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Get Ready to ROCK! Best of 2009 | ||||||
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2009 ... the Boss played Glastonbury, Jacko and John Martyn bowed out, The Beatles were dusted off (again), Mott The Hoople reformed ... AC/DC played UK gigs... But how was it for our reviewers? One of the skills of the music reviewer is to be able to assess and analyse a new album quickly, highlighting its relative strengths, weaknesses, and potential durability. With the benefit of hindsight, the 'Best Of' is a chance for reviewers to also evaluate their initial reactions and list those albums that have made a more lasting impression over the past twelve months...
Album Reviews 2009: Recommended at a glance And how was it for... DEL BROMHAM (Stray) DUNCAN HAMILTON (Katy Lied)
"The Best of 2009" (reviewers' selection) is featured on Get Ready to ROCK!
Radio on Sunday 27 December at 22:00
Get Ready to ROCK! Best of 2009
Top Album
1. STRAY Valhalla
2. CHICKENFOOT Chickenfoot (2)
3. DREAM THEATER Black Clouds And Silver Linings (3)
4. MAGNUM Into The Valley of the Moonking (1)
5. PORCUPINE TREE The Incident (4=)
6. SAXON Into The Labyrinth (4=)
(figures in brackets as voted in our pubic poll Nov-Dec 2009)
Top Reissue
1. DEF LEPPARD Pyromania Deluxe Edition
2. DEEP PURPLE Stormbringer
Top Live Act
1.
CHICKENFOOT
2. SAXON
3. EUROPE
1. IRON MAIDEN Flight 666
2. KISS Kissology Vol 1 & 2
3. ANVIL The Story of Anvil
Jason Ritchie (Reviews Editor) Top CDs
DUCKWORTH LEWIS METHOD S/T Superb cricket themed album
that includes the Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon. Perfect quirky
pop bliss. The best album Foreigner never made. If you like Toto's 'Isolation' and hi-tech AOR then look no
further. An album that JSS shows his more funkier side. Worth it alone
for the song 'Gin & Tonic Sky'.
>> Check out W.E.T.
(below) It's that man Mr Soto again doing his melodic hard
rock thing and sounding at times how you'd imagine Journey sounding
had he been able to record with the band. Essential.
Their best album since reforming and nearly as good as
'Sahara'!
DREAM THEATER Black Clouds And Silver Linings Made me fall in
love again with the band as they focused on melody. They just keep
getting better since they returned. Good to see a couple of straight
ahead hard rockers on this album. Their best album to date and just marvel at the soundscapes they
create.
Amazing debut album that mixes 70's Aerosmith/Stones with a
more modern feel. Not a single filler. Some of the unreleased tracks should have made the original
release EUROPE Out Of This World/Prisoners In Paradise
URIAH HEEP Celebration Yes they are re-recordings but
the songs are old THE STORYS The Town Beyond The Trees
Great album and just catching up on an album raved about by fellow
GRTR! reviewers. THE BABYS Reissues
They still sound great today. OTT as you'd expect and a close call
as to who stole the show, Rick Wakeman or the narrator, Brian Blessed.
CHRIS SINGLETON (Troubadour, London) Good to hear some new tunes which bode well for the new album
ULTRAVOX (Hammersmith Apollo, London) Waited years to see them live and they were superb
POWER QUEST (O2 Academy, Islington, London) New line-up
did extremely well and can't wait for the new album
EUROPE (Relentless Garage, London) A very hard rocking
set and included a cracking UFO cover Always a pleasure to attend and this year
enjoyed sets by the Lightning Seeds and Brian Wilson. RICK WAKEMAN Hampton Court
David Randall (Managing Editor) Top CDs
EUROPE Last Look At Eden This is the album the band
always felt they were working up to after their 2004 comeback.
Cleverly retaining the best bits from their post-2000 albums to help
them conquer a wider audience for their immaculate brand of melodic
hard rock. >> The band tour the UK in February 2010
EDEN'S CURSE The Second Coming This album slipped out
at the back end of 2008, so didn't make our best of lists last year.
Fantastic songs that evoke the best of late eighties hard rock but
with a tougher edge. >> The band play Hard Rock
Hell on December 4.
SAXON Into The Labyrinth
Barnsley's finest returned with an album that arguably ranks with
the best of their eighties output. Memorable songs, great riffs and a
sound lovingly updated for the Millennium.
HOUSE OF LORDS Cartesian Dreams There have been some excellent
melodic rock albums out this year, including Places Of Power, Winger, and the
latest in the Voices of Rock series. The HOL album is pretty
much unbeatable in terms of consistency, excellent vocals, and superb riffs.
JAMES GRANT Strange Flowers Championed by GRTR! Grant
returned with a classy album that recalls the best of his material
with Love & Money. He does dark well, but there's a more upbeat
vibe and the lyrical imagery and melodic hooks are as strong as ever.
CHICKENFOOT Chickenfoot A supergroup debut that
shouldn't work but does, and then some. Never over-indulgent
whilst still showcasing individual talents, notably a marvellous
ensemble performance from Satch.
>> The
Deluxe Edition features
bonus material and DVD
ELEKTRADRIVE Living
4
I'll refrain from stuff like "this packs more punch than a Ferrari'
but the Italian melodic rockers return with one of the finest melodic
hard rock albums this side of 1987. Alright then, more stylish than
Monica Belucci, better than sex with a Fiat 500...
Or something like that.
KATATONIA Night Is
The New Day
The eighth full-length album from the Swedish metallers. One-time doom merchants,
this work is dark, atmospheric, melancholy, and a real career
highpoint.
>> The band play UK dates in March 2010
SIMPLE MINDS Graffiti Soul
Black And White 050505, the band's comeback album in 2005, was good but
'Soul' is better. Sounding like a band that is not content to
simply rework and rest on their musical laurels, this is catchy and compulsive from end to
end.
NATASCHA SOHL Dirty Little Word
There is no justice in this fickle musical world. This album
which got an official release in 2009 should have been massive and
will impress anyone who likes fiesty girl rock with high production
values. Near
misses: Honourable mentions to PLACES OF POWER
(superior melodic rock that reminds me of the long lost Shadow King -
no coincidence as that band's Bruce Turgon is on board),
KATY LIED (Fleetwood Mac/Heart vibe with new vocalist and produced by Nigel
Stonier with his partner Thea Gilmore on backing vocals), TOUCHSTONE
(toughened up second album with new vocalist that at times evokes prime-time Threshold),
FOREIGNER (excellent comeback album and best-value package of the
year) and WINGER (a superb album that may even exceed the best of
their classic output in places).
Top Gigs
SAXON (Manchester Academy, 3 May) Wonderful
back catalogue that can always be proudly dipped into, fantastic
riffs, and an excellent new album. EUROPE (Bloodstock,
16 August)
It didn't surprise us that they won over a metal crowd (and many
hacks) as we've championed their music since 2004. Great songs,
great sound.
DAN REED (Alexanders, Chester 27 April)
An artist humbled by the passing years but reminding us just how good
those Dan Reed Network songs are, now stripped down in an engaging
acoustic setting.
POWER QUEST (O2 Academy, London 19 October)
Pure nepotism this one as my son is their lead guitarist, but having watched the
reconstituted line-up grow in confidence over intense summer
rehearsals and some patchy warm-up gigs, the O2 show was a major
triumph. They effectively stole Tarja's audience and impressed with
their refashioned melodic hard rock.
>> The band support Michael Schenker 16-20 December
ALICE COOPER (Manchester Apollo, 24 November)
A true legend and a big show in a smaller theatre tour, we've
waited some years for this. Cooper didn't disappoint trawling
through superb back catalogue and reviving some of his iconic stunts
for the visuals. Graft on an ace band and post-gig USB stick
recordings and you have an unbeatable package.
Joe Geesin
Top CDs
SAXON Into The Labyrinth
Better than a return to form, a cracking album Melodic hard rock at its best Nearly Classic Magnum, great new album Best album since Crimson Idol Incorrect running order, and a
lot missing too
Top Gigs Never a bad show Ditto
Top CDs
1. CHICKENFOOT
Chickenfoot (earMusic)
The first supergroup in living memory to be worthy of its name,
the big name line up hits all the right button with Sammy Hager putting in an
enormous shift for a 60 year old, while Joe Satriani sounds rejuvenated in a
band that allows him to find new avenues for his stellar guitar playing.
3. STRAY Valhalla This is hard rock at its best, with Del's searing guitar cutting through the best tracks like ''Free At Last', 'Harry Farr', '1600 Pennsylvania Avenue', go and buy it, it's his best ever!
4. STEVE HACKETT Out
Of The Tunnel's Mouth (Wolfworks Records)
There's the usual loud/quiet dynamics at play and a full sweep
from electric to acoustic as well as glimpse of the composer's art; A truly
great record.
5. WALTER TROUT Unspoiled By
Progress: 20 Years of Hardcore Blues (Provogue)
The set includes a brilliant live rendition of early career
favourite 'Life in the Jungle', the late Jimmy Trapp co wrote 'Sweet As A
Flower' and a couple of soundboard festival rockers. An essential purchase for
fans.
What has been the highlight of the year for you and why?
"Eric
Clapton coming out at the Albert Hall. It really is a
highlight of a lifetime. Plus the tremendous response we have
gotten all around the world.
It's madness but it's been everything I
worked for in the last 20 years coming to reality. Although
there is still a long way to go."
"I guess touring with the new material, bracing myself for
another 9 month lap of the globe. And playing Australia for the
first time."
6. JOE BONAMASSA Ballad of
John Henry
'The Ballad of John Henry's is a perfect summation of the
strengths of Joe's style. On the title track he's evoking the mythical working
class blues hero of John Henry while on 'Last Kiss' he's bringing a riff driven
piece way down to a quietly voiced acoustic outro.
A new rock/blues hero for the new age, but always with an eye on
the past.
7. AYNSLEY LISTER 'Equilibrium' (Manhaton Hatman 2024) Proof that Rock/Blues can act as catalyst for other musical avenues, as guitar slinger Aynsley refocuses his position in the rock market with songs like 'What's It All About', a number that drags Coldplay towards a rockier edge and the equally radio friendly 'Running on Empty' that might just grab Aynsley a bigger slice of commercial reward. Equilibrium' rocks and charms by turns. It's a well crafted piece of work striking a crucial balance between meticulous pre-production and the spark of the moment. In short a superb album in the old fashioned sense of the word.
8. THE NIMMO BROTHERS
Picking Up The Pieces (Armadillo ARMD00027) This album is probably the best Texas rock/Blues album never to come out of Texas! Hailing from Scotland in fact, the Nimmo Brothers open with the riff driven 'All Because of You' and hit the heights with the magnificent hard driving 'Nothing in Chicago For Free'.
The Nimmo Brothers are easily the most exciting rock/blues band
to come out of the British Isles for years and this album proves it
conclusively! 10. JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR White Sugar (Ruf 1147) 'White Sugar' is everything a rock/blues album should be striking a balance between Joanne 's fiery playing, her brooding sensuality and occasional funky groove. Producer Jim Gaines steps in with just the right intuitive touch to being the best of one of the new stars of the British Rock/Blues scene. There 's link to the previous title holders The Hoax as she covers the ripping shuffles, Bones; and further stylistically emulates them on the title track. SRV fans will relate to much of the material and playing here, as Joanna has the chops to back up the recent publicity blitz to great effect. >> Joanne Shaw Taylor plays the Jazz Cafe, London on December 16 Near misses VIRGIL & THE ACCELERATORS And So It Begins And here they are - the hottest young combo on the rock/blues circuit; With the average age of the band barely 16 and a half, the band have rush released this 6 track EP/CD to tie in with some high profile gigs. There's a keen muscularity to the band's natural groove, while Virgil explores the full range of tone colours. BILLY WALTON BAND Neon City Coming at you out of the blocks at 100 miles an hour Billy Walton and his power trio are everything you would expect from a hard working combo who have built their reputation on the back of relentless gigging on the hard bitten New Jersey live circuit. No surprise Billy has been poached by Southside Johnny. CD Reissues
1. STREETWALKERS First Cut aka Streetwalkers' (Mystic)
35 years after its initial release there is still real quality to
the Chapman/Whitney song canon and of course Chappo's timeless bleat. While it is true to say Beefheart redefined the blues to his own ends, he did so not so much as a blueprint for others to follow, but as the basis from which to explore his unfettered musical approach. 3. THE WHO Live At the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 (Eagle EDGCD339)
As you would expect, this live CD bristles with real verve,
energy and purpose, as the band manage to overcome the seemingly stylistic
schism between The 'Oo' as an unreconstructed rock band and Townsend's role as a
Meher Baba influenced rock opera disciple.
Much of the material here is essentially what concert fans have
been revelling in for just over a decade, so needless to say the band is tight
and there are plenty of highlights. 'Joe Bonamassa 'Live FromThe Royal Albert Hall' succeeds on many levels from the inspirational playing and high tech production to its ultimate achievement in that it conveys the feeling that you are there. With guest Clapton and Paul Jones there's a real sense of the British blues invasion reprised, updates and morphed into something new and exciting.
The music finds its equilibrium in a genuine artist/audience
connection that the intimate State Theatre in Minneapolis lovingly makes
possible.
Bootsy Collins is an influential figure in contemporary music,
and this DVD shows you just why.
Uncompromising, unrelenting, and idiosyncratic, Marianne (and
producer Hal Willner) set to work on 30 songs, whittled them down to 18 before
going into the studio before fearlessly laying down the vocals live. She's done
it her way with few overdubs and overall just about comes out on top with some
clever takes on well chosen covers plus a reverential documentary account of
about the making of the album
The New York Dolls rocked the house, took us up, down, sideways
and then back to the top again. And when at the end Johansen proclaimed 'I think
we did a pretty good rock & roll show', what do you think'? no one in the house
was about to argue. ONES TO WATCH IN 2009:
VIRGIL & THE ACCELERATORS If we are on the cusp of a whole new generation of rock blues then 18 year old Virgil McMahon and his 16 year old rhythm section are surely one of the most exciting new proponents of the genre. Armed with their 'And So It Begins' 6 track CD/EP and barely 5 months into his career, Virgil and the boys have already earned accolades from the likes Kim Wilson, and Carvin Jones. Now they are stepping out in heir own right; watch the sparks fly.
>> Virgil & The Accelerators play Jazz Cafe on 16th Dec with
Joanne Shaw Taylor and Oli Brown and also at Dingwalls on Sun 3rd Jan with The
Hoax. DANNY GILES BAND A power trio from Crawley, W Sussex who successfully launched their self titled EP/CD last September. They have steadily built up a head of steam with a couple of festival appearances and Danny's heavy duty playing - a cross between Walter Trout and Dimebag Darrell'. KING KING with Alan Nimmo Not to be confused with King King Blues, King King is the side project for Nimmo Brothers guitarist Alan Nimmo who has recorded a debut CD/EP ' Broken Heal'. Initial gig reports have been excellent with one of the highlights being a rapturously received appearance at the Maryport Festival just before JethroTull!
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
This is the band I mentioned last year as a cross between AC/DC
and Keith Richard; 2009 saw them release a bone crunching debut album 'High
Roller' as well as being picked by Total Rock Radio as one of their favourite
bands. Look out for more gigs and lots more media interest
Conceptual Prog/Metal of the highest order. Built round the
formidable talent of Dutch keyboard playing composer Arjen Anthony Lucassen,
Ayreon is home for some of the best Prog rock in recent times. His current album
'Guilt Machine' is actually a side project on Mascot records and as with their
last couple of albums is full of guests, including Chris Maitland from Porcupine
Tree and Mori Linstruth from Streams of Passion).
Top CDs
EDEN'S CURSE The Second Coming
The best
commercial rock since Freddie Mercury passed away...
PENDRAGON
Pure Everything you need (in
the absence of Waters, Gilmour, Wright and Mason).
PORCUPINE
TREE The Incident
Perfect prog?
LISA SMITH'S POWERHAUS
Maze Of Souls Female fronted
rock. With more balls than Beckham.
TINA DICO
A Beginning, A Detour, An Open Ending
Singer songwriter's don't come much better than this.
KATY LIED Echo Games Soft rock, par excellence, enhanced by Katie Hartnett's vocals. TOUCHSTONE Wintercoast The cutting edge of new female fronted prog. THE REASONING Dark Angel More line-up's than Gavin & Stacey repeats, but still perfect melodic nu-prog. ALANA LEVANDOSKI Lions And Werewolves Folk
and counrty roots meet the mainstream in Liverpool to dramatic effect. MARILLION Less Is More Can Hogarth & Co put a foot wrong? It seems not. MARYBETH D'AMICO Heaven, Hell, Sin & Redemption
An undiscovered country/folk gem.
WHITESNAKE Slide It In Coverdale's finest hour? MAGENTA Seven The most underrated band in the UK? ROD STEWART Sessions Demonstrates why Rod's a living legend.
ALICE COOPER (Manchester Apollo, 24 November) The Godfather of shock-rock rolls back the years. MAGENTA (Real World studios, 21 November) Unplugged and intimate. DEEP PURPLE (Manchester Apollo, 10 November)
Even without Blackmore and Lord, classic rock.
Mark Taylor
Top CDs The most talked about band of the year.
Love them or loathe them, there is no denying this release is all
killer, no filler. Play it to the mother-in-law on Xmas day. New signing
on the Roadrunner label.This young band are the nearest to Led Zep
your're ever gonna hear, without a hint of copying. The real
deal. Iommi still has the riffs and Dio
still has the voice. Heavy and doomtastic. Get well Ronnie for
2010. The world would be a
boring place without the colourful Tricksters. Still writing pop
rock gems. 5.
STRAY Valhalla
Surprising return to the studio for Del Bromham and the boys. With great production from Chris Tsangarides. An enjoyable rocking
release from start to finish, with some fine topics on the lyrical
front too. 1. DEF LEPPARD Pyromania
The breakthrough LP in the states re-released with a bonus disc of a
live gig from that tour. The perfect package.
One of the greatest British rock bands ever, all re-released with many
bonus tracks. The definitive issues.
Often overlooked release from Purple.
A funky affair that would see Blackmore take a hike. Glenn Hughes is
on top form, leading the band along with David Coverdale. Time
to give this a listen once again. No bonus tracks on this
Rock Candy release but, along with the first Van Halen LP, this sits
nicely next to it as one of the greatest debuts ever, featuring a
young Sammy Hagar on vocals. Title says it all.
Pomptastic.
ANVIL The Story Of Anvil Released the same year
as Iron Maidens Flight 666, everyone likes the underdog. You can't
help but fall in love with Anvil through the trails and tribulations
of a failed European tour. All hail the return of Anvil.
Top Gigs 1. FLEETWOOD MAC Wembley Arena
The guitar work of Lindsay Buckingham was awesome. The pairing
of him and Stevie Nicks was just majestic. With so many powerful
songs and great renditions, in 2009 the Mac are top of their game. The most
unlikeliest of venues set in a Pontins holiday camp. It's great
going to a festival with a chalet to crash out into nearby. With a
friendly atmosphere and music going on until the early hours, only the
ultimate bore could not enjoy themselves here. I haven't stopped
laughing all year. I've been
waiting 25 years for a band to bring the heavy progressive sound of
early Uriah Heep and Deep Purple twisted with their own identity.
Didn't know any songs before this gig, but I was sent into prog
heaven. A
supergroup that lived up to the hype. Well at least live anyway.
All four band members playing like their lives depended on it.
With Chad Smith almost decapitating Sammy Hagar at the end.
Glorious stuff. A great night out
at a tiny venue set in a ten pin bowling alley. The launch of
the film with a private screening followed by a 90 minute Anvil set
complete with guest Scott Ian. Film maker Sascha Gervasi was there too
to mingle with the film goers into the early hours, hic... here's to
2010...
Top CDs
DEF LEPPARD Pyromania
KISS KISSology Volumes 1 & 2
Top CDs
STRAY
Valhalla Forty years in the
making. Chris Tsangarides finally puts the real Stray sound on
record.
Following the first album Bitter & Twisted would never
be easy. But GMT managed it with this album.
Really thought 2009 would be the year this young Irish
band would break. Maybe talk of Phil Conalane joining Velvet
Revolver stalled things. Another
artist 2010 could hold great things for. Album full of great pop
rock.
Great British Rock n Roll.
Top CD Reissues
MOLLY HATCHET Molly Hatchet
Top DVDs
IRON MAIDEN Flight 666
Top Gigs
COLIN BLUNSTONE100 Club (20.2.09)
A voice that sends shivers down the spine.
Classic British band in a packed, hot and sweaty
venue... perfect.
600 drummers playing together at the same time ...
awesome
Kory Clarke simply tore the place apart.
Loads of problems for the band, late start, major sound
problems, power going down. The Heep delivered big time.
Sleaze at its very best.
One of my all time favourite bands, didn't disappoint.
Natasha Toft
Top CDs
SKINDRED Shark Fights and Dog Bites
EKTOMORF What Doesn't Kill Me
CLUTCH Strange Cousins from the West
DIZZEE RASCAL Tongue N' Cheek
PRODIGY Invaders Must Die
I couldn't put these in order as they are from such different
genres. Skindred may just slightly be the winner here as they are definitely
original and always guaranteed to get the Fluffy booty going!
Ektomorf for me was a real surprise find considering they've been
around for years and now I seek every back catalogue for my enjoyment, you must
check them out!
Dizzee & Prodigy are one my dirty passions when in party mode!
1. Metal Hammer Golden God Awards, 15th June 2009
WOW! Lets see, not to mention Anvil playing their hearts out,
DevilDriver enticing a mosh pit with 5 people, Steve Vai popping along to
collect an award and Steel Panther taking every woman into their clutches plus
many more guest appearances from the metal/rock industry; of whom I met *big
cheese grin*.
Oh, did I mention that I met Bam Margera too? My dream come true,
making this number one of 2009 for me and probably for the entire century too!
None of this would have been possible without my old friend Will - thank you so
much I owe you my life!
2. Download Festival at Donington Park, 12/13/14th June 2009
Limp Bizkit blew me away, which was very surprising. Seeing ZZ
Top for the first time and going ruddy mental with Down (my legends) and being
with some of the most stupendous people in the world (my Bumholes - you know who
you are) makes this pretty much a close 1st with above, but Bam won me over!
3. AC/DC at Birmingham NIA, 23 April 2009
How big are the stage props!? A woman with her legs open, a train
and the oldest and defined classic aurora of pure rock legends. Need I say
anymore!
4. Clutch at Birmingham Academy 02, 6th November 2009
What can I say, it's Clutch for bloomin' sake. Blues rock, with
passion, rawness and superiority. Good venue too, well pleased with 02's
attempt!
5. Michael Jackson at the errrm Cinema
You've got to let me have this as a gig. I was supposed to be
there on August 23rd 2009, to achieve my childhood dream of finally seeing the
ultimate man of pop. Sadly, we lost MJ (RIP). We were treated with the premiere
of the rehearsal footage instead and it just quite simply; blew me away. The
show "This Is It" would have been the biggest, best, most awesome show that
anyone ever would have ever seen and I salute the man that is also; King of
Entertainment.
Top Metal CDs
1 GIRLSCHOOL
Darryl Reeves
Top CDs
Top CDs
Back after a long hiatus. Satisfying combination of Scott Stapp's
love-or-loathe voice and Mark Tremonti's peerless rifforama. Sonically closer to
Alter Bridge than Creed of old, which is no bad thing.
STEVE LUKATHER The Brook, Southampton (5 March 2009)
THE ENID Bush Hall, London (29 May 2009)
Although previously cancelling shows at the Scala, Underworld and
Garage, ...I was still shocked by the diabolical turn-out of 30 (including
support band and bar staff) for the big baby.
Brent Smith's commanding stage presence and effortless vocals
dominate proceedings, but he's not just a tortured face, he's a great songwriter
too. Yes, he can be a little preachy in-between songs, but I found him likeable
and sincere (for a sceptic) and as a band, they rocked.
By no means a band of spring chickens, the fab foursome played
with a youth and vigour that belied their age. They also took the brave step of
focusing solely on their debut album for the main set, rather than
cherry-picking the fine fruits of their collective back catalogues. Delivered
with such energy, charisma and warmth, it was a winner from start to finish. The
atmosphere was electric and the encores of Bad Motor Scooter and Highway Star
simply destroyed.
The Mars Volta Somerset House - Central London (13 July
2009)
Finally a decent band plays this atmospheric venue. A gorgeous
open space in-front of a beautiful neo-classical building is an ideal setting
for the bonkers Tex Mex Ricans return to the capital.
Touting the allegedly more commercial "Octahedron", this was a
fine representation of the TMV experience. From wigged-out psychedelic
excursions, whirling jazz fusion dervishes to hardcore metal, this had it all.
You might not understand or get it all, but you sure don't forget it.
Top CDs
There is not a duff track on this album yet he resides on music's
touchline. From his stool in this metaphorical Last Chance Saloon, Gordon urges
his maker "Come out, come out whoever you are, my God, whoever you are". We must
urge him harder to do the same: from start to finish, this is just great
music...
Progressive in its refusal to pander, self-belief and innovation, this
album crackles with so many wow moments. Bags of fun live, too...
Hell-bent on being seen to do it dirty, Kasabian manage to haul their
influences (most of 70's space/hard rock acts) about the place without
detrimenting their own sense of time and place. This album marks their moment
well with songs that are even better caught live. Very full on, very much a
'man's' band...
Elegant, English and lush in ineffable abundance, 'Grand Hotel' is
Procul Harum's finest hour...
1974’s Doctor Dream is the last of his major releases to intersperse
the experimentation forged in former band Soft Machine with conventional song
structuring, both of which the chameleon Ayers had mastered well. Revisionism
has him marked down as an original and this year's latest slew of 70's reissues
can only add to his reputation as an innovator. Of the three, Dr Dream is the
one...
From the backwaters of deep catalogue prog rock, this obscure act had
talent in bags which they rightly lugged of to enjoy escalating music careers...
Proof positive that the third age rocks - and I don't mean on a zimmer...
A compelling performer who commands without taking recourse to cheap
tricks. Her tongue-in-cheek Christmas single captures perfectly her capacity to
pick at and draw from a concept, the perfect song for the moment...
A band that defined the progressive movement still retains flair,
verve and enthusiasm for the genre...
Individualistic, original in the studio, they light up the stage in so
many ways...
Top CDs
Triumphant comeback album showing a new, almost Journey-esque
maturity without losing their sense of fun
A melodic rock classic for the modern age with quality songs
proving the perfect showcase for Jeff Scott Soto's voice
At last, Kip Winger finds a way of combining his old and new
sounds into an album that gets better with repeated listening
It's 1987 all over again with Joe Lynn Turner singing over
summery melodies and banks of keyboards
Another fine mix of Whitesnake-style rockers and
gloriously expressive ballads from the most consistently excellent melodic rock
acts of the 2000's
'Classic rock Sunday'- the most enjoyable festival on these
shores for many a long year- the weather was perfect, atmosphere great and Def
Leppard brought the show, ZZ Top the vibe and Journey the quality
The annual convention of the melodic rock world and the most
consistently excellent set of performances yet from likes of FM, Honeymoon
Suite, Crown of Thorns, White Sister and Romeo's Daughter
Exquisite musicianship with a set that wisely focused on their
first two albums
Four superstars in their own right visibly having a ball jamming
with their new project and an incredible drumming masterclass from Chad Smith
Two excellent London shows from the enduring NWOBHM stalwarts but
this 30th anniversary show just shaded it with a blast through their back
catalogue
If you'd like to contribute, please submit your own Best Of here.
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