordinak3:58
03 - Bizirik 3:57
04 - Gu! 3:13
05 - Galarrena 3:30
06 - Ontzia noraezean 3:18
07 - Erria txikota 3:48
08 - Ohial laranjak 5:00
09 - Eutsi Palestina 3:22
10 - Lur azpian 3:26
11 - Azken gauetan 3:23
Bonus track on Mp3 version:
10 - Kaka Zapalduta 4:00
Website
Click to buy:
Elkar (CD)
CDbaby (mp3)
iTunes (mp3)
Amazon.com (mp3)
Amazon.de (mp3)
Amazon.es (mp3)
Amazon.fr (mp3)
Amazon.it (mp3)
Amazon.co.jp (mp3)
Review by Kinksmarkham
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