Feb Favorites

There is a lot of new music out this month. Below are the new albums I recommend, and a few others I do not. 
Here is a playlist sample of the February highlights:
https://open.spotify.com/user/fluid3sally/playlist/1OMOy6cB0mDWc3i5nyAZaS
 
Recommended:

Magic Wands - Jupiter
The first Magic Wands, Aloha Moon, is a Spunk Rock Classic. The much anticipated follow-up is worth the wait, and worth a play. Expect it to be more introspective than the first one. I wrote a separate review here:
http://joelspunkrock.blogspot.com/2016/02/new-record-review-magic-wands-jupiter.html

Lacey Sturm - Life Screams
Several strong spunky songs on this one. Not as good as the 2005 Flyleaf classic, but a welcome addition. separate review in process.
see also my buddy Jack's post here:
http://jackwillowbee.blogspot.com/2016/02/2016-lacey-sturm-life-screams.html

Man with a Mission - The World's On Fire
These guys have a good hard-rock sound with accessible vocals (some lyrics in Japanese). I wasn't blown away by this record, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is pretty good. certainly worth a listen. note: the sampler playlist has an older song because this one is not on Spotify (yet).

The Jezebels - Synthia
I didn't think I liked the Jezebels, but this one may be changing my mind. It is dark and moody, intense at times, not the spunkiest thing I've heard, but a good listen throughout.

School of Seven Bells - SVIIB
This is a cool record by a cool band, that is, sadly, no longer with us. School of Seven Bells have an ethereal sound that is at times entrancing and at times danceable. It uses a lot of electronics, but is still quite personable and emotive. This album is moody and gloomy at times, but a good listen. Maybe the best pick by this group. Recommended for fans of Ladytron

Deluxe - Stachelight
This group incorporates some big-band and swing elements. This record is pretty cool, some good party songs. Recommended for fans of Amy Winehouse and Chantal Claret.

DIIV - is the is are
This is an interesting record, good sound. with a mellow sound somewhat similar to the new Magic Wands, this must be the month for dream pop. This one sounds vaguely reminiscent of Sonic Youth's The Eternal, although not as noisy. Recommended for fans of Interpol and 2000's era Sonic Youth


Close, but nope

Santigold - 99 cents
Santigold has had some cool songs in the past, so I was looking forward to this one. disappointment. pass. songs feel uninspired. There is a redeeming track, Rendevous Girl. Outside the War is also somewhat interesting.

Dressy Bessy - Kingsized
I used to think I liked this band, now I'm not so sure. Maybe it was just that one song, The Things that You Say that You Do, the modern equivalent of a one-hit wonder. anyhow, this new one is pretty bland. pass.

Anneke Van Giersbergen - Verloren Verleden
Anneke used to be in The Gathering, a prolific Rock band from Holland spanning the 90's and 2000's. Their catalog has a lot of variety, including some great spunk moments. They are often described as symphonic metal, and those words do apply well to early Gathering records. But their later stuff, not so much. Now, Anneke has come full circle to a soft sound like a lullaby. I found this record quite boring. a shame. If not familiar, do check out the Gathering (before she left in 2007), but leave this one alone.


other, noteworthy

Anthrax - For All Kings
Last month we had a new Megadeth, this month new Anthrax. a good time for late-80's metal heads. This one sounds pretty good, if you're into that sort of thing.

Nevermen - Nevermen
Recommended for fans of Mike Patton. If you're not already a fan, this is probably not a good place to start. My buddy Jack has more to say about it here:
http://jackwillowbee.blogspot.com/2016/02/2016-nevermen-nevermen.html

Simple Plan - Taking One for the Team
Simple Plan is a pop-punk band from Montreal. This sound is not for me, but this is a reasonably good record. Recommended for fans of Jimmy Eat World, Fallout Boy, and the All American Rejects

The Suffers - self titled
The Suffers enticed me at first with the concept of their band. It is a large group of people featuring a variety of instruments (guitars, horns, various percussion) and a style fusing jazz, soul, funk, ska, reggae, etc. Unfortunately, the execution on that idea is weak, and this album leaves me bored. I will keep an eye on this group though, because I think I hear potential.

Black Peaks - Statues was scheduled for release in Feb. Now moved out to April. looking forward to this one.

Chantal Claret has a new EP out yesterday, Conquistadora. Chantal is a star here on Spunk Rock.. named #11 most bad-ass Rock'N'Role-model with SAF=92, more on that here
http://joelspunkrock.blogspot.com/2016/02/top-20-bad-ass-rocknrole-models.html
Many of those points were earned in the now-defunct band Morningwood, but her solo LP, The One the Only, has its own spunk too. Chantal embodies the Spunk Rock attitude. For these reasons, I make mention of the new EP. I mostly focus on new albums, just for the sake of time. I barely have time to keep up with new albums, let alone all the new EPs and singles out there. This one is not on Spotify yet, so it's not on my Feb Favorites playlist. Do check out the Rock'N'Role-model playlist though, if you haven't already.