Top Rock Albums of 2020

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!!

Continue reading “Top Rock Albums of 2020”

Friday New Releases – November 13, 2020

There is only one album this week that even matters. I am not sure why I have the rest on the list. This album is something the world needs in what has been such a crappy year. And we will get to the one in a minute. There are a bunch of other releases this week as the last few weeks have seen an abundance as well so the trend continues. My choice is highlighted in Blue. Let me know what you want to hear and what I may have missed. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend. Let’s get to the one that matters!!!

ALBUM OF THE WEEK!!!!

  • 71ZtvcarSPL._SX522_  AC/DC – Power Up – (Columbia Records Group): YES!! AC/DC IS BACK!!! The first single, “Shot in the Dark”, is what we needed and is typical AC/DC. And typical AC/DC is what we need right now. I have the Light Box Special Edition CD on order and it should be here shortly. I can’t wait to plug it in and light up the room and I can’t wait to play the CD cranked up to 11 on the Stereo. I don’t think anything else needs to be said!! Get It and Crank It NOW!!!

And here a few I might listen to when I have time…

  • 71p4UXBxpML._SX522_  Chris Stapleton – Starting Over – (Mercury Nashville)
Continue reading “Friday New Releases – November 13, 2020”

Friday New Releases – January 26th

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!!

  • 51drvzx1HXL._AC_US436_QL65_  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.

  • 51v+QhAMSAL._AC_US436_QL65_  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.

  • 71D3-gx6QWL._AC_US320_QL65_  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!

  • 81ecqHGgigL._AC_UL320_SR320,320_  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!!

  • 51G7Rl0IUQL._SS500  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.

  • 51Yxg96OwEL._AC_US436_QL65_  Ammunition – Ammunition – (Frontiers Records):  Former members of Wig Wam together again…enough said.  This will get some spins for sure.

  • 610iD9H20BL._AC_US436_QL65_  Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa – Black Coffee – (J&R Adventures)
  • 610nS59X3WL._AC_US436_QL65_  Loudness – Rise To Glory – (Frontiers Records)
  • 81fzC5lehlL._SX522_  Steve Hackett – Wuthering Nights: Live in Birmingham – (Inside Out Records)
  • 61rO-rGDKCL._AC_US436_QL65_  Armik – Pacifica – (Bolero Records)
  • 513h3-GeRCL._SS500  Machine Head – Catharsis – (Nuclear Blast Entertainment)
  • 51wWqRI4uCL._AC_US218_  Craig David – The Time is Now – (Insanity Records)

Friday New Releases – November 18th

Wow!! Some huge releases today!  I can’t wait to get into some of these. I hope there is something for you as well.  Sixx:A.M., Metallica, Bruno and Miranda are doing it for me today.  Here is to some great listening pleasure.  My favorites are highlighted in Blue.

  • cover170x170-45  Sixx:A.M. – Prayers for the Blessed Vol. 2 – (Eleven Seven Music):  Volume 1 was released earlier this year and was OUTSTANDING!!!  I have extreme high hopes for this one as well and since they have never diappointed, I expect to be blown away…AGAIN!!  Could they end up with 2 albums in my Top 10 albums of the year…wait and see.

  • 51iCjOdvPoL._AC_US200_  Metallica – Hardwired…To Self-Destruct – (Blackened Recordings):  Metallica is back heavier and louder than ever.  I was a little disappointed in their last release so I am hoping they return with some of their old magic.    If the song, “Hardwired” is any indication, we might just see some more greatness.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – November 18th”