ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Always a contentious one this, as everyone's tastes are different and
it's unlikely that we'd all ever agree, so here's my 10 favourites:
10) Game of Fools - Koritni
No sign of a difficult second album here. Excellent follow up to the
band's debut - Aussie bands really do have this hard rock thing down
pat, and Lex Koritni has a voice that could cut down trees.
9) Sick - Duff McKagan's Loaded
Very enjoyable album showcasing Duff's punk roots. Just a shame that
2 or 3 of the songs from the album had already appeared on their EP
from last year.
8) Strange Cousins from the West - Clutch
Pretty much as expected from Clutch with their usual combination of
hard rock and rhythmic grooves. I've never heard a bad Clutch album,
though I still don't think they've quite matched the splendour of
2004's Blast Tyrant.
7) White Sugar - Joanne Shaw Taylor
Superlative debut from a girl who has the potential to be one of the
great blues artists. Some really excellent tracks here and she has a
smoky singing voice that was made for the blues. Hard to believe
she's only in her early 20's with the guitar-playing ability on show
here.
6) Into the Valley of the Moon King - Magnum
My first taste of Magnum, having been loaned to me by a friend. I
really enjoyed this album and have since bought it and a couple of
others - the only criticism I would have is that, bizarrely, Bob
Catley sounds better live than he does on record.
5) Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot
Excellent debut, though a slightly daft name it has to be said. With
something like 100 years recording experience between them (almost as
long as each member of Quo!!), these boys were sure to deliver and
they have with
this album...big time.
4) Chutzpah! - The Wildhearts
Another one of those bands that just don't seem to make bad albums.
With a unique combination of pop hooks and rock riffs, this is yet
another first class album from Ginger and co.
3) Into the Labyrinth - Saxon
First album I bought this year and still one of my favourites.
Classic Saxon on show here, they are now starting to relive the
heights of their 80's heyday.
2) 21st Century Breakdown - Green Day
I'm sure to cop some flak for this one, but this album really is an
excellent follow up to 2004's American Idiot. A searing indictment
on
21st century society, delivered at a furious pace that leaves you
almost dazed.
1) Need to Believe - Gotthard
Top album of the year no question. Continuing a purple patch from
Lipservice and The Domino Effect, Gotthard have done it again. They
seem to get better with every album and are criminally underrated in
this country. If you like Aerosmith, Whitesnake or anyone else of
that ilk, then give this a try.
Other notable mentions go to Megadeth, Therapy?, W.A.S.P., Them
Crooked Vultures, The Atomic Bitchwax and The Answer.
GIG OF THE YEAR
I've only actually been to five gigs in the last year for one reason
or another, so I must try harder in 2010. It would have been 6 but I
had sciatica in October and missed Black Stone Cherry at the Norwich
UEA, much to my chagrin. Fortunately, friends of mine who went said
the sound was crap anyway!
5) Nickelback - O2 Arena, London in May
Excellent gig which showed what a great live band they are, and Chad
Kroeger does have a great voice. The highlight for me though was
when
Chris Robertson from Black Stone Cherry (the support act) came
onstage
and did Highway to Hell with them.
4) Magnum - The Waterfront, Norwich in November
First time I've seen Magnum and certainly won't be the last. They
mainly concentrated on the newer stuff, which was what I knew
fortunately, but the atmosphere was electric.
3) Thunder - Corn Exchange, Cambridge in July
The band's farewell tour so an extra special effort was made on their
part. Played songs from the full range of their career and finished
off with a sublime 10 minute version of Dirty Love in the encore.
Shame I'll never see them live again.
2) Green Day - O2 Arena, London in October
Second time I've seen Green Day and enjoyed it so much I've already
got tickets to see them next Summer at Wembley Stadium. I know that
not everyone likes their music but, in my experience, they really are
one of the most entertaining bands in the business.
1) AC/DC - Wembley Stadium, London in June
A night I will never forget. I've waited years to see them live and
it was sure as hell worth it. The set list was a superlative
greatest
hits set with a few numbers from Black Ice thrown in for good
measure.
executed in a manner almost beyond belief.
FUNNIEST MOMENT OF THE YEAR
The sight of Bob Catley standing outside the Norwich Waterfront
puffing a fag on a freezing November night wearing.....aviator
sunglasses! Rock legend or sad old git? You decide...
G
Best Albums
1. Joe Bonamassa - The Ballad of John Henry
2. Them Crooked Vultures
3. Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue
4. Pearl Jame - Backspacer
5. Kiss - Sonic Boom
Best Gigs
1. AC/DC - Hampden Park
2. Saxon - ABC
3. Metallica - SECC
4. Judas Priest - SECC
5. Motorhead, The Damned, Girlschool - O2 Academy
Cheers,
Andrew
2010/1/1 Grizzlybaz <grizz...@msn.com>:
> something like 200 years recording experience between them (almost as
> long as Quo!!), these boys were sure to deliver and they have with
> --
>
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "classic rock magazine readers" group.
> To post to this group, send email to classic-rock...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to classic-rock-mag-r...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/classic-rock-mag-readers?hl=en.
>
>
>
--
Andrew G. Dick
H: 01415648679
M: 07795183024
THem Crooked Vultures
Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue
Pearl Jam - Backspacer
Duff McKagans Loaded - Sick
Eddie Vedder - Into the Wild
Black Crowes - Before the Frost
Best Gigs.....
Faith No More - Edinburgh Corn Exchange
Alice in Chains - Glasgow Barrowlands
Metallica - Glasgow SECC
Nickelback - SECC
THunder - Glasgow Academy
Bring on 2010! ALready have Pearl Jam tix and with news of the
Soundgarden reunion things are definitely looking up gig wise
Happy New Year to All
Kat
On 1 Jan, 17:21, Andrew Dick <cyberscots...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> Happy New Year one and all, hope 2010 and the following decade is good
> for all. The Naughties have been good for rock, and 2009 has been
> appear of that. So here's my list of greats for last year.
>
> Best Albums
>
> 1. Joe Bonamassa - The Ballad of John Henry
> 2. Them Crooked Vultures
> 3. Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue
> 4. Pearl Jame - Backspacer
> 5. Kiss - Sonic Boom
>
> Best Gigs
>
> 1. AC/DC - Hampden Park
> 2. Saxon - ABC
> 3. Metallica - SECC
> 4. Judas Priest - SECC
> 5. Motorhead, The Damned, Girlschool - O2 Academy
>
> Cheers,
>
> Andrew
>
> 2010/1/1 Grizzlybaz <grizzly1...@msn.com>:
> > For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/classic-rock-mag-readers?hl=en.
>
> --
> Andrew G. Dick
> H: 01415648679
> M: 07795183024- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Kat
> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
Albums of 2009.
I must admit I am not a big listener of new music, I try to, but I
find there is so much old classic stuff that has passed me by that
usually grabs my attention. This year I have tried to keep an ear out
and get into some new releases and low and behold I have acquired some
crackers.
10 Soul Doctor - Way Back To the Bone
A great classic rock album, just pushed Gotthard’s Need to Believe
out of the top 10.
9 Kiss – Sonic Boom
We all know about this, a great return to form
8 Charm City Devils – Lets Rock N Roll
Similar in a way to The Answer and Airborne but not quite as good,
still a great thumping rock album. The title says it all. This is
really good.
7 Pump – Sonic Extasy
Great German hard rock album, a mix of Motley Crue, Metallica,
Saxon, Scorpions and Gotthard
6 The Answer - Everyday Demons
I would prefer a little more bluesy stuff from them but a belting
album; they deserve to be very big indeed
5 8 Ball Aitkin – Rebel with A Cause
A strange slice of Australian country rock, just enough rock to
keep me interested. Very catchy though.
4 Chicken Foot – Chicken Foot
There has been enough said about this album, Sammy shows us how to
rock when you are getting on a bit.
3 Lynyrd Skynyrd – God and Guns
Once you get passed the sentimental modern country twang this album
is a cracker.
To me it isn’t really Skynyrd just a great southern rock album.
2 Heaven and Hell – The Devil You Know
Heavy as a fat dude’s pizza box. Gets in the top 3 just for the
track Bible Black alone.
1 W.A.S.P. – Babylon
Don’t know why, probably a little rock snobbery, but I really
didn’t want this to be my top choice but it rocks like hell with
brilliant drums and guitar. Pure Class! Must be played at 11
Others just missing out
Gotthard – Need To Believe
Shortino – Chasing My Dream
Cheap Trick – The Latest
The Atomic Bitchwax 4 (This should be in the top 10 but I have only
just listened to it and I had already made my choices)
WASP are one of those bands I've never really dabbled with. Any good suggestions for where to start anyone? I'm considering the Crimson Idol album as it is less than £5 on Amazon and seems to get good reviews.
Rob
There's a decent 2 disc Best of out there too iirc
Hope that helps...
Bill
2010/1/9 Rob Jackson <robjac...@yahoo.co.uk>:
> Good review Fred. I think I might check out the PUMP and WASP records.
>
> WASP are one of those bands I've never really dabbled with. Any good suggestions for where to start anyone? I'm considering the Crimson Idol album as it is less than £5 on Amazon and seems to get good reviews.
>
> Rob
>
>
>
>
>
So onto albums of the year.
Album of the year for me was The Black Crowes with "Before The Frost...Until The Freeze". I bought this on a whim and the back of a good CR review and was blown away by it. Recorded live in the studio and continuing the more rootsy (but still rocking) vibe of Warpaint, I love this record, including the controversial disco song, 'I Ain't Hiding'. The closer to the album 'The Last Place That Love Lives' is one of the most beautiful modern rock ballads I've heard.
The others that make my top ten, in no particular order, are:
2 - Chickenfoot
Got it for Christmas and I love it already. I hope we get more from them of this quality but if not this will leave a fine supergroup legacy.
3 - Bigelf
Another Christmas gift. Took a couple of listens but I definitely think this will be a firm favourite for many months to come.
4 - Crippled Black Phoenix, 200 Tons Of Bad Luck
Lovely modern prog in the more laid-back Floyd style. Glad I took a punt on this on the strength of CR's review.
5 - Alice In Chains, Black Gives Way To Blue
As good as anything from their glory days. The new singer fits in almost too seamlessly
6 - Dream Theater, Black Clouds And Silver Linings
Not their best and in danger of getting into rut if they're not careful but anything by DT is good in my book.
7 - Muse, The Resistance
The next logical stage of development from their last two excellent albums. Great stuff and probably the most mainstream prog band in the country and so one that might hopefully introduce the masses to some of the great music there is out there but which get missed by stuck up mags like NME, Nojo etc..
8 - Rammstein, Lieb Ist Fur Alle Da
The best they've done imho.
9 - The Parlour Mob, And You Were A Crow
Yes, it smacks of a Led Zep rehash but when it is this good, who cares. This is what I keep expecting The Answer to be everything I buy one of their records.
10 - The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Communion
Discovery of the year. A great, diverse double album with a strong seventies influence. Worth checking out if you missed them in 2009.
Just outside the top ten were:
Them Crooked Vultures - only bought recently and still growing on me. Could go either way.
Shinedown, The Sound Of Madness - On a par with Nickelback's Dark Horse album. One to watch for the future.
Steel Panther - At last comedy rock that is as good as it is funny.
Porcupine Tree, The Incident - Still not convinced it is up there with other albums of recent years. I agree with whoever said it is their Animals because that isn't Floyd's best but it has a certain charm to it.
New Device, Takin' Over - good debut that promises much for the next album.
Loaded, Sick - more rocking than I thought it would be (I suspected more of a punk approach). Good but not great.
Hot Leg, Red Light Fever - pretty much what you'd expect from Justin Hawkins but not sure it has the longer term staying power of The Darkness' debut.
The Answer, Everyday Demons - I want to really love this band but I suspect they just haven't got down on record their alleged strength which is in their live performance. This is better than Rise but doen't live up tp the hype.
Chris Cornell, Scream - looks like the hip-hop approach may have been a one off now Soundgarden are back but this was better than the chart pap I hear in HMV.
Saxon, Into The Labyrinth - They just get better with age.
Queensryche, American Soldier - Not a stayer like Mindcrime or Empire but a good album with a brave concept.
Rob
Rob
NLY - Glyder's debut.
Rob
Winger:Karma
The Answer:Everyday Demons
Megadeth:Endgame
Foreigner:Can't slow down
Kiss:Sonic Boom
W.A.S.P.:Babylon
Hartman:3
Ace Frehley:Anomaly
Europe:Last Look At Eden
Dream Theater:Black clouds & Silver Linings
Vengeance:Soul Collector
Agree with this 100%
I do like Babylon though - its good fun!
On 9 Jan, 14:07, Bill Leslie <wgales...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The Crimson Idol everytime... to my mind the finest record Blackie
> Lawless has ever committed to vinyl and one of the best Rock concept
> albums. The other one normally quoted as the "best WASP album" is
> Headless Children, the album that preceded Crimson Idol.
>
> There's a decent 2 disc Best of out there too iirc
>
> Hope that helps...
>
> Bill
>
> 2010/1/9 Rob Jackson <robjackso...@yahoo.co.uk>:
>
>
>
> > Good review Fred. I think I might check out the PUMP and WASP records.
>
> > WASP are one of those bands I've never really dabbled with. Any good suggestions for where to start anyone? I'm considering the Crimson Idol album as it is less than £5 on Amazon and seems to get good reviews.
>
> > Rob
>
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "classic rock magazine readers" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to classic-rock...@googlegroups.com.
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to classic-rock-mag-r...@googlegroups.com.
> > For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/classic-rock-mag-readers?hl=en.- Hide quoted text -
Top 10 Albums (top 3 in order and then the other 7 in the order they
came to mind)
1: Black Clouds & Silver Linings - Dream Theater - I think this is one
of their best and the cover versions are superb. I actually play the
3rd instrumental disc more. It works so well without the lyrics
2: The Incident - Porcupine Tree - They get better and better
3: Babylon - WASP - Good old Blackie rides again.
Crack the Skye - Mastodon
The Whirlwind - Transatlantic
BlackGives Way to Blue - Alice in Chains
Endgame - Megadeth
Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot
Only Revolutions - Biffy Clyro
Notable Mentions -
Street Sweeper Social Club (Tom Morello)
Rammstein - LIFA
Within Temptation - An Acoustic Night
11:11 - Rodrio y Gabriela
Top 10 Gigs (now I went to 13 all year and only 9 of these are Classic
Rock, so those in order and then the other 4 for completeness)
1:Metallica - Back to their best
2:Black Stone Cherry - never seen 4 guys have so much fun on stage
3:AC/DC
4:Porcupine Tree - blew me away. If you can call a concert BEAUTIFUL,
then this was it
5:Progressive Nation (Dream Theater/Opeth/Bigelf)
6:Dream Theater
7:The Cult
8:Priest Feast (Judas Priest/Megadeth/Testament)
9:Stone Gods
Kasier Chiefs - family trip
The Wonder Stuff - long story but I like them
Arctic Monkeys at Leeds Festival - I alos got to see Them Crooked
Vultures as the "secret slot"
Arctic Monkeys at MEN
Top albums:
10) Already Free - Derek Trucks Band
One of the very best slide guitarists in the world, with a great
soulful vocalist and a tight band. I have one of their earlier albums
but it was a bit jazzy for my taste but this is top notch soulful
bluesy southern rock.
9) Black Clouds & Silver Linings - Dream Theater
Last year it would have been unbelievable to me that I would put a
Dream Theater album in this list. But keeping an open mind and all
that, I gave this a try and I really like it. Not sure about the
lyrics on occasion but overall I'd recommend it to anyone.
8) Anno Domini High Definition - Riverside
More prog rock/metal and another in a run of great releases from this
lot. A bit heavier this time around - more Dream Theater than the
Porcupine Tree of 2007's Rapid Eye Movement.
7) Love 2 - Air
Not classic rock material you might think, but I'm a sucker for a bit
of electronic music and they often tend towards a prog rock feel in
their music not a million miles away from some of Floyd's or PT's
material. Great Sunday morning listening, which I suppose is the
equivalent of chill out music for those of us who are to old for
clubbing now.
6) Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
Exceeded all of my expectations with an absolute cracker.
5) Strange Cousins From The West - Clutch
Not up with Blast Tyrant or Beale Street but a good Clutch album beats
most band's excellent albums.
4) Liebe Ist Fur Alle - Rammstein
Absolutely magnificent and a real return to form after a slightly (but
only slightly) disappointing Rosenrot.
3) By A Thread - Gov't Mule
Gov't Mule studio albums have tended to be good but patchy affairs,
but this is the first that's consistantly great. Head and shoulders
above Joe Bonamassa for me, and Warren Haynes still stands as the very
best guitarist I've ever seen.
2) Into The Labyrinth - Saxon
Magnificent - and I even like Hellcat!
1) Crack The Skye - Mastodon
I bought Blood Mountain after the reviews and wasn't convinced. I
went to see them and was even more dubious. However, I was persuaded
to give this a listen by a friend and it is a classic. Complex and
heavy but with stunning melodies. If you've listened to them before
and been put off by some growling vocals then give this a try - the
growl has gone and you won't be disappointed. Modern metal at its
absolute best.
Top 5 gigs:
5) AC/DC - Hampden Park
A great day out on the Borders Rock Bus from Newton St. Boswell -
being called simply 'English' for the day, more than a few beers
involved, a gatecrashed wake, and the best stadium rock band in the
business at the top of their game.
4) Mott The Hoople - Hammersmith Odeon
The Saturday Gig to top them all - might have been higher without Joe
Elliot mugging his way in.
3) Saxon - Newcastle Academy
I haven't been so hoarse after a gig in years - apologies if you were
in front of me and had to put up with my singing. Again, all I can
say - magnificent.
2) Porcupine Tree - Newcastle Academy
Yes Cos a gig can be beautiful, and this was it. The Incident doesn't
quite work for me as an album, although it has wonderful parts, but as
a live performance performance piece it's magnificent. The second
half of the gig was a great choice of material too. They just get
better and better.
1) Clutch - Leeds Cockpit
A hot day in the summer (remember that?), a tiny venue jam packed with
the sweat dripping off the ceiling. Clutch were absolutely awesome and
they are just a force of nature live. There's always a focus on Neil
Fallon as the front man, but I love a drummer who makes a big noise
with a tiny kit and Jean-Paul Gaster is amazing. They'll destroy the
rest of the line-up at High Voltage.
A good year - hope 2010 keeps up.
M
I have not heard every Wasp album and dont particularly claim to be a
Wasp fan, but The Headless Children and The Crimson Idol are sure fire
"must have" albums in my opinion. I have just upgraded The Crimson
Idol to CD and very good it is too. Having see various reviews (check
out Amazon) on their new Babylon album I will be getting this one soon
as well.
I was wondering when and if the mighty Saxon would get a shout but
Fred and Mutley have seen the light, quite right to. Into The
Labyrinth must be my favourite album of 2009 along with their superb
gig at Camden a few weeks ago.
I have to give a shout for the Chickenfoot album as well, its hard to
get it out of my CD player as I keep pressing Play instead of Eject.
Its that good guys.
Albums:
10 Working on a dream Bruce Springsteen
Another great album from the Boss, not a classic but got some
mighty fine tunes there
9 Everyday demons The Answer
What more can be said ?
8 Before the frost …… Until the freeze The Black Crowes
Does anyone not have a re-formed BC album in their top 10 ?
7 The ballad of John Henry Joe Bonamassa
Does what it says on the tin
6 Live at Chicago Vic Theater Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
A monster live album
5 Chickenfoot Chickenfoot
Everyones favourite 'new' band last year ?
4 Gods + Guns Lynyrd Skynyrd
Put this on in the car - preferably a flat-bed Ford and you
feel like a gool ol' country boy
3 21st century breakdown Green Day
Classic Rock ? Maybe - Stonking tunes and awesome live
show ? Definitately !
2 The latest Cheap Trick
It really is as good as they say
1 The whirlwind Transatlantic
Progs supergroup return ! - what this even reviewed in CR ??
More please !
Honourable mention must goe to Neil Young in finally getting the first
Archives volume out in the shops
Concerts:
Only made it to 8 in 2009 but thats not bad for me, so in
chronological order
Neil Young Entertainment centre, Sydney
The Man doing what he does best - more Ragged Glory than Praire
Wind
Jeff Beck Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Only had 2 days notice for this one - probably my first gig with no
vocals but it was an honour to see him play up close
Asia Birmingham Town Hall
Back in the UK - never seen them before and no chance of them ever
making out to Oz - beautiful music but crappy/non-existent merch ...
Anvil George St cinema, Sydney
The movie, Q&A with the band and photos after - what a night !
See photo section for Lips with my girlfriend. If Anvil can make it
out to Oz then surely Rush can ????
Whole Lotta Love Enmore Theatre, Sydney
A tribute show with a variety of Oz artists (including the singer
from Ooh la la) performing the Zep classic
The guitarist from Noiseworks doing Since I've been loving you and
In my time of Dying was just F^&%^ING Awesome !
Sang along to EVERY note
Nickelback Acer Arena
A lot of people on the group have said what good value they are -
and yes the stageshow was great - I just think the music wasn't that
original/interesting and Chad comes across as a real pr*ck - yes I
will admit he can sing but I just wasn't 'moved' at all. Also never
see so many morbidly obsese older women in black stretch pants in my
life ....
Fleetwood Mac Acer Arena
How to win brownie points - take your girlfrind to a Fleetwood Mac
concert 9 rows from Stevie Nicks !
My highlight was being in front of Lyndsey and with none of the usual
kids with mobile phones aloft to block the view you could see every
note being born ... Will post some pics soon
Green Day Acer Arena
Same place one week later but instead of the 40+ brigade and
seating, a full on mosh of excitable teenagers. Also got some great
photos - Vikki got on my shoulders near the end - she's in a youtube
video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTf_KWGaIS8
LongLive ....
Based on suggestions from this group I got WASP's Crimson Idol this week (2cd special edition is under £5 on Amazon!). Just finished a first listen through and it is as good as those of you who erccomended it say it is. I think I shall be taking a punt on more of their stuff very soon.
Thanks.
Rob
Top albums:
Ensiferum - From Afar (brilliant folk metal)
Heaven & Hell - The Devil You Know ('nuff said)
Absu - Absu (black/thrash metal - not one for most of you guys I
suspect)
Wolf - Ravenous (great trad metal)
Hammerfall - No Sacrifice, No Victory (top power/heavy metal)
Bigelf - Cheat the Gallows (I don't listen to a lot of prog, but this
is excellent)
Megadeth - Endgame (Mustaine has brought the shred)
White Wizzard - High Speed GTO (uber-catchy NWOBHM style)
Gigs.
If my reckoning is correct, I went to 56 gigs in 2009. The ones that
stand out:
Amon Amarth @ The Forum - A brilliant live band, play melodic death
metal with a Viking theme.
Blaze Bayley @ The Underworld - Blaze always puts on a top notch live
show.
Bolt Thrower @ Asylum, Birmingham - travelled to the midlands for
this, death metal legends' rare UK gig (although they're now touring
next year!)
Ensiferum @ The Scala - One of my favourite bands, great show.
Saxon w/Anvil @ Koko - much better than their gig at The Fourm earlier
in the year.
Angel Witch w/The Gates of Slumber, Crowning Glory @ The Underworld -
fantasic underground lineup.
AC/DC @ Wembley Stadium - didn't actually enjoy the gig anywhere near
as much as I should have done, but as my first time seeing AC/DC it's
worth a mention.
Priest Feast @ Wembley Arena - another gig I didn't enjoy as much as
the lineup suggested I should, but Priest, Megadeth & Testament on the
same bill is not to be sniffed at.
Top albums:
Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg Awesome album - a real tour de force
Brakes - Touchdown
Tinted Windows
Them Crooked Vultures
Best show I saw -- the Blasters. they just keep getting better.