06/12/2021
Hello numpties,
It's been a while! Re-enactment, work, covid. All kept me busy.
I decided today that maybe I should do my top 10 albums of the year. 2021 has had some belters.
In no order, these are the albums I suggest you check out from 2021.
The Pretty Reckless - Death by Rock n Roll
Not a single filler. It has rockers, ballads, acoustic songs. Taylor Momsen has the voice of an angel and the mouth of a trucker.
Absolutely stunning album...
The Darkness - Motorheart
Sometimes The Darkness albums come out and your not sure whether it's a belter or a patchy mess. The last couple gave been brilliant and this one is no different.
Fun, funny, catchy. Love it...
Alice Cooper - Detroit Stories
Wasn't sure about this after reading a preview but when I heard it. Wow. After so many years making music, Alice sounds as excited by music as he ever did, if not more so.
Hard Rock n Roll, a cover or two, reunions. Pure class. ..
Iron Maiden - Senjutsu
I know a lot of people don't like prog Maiden, the chord progression is predictable... blah blah blah.
This album has rockers, long songs, slow songs, Bruce sounds less strained as he's dropped his register a bit on some songs and it really helps.
A double album, highlights are The Time Machine, Darkest Hour and Hell on Earth. ..
Thunder - All The Right Moves
Loud, British songwriting at its best. Morley, Bowes, Childs, Matthews and James give us another reason why they're one of Britain's most underrated bands. ..
Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse of Reason (Remixed and Updated)
Originally released in 1987, the band updated it in 2019 by making it sounding less dated and replacing the drum track with one re-recorded by Nick Mason and adding and enhancing Richatd Wright's contributions.
Does it sound any different? Yes, more like a Floyd album and less like a Gilmour solo album from the 80s.
Not released until this year.
When remixes are done right, it's wonderful ..
Mastodon - Hushed and Grim
Melodic, Heavy, superbly crafted and miles away from their more extreme early days.
They've really found their sound and it's just soooooo good..
Marillion - Fugazi (Super Deluxe Edition)
Fully revisited, remixed, enhanced and its made it sound as fresh as it was in 1984.
I love both versions of Marillion and these reissues are well thought out and fresh.
The 5.1 mix is also a treat for the lugholes. ..
Joe Bonamassa - Time Clocks
Blues Rock of the finest quality. JB consistently releases good music and how he keeps the quality high is a mystery to me, but im glad he does...
Joanne Shaw Taylor - The Blues Album
Produced by Joe Bonamassa. An album of blues covers doesn't sound awesome inspiring but the attitude, the joy of the musicians shines through. Very enjoyable...
Honourable mentions:
Twisted Illusion - Matt Jones continues to reinvent and improve. He released a few albums last year (2020) including the brilliant re-recording of Temple of Artifice.
Trivium - In The Court of The Dragon.
Loud, melodic, riffs. Love it.
I hope to do a review or two over the next year if I get time.
Miss ya
Mike
