For Throwback Thursday, I am going to look back to the year 2009 and my favorite albums from that year.  These might not have been the most popular or the best selling albums, but they are what I enjoyed most that year.  So here are my favorites (in no particular order):

W.E.T. – W.E.T.: A perfect melodic rock album from members of Talisman, Eclipse and Work of Art. Great flow from beginning to end. Jeff Scott Soto is the lead singer and I have been a fan of all of JSS’ solo work and his work with Talisman and now with SOTO (see my artist profile on him here).  Highlights are “One Love”, “Brothers In Arms” & “Comes Down Like Rain”.

Train – Save Me, San Francisco: A great album from Train. Pat Monahan is an awesome lead singer and a great front man. Train was the only concert I was able to see that year and it was awesome. They had been away a few years and came back strong with this album (See Top 20 Train songs here). Highlights are “Save Me, San Francisco”, “Hey Soul Sister”,”If It’s Love”, “You Already Know” & “This Ain’t Goodbye”.

Miranda Lambert – Revolution:  I am not a huge country fan but there are some artist that I think are exceptional.  Miranda Lambert is one of those artist.  I have all her albums and she has matured nicely with each one. At the time, this was my favorite she had put out.  She has the whole bad girl vibe going and it works for me. Highlights are “White Liar”, “Only Prettier”, “The House That Built Me”, “Dead Flowers” and “Airstream Song”.

Creed – Full Circle: People give Creed a hard time (well mostly Scott Stapp), but Creed knows how to write a catchy rock song. I was glad they got back together for one more album and it didn’t disappoint even though it wasn’t their best effort. I enjoy Alter Bridge, Tremonti and Stapp’s solo stuff, but really did like Creed (I know my credibility is now shot – or even lower than it already was).  Highlights are “Rain”, “Overcome” “On My Sleeve” & “A Thousand Faces”.

Cavo – Bright Nights Dark Days: This album blew me away. I don’t usually buy an album from someone just off one song, but I was listening to Project 96.1 (96 Rock to long term Atlantans) and I heard “Champagne” and immediately had to get ahold of the album. They are still one of the better hard rock bands out there from the last 10 years. Highlights are “Champagne” (obviously), “We All Fall Down” & “Crash”

Decyfer Down – Crash: I usually hate it when a band changes lead singers, but this one worked. Their sound didn’t change and they picked up the lead singer from another band I like called Fighting Instincts. This is a great rock album and to make it even better it is even a Christian Rock band (two of my favorite things). Highlights are “Crash”, “Fading”, “Desperate” & “Wasting Away”.

Needtobreathe – The Outsiders: Another great Christian Rock album. This one is a lot mellower than Decyfer Down but just as potent. They have a slight southern rock sound and it sounds perfect. A great album from beginning to end. I have had the pleasure of seeing them in concert a couple times and they are really incredible live.  A must see for any fan.  Highlights are “Something Beautiful”, “A Girl Named Tennessee”, “The Outsiders” & “Valley of Tomorrow”.

The Poodles – Clash of the Elements: This album will take you back to the 80’s. Hair Band music at its best but a more modern sound. This was their 3rd album and they keep getting better. If they were around when we were in high school they would have blown all those bands away. A must have for fans of the Hair Bands. Highlights are “Caroline”, “Like No Tomorrow” & “I Rule the Night”.

Will Hoge – The Wreckage: This was his first album after being injured in a bad wreck. Will Hoge is absolutely phenomenal singer/songwriter. If you haven’t already, you should definitely introduce yourself to his music. Also go back and get Blackbird on a Lonely Wire. That was the album that I first discovered his music. Highlights are “Hard to Love”, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” & “Goodnight/Goodbye”

Daughtry – Leave This Town: Another great album from Daughtry. I think he avoided the sophmore slump with this release. The songs are extremely catchy and stick in your head and that is a good thing. This is one of the few people that came from American Idol that is worth checking out (see my others here). Highlights are “You Don’t Belong”, “No Surprise” & “What I Meant to Say”

Honorable Mentions:

 Kiss – Sonic Boom: A Throwback to the old days even though not a great album it is still KISS!

 Rodrigo y Garbiela – 11:11: Great Spanish guitar.  There are several World Artists that I enjoy and this was the best that year.

  Winger – Karma: Great album from one of my favorite 80’s bands.

 Skillet – Awake: Another great Christian Rock Band.

  Gotthard – Need to Believe: See my artist profile on Gotthard here.

 Stereophonics – Keep Calm And Carry On: Great band from Britain.

 Three Days Grace – Life Starts Now: A great rock record. Not a bad song on the album.

  Red – Innocence & Instinct: And yet another incredible Christian Rock album…Christian music rocked this year.

  Alex Beyrodt – Voodoo Circle: The lead singer is David Readman from Pink Cream 69. I love everything this guy sings. Alex is also amazing on the guitar.

  The Last Vegas – Whatever Gets You Off: Another band that sounds like they came from the 80’s. Great Stuff.

Disappointment of 2009:

  Bon Jovi – The Circle: I went to see them in concert in April 2010 but it was not because of this album. If “The Circle” means keep rehashing the same old formula on the songs then they hit the nail on the head but it is getting old and stale. I was a huge Bon Jovi fan at one time, but that appreciation has waned in the past few years especially with all the Richie Sambora drama.

It was fun to look back at a particular year and remember what I was listening to at that time.  I will do this again next week with 2010.  What did you listen to back in 2009?