Everybody's got a list. It's the end of the year and the internet is full of "best of" and "worse of" lists. Top Ten Albums is one of the most popular topics, so if everyone else can do it, so can I. First thing I did was make a list of all the new releases that I purchased over the last 12 months. If I didn't buy it, it didn't make the list. Here's my list, if you don't like it, make your own.
Black Country Communion - 2 - Number one on my list for 2011. I'm a fan of the deep, blues based heavy rock. Glenn Hughes is a master at this, his voice has so much emotion and power behind it. This album is like getting slapped in the face by 1974. It's just good, good, good. How Glenn Hughes has gone through what he has, and come out the other side still prolific I can't understand, but he's done it, he's one of the success stories. His career is long and storied and this record is as valid as anything that has come before. It's hard and heavy and moody and loud; everything I love. This album makes me feel like Jason Bonham has finally stepped out of his father's shadow, I think Jason was always a good drummer, but this album is Jason Bonham, not John Bonham's son. I was so pleased with the first BCC record and I really thought that was as good as it was going to get, I'm so glad I was wrong.
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events - This was my introduction to Dream Theater. I love drama and after all the "hoopla" surrounding this release I had to buy it, and it was good. My perception of DT was way off, I've dismissed them for years, never even wanting to check them out. I guess I never thought there was a vocal presence in their music. I was wrong, this vocalist is large and strong. I find it amazing the amount of texture that the keyboards add to their music, and I'm not a fan of keyboards. This guy just gets it right every time. This one gets a lot of spins in my house and will continue to get top billing on my iPod. Might have to set it aside now and then as I discover their back catalog, but I think I'll keep coming back.
Journey - Greatest Hits Volume 2 - While not an actual "new release" I'm counting this cause it's my list and I can do what I want. This remaster sounds so good and contains some of my favorite Journey songs. I don't care who you are, if you don't love Steve Perry's voice you might not have a heart. These songs are just so big and full and seeping with emotion. I know I'll listen to this album again and again especially now that it's winter. Even in the depths of a Pennsylvania winter Steve Perry can make it feel like summertime and that's magic. Come back Steve! Please! We miss you!
Goyte - Making Mirrors - Yes, I saw the video and jumped on this bandwagon. As intoxicating as the video is the rest of the album is just as addictive. This is one of those albums that I just can't listen to enough. I've got a short attention span and get bored easily but it has been a long time since an artist has intrigued me and held my attention as long as this guy has. I'm still listening to this one at least once a week or more. If you don't have this album, buy it and do it now. It's full of twists and turns, will keep your interest and won't disappoint. Every time I listen to it I hear something new.
Tommy Shaw - The Great Divide - No one loves Tommy Shaw's music more than I do. I've heard the rumors and speculation about this album for quite some time. I was fearful that his association with Alison Krauss might do to him what it did to Robert Plant and render this an Alison Krauss album with him as a backup singer. Whew! Dodged that bullet! This album is all Tommy. There was a lot of old school bluegrass played in our house growing up and this hits the mark. It may not be my favorite Tommy Shaw, but it is good, it's honest and from the heart. It shows his versatility and musicianship and that voice is still as good as it was 30 years ago. I might not listen to this often cause it kind of makes me sad. I only wish my Mom could have still been here to enjoy it, I think she would have liked it; we could have enjoyed it together.
Def Leppard - Mirrorball - about time we got a live album from Def Leppard. I love the Leps, they were a major player in the soundtrack of my college years. This is also a band where the history of them only endears them to me more. This is a true band, young kids with dreams who made them come true together and stuck together, good and bad. I'll pick this over the studio releases for casual listening, it's all the Def Leppard goodness you need, all in one place.
Mr. Big - What if - I loved Mr. Big back in the day and I was sad when they went away. Unfortunately for them, they were lumped into that much maligned 80's genre; they deserved better. Eric Martin's voice is still there, the same as I remember. This is no nostalgia act looking to pad their retirement fund, this is a working, living band still creating music for those who will listen.. and they're BIG in Japan.
Journey - Eclipse - Sorry folks, I wanted to like it. I wanted to love it. I tried, I listened to this over and over for days, weeks even. The J-boys have delivered a great album sonically but I don't feel any heart in it. I'll continue to listen to this one cause I want embrace this singer and incarnation of the band but aside from a few tracks I don't think my opinion will change. Can't help but think this would have been a great Night Ranger album.
Night Ranger - Growing up in California - Almost didn't buy this one, I heard the samples and wasn't very excited about it. It grows on you though. I like it better after a few listens than at first. I just don't think the songs sound as big as a Night Ranger song should sound. The title track has a lot of cheese in it. In a alternate universe Night Ranger would have recorded Eclipse and it would have been great.
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light - I think Dave Grohl is one of our last remaining true Rock Stars. In a world of manufactured music and pop stars Dave Grohl give me hope. He's honest, he pours his heart into every performance and most of all, he's a fan. The sound of this album is raw and it's rock n roll. I applaud their embrace of analog. I think it makes a difference sonically. If I were to spend more time with this one, I think it will move up on the list. I'll pull this one out when I need a little hope.
Other Random Purchases in no particular order:
The Decemberists - The King is Dead: Something about this record makes me think of something in the past, it reminds me of someone, just can't figure it out. I continue to listen to it because this element of recollection is so elusive; I know it will come to me some day.
Duran Duran - All You Need is Now - I was a casual fan back in the day and I like this album, kinda. I'm over it now, if I want to listen to Duran Duran I'll stick to the Greatest Hits.
Whitesnake - Forevermore - This album got a lot of talk, but didn't get a lot of spins, at least not in my house. It is better than the last one, but I still don't think I've listened to is more than three or four times. Back on the shelf it goes.
The Cars - Move Like This - Yeah, I listened to this a few times. It sounds like The Cars but after the initial excitement of new Cars music was over it's back on the shelf. Nothing more to see here.
Angels & Airwaves - Love Part Two - I liked the free single from iTunes, but not sure why I paid money for this… maybe later I'll open it and listen.
Nickelback - Here and Now - Yup, I like Nickelback. Their music is fun and basic and simple, no thought required. All you need when listening to Nickelback is friends and a 30 pack. After a few listens I'm thinking they're wishing they had hired Mutt Lang again. In the world of Nickelback, this one isn't as good as the last. Dark Horse was an excellent Nickelback album and I was hoping for more with this one.
