Sunday, March 27, 2016

March Madness

March '16 turned out to be a fairly good month for new music. Here is a playlist with my picks.

Feel free to skip the words I write and just follow the tunes.

March 2016 playlist
https://open.spotify.com/user/fluid3sally/playlist/6llMwHgnl5szCJiRGfUIQe


Top Picks
approximate order of ass-kickery


Icon For Hire - You Can't Kill Us
This isn't a new record so much as a few singles from a new record coming this year. They have a kickstarter for the new record, and are dropping it a few tracks at a time, to be complete by the end of the year. An obvious candidate for best of 2016. Any new Icon is big news here at Spunk Rock.
These are not on Spotify and hence not on my playlist. But you can check out audio here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzffIT79Xlo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3-CLP5zxss



Tonight Alive - Limitless
a cool band with a cool new record, one of the best so far this year. A relatively young band from Australia that has just found their voice with this release, in my opinion.
separate review here: http://joelspunkrock.blogspot.com/2016/03/new-record-tonight-alive-limitless.html


Cilver - Not the end of the world
Cilver is new to me, and appears to be new in their journey as a band, and showing a lot of potential! These songs kick ass. Throwing down some heavy riffs with great vocals. Recommended for fans of Flyleaf, The Dirty Youth, and New Years Day. From New York City with a southern Cali spunk sound.


The Joy Formidable - Hitch
TJF is a cool Welsh band that I've been listening to for some time, but this is the first time I've put in the effort to study a full record. Glad I did. Their songs take a little time to develop, but are worth it. There is something up with this record on Spotify, so I added an older one of theirs just in case.


Kung  Fu - Joyride
some good ole' jazz-funk for dat ass. play it!
check out my buddy Jack's review here: http://jackwillowbee.blogspot.com/2016/03/2016-kung-fu-joyride.html



The Struts - Everybody Wants
A promising new band from London. This guy has spunk in a throw-back glam pop-rock way. The record still sounds fresh though.This is not a typical selection for Spunk Rock; it has an area frat-guy feel that I don't usually go for. But it is among the interesting music this month nonetheless. It's getting good press, I expect we'll hear more from The Struts.


Lucius - Good Grief

A walk on the lighter side, Lucius has good song-writing with trace of oldies feel. A good listen that is not your typical NYC punk sound. Warning: some songs quite slow.



The Thermals - We Disappear
I saw the Thermals open for Sleater-Kinney is 2004. So this band has been around the sun a few times. I was never blown away by their sound, but they are pretty good. Very Portland. Recommended for fans of Dinosaur Jr and the Rondelles.



Singles refer to playlist

  • Ladyhawke
  • Summer Cannibals
  • Lizzo
  • The Nearly Deads
  • D.A.R.K.

Blues Rock
a few cool records this month with an old-school bluesy southern rock feel. One sample each on the playlist.
  • Record Company  - Give It Back To You
  • Joe Bonamassa - Blues Of Desperation
  • Jeff Healey - Heal My Soul
 

Heavy
a few more cool records this month that violate my "no screaming" policy, but still rock. worth checking out if you swing that way. One sample each on the playlist.
  • Walls Of Jericho - No One Can Save You From Yourself
  • Heck - Instructions
  • The Word Alive - Dark Matter

noteworthy
Iggy Pop - Post Pop Depression
Punk's step-father is back with something new. My reaction to this record is similar to what I said about David Bowie's Blackstar. I hope Iggy is ok.

Gwen Stefani - This is what the Truth Feels like
disappointed. separate review here
http://joelspunkrock.blogspot.com/2016/03/new-record-gwen-stefani.html

Violent Femmes - We Can Do Anything
soft and folky. some good songs, but you won't find another Blister in the Sun here.

Face to Face - Protection
one of the quintessential 80's punk bands. Not my cup of tea, but noteworthy. Recommended for fans of Social Distortion and  Pennywise



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