Blogs N' Roses Top Albums of 2008
Everyone has a year end list that sums up the best or worst albums that were released over the past year. We were going to be the exception, but why? You need to know what to get your mother for her birthday. Here are our top 10 commercially released, best albums of the year. Keep on the lookout for our Best EP's released this year.
10. Lynam - Tragic City Symphony
We reviewed this album here. The album is a perfect modern rock album with an awesome ‘80s metal edge. The songs have arena sized chorus, meaty guitars that still sound modern, but the production is lifted from the 80's arena rockers of your choice. Great album for driving in your Camaro for that retro fulfillment.
09. Bigelf - Cheat the Gallows
For a first time listener, Cheat The Gallows sounds like a bizarre circus soundtrack and comes out swinging with a heavy nod to Black Sabbath in the opening tracks. Lead vocalist Damon Fox simultaneously assaults the Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer while the rest of the band pounds the rhythm into crunchy, palm muted glory. The big top sized riffs constantly morph into slightly different stoner rock suites on extended workouts like “Blackball” and “Counting Sheep.” Check out our review for more information on Bigelf's Cheat the Gallows. (review)
08. Jet Black Stare - In This Life
"In This Life" does give the casual listener a nice mix of hard and soft rockers that will be sure to stay in your rotation for at least a few weeks, but won't lose its catchiness three months later either. The verses and chorus of "Ready To Roll" somehow combines the chugging guitar style of any number of modern rock bands with vocals reminiscent of Don Henley. (review)
07. Rev Theory - Light It Up
A hot album cover that is backed up by fresh hard, arena filling anthems. From note one the album grabs you by the throat using Force Choke and throws you around like a Sith lord....and you like it. The album almost perfectly captures Rev Theory's live show. (they are a bit more intense on stage) The only thing not included on the album is horny women touching themselves. You have to supply them.
06. AC/DC - Black Ice
More of the same from AC/DC and that is a good thing. It is the same AC/DC album you have come to expect from them since 1980 and they don't disappoint. The songs like Rock N' Roll Train and War Machine translate even better live and will be rocking you for years to come.
05. Metallica - Death Magnetic
Is this Metallica's return to their glory days? No, they can't return to the 80's and put out a raw speed metal album. They are different people. But what Death Magnetic shows is that Metallica can still rock. (review)
04. The Killers - Day & Age
The Killers continue to put out great record after great record. This album is a return to the synth dance pop of Hot Fuss, which should delight early fans. The Bruce Springsteen inspired rock of Sam's Town is stripped away. The album will spawn concert staples like Human and Spaceman.
03. Scott Weiland - "Happy" in Galoshes
Scott releases his second solo album and it is leaps and bounds above his previous solo album - 12 Bar Blues. He combines his eclectic tastes into a memorable album, mixing David Bowie like lyrics with twangy guitars and keyboards. Each song provides something completely different from the last one.
02. Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy
The original Guns N' Roses are dead and have been since 1996. This is an Axl Rose solo album and it isn't finished. But unfinished, it still blows away what was released this year in guitar work, vocal ability, and song writing skills. We had a hard time deciding which solo work was better — Scott Weiland or Axl Rose. We chose Axl's work because it was banned in China. (review)
01. Shinedown - The Sound of Madness
The album is the perfect rock album combining rock ballads with rock anthems. Every song is just as good as the one before it. The Sound of Madness has crossover ability (pop people will find something to like). Each song translates well live. You will not tire of listening to this album and it is the best Shinedown album to date. (review)
Honorable Mentions:
Judas Priest's - Nostradamus, Kings of Leon - Only by the Night, Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul, The Verve - Forth.
10. Lynam - Tragic City Symphony
We reviewed this album here. The album is a perfect modern rock album with an awesome ‘80s metal edge. The songs have arena sized chorus, meaty guitars that still sound modern, but the production is lifted from the 80's arena rockers of your choice. Great album for driving in your Camaro for that retro fulfillment.
09. Bigelf - Cheat the Gallows
For a first time listener, Cheat The Gallows sounds like a bizarre circus soundtrack and comes out swinging with a heavy nod to Black Sabbath in the opening tracks. Lead vocalist Damon Fox simultaneously assaults the Hammond organ and Moog synthesizer while the rest of the band pounds the rhythm into crunchy, palm muted glory. The big top sized riffs constantly morph into slightly different stoner rock suites on extended workouts like “Blackball” and “Counting Sheep.” Check out our review for more information on Bigelf's Cheat the Gallows. (review)
08. Jet Black Stare - In This Life
"In This Life" does give the casual listener a nice mix of hard and soft rockers that will be sure to stay in your rotation for at least a few weeks, but won't lose its catchiness three months later either. The verses and chorus of "Ready To Roll" somehow combines the chugging guitar style of any number of modern rock bands with vocals reminiscent of Don Henley. (review)
07. Rev Theory - Light It Up
A hot album cover that is backed up by fresh hard, arena filling anthems. From note one the album grabs you by the throat using Force Choke and throws you around like a Sith lord....and you like it. The album almost perfectly captures Rev Theory's live show. (they are a bit more intense on stage) The only thing not included on the album is horny women touching themselves. You have to supply them.
06. AC/DC - Black Ice
More of the same from AC/DC and that is a good thing. It is the same AC/DC album you have come to expect from them since 1980 and they don't disappoint. The songs like Rock N' Roll Train and War Machine translate even better live and will be rocking you for years to come.
05. Metallica - Death Magnetic
Is this Metallica's return to their glory days? No, they can't return to the 80's and put out a raw speed metal album. They are different people. But what Death Magnetic shows is that Metallica can still rock. (review)
04. The Killers - Day & Age
The Killers continue to put out great record after great record. This album is a return to the synth dance pop of Hot Fuss, which should delight early fans. The Bruce Springsteen inspired rock of Sam's Town is stripped away. The album will spawn concert staples like Human and Spaceman.
03. Scott Weiland - "Happy" in Galoshes
Scott releases his second solo album and it is leaps and bounds above his previous solo album - 12 Bar Blues. He combines his eclectic tastes into a memorable album, mixing David Bowie like lyrics with twangy guitars and keyboards. Each song provides something completely different from the last one.
02. Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy
The original Guns N' Roses are dead and have been since 1996. This is an Axl Rose solo album and it isn't finished. But unfinished, it still blows away what was released this year in guitar work, vocal ability, and song writing skills. We had a hard time deciding which solo work was better — Scott Weiland or Axl Rose. We chose Axl's work because it was banned in China. (review)
01. Shinedown - The Sound of Madness
The album is the perfect rock album combining rock ballads with rock anthems. Every song is just as good as the one before it. The Sound of Madness has crossover ability (pop people will find something to like). Each song translates well live. You will not tire of listening to this album and it is the best Shinedown album to date. (review)
Honorable Mentions:
Judas Priest's - Nostradamus, Kings of Leon - Only by the Night, Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul, The Verve - Forth.
Trackbacks
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2/19/2009 9:57 PM
Blogs N' Roses wrote:
Some music reviewers have criticized The Killers overuse of Bill Clinton's instrument of choice, the sax. The sax is a predominant feature on The Killers Day -
2/19/2009 9:57 PM
Blogs N' Roses wrote:
Some music reviewers have criticized The Killers overuse of Bill Clinton's instrument of choice, the sax. The sax is a predominant feature on The Killers Day -
2/2/2009 9:45 PM
Blogs N' Roses wrote:
The Birmingham AL hard Rock band LYNAM, will be hitting the road in support of their newest effort “Tragic City Symphony”. The album made our year end list of Top Albums and we reviewed this album here.The tour starts on February, 13th in Memphis, TN at The New Daisy Theater and ends on March 14th in Battlecreek, MI at Planet Rock. LYNAM released their new album “Tragic City Symphony” August 26th through New Ocean Media. “Tragic City Symphony” is the highly anticipated follow up to their 2006 release “Slave To The Machine”. The first single from ...
Excellent call on Shinedown and Jet Black Stare - I approve.
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No Puddle of Mudd or Sixx:AM?
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