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THE TOP 30
RELEASES OF 2010 |
30. Devon Allman’s Honeytribe – Space Age Blues
(Mascot Records
www.honeytribe.com
 Gregg’s
son has long been on the jam band circuit delivering
spicy hot licks to adoring fans. While Honeytribe has
never been able to achieve the success of his Papa’s
band, the Allman Brothers, it is more than likely just a
sign of the times as real music is underground music in
this millennium. With Space Age Blues, Devon has
shown he is still progressing as a musician and a
songwriter. This is a complete album that will keep him
self-employed for years to come.
29. Jackyl – When Moonshine and Dynamite Collide
(Mighty Loud)
www.rockmerollmejackylmeoff.com
 Jesse
James Dupree is an underground icon in American hard
rock circles. He is hardworking, hard playing and always
on the edge. The band has made headlines with their
reworking of the song “Just Like A Negro.” Hall of Famer
DMC loved the song so much he has been on the road with
the band and is going to collaborate with the chainsaw
wielding madman in the future. This album is exactly
what you would expect from this band with a ton of
distortion, three chords, screeching vocals and even a
remake of a Janis Joplin classic.
28. Walter Trout – Common Ground (Megaforce)
www.waltertrout.com
 Bluesman
Walter Trout is an amazing guitar player and an
emotional songwriter. He is not a traditional blues
artist therefore he always seems to have a hard time
fitting in. His is too bluesy to be considered rock but
he rocks enough that hardcore blues fans have a hard
time accepting him. One thing that no one can deny,
however, is that he is a great musician. Trout delivers
yet another solid album that shows he is a long way from
hanging it up. While not a household name, guitar
players and music lovers need to check this guy out.
27. American Dog – Mean (American Dog Records)
www.americandog.us
 American
Dog are a collection of true red blooded American rock
n’ roll sons of bitches, dedicated to the Big Three:
Sex, Drugs (or booze in this case) & Rock n’ Roll. Led
by ex-Salty Dog Michael Hannon, the Dog are a greasy,
grimy, loud, obnoxious, rude, crude and rough n’ tumble
group of hard rockers who will bash out three chords and
wicked solos until they are six feet underground.
American Dog is one of the top indi bands out there and
they are quietly building a large fan base. Plus these
guys are funny fuckers who play as hard as they rock. Be
sure to google them and check this one out, as it is the
best album they have released to date.
26. Asia – Omega (101 Distribution)
www.originalasia.com
 This
is the second studio effort released since the
reformation of the original Asia. The album is a solid
effort that focuses on the songwriting team of vocalist
John Wetton and keyboard player Geoff Downes. While it
is not as powerful as the multi-platinum debut from 1982
it is a solid album. There are Beatles-esque moments
like “I’m Still the Same” as well as rockers like
“Finger on the Trigger.” All in all, Asia takes strides
in recapturing the magic of the past with this one. It
is the best thing this band has released in literally
decades and gives Asia fans hope for the future.
25. Steve Lukather – Alls Well That Ends Well
(Mascot)
www.stevelukather.net
 Toto
guitar player, Lukather, is well known among guitar
enthusiasts as one of the best of the bunch. Most Luke
fans enjoy his solo work much better than his work with
Toto and this album shows why. Luke has a rough year or
two, personally, as he has battled with personal issues
ranging from too much drink to divorce. In typical
artistic fashion, he wrote about them and poured his
emotions into his songs. The result is a mature, at
times, melancholy, but always musical collection of
songs.
24. Iron Maiden – Final Frontier (Legacy)
www.ironmaiden.com
 The
Metal Masters returned with a new album that contained
all the typical Iron Maiden elements; air raid siren
vocals, harmony leads, pounding rhythms and mesmerizing
lyrics. However, a new Maiden album is expected to be
Top 5 of a year’s best releases; not near the bottom.
While it is a Maiden album only the die hards will still
be playing this one a few months down the road. It is a
good album just not as good as they usually do.
23. Krokus – Hoodoo (Columbia)
http://www.krokusonline.com
 The
classic Krokus lineup from the Headhunter era has
returned and fans of the band will be delighted as the
band have turned in a fine collection of new tunes. The
only two drawbacks are that this one sounds more like
the Lost Bon Scott Album than Krokus and the
albums remake, “Born To Be Wild” fails to live up to
Krokus’ past renderings of rock classics. That said,
this one sounds good turned up to eleven and over time
the songs get stronger and grow on you, especially
“Hoodoo.”
22. Buckcherry – All Night Long (Eleven Seven Music)
www.buckcherry.com
 Buckcherry
had a good year in 2010. The new album did well and
contained a great anthem in the title track. While this
one was not as good as the past albums it did keep the
band on the road opening for Nickleback and in the
limelight. Their profile as a band is stronger than it
has been in years. Josh Todd is a true rock star and
Buckcherry are one of the best real bands on the scene
today.
21. Halford – Made of Metal (Metal God Entertainment)
www.robhalford.com
 Rob
Halford took time away from Judas Priest and put it to
good use. He reformed his solo band and released an
album of in your face rockers. “The Mower” is total
insanity featuring Rob’s inhuman wail. The rest of the
album rocks as well but Halford deals with more intimate
subjects on this offering including substance abuse and
relationships.
20. Bruce Kulick – BK3 (Twenty 4 Records)
www.kulick.net
 The
third solo album by the ex-Kiss guitarist sees him
leaning on his former boss for a couple of favors. Gene
Simmons guests on a track as does his son Nick. Nick, in
fact, impresses and along with Bruce delivers the
strongest track on the album. This one is a good album
from start to finish from one of rock’s nicest guys.
Bruce Kulick is a genuine good guy and a great musician.
BK3 leaves us looking forward to BK4.
19. Heart – Red Velvet Car (Legacy)
www.heart-music.com
 Sisters
Wilson returned to the studio and released a solid album
of Heart music. Ann is an amazing singer and her
trademark vocals are all over this one. Nancy is a good
songwriter and a decent guitar player but her big sista
steals the show as she delivers an amazing performance
for a singer of any age. Considering she is her 60’s
makes this one even more amazing. Ann and Nancy have
special gifts and with Red Velvet Car they prove
they still have valid musical statements to make and the
chops to deliver them any way they please.
18. Rob Zombie – Hellbilly Deluxe II (Loud & Proud)
www.robzombie.com
 Rob
went back in time and rediscovered his mojo and put out
a brutal album much in the style of the first one. “Sick
Bubblegum” and “Mars Need Woman” lead the way but the
entire album is just what one would expect from this
shock rocking metal ghoul. Zombie is a unique performer
to say the least and his terrifying visions continue to
come to life on both CD and the big screen. Rob has
taken what Alice Cooper started, given it his own spin
and bashed out another classic.
17. Meat Loaf – Hang Cool Teddy Bear (Loud & Proud)
www.meatloaf.net
 This
may be one of the worst album titles in the history of
music but the cover art makes up for the lack of
wordsmithing. Meat features some famous guests, most
notably Hugh Laurie, yep, Dr. House, himself. The song
“Los Angeloser” got some decent airplay but this album
didn’t do as good as expected. While it is not Bat
Out of Hell or Bat Out of Hell II it
certainly is much better than Bat III and
deserves a listen. If grandiose, over the top and
spectacular are your cup of tea then hang cool and give
this one a chance.
16. Santana – Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar
Classics of All Time (Arista)
www.santana.com
 Carlos
Santana went and got a ton of guests and remade classic
tunes by bands like Cream, Van Halen, Def Leppard, AC/DC
and others. For the most part he did it right but at
times he really stepped in a pile. The worst of the
bunch is a terrible rap version of “Back in Black.”
Carlos should be ashamed of himself for this
embarrassing musical statement. That said, most of the
rest is pretty darn good. Carlos is a guitar wizard and
he knows it. While this features some great playing and
cool guest stars it falls a bit short compared to many
of his other releases. Santana as a novelty is not
something that we want to think of but at times this
album gets really close to putting im in that very
category.
15. Healing Sixes – Bluejay (101 Distribution)
www.healingsixes.com
 So,
you say you have not heard of this band? Well then
you’re in for a treat. This is the surprise album of the
century. The Sixes reached deep down and delivered a jam
band feast of well-written songs, tasty solos and
freaky, in a Berkley like way, themes. For a bunch of
Midwestern dudes this is a true masterpiece. If you
discover only one new band and new album this year then
make this one it. Healing Sixes have surpassed anything
they have done in the past and set the bar high for
their next effort. If they can keep writing and
performing to this level then the rest of the world will
eventually catch up. This album is damn good.
14. Accept – Blood of the Nations (Nuclear Blast)
www.acceptworldwide.com
 This
is one of the best albums Accept has ever released and
what makes it so surprising is the fact that a nearly
unknown American singer stepped in and delivered huge.
No one would have ever thought the band could replace
the iconic German known as Udo as Mr. Balls to the Wall
was the face and voice of Accept. Well, they did it.
Accept didn’t chase trends or try to be something they
are not as they have been guilty of in the past. Instead
they bucked up and delivered a Metal Masterpiece that
stands proudly among the best of 2010.
13. Gary Hoey – Utopia (Wazoo Music)
www.garyhoey.com
 What
is not to love about guitar wizard Gary Hoey? This guy
is the total package, vocals, style and guitar skills.
Why isn’t he a household name? There is no reason that
the world should not be worshiping at his feet the way
people drool over guys named Vai, Satriani and Malmsteen.
Gary is a great player and his latest effort continues a
long line of killer guitar music. There are no gimmicks
this time around. No surf tunes and no remakes. This is
Gary showing his songwriting side and releasing very
tasty, mature and emotional tunes. They all have wicked
badass leads too. The instrumentals are still the best
of the bunch as Gary has such a knack for hitting
instrumentals out of the park. The bottom line with this
one is that it should be in every guitar freaks music
collection so get over to his site and order Utopia
today.
12. Eric Johnson – Up Close (Vortexan Music)
www.ericjohnson.com
 Sometimes
an album comes out of nowhere and just blows you away.
That is what happened with the new Eric Johnson disc.
Johnson has not been releasing many albums so this one
caught his fans off guard. Upon hearing the tunes one
thing is clear, Johnson is still a guitar playing and
songwriting force. The instrumentals are the best of the
album but there is not a weak track on the entire
release. The remake of the Electric Flag’s “Texas”
featuring fellow native Texans Steve Miller and Jimmie
Vaughan is the icing on the cake.
11. Pearl – Little Immaculate White Fox (MRI)
http://www.cheersloverock.com
 She
may be Meat Loaf’s daughter and Scott Ian’s wife but
Pearl Aday is not just making a rich girl or housewife
album with this release. She has the spirit of Janis
Joplin and a rock n’ roll attitude that even guest
guitarist Ted Nugent can appreciate. Pearl took naps in
a guitar case as a child and the music rubbed off on
her. This is one of the best of 2010 and, most exciting,
this is an album of real rock music without any BS or
modern day leanings. Pearl likes to rock and this little
fox is easy on both the ears and eyes.
10. Slash – Slash (Dik Hayd Records)
www.slash.ultimate-guitar.com
 When
it was announced that Slash was doing an album that
would feature guest vocalists on each song it appeared
he was taking a money grab for an easy gig. What he did,
however, was totally rock out and put out an album of
great songs with an impressive group of guests including
Ian Astbury, Alice Cooper, Ozzy and even Fergie from the
Black Eyed Peas. The songs rock harder than anything he
has done since the real GNR. This one gets a high five
for originality and dedication.
09. Jeff Beck – Emotions and Commotion (Rhino)
www.jeffbeck.com
 Technically
this is not a hard rock or metal album but Jeff Beck is
a great rock guitarist who has influenced any hard rock
or metal player, whether they realize it or not, so this
one makes the list. Beck’s guitar playing on this
release is best described simply as breathtakingly
beautiful. The man is like fine wine; he keeps getting
better with age.
08. Foghat – Last Train Home (Foghat Records)
www.foghat.net
 Foghat
making a blues album is a natural as Hanes underwear is
to Michael Jordan’s body – it’s a snug and perfect fit.
Led by founding member and drummer Roger Earl, Last
Train Home is well written and executed. The results
are evident, as the album has climbed inside the Top 10
of Blues charts. Let’s face it though, a Foghat blues
album is not THAT far from a Foghat rock album and
Last Train Home is as welcome in a rocker’s catalog
as it is in a bluesman’s. This one is a winner from
start to finish.
07. Paul Gilbert – Fuzz Universe (Shrapnel Records)
www.paulgilbert.com
 Damn
this guy can play the ef-ing guitar. Gilbert found fame
with Mr. Big and has shown off to guitar nerds before
with solo releases but Fuzz Universe may be his
most impressive offering yet. Gilbert is one hell of a
shredder but he also is accomplished as a soloist, a
classical player, an improvisationalist and a
songwriter. With Fuzz Universe he got it all
right. This album is guaranteed to drop the jaw of
anyone who checks it out and cranks it up, including
guys with the last name of Vai, Satriani and Malmsteen.
06. Ozzy Osbourne – Scream (Epic)
www.ozzy.com
 Ozzy
Osbourne has become the world’s beloved Prince of
Darkness. While he may be Metal’s most famous face, Ozzy
has taken some heat over the years for not being able to
release music anywhere near as powerful as his past
offerings. With a resounding scream he has silenced the
naysayers with this one. While it is nowhere near being
a Blizzard of Oz, a Diary of a Madman or
even a No More Tears, Scream is a return to form
for the Oz Man. Gus G takes over for Zakk Wylde and the
fan base is okay with it-- that alone screams volumes
for new album.
05. Ratt – Infestation (Loud & Proud)
www.therattpack.com
 Ratt
were the surprise comeback band of the new millennium.
Who wudda thunk that this rough and tumble, ragged and
raunchy group of rockers could stand to be in the same
room with each other for five minutes let alone long
enough to make the best album of their career. Hats off
to Loud & Proud label owner Tom Lipsky for seeing a
diamond in the rough. This is 100% Ratt & Roll and if
you think I am full of it then I challenge you to give
this one a listen and tell me I am wrong.
04. Black Country Communion – Black Country (J&R
Adventures)
www.bccommunion.com
 This
is another band that made a big splash in the classic
hard rock world in 2010. Glenn Hughes, from Trapeze,
Black Sabbath and Deep Purple fame has a voice that just
won’t quit and a passion for music that is incurable.
Joe Bonamassa has been tearing up the blues charts for
years but having him turn the distortion knob up a tad
has done him right. He rips Led Zep style riffs all over
this release and tears up the fret board with massive
solos as well. Jason Bonham on drums does his Daddy
proud. If you missed this one then you’re missing out on
one of the best rock albums to come along in decades.
This one is old school as hell but it rocks like a big
dog and somehow will keep finding its way back into your
CD player.
03. Joe Satriani – Black Swans & Wormhole Wizards
(Epic)
www.satrinai.com
 Satch
hit the big time by accident back in the late ‘80s with
Surfing with the Alien and, to some degree; he
never has never outdone his debut. That album was made
cheap, somehow got on a major label and somehow got some
publicity and the rest is history. Joe has made some
fine music since then but Surfing is still the
album by Joe to own. Now, however, it has company,
as BS&WW stands proudly next to the classic
album. Joe plays with a lot of texture and while less in
your face both technically and colorfully the album has
a good vibe. The songs are full of melody and benefit
from both years of mastery of his instrument and a
creative burst where he put it all together. This one
goes in the ‘must own’ category.
02. Black Label Society – Order of the Black (E1
Music)
www.blacklabelsociety.com
 Zakk
Wylde, free from his day job as Ozzy Osbourne’s
guitarist, was able to give 100% effort to Black Label
Society, resulting in a Top 10 charting release in
Order of the Black. It seems the rest of the world
is finally figuring out what Metal fans have known for a
decade…THIS BAND ROCKS. Just crank up “Crazy Horse,”
“Godspeed Hellbound” or “Parade of the Dead” and tell me
this is not one of the best albums of decade. Zakk plays
with reckless abandon yet is able to make it work within
the context of the song. He has never delivered a better
vocal performance than he has on this one. Look for this
to be the album that pushed Black Label into the world
stage for years to come.
01. Scorpions – Sting in the Tail (Universal)
www.the-scorpions.com
 The
Scorpions announced their swansong tour and released the
best album since Love at First Sting in 2010. The
band are still on there Farewell World Tour and will
continue to say goodbye to fans throughout 2011. How
fitting they end on a high note, as Sting in the Tail
is a great hard rock record that features all of their
trademark sounds. “Raised on Rock” and “The Best is Yet
to Come” are prime examples of why the world fell in
love with these leather wearing Germans. The Scorpions
have a sound that is all their own and they deserve to
enjoy their retirement when the day comes. They also
deserve the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame but for now they
will have to settle as being the band with the best
release of 2011.
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