The Bellakun - Bendicion Maldita (Has Anyone Ever Told You?, 2006)

The Bellakun
Bendicion Maldita
Has Anyone Ever Told You?
2006

Rating: 7 things people have told me out of 10

In my estimation, The Bellakun are the closest we’re ever going to get as second coming of Three Mile Pilot. They’re not as awesome as the Pilot, mind you, but rock a very similar style and sound and between this album and the EP that preceeded it, seem well on their way to being a must-hear group. I suppose you could also compare their sound to Pinback and Black Heart Procession, but since all of those bands are intertwined in the shared-members sphere, it would be redundant. The Bellakun is made up of a quartet of Latino dudes from Texas; it is rare and somewhat surprising that a band this talented and easy on the ears is flying so far below the radar, but hopefully that will change for them soon. Definitely recommended.

The Bellakun - …Cantar Para Espantar la Soledad (Has Anyone Ever Told You?, 2003)

The Bellakun
…Cantar Para Espantar la Soledad
Has Anyone Ever Told You?
2003

Rating: 6.5 Soledad O'Briens out of 10

The Bellakun is some decently interesting bi-lingual indie rock out of Texas. The title translates to “sing to scare away the loneliness”, or at least that’s what the cheat sheet sent by the label tells me. They describe themselves as being “…sprinkled with Tristeza and Three Mile Pilot”, which is a more than reasonable assessment, but I’d additionally throw in a little Built to Spill influence as well to round things out. It’s nothing that blows the doors off the place, but I was pleasantly surprised.