Labels: BCore
Review by: Kunal Nandi
The terminally-underrated Barcelona quartet returns with their final ten minutes of recorded output, and it’s going to be sad to see them go. Their subtle and measured style of DC-flavoured rock never really inspired mass devotion from audiences, but it bloody well should’ve. Also, endless unhelpful comparisons to Jawbox, who they never really sounded like in the first place, can’t have helped. Aina were always more about the melody than being angular. (By the way, Jawbox are one of my favourite bands ever in case it didn’t sound like it just then).
Bursting out the speakers with the rollicking (for them) “Cat & Dog”, Aina then go on to run through a variety of styles in the short amount of time given to them. Easing off the gas pedal for “International Event”, but without sacrificing a good old stomp of a chorus, and then going all quiet and introspective for “Catalina”, before ending with a slightly pointless reprise of the opening track, Aina effortlessly encapsulate what they do best in 600 seconds. Great stuff. RIP Aina.
[The 7″ version of this is available on Modern City Records.]