Well, another year has come and is nearly over.... but what a year it was!
As I was sitting here working on my list, I was originally planning on just doing 20 albums, but there were so many great releases this year, I had to change my list to a top 25! Even then I had a hard time narrowing it down!
If this year proved anything, it's that our rock and metal is still very much alive and well!
Below, you will find my Top 25 albums of 2009, some honorable mentions (good albums were close to making the list) and then the dis-honorable mentions as well (albums that were just bad).
So, without further delay, here are my top 25 albums of 2009;
1. W.E.T. - "W.E.T."W.E.T. was made up of members of the bands Work of Art, Eclipse and Talisman. Led by the soaring vocals of the legendary Jeff Scott Soto, this is a melodic rock masterpiece in every sense of the word. Quite possibly some of the best vocal performances that I've ever heard!
2. Danger Danger - "Revolve"With original frontman Ted Poley back in the mix, Danger Danger returned with a phenomenal release that is sure to please fans of classic-Danger Danger! Memorable choruses, catchy hooks and solid guitar work make this a must-have!
3. Freakshow - "Freakshow"A new super-group came together this year....Markus Allen Christopher (M!SS Crazy), Jeff LaBar (Cinderella), Tony Franklin (Blue Murder) and Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot) joined forces and the result was a hard hitting, in your face album with each member at the top of their game! The combination of Christopher's signature raspy voice, the killer guitar work provided by Labar and the thunderous rhythm section made this an album that NEEDS to be cranked up!
4. FarCry - "High Gear"Formed by ex-Rockarma guitarist Pete Fry, FarCry's debut album "High Gear" became one of my favorite releases of the year! If you're a fan of rock n' roll that just makes you feel good, you owe it to yourself to check this one out! Pete should be considered among the best out there today and should definately get more recognition.
5. KISS - "Sonic Boom"They said at one point that they would never record another studio album again... this just proves that you should never-say-never in the world of rock n' roll! The legends that are KISS returned with their best release since 1992's "Revenge". Combining elements of both 70's & 80's era KISS, this is just a great album all the way through! Another cool thing is that each member has at least one song where they sing lead! Not a bad song on here.
6. The Poodles - "The Clash of Elements"I have to say that "The Clash of Elements" is The Poodles' best effort to date! Hailing from Sweden, The Poodles have released an album that you are going to wanna listen to again & again! With great vocals and big production, nearly every song on here could be a hit single!
7. Winger - "Karma"This was one of my most highly anticipated albums of the year and I am pleased to say that it exceeded my expectations! Fans of "Pull" era Winger will love "Karma"... Reb Beach is one of the most talented guitar players out there without a doubt. Great guitar work with a heavy edge make this one of the year's best!
8. House Of Lords - "Cartesian Dreams"I expected this one to be good and it was, because House of Lords never dissapoints! Really underrated band here, it's a crime that they aren't bigger. James Christian sounds just as good as ever!
9. The Last Vegas - "Whatever Gets You Off"Produced by Nikki Sixx & DJ Ashba, "Whatever Gets You Off" has turned out to be The Last Vegas' finest hour. You can just feel the energy comin' right through your speakers... a must listen for fans of sleazy rock n' roll! These guys definately deserve to hit it big!
10. W.A.S.P. - "Babylon"The legendary Blackie Lawless & W.A.S.P. also made a return this year with "Babylon". A really good album all the way through that shouldn't dissapoint any W.A.S.P. fans out there!
11. Steel Panther - "Feel the Steel"Paying tribute to the hair metal scene while adding their own brand of comedy & sexual humor to the mix, "Feel the Steel" is a really enjoyable/fun listen. Just make sure there are no kids in the room!
12. Dynazty - "Bring the Thunder"Also hailing from Sweden, Dynazty are one of the best new bands to come out of 2009! A lot of 80's influence here... with amazing guitar work and strong vocals are the highlights, Dynazty are definately carrying the torch for this music!
13. Lynch Mob - "Smoke & Mirrors"This is another album that I had high hopes for and it does have its shining moments. Original frontman Oni Logan returns and sounds as good as ever! It is said that this would have been the type of album they would have released after "Wicked Sensation" if Oni stayed in the band... Not to mention George Lynch providing his signature riffs and guitar work! While "Wicked Sensation" is a classic, "Smoke & Mirrors" is a very solid release in its own right.
14. Vains of Jenna - "The Art of Telling Lies"I admit, when I first heard this band and their debut release "Lit Up/Let Down" in 2006, I wasn't the biggest fan... but this band has improved a lot and "The Art of Telling Lies" proves to be their best release to date, at least in my book! Vocals that just drip with sleaze, Vains of Jenna have the 80's influence hard rock sound while adding their own unique elements to the mix as well.
15. Johnny Lima - "Livin' Out Loud"Johnny Lima should definately a household name...he does nearly everything on this album; vocals, guitar, bass & keyboards! Call me crazy, but his voice reminds me of Jon Bon Jovi in parts and if you're lookin' for catchy hooks & memorable choruses, look no further than Johnny Lima's "Livin' Out Loud"!
16. Outloud - "Outloud"Another great new band that made their debut this year! Formed by guitarists Tony Kash & Bob Katsionis (Firewind), rounding out the band is Chandler Mogel (ex-Talon) on vocals and drummer Mark Cross (Firewind/ex-Helloween/Kingdom Come). Crazy guitar riffs and some of the best vocal performances that you will hear!
17. Voices of Rock 2 - "High and Mighty"Voices of Rock is a project that features some of the best vocalists in the melodic rock world today with a different singer on every track! This album features performances by; Joe Lynn Turner, Paul Shortino, David Reece, Tony Martin and many others! Great melodic rock here...
18. Stryper - "Murder By Pride"The legendary Christian rockers Stryper made their return with "Murder By Pride"... which in my opinion, is their best album since their 80's heyday! If you are a fan of 80's era Stryper, definately give "Murder By Pride" a shot! Michael Sweet still sounds just as good as he did back then and Oz Fox has to be one of the most underrated guitarists of the era...
19. Steevi Jaimz - "My Private Hell""My Private Hell" is a triumphant return for original Tigertailz frontman Steevi Jaimz! Staying true to his sleaze and glam style, this is an excellent release!
20. Hardcore Superstar - "Beg For It"Another solid, heavy album from Hardcore Superstar solidifies them as one of the best bands to come out of this decade! These Swedish rockers tear it up with sleazy vocals and in your face rock n' roll!
21. Wildstreet - "Wildstreet"Straight out of New York, with a flury of hairspray & eyeliner, Wildstreet burst on to the scene this year with a really good debut album! For fans of 80's style Def Leppard.. let's put it this way, this is what Def Leppard would sound like if they still kicked as much ass today!
22. Reece - "Universal Language""Universal Language" is the first solo effort by David Reece of the Accept & Bangalore Choir fame! Ever since I heard Bangalore Choir, I have been a really big fan of his. One of the most underrated voices in rock... "Universal Language" is a great melodic rock release led by powerful/bluesy vocals!
23. Shortino - "Chasing My Dream"Anything that Paul Shortino has been inolved with... whether it's Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot or any of his other projects is phenomenal and "Chasing My Dream" is no different! Anything that Shortino has been involved with is gold... Another one of the most underrated vocalists out there!
24. Great White - "Rising"Since debuting in 1984, Great White are one of the few bands that have never released a bad album. Although "Rising" might be more laid-back than other albums in their catalog, it is still a very solid release. A good pick up for fans of bluesy rock n' roll!
25. Chris Laney - "Pure"Over the years, Chris Laney has become synonymous with the Sweden rock scene. Producing albums for bands like; Crashdiet & Crazy Lixx, Laney takes the lead on this one and releases a fantastic solo album!
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Now, here are some more releases that I have enjoyed over this past year, that didn't quite make the list, but definately worth checking out as well;*Honorable Mention (in no particular order)*Helix - "Vagabond Bones"
Gotthard - "Need to Believe"
Europe - "Last Look at Eden"
Nasty Idols - "Boys Town"
Ace Frehley - "Anomaly"
Rhino Bucket - "The Hardest Town"
Jorn - "Spirit Black"
Doro - "Fear No Evil"
Foreigner - "Can't Slow Down"
Bai Bang - "Are You Ready"
Dirty Penny - "Young and Reckless"
Tango Down - "Damage Control"
Hardline - "Leaving The End Open"
Grand Design - "Time Elevation"
Chickenfoot - "Chickenfoot"
Innocent Rosie - "Bad Habit Romance"
Sunstorm - "House of Dreams"
Jaded Heart - "Perfect Insanity"
With all of the great releases this year, there were a few not-so-good ones as well. Again, this is just one man's opinion, you might like these releases, but I just didn't.*Dis-Honorable Mention*Lita Ford - "Wicked Wonderland" - Big fan of classic Lita, so I had high hopes for this, really disspointed with her total change in musical direction.
BulletBoys - "10c Billionaire" - If it didn't say "BulletBoys" on the cover, you wouldn't know it was them. If you're looking for that classic sleazy hard rock sound of the first couple albums, you won't find it here.
Secret Society - "Death By Misadventure" - Sorry to say, but this is just bad. Features the return of ex-W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes. While Chris might still be a good guitarist, he just doesn't show it here. Poor production and lack of vocal ability make this a forgetable album that is hard to listen to all the way through.
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So, as you can see & like I said.... there were A LOT of albums to chose from this year!
With new releases from bands like; Keel, Y&T, Ratt, Vince Neil & others, 2010 is already looking promising!