So much good music this month.
September was another ass-kicking month for lovers of Rock'N'Roll!
..and a lot of work for bloggers of Rock'N'Roll.
playlists up front:
Canonical Spunk
These first bands typify the spunk sound. more than one contender here for best of 2016..
Bad Seed Rising - Awake in Color
These Kids ROCK! and I say that with a sense of reverence for the youthful spirit that has always been the bad seed of Rock'N'Roll. A debut record, but they already have several hard-hitting, ass-kicking EP's and a Warped Tour under their belt.
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27WUNp76CPE
separate review here: http://joelspunkrock.blogspot.com/2016/10/new-record-bad-seed-rising.html
Hands Off Gretel - Burn the Beauty Queen
Long-awaited debut from UK spunk queen
separate review here: http://joelspunkrock.blogspot.com/2016/09/new-record-hands-off-gretel-burn-beauty.html
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIJb64JI4BQ
Fit For Rivals - Freak Machine
quintessential Spunk from Jacksonville, Florida. I missed this one in September and came back to edit the post later -- great record!!
audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFlIXYjVS0Y
Deap Valley - Femejism
some spunky grudge LA style. This is one of those bands that could really work for me.. if only they would add another player. This is basically a single guitar with drums (maybe some sounds added in production.) With bands like this, I usually feel like something is missing.. not really a full sound. I'm not saying it has to be a base guitar, but some other instrument to fill in the call and response. Still a good record though. Femejism: get some.
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIreuaDVJdA
Ruts D.C. - Music Must Destroy
cameo by Henry Rollins
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXWtgfvDehA
Against Me! - Shape Shift With Me
you go grrrl
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUWi8lVaGcE
Sleep Machine - Animal High
another one for LA
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhBRatkx_-k
Kidneythieves - the Mend
Another long-awaited new record from a major star in the spunk rock universe. Unfortunately, that standing left very high expectations.. and.. with the exception of a few stand-out tracks, this one falls short. Still a solid record, but you won't find another "Glitter Girl" or "Taxi Cab Messiah" on this new one. "Fist Up" is the stand-out track for me. Audio of that one below.
audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-8KQFj0NUA
Joanne Shaw Taylor - Wild
That's some fine soul rock. Nashville has nothing on the UK. This was my first meeting Joanne Shaw Taylor, so I looked around online. My fellow music journalists are making a big deal of the fact that a woman is playing a guitar. and not in a you-go-grrl way.
Really? HTFDYF? (How The F--k Do You Figure?)
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93dvPh33EnE
Spunk Rock: after hours
Take a walk on the lighter side with these records in the key of chill:
Izzy Bizu - A Monument of Madness
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52aMOV4Rbpc
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM1_8PJVBto
Skye and Ross - Skye and Ross
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFs5V9fKiEA
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8hAnGoDsoA
Dagny - Ultraviolet EP
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K0y1RT6M68
Still Corners - Dead Blue
softer side of Sub Pop. flavor of dream-gaze. Recommended for fans of Magic Wands and Uh Huh Her
The Tuts - Update Your Brain
The Shondes - Brighton
Pixies - Head Carrier
Baby Baby - Semifamous
Heavy and Classic
there were several good heavy records from..
- Of Mice and Men
- Ghost BC
- Epica
classic rock flashbacks for lovers of the old sound, Guns and Roses, AC/DC, etc.
- Airbourne
- Crobot
- RavenEye
Singles
Nina Diaz:
Debut solo album coming soon from the legendary rock'n'roll monster also known for guitar and vocals from Girl In A Coma.
watch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xL_nTij-5A
Lizzo: new record coming soon from the heir-apparent to the Grrrl crown. This isn't my favorite by her (see also Good as Hell), but any new Lizzo is a big deal around here.
watch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zZzn-KxeRI
Good As Hell (May) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmbmeOgWsqE
Lauren Strange
Zombie cover this month, debut full-length coming soon. more here:
http://joelspunkrock.blogspot.com/2016/09/featured-single-lauren-strange-covers.html
Louise Distras
Up-and-coming spunk star from the UK (also touring in the area, so don't miss out if you are local). I enjoyed this video, and so should you..
http://www.kerrang.com/45350/louise-distras-premieres-new-single-aileen/
The Menstrual Cramps
https://vimeo.com/184982068
Hey Violet
The Pretty Reckless
The Ramona Flowers
Blue Ruin - debut single (August)
Oops I missed it
better late than never...
Skarlett Riot - Sentience (May)
Bleached - Welcome the Worms (April)
Barb Wire Dolls - Desperate (July)
Close, but Nope
There were several strong candidates this month that did not quite make the cut for the playlist (a very busy month, musically.)
Sex Stains
Riot Grrl pioneer Allison Wolfe, of Bratmobile fame, is back with next generation Grrrl band Sex Stains. I must confess I could never really get into Bratmobile, although they hold a position in punk history that I respect. Sex Stains has not changed my mind, but I think this album is worth highlighting.
audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEI8NzaOMTQ
Suicidal Tendencies a classic band in punk/rock/metal. not really my cup of tea.
Regina Spektor
a lot of people I know with good music taste really dig this stuff, so I say this with respect, but I could never really connect.
Angel Olsen
I saw a lot of good buzz around this one, so I'm including it here.. too soft for my taste though
A Day to Remember
Rachael Yamagata
Circa Survive
The Wytches
KT Tunstall
Taking Back Sunday
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Pansy Division
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