We are already to the end of the first month of the year and some good ones so far.  And we are ending the month with some even better.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  There should be a little something for everyone this week.  Let me know which ones you want or if I missed something. I have a lot to get through this weekend. Have a great weekend!!

•   Rick Springfield – The Snake King – (Frontiers Records):  I love me some Rick Springfield.  I am not afraid to admit it.  I was a fan as a kid and he was my first concert my sister and I went to go see.  Back in 2004 with his album Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance, I garnered a new found respect for him and have been following him with more gusto.  The new album is more blues rock and a nice change of pace.  He keeps trying new things and keeps getting better.  I enjoyed the single “Little Demon” and expect great things to come.

•   The Poodles – Prisma – (GAIN/Sony):  The Poodles have returned after a little break and some little side projects.  My only disappointment with this album is it is not new material.  It is a cover’s album which I am not always a huge fan of.  I will listen, but worried.  I don’t want it to be karaoke and from what I hear with “It’s No Good” tells me it won’t be.

•   Phil Campbell & the Bastard Sons – The Age of Absurdity – (Nuclear Blast):  Motorhead guitarists has his own band and they come at you with dirty, gritty rock and exactly what you need.  I am looking forward to devouring this release and blowing out the speakers!

•   Delta Deep – East Coast Live – (Frontiers Records):  Delta Deep delivers their first live album which is great considering I was unable to attend a show they did last year.  Def Leppard’s own Phil Collen is on guitar and Stone Temple Pilots’ own Robert Deleo on Bass, Forrest Robinson on drums and the great vocals of Debbi Blackwell.  I got in to them thanks to my Bro-in-law as he did the sound for all their live shows.  This should be good…no great!!

•   John 5 & The Creatures – It’s Alive – (60 Cycle Hum Records):  As much as I loved his last solo release with the Creatures, a live version is a no brainer.  Can’t wait to dive into this and to see what I missed when they came to town last year.

•   Ammunition – Ammunition – (Frontiers Records):  Former members of Wig Wam together again…enough said.  This will get some spins for sure.

•   Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa – Black Coffee – (J&R Adventures)
•   Loudness – Rise To Glory – (Frontiers Records)
•   Steve Hackett – Wuthering Nights: Live in Birmingham – (Inside Out Records)
•   Armik – Pacifica – (Bolero Records)
•   Machine Head – Catharsis – (Nuclear Blast Entertainment)
•   Craig David – The Time is Now – (Insanity Records)