I would have to check, but I doubt there are many bands I like as much as Triángulo de Amor Bizarro. They are one of the few that can claim an almost perfect discography. The “almost” is there because Sed was good without reaching the heights of their earlier work. Perhaps that is why I was so surprised by just how strong its follow-up is.
And the thing is, the Galician trio has once again given a twist to their sound to create a collection of songs that, yes, sound like themselves, but they do it in a different way. Also, one of the most varied, because there is a little bit of everything here.
Mi Catedral is a wide-ranging record on which Triángulo de Amor Bizarro become combative and political. Take the extraordinary “Kill a King”, driven by a chorus that leaves no room for doubt—“Kill a CEO, hang a King”—before breaking into a stunning krautrock second half. Or “BBBMV a.r.m.a.s.”, another remarkable track that follows Kevin Shields' teachings in the most melodic way possible.
And in between they sneak in a phrase like “In Palestine God dies every day.” Something that surprises, because they have never been so direct in their lyrics. In fact, if we go “SMT in the Royal Palace”, we see that it is not easy to discover that they are talking about how bad the algorithm is and what the internet does to people. And yes, it's another outrageous song.
If I have to choose a facet of Triángulo de Amor Bizarro, I usually choose that more pop side where a bit of electronics and guitars that sound like New Order appear - the version of “Bizarre Love Triangle” that they recorded last year is tremendous. But on this album I'm starting to have my doubts. And that is thanks to a song like “En la corte de E”, where they get into a dark and vibrant shoegaze that suits them wonderfully. Because, in addition, it has a final section full of keyboards that is amazing.
But also to “East versus West”, a song that starts out as a sound steamroller, but that, little by little, becomes something more pop. Plus, it has a frenetic drum beat that drives me crazy. And what can be said about “Pat a trenca”, that song that begins like Nirvana's “Something in the Way” and ends with a riot of orchestral epic.
The pop side I mentioned is also well represented. There is the highly melodic noise of “Teenage Goddesses”, and “I Hate My Generation”, which takes a swing at the generation the band have lived through. It comes with another frantic rhythm, muscular guitars and a distinctly post-punk synthesiser that surfaces from time to time.
Nothing, though, surpasses the title track, where electronics feed an exhilarating sequence of rhythmic changes and Isa's voice provides the melodic centre. The same is true of “Sacrificio”, which closes the album with a nod to The Cure at their poppiest and leaves you wanting more. It is a perfect ending to a record that could easily be the best of the band's career.
Score: 88/100