Tag: Harem Scarem

Top Rock Albums of 2020

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic45 Comments

2020 was probably the strangest year yet.  With the Covid virus running rampant, many new releases were either postponed until late in the year or we never saw the release at all.  There were a flurry of albums at the beginning of the year, then basically nothing for a few months until we got to the Fall and now there are too many to get through.  But there were some great releases and I am sure I missed a number of great albums and if you look around the web, there will be tons of Top Album lists you can get a pretty good idea of what you should check out in case you missed any of these.

This list will be my favorite “Rock” albums of the year.  All other types of music will be for another post tomorrow.  I am going to leave this one to my favorite genre.  It is a broad genre, but these are the albums that I consider to be ROCK!!

Also note, these are MY FAVORITES!!  These are not the most popular or trendy albums.  You won’t find the cool trendy bands, because they are usually here today gone tomorrow.  These are the albums that I connected with during the year and I kept coming back to again and again.  And without further adieu, here are the Top Rock Albums of 2020:

#10 – Storm Force – Age of Fear:

81HSuWcovgL._SY355_ Thanks to some fellow bloggers in the name of LeBrain and SuperDekes, I was introduced to this Canadian band that unapologetically brought us a classic 80’s rock album full of songs that rocked you out and songs that were actually relevant to the events going on in the world which is amazing considering this song came out prior to the Covid shutdowns.  I believe these guys can see the future and with music like this, I can see their future being very bright.  You need to hear the songs “Breathe”, “Because of You” and “Dirty Vegas because once you do, you will be caught in the Storm!!

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Friday New Releases – March 6th

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Welcome to March and the new releases are heating up.  We have a ton this week so there has to be something you like in there, I am sure.  If not, I guarantee nothing!!  There is rock, metal, pop, country, rap, classic rock…what else could you need?  Seriously, what else??  Let me know what I missed and what floats your boat.  For me, the two are highlighted in Blue.  Have a great weekend!!

  • 71DB-YKACJL._AC_UL115_  Harem Scarem – Change the World – (Frontiers Records):  Yes, Harem Scarem are still going strong with a new release.  This is their 16th studio album…wow!!  If you know the band, you know what you are getting.  Solid, melodic rock and only the way they know how.  That is all you want from these guys.  Give it a try.

  • 913OhGTguhL._SX522_  Allen / Olzon – Worlds Apart – (Frontiers Records):  You get Symphony X’s and Adrenaline Mob’s Russel Allen and Nightwish’s Anette Olzon teaming up for an album.  Does it get much better than that?  Probably, but for now, I will give it a try as it is two great voices of metal together.  Deserves a listen.

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Harem Scarem – The Ultimate Collection – Album Review

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Formed in Canada around 1987, Harem Scarem has been rocking for well over 30 years now.  With 15 studio albums, 8 live albums and numerous compilation albums, they have been delivering solid rock music for the masses.  The band only has two original members still in it from the beginning and they are the two most crucial in this scenario.  Lead singer, Harry Hess, and Lead Guitarist, Pete Lesperance.  Why would these two be the most crucial, well they are the principal song writers as well as the voice and sound of the band.  I would say that is crucial.

The Ultimate Collection is a box set that contains 12 of their studio albums plus a collection of songs from early in their career as well as a disc of unreleased tracks.  And to top it off, the studio albums include all the bonus tracks from those albums as well.  That is a lot of music and there are 175 tracks in this set. Incredible.

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What does that look like all sprawled out?  Here you go…

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Friday New Releases – March 22nd

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After last week, we need a bunch of new releases and this week you get just that.  This week is also heavy on the rock side which suits me fine.  A whole lot to choose from here.  Hopefully you will find something you like. I know I have quite a few I am interested and one that is on pre-order and can’t wait to dive into and re-explore.  All my choices are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you are looking forward to hearing and if I missed anything.  Thanks and have a great weekend!!

  • 819unabimsl._ss500_  Harem Scarem – The Ultimate Collection Box Set – (Frontiers Records):  A 14 CD set spanning the entire Harem Scarem Career.  This is massive and I can’t wait.  I haven’t gone through their albums one by one in a long, long time…to long in fact.  This will be fun and should keep me busy for quite some time.  What’s your favorite album?

  • 91S5DWfazkL._SX522_  Motley Crue – The Dirt Soundtrack – (Eleven Seven Music):  The Crue is back with a Netflix Biopic and a soundtrack to boot.  The soundtrack has four new songs (sort of) and is a greatest hits collection.  It doesn’t look as sweet as the Queen movie soundtrack (now that is how you do it).  Let’s hope the songs are better than the movie looks.  So far, not overly impress with The Dirt song that was released and there is a cover of Like a Virgin by Madonna…that ain’t helping things look any better.  We will see…

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Top Rock Songs of 2017

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Welcome to the Top 20 Rock Songs of 2017.  These songs are my favorite songs of the year and were not necessarily played on the radio or even shot up the charts.  They just moved me in some way good or bad!

If you missed the Top Rock Albums of 2017 or the Top Albums of 2017 (that were not Rock), just click on the link and go check them out.

It is time to start the list so here we go…

#20 – “Make It Move” by Jonny Lang off the album ‘Signs’:  The loud stomping sound that opens the song and throughout feels like a train barreling down on you.  The opening track to the album starts it all off with a bang.  The song also delivers a great message that you need to make the move and not wait on something to happen.

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The Top Rock Albums of 2017

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2017 has been a fabulous year in music, but mostly for all the Anniversary Editions of some of my favorite albums from Def Leppard, Whitesnake and Stone Temple Pilots.  However, there were some stellar Rock albums this year as well.

This list will be my favorite “Rock” albums of the year.  All other types of music will be for a later post.  I am going to leave this one to my favorite genre.  It is a broad genre, but these are the albums that I consider to be ROCK!!

Also note, these are MY FAVORITES!!  These are not the most popular or trendy albums.  These are the albums that I connected with during the year and kept coming back to again and again.  And without further adieu, here are the Top Rock Albums of 2017:

My #1 Album of the Year:

61hNZekCmAL._SS500 Jonny Lang – ‘Signs’: This album is straight-up Blues Rock and was one of two albums I can’t stop listening to this year.  With songs like “Make It Move” and “Wisdom” how could I vote for any other album as #1.  If that isn’t enough, Jonny’s guitar playing is sensational and his vocals are filled with so much emotion you are attached to these songs.  Here is what I said in my review…He has brought a rawness back to his music that brings a more authentic blues sound and brings a lot of emotion.  There is no reason you should skip out on listening to this album. (Click at the top to see the review).

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Friday New Releases – May 12th

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Happy Friday!!  Quite a few I am interested to listen to this week.  Not sure how much merit they have, but I still want to give a listen.  There is a little something for everyone as there is rock, country, pop, hip hop and even a TV show soundtrack.  I hope there is something for you.  I have quite a few I want to at least give one listen to just to try it out and those will be highlighted in Blue, as usual.

  • 51atuZsoUGL._AC_US218_  Harem Scarem – United – (Frontiers Records Srl):  This Toronto, Canada band is out with yet another release just three years after their last one.  I believe this is number 14 or 15, I have lost count they have so many.  Down here in the U.S., they are not a household name mainly because they came out as this type of music was killed off by Grunge.  If you haven’t heard of them, check them out as I am sure they have something you will like.  I only discovered them about 10+ years ago and I am so glad I did.  I now have every album and even some rarer ones.  I can’t wait for this one and haven’t heard any song yet as I want to hear it all at once.  They video below is posted without me even viewing it first.

  • 170x170bb-99  Zac Brown Band – Welcome Home – (Elektra Records):  I am not a huge country fan and find myself criticizing a lot of the current country cowboys that are there as they are are too polished and songs are pure and utter crap.  Zac Brown is so not that for me.  He is what I do like about country.  I am eager to hear this one.

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