TENSION: SPANISH EXPERIMENTAL UNDERGROUND 1980-1985 by V/A

Gatefold 2LP version. It happened during the peak of the media excitement over the countercultural movement known as "Movida Madrileña." That DIY spirit, that in Spain was awakened later than in others due to the political ballast of nearly 40 years of dictatorship, had but one stage where not all of its protagonists could fit. Still, some even preferred to move away from the spotlight. Between 1980 and 1985, through the width and breadth of all of Spain, groups began to emerge that captured the fundamental essence of underground acts from other parts of the globe. New York's No Wave, the avant-garde pop of The Residents, the possibilities of technical manipulation or the less exhibitionist side of post-punk were adopted with the radical imagination, passion and freedom that comes from not having to answer to anyone. The success of those bands lay with breaking with the past and never looking back, burning their boats with each recording; they gave everything without expecting anything, making tension the criterion for quality. At a time when certain kinds of records weren't easily available in Spain and the chances to see the most fearless foreign bands live were scarce, a number of people and small collectives, inevitably centered around Madrid and Barcelona, created a diverse scene of bands, labels and fanzines which slowly and bravely developed and gained followers across the whole country. Cities like New York, London and Berlin served as examples to follow. Within this varied group of artists there was room for industrial sounds, daring post-punk, out-rock, mutant funk, dark wave, weird dance music and pure experimentalism. Tensión is the first comprehensive compilation of this most daring side of the early '80s Spanish music scene. Most tracks reissued for the first time, plus two previously-unreleased tracks. Sleeve notes written by César Estabiel, illustrated with original artwork and memorabilia.