May Flowers

 WOW! A lot of great tunes bloomed this month. As usual, I begin with a playlist with picks from this month's coolest new records.
https://open.spotify.com/user/fluid3sally/playlist/0V4AZuytcUwRA1HafeaU0e



Top Picks: May 2016


Against the Current - In Our Bones
A rising star in the spunk rock universe. This is a young band from Poughkeepsie NY USA. Their debut full-length features many great songs with dance beats, pop hooks, and rockin' song structures. They are not a heavy band and that works for them. Song writing is excellent and every song is a pleasure to listen to and dance along. This will definitely have a place on the best-of-2016 list. On the Warped Tour this summer.
listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcvuYNhfj-c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya-SzODPFVc


Band of Skulls - By Default
A strong, spunky contribution from a newer band (formed 2008 in England). Will also have a place of 2016 best-of. Not to be confused with Band of Horses, who also had a new song this month. I do not recommend Band of Horses, unless you like fart-knocker, in which case, check them out and enjoy. Band of Skulls, on the other hand, will likely be inducted into the Spunk Rock hall of fame.


White Lung - Paradise
This is a cool record with a distinctive sound. A little spazz-rock held together by tight playing. Fourth full-length. From Vancouver.


Thrice - To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere
I thought I knew the band Thrice, but I must have been confusing them with someone else. I was expecting something punky and formulaic somewhere between Thursday and Taking Back Sunday. I was mistaken. This new record is fresh and rockin' with great vocals and powerful riffs. A refreshing find.It looks like they had about 4 records before this one, which means... big find of new great tunes to save for a rainy day. Add these guys to the long list of spunk rock champions from SoCal.


Summer Cannibals  - Full Of It
Portland locals deliver a fresh take on the classic Kill Rock Stars sound.. somewhere near the intersection of Bangs and the Thermals. Part of a pattern I am calling Riot Grrl: the Next Generation. Second full-length. video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11-mXYVZWh8


Kristin Kontrol - X-Communicate
A walk on the lighter side, Dee Dee from the Dum Dum Girls brings a clean-cut sound to Sub Pop, and I mean that in a good way. This is nice listening. Recommended for fans of Ladyhawke and Uh Huh Her and Dum Dum Girls (of course).


Sithu Aye - Set Course for Andromeda
some math rock, if you're in the mood for something different


Tanya Donnelly - Swan Song Series
You might remember her from such 80's/90's bands as Belly and Throwing Muses. This new one is very soft. I rarely recommend something this soft, but there are some good songs here.. if you are ready to relax.


Robin Trower - Where You Are Going To
a cool new record from a blues legend.. and I ain't talkin' about Clapton.




The VirginMarys - Divides
The British invasion never ended


Andy Black - The Shadow Side
from Black Veil Brides



Singles

• Chvrches
• Ladyhawke
• American Authors 
• letlive.

Heavy
some good stuff coming from the rough and heavy end of the spectrum

• Issues
• Saliva
• Pierce the Veil
• Saosin

old-timer's list:
Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton all had new records on the same day.


Catches. 

OOPS, I missed these records earlier this year. Better late than never. 

Haelos - Full Circle
This one landed in March and I missed it.  some soft, moody, electronica with heart. good for chillin and sippin'. somewhere near the intersection of Magic Wands and Portishead.

Bananarama
April 29 was the new Cilver. and several other cool records. Amidst all the coolnes, I didn't notice a new release from an 80's bubblegum group like Bananarama. But yea, there was a new one from them. Pretty cool.



close but nope:

the Duke Spirit
I enjoyed the first two records by this band at the time. when the third one came around, I thought it was pretty good too. This month they released their 4th full-length, and it hasn't left much of an impression on me yet. Perhaps I'll give it another try someday, but for now, pass.

Eric Clapton.
Not a bad blues record, but not a very good one either. Low energy and formulaic. I could imagine BB King doing something like this 50 years ago. If you just want more blues  in your life, this might be for you. Otherwise, see Robin Trower above.

Cyndi Lauper
I was digging this at first, but the country twang drove me away. I would not have guessed this was Cyndi Lauper, but my wife did.