Sunday, July 30, 2017

July Picks

Another busy month. Lots of short plays (EPs) and singles, and several solid records.

My top picks for the month...




here are the summary playlists...

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/fluid3sally/playlist/1DoGzGzek6v26ZljcCIlC7

YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWm4729w0mtdbANCI_02nKo7Oz0p83Ng4




First To Eleven - Dead to Me (EP) 
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPTlhlRttSE


As December Falls - Keep Dreaming (EP)
Not a full release, but enough good tunes packed in to 2 songs to take a top slot this month
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMwTb4PSLgQ


The Dead Deads - Flying Saucers (EP)
Another reason Nashville is a hot spot of spunk activity. the dead deads are rad rad.
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKGHsiLaFsg


In This Moment - Ritual
take a walk on the heavier side. some solid tracks on this one, not too much screamo
Lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65mEt_RvQDs


Sheer Mag - Need to Feel Your Love
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajrpkp0ZR1I


Guerilla Toss - GT Ultra (late June release)
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haIhUSzONzw


Mammut - Kinder Versions
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht72FUbpOKc


In The Valley Below - Elephant (EP)
audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhD9WU21fCI


Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas - Telephone
late June release
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jXMCP8HflY


Japanese Breakfast - Soft Sounds From Another Planet
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wujw-FH2Itw


Mise En Scene - Still Life On Fire
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM3fSaAKprw


Earl - Tongue Tied
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kj2_bGe3lo


The Amorettes - Haulin' Ass
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPNAsZNmbDI


The Hot Damns - Cinematique, Pt. 1
audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh2VQn9dxig


Powerflo - Powerflo
Cypress Hill vocals paired with some hard rocker players. pairs well with Prophets of Rage
lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYm3WXIdOJs


Melvins - A Walk With Love and Death


Sharkmuffin - Split EP with The Off White


Mick Jagger - single with a B side
I expected some boring old fart-knocker rock, but was pleasantly surprised, this is fresh and not bad. worth a spin.



Heavy

  • Screaming for Silence
  • Prong



Singles

  • PVRIS (new record next week!)
  • Wolf Alice
  • Letters from the Fire
  • This Side of Town
  • We Are the Empty
  • Garbage
  • The Struts
  • Sleeping With Sirens
  • StarBenders
  • Prophets of Rage
  • Rainer Maria
  • DWNTWN
  • Dagny
  • The Animal In Me
  • Nothing More
  • Hellions
  • Memphis May Fire
  • Don Broco
  • Arch Enemy



Close, but nope
some readers may be interested in new records from the following, that didn't quite do it for me personally.

  • Waxahatchee
  • Haim
  • Lana Del Ray
  • Goldfinger
  • Alice Cooper
  • Nine Inch Nails
  • The Fall
  • Arcade Fire
  • The Isley Brothers with Santana
  • Kim Seviour
  • Accept
  • Foster the People
  • Chris Robinson Brotherhood
  • Rosi Golan
  • Tilia
  • DWNTWN
  • Holy Moly & The Crackers


that's it for this month. enjoy the tunes. rock on. fight on. write on.



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Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Best Records of 2017 So Far

We've passed the half-way mark, and 2017 is picking up speed. Here is the Spunk Rock "Best Of" list for the year so far.















Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/fluid3sally/playlist/4WAYtxcyVzwqR2w7xV4FLA







(1) Freya Wilcox & The Howl - Tooth & Nail




























(2) Salvation Jayne - Moves That Make The Record Skip





























(4) Vukovi - Vukovi


























(5) We Are Riot - No Saints
(6) MisterWives - Connect The Dots



























(8) The Birthday Massacre - Under Your Spell




























(9) The Nearly Deads - Revenge of the Nearly Deads




























(10) Body Count - Bloodlust





























(11) Bad Cop, Bad Cop - Warriors



























(12) Sainte - Smile, And Wave
































(13) Hey Violet - From The Outside




























(14) Blondie - Pollinator

























(15) Doll Skin - Manic Pixie Dream Girl





























(16) Jule Vera - Waiting On The Sun



(17) Greywind - Afterthoughts
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1AWdF1R0oQ

























(18) Courage My Love - Synesthesia




























(19) Minus The Bear - VOIDS
























(20) The Beautiful Monument - I'm The Sin

























(21) HalfLives - Empty Rooms
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGZ5CoY33mk








(22) The New Respects - Here Comes Trouble






(23) Scarlet Canary - Perspective




























(24) The New Pornographers - Whiteout Conditions








(25) The Letter Black - Pain



























(26) The Regrettes - Feel Your Feelings Fool!



























(27) King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Murder of the Universe







(28) Cold War Kids - L.A. Divine




...more to come...

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Sunday, July 2, 2017

June Picks

Wow! June was the month 2017 got finally got its Rock'N'Roll head out of its arse. This year has been pretty slow, with a handful of good records each month.. and then..  iWHAM! the flood gates open all at once. Here is my break down:



Spotify Playlist:  https://open.spotify.com/user/fluid3sally/playlist/1MdL6fs16LnuKE1OPUT3cH


YouTube Playlist:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWm4729w0mtf9-wGEtWIK5FsNKCr2Ylc6





Top Records of the Month:


Freya Wilcox & The Howl - Tooth & Nail
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzfX7NRueu0


Salvation Jayne - Moves That Make the Record Skip (EP)
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32yY_0W9S4s


We Are Riot - No Saints
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFILlw6ACuM&feature=youtu.be


The Birthday Massacre - Under Your Spell
audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmE8go5PXGA


Beth Ditto - Fake Sugar
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPbiklLnDQo


The Nearly Deads - Revenge of the Nearly Deads
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AutS-dYmvtc


The Letter Black - Pain
audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyt6ci87_VM


SAINTE - smile, and wave (EP)
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oVefMrL7WM


The Sounds - The Tales That We Tell (EP)
audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7bYLc8jCeU


Jule Vera - Waiting On The Sun
audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqlxXuz48OQ


Hey Violet - From The Outside
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgvLDZ7VCb0


Bad Cop, Bad Cop - Warriors
audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL8vv1HEJGY


Doll Skin - Manic Pixie Dream Girl
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLLysVWpJuY


Basic B*tches - City Slackers
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLJTQ9AS8J8


Halsey - Hopeless Fountain Kingdom
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpiNnRa_TcE


The Eden House - Songs for the Broken Ones
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILAgOPqhthM


Machineheart - Cruel World
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09fMLDTPr1w


Meadowlark - Postcards
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wivUX1qxetQ


Krewella - New World Pt. 1
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLU9tY9X5EE


King Gizard and the Lizard Wizard - Murder of the Universe
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-i1XZc8ZwA


Royal Blood - How Did We Get So Dark?
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BermIHe03zU




Heavy
  • Adrenaline Mob
  • Jorn
  • Iced Earth
  • SikTh
  • The Ferrymen
  • Aurora





Singles




Close, but nope

some readers may be interested in new releases from the following artists, which didn't quite do it for me personally:
  • Ani Difranco
  • ZZ Ward
  • 311
  • Rise Against
  • Rancid
  • Flogging Molly
  • Gov't Mule
  • All Time Low
  • Broadside
  • Imagine Dragons
  • Nickelback
  • Katy Perry
  • TLC
  • Big Thief
  • Geowolf
  • Marnie
  • Girl Blue
  • Portugal, the Man
  • Dua Lipa
  • Sinead Harnett
  • Allie X
  • Mothica
  • Serena Ryder
  • The White Noise
  • Marnie
  • Phoenix
  • Lemaitre
  • Imagination
  • Chon
  • Clea
  • Saint Etienne

That was a busy month. Enjoy. Rock on. fight on. write on.





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Monday, May 29, 2017

May Picks

 There was a lot of new music this month. There were a lot of May records that were good, but not quite good enough to make the cut.

The theme of the month seems to be mid-tempo dance rock.

Below is my list of favorites, summarized in 2 playlists.

Spotify Playlist:  https://open.spotify.com/user/fluid3sally/playlist/1xV1Ctz03FTWqhAFwGO0WF

YouTube Playlist:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWm4729w0mtd4ai5hTyUf30zcOEOnYgnB


LOLAA - Lolaa
Sisters of Magneta Lane are back with a new and fresh sound. A little more dance oriented compared to the rockin riffs of ML, but still the distinctive, quality song writing. One thing I always liked about ML was the ability to craft songs that grow better after many plays, and that hasn't changed. Looking forward to the Always Been video.
audio: http://ridethetempo.com/2017/05/16/listen-lolaa-spirits/


MisterWives - Connect the Dots
Sophmore album from an up-and-coming spunk star centered in NYC. This record is filled with beats to move you, horns, keys, thoughtful lyrics, funky riffs, everything you could ask for. It is not quite as instantly appealing as their 2015 debut.. the songs are a little deeper and more intricate, the hooks a bit more subtle. MisterWives compose songs that mix deep, profound meaning, with pleasant, playful dance beats. If you're just looking for another Reflections, this one may seem anti-climatic, but if you are looking for music with melody and substance, cheer and feel, I'd say both are very strong records.
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhC2c6N-cFM



Blondie - Pollinator
Legends. Blondie was among the first wave of proto-spunk, emerging from the presumptive spunk capital of the world, NYC. most suns from that era have long since set, but Blondie remains alive and vibrant, and as relevant as ever.
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaL-G9zVxzk


Pumarosa - The Witch
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLwJbfT05KM


At The Drive-In - in-ter a-li-a
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoNJ6AQhmFY


Brutus - Burst
the drummer is the singer. I think that's cool. 
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXP4JUo4Om0


Fazerdaze - Morningside
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My4j3vgFxbE


Paramore - After Laughter
read my less-than-impressed comments here: http://joelspunkrock.blogspot.com/2017/05/new-paramore.html
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw-RPm1uOM4


!!! - Shake the Shudder
I think it's pronounced 'sheak sheak sheak'
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPn_AnP9N9I


Seether - Poison The Parish
breaking up the dance beats with some fresh grunge riffs from down under
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnlwqqy4XB4


Dreamcar - Dreamcar
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj_fc6bG8aE


Djustin - Voyagers
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJY8vSCfv8U


Mishkin Fitzgerald - Seraphim
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejb3sITMIoM



Bruise Violet - Survival of the Prettiest
I think this was released previously, but available on Spotify this month.
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RzvXPJIKtY


Sharkmuffin - Tsuki
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbMjgJmwwLg


The Nearly Deads - available on spotify next month.. waiting eagerly



special mention
Todd Rundgren - White Knight
I didn't actually care for this record, but I think this one song is worth highlighting
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=los9WulxBjM
oh and BTW.. "tweet like a GRRRL"




Heavy
  • Hail Sagan
  • Motionless in White
  • Dream Evil
  • Kobra and the Lotus
  • Seven Kingdoms


Singles


Oops, I missed it..
and two of these were bands I "liked" already.. so much to keep up with.
  • Reason Define
  • Courage My Love
  • The Beautiful Monument
  • Ankathie Koi



Close, but nope..
Some readers may be interested to know there are new records from these groups, that didn't quite do it for me personally..
  • Amanda Palmer
  • Danzig
  • Big Walnuts Yonder (Mike Watt on bass)
  • Afghan Whigs
  • Papa Roach
  • Linked-in Park
  • Dishwalla
  • Snakecharmer
  • Silver Story
  • Chris Robinson Brotherhood (member of Black Crowes)
  • Kasabian
  • LP
  • Emily Barker
  • Jane Weaver
  • Mandisa
  • Don Bryant
  • Alestorm (not to be confused with Halestorm, which, if new, would be at the top of the list.)
  • The Charlatans
  • Retouch
  • Avatarium
  • The Amazons
  • Love X Stereo
  • Smith & Thell
  • Heirsound 
  • Cannons

that's it for this month. keep listening, keep dancing. fight on. rock on. write on.







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Saturday, May 13, 2017

New Paramore

New Record: Paramore, After Laughter





Paramore is one of the better known of the modern pop-rock bands making a fresh spunky sound. While I was never among the crowds of die-hard Paramore fans, I have dug several of their songs over the years, and I have been cautiously optimistic that they might do something exciting with this new record.

Maybe not.

This record has a softer edge compared to the classic Paramore sound. That in itself is not a bad thing.. I like it when artists move in new directions (hopefully you've realized by now that I'm not trying to live in the past).  But I'm used to finding some hard-hitting riffs with melody hooks to engage and excite me as a listener. Here, they seem to be going for a more relaxed and introspective feel.. and I'm not sure they've yet learned how to go there.

There are undertones throughout this record reminiscent of Blondie (who, by the way, had a new record of their own last week.) I like Blondie a lot, but what I am talking here is an Island reggae type of beat. It does not work very well for them. "Hard Times" starts out this way, and moves into lyrical territory that just does not match. Another example would be the wind chimes at the beginning of "Pool". I don't have a problem with wind chimes per se, but I don't see how they belong in this song.


There are a few forgetable tracks, and then "Fake Happy" is a stand-out track for me, one of the more interesting song structures, and closer to the quality I expect from this band.

"26" is a skipper.. maybe interesting lyrically, but a sleeper otherwise.

"Grudges" picks up the tempo enough to pull my attention back, but never quite hits it hard enough.

"Caught in the Middle" has a catchy funky groove that I'm digging.. another of the better tracks for me.

"Idle Worship" continues the trend of better tracks toward the end of the record. this is an interesting song structure that will be worth a few more plays.

Next, they drop the ball with "No Friend". Total filler, WTF? It looks like this one could have ended after about 10 tracks. "Tell Me How" brings some feeling to end on a bittersweet note. I like the album composition there.


Overall, a lack-luster record.. I had hoped for more. I'm left with the sense that I don't really get what they were going for on this record. Maybe a swing and miss, or maybe I just don't see it.


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