Thank goodness July is over.  The Friday new releases were limited during July, but things start to pick up in a big way in August.  There are some great ones coming out today to get your month started out just right.  As I am in the midst of busy season at work, these releases will help get through it.  Hopefully there is something for you.  My picks are highlighted in Blue.

• DEF LEPPARD – 30th Anniversary Edition of HYSTERIA!!! – (Mercury):  It is hard to believe it has been 30 years since this release.  Amazing how time flies.  This album sounds just as good now as it did back then.  It is a classic.  With songs like “Women”, “Animal”, “Armageddon It”, “Love Bites”, “Hysteria” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me”, you have the ultimate rock album.  There is only one edition to buy for me and it is the full on edition with 5 CDs, 2 DVDs, a couple books and everything you would want.  You have to get this!!!!  I already have and it will be there when I get home from work.

•   The Winery Dogs – Dog Years Live in Santiago & Beyond 2013-2016 – (Loud & Proud Records).  Three outstanding musicians bring us their first live album.  Richie Kotzen, Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan make up The Winery Dogs and I couldn’t be more excited to grab this.  If you haven’t heard them, you are definitely missing out.  Give this one a listen!!  This should also be waiting on me when I get home!!!

•   Kryptonite – Kryptonite – (Frontiers Records SRL):  Frontiers Records has a way of bringing people together.  This group brings Jakob Samuel (The Poodles), Pontus Egberg (Treat), Robban Back (Moustasch) and Mike Palace (Palace) together to form a sort of supergroup.  I really love Jakob Samuel and The Poodles, so anything he does really peaks my interest.  Heres to hoping for something special.

•   Quiet Riot – Road Rage – (Frontiers Records SRL):  This album was supposed to see the light of day back at the beginning of the 2017; however, the band fired the lead singer and so they hired a new lead singer and re-recorded the entire album.  The new lead singer is James Durbin from American Idol fame. I am not sure how a young guy in such an old band will work, but I am willing to give it a try.

•   Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band – Lay It On Down – (KWS Music):  Kenny Wayne Shepherd is an amazing blues guitarists and his version of blues rock is so amazing.  I highly anticipate any release from him and this one is no different.  To hear him and his guitar will be worth any wait between albums.

•   Jane’s Addiction – Alive at Twenty-Five: Ritual De Lo Habitual Live – (Cleopatra Records)
•   George Thorogood – Party of One – (Rounder)
•   Third Day – Revival – (Provident)
•   Circus Maximus – Havoc in Oslo – (Frontiers Records Srl)
•   Accept – The Rise of Chaos – (Nuclear Blast)
•   Dirkschneider – Back to the Roots: Accepted! Live in Brno – (AFM Records)
•   Eagles of Death Metal – I Love You All The Time: Live At the Olympia in Paris (2CD) – (UMe)
•   O-Town – Part 1: E.P. – (Pacific Records)
•   Brett Eldredge – Brett Eldredge – (Atlantic Recordings)