Berri Txarrak: Payola

I have started 2010 listening to lots of music. One of the albums I've been going through is "Payola", the latest recording by Berri Txarrak . This Basque rock band has eventually jumped into the international sphere without singing a word in other language than in Basque. Like other Berri Txarrak albums, Payola achieves to follow a concept without high variations. Most of the songs sound hardcore but they have clear Stoner-rock influences. It can be thus said that this band has matured musically but have kept the fresh and young style that made them go forward. This can be explained in the following way: while the band has traditionally been oriented to teenage Basque audiences, nowadays they are more widely focused, though I still consider the album teenage friendly.
The themes of almost every song go around an alternative way of visioning this brave new world. They are harmonized with the music and I have to say that they are also very well harmonized with an amazing cover and title of the album. The cover is a black and white drawing of two men apparently doing business in a dump, while hundreds of birds fly around looking for food. Payola is an Spanglish term referred to the illegal payment required by music companies and radio stations in order to facilitate the promotion of the artist's work. The whole package provides a decadent image of the music industry and of humanity in general.
Something that boosts the international approach of the band is the fact that Payola has been recorded in the States by Steve Albini, famous producer of the alternative music scene. Though their music is simple, a very good sound is achieved, and I personally love the guitar riff recorded in the las minute of "Jainko ateoa", the last minute of the album.
For those interested in this band I really recommend this album. I'm not a hardcore guy but I think the guys have done a good job and have grown up in a very healthy way.
My favourite tunes are Payola, Etorkizuneko aurrerari guztiak, Arren Darwish (referring to the Palestinian poet) and Jainko Ateoa (here they definetly hit it!!!!). So in my opinion the albums starts good but ends better.

Enjoy!