Musically, this month started somewhat dry, but later in the month.. well.. when it rains it pours. Here are the highlights. (caution: a lot of heavy selections this month)
Playlist sample of the records below (open in Spotify)
https://open.spotify.com/user/fluid3sally/playlist/67POqBjeaOySv2ujm3Fy4E
Cilver Not the End of the World
The biggest thunder dropped on April 29 with Cilver's debut. Separate review here:
http://joelspunkrock.blogspot.com/2016/04/new-record-cilver.html
PVRIS White Noise
Another very strong record this month was the sophmore release from Boston's PVRIS. They are on tour now and tickets are selling out. Recommended for fans of Metric, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Of Verona. Note that the first two songs start slow, and the pace picks up with track 3. Great throughout. I think it is pronounced like Paris, France.
Mike and the Melvins Three Men and a Baby
The Melvins were one of the definitive Seattle grunge bands.. of the pioneers of that sound in the mid-to-late 1980's. This time joined by Mike Kunka formerly of GodHeadSilo. Unlike most bands from the early grunge era, they have stayed active over the years, playing shows and releasing new material most years. This record has the classic sound, and it is good to hear that fresh and now.
Haken Affinity
A very solid collection of beats and song structures here. The word "prog" comes to mind. Recommended for fans of Rush and Muse
Niki & the Dove Everybody's Heart is Broken Now
Take a walk on the lighter side with this one. Cool, funky beats, and catchy songs. Good for a dance party.
Sixx:A.M. Prayers for the Damned
starts with "Rise" as the opening anthem. Hard not to like this.
SOTO Divak
Jeff Scott Soto and company lay down some solid hard rock. Toward the heavy end of the spunk spectrum, but with good vocals (not sreamed) it is worth it.
Willie Nile World War Willie
For fans of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. That should be praise enough.
Black Mountain IV
some indy, synth-laden, space funk. I can dig it.
Coathangers Nosebleed Weekend
Part of a pattern I am calling Riot Grrl: The Next Generation. Recommended for fans of Bratmobile and the Dollyrots
Ayria Paper Dolls
Electronic beats with lovely vocals.
Singles (Refer to playlist)
- Letlive.Good Mourning America
- Pierce the Veil
- The Hearts: Lovers Drug
- Kristen Kontrol
- Claire Maguire
- The Kills
- Contact
- Little Mix
- Bahari
Noteworthy:
PJ Harvey - a well-respected artist among people with musical tastes similar to mine. However, I could never really get into PJ Harvey. This album is no exception. Boring. Next.
Deftones: Another band that has been popular among people with music tastes like mine for many years now. It always sounds monotonous to me. Dido here.
Black Stone Cherry: Some good spunk attempts. Not quite there for me yet.
Babymetal: Interesting because they are little kids. Otherwise too formulaic.
Lacuna Coil: an outstanding metal band. In the past, they have had some good songs with singing vocals. Unfortunately, here they are found screaming too much for my ear.
Black Peaks: This band has spunk appeal, unfortunately the growling turns me off.
Aesop Rock: a wordy rapper. some good stuff, but the lyrics feel forced to me, and don't really "flow" easily. As a result, these songs are hard to listen to more than once.
Rob Zombie: sorry, the vocals here are too ugly for my taste
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