torsdag 1 Feb 2007, 7:16
It's been a while 'til I managed to re-listen to all the last year's albums which I have, but here it is. The Ultimate Top 20. It's been hard. Really hard. It would be lot easier to compose Top 100 instead, but I didn't want to push it to the extreme. OK, let's not bore anyone and start.
20. Heed - The Call
We're kicking off with a powerful dose of metal from Sweden. Heed recorded their debut album with help of such big names like Kee Marcello of Europe fame and Göran Edman. Heed provide us with powerful, emotional vocals and amazing melodies. They just made the Top 20 with their debut, and now they're back in the studio again. Will they repeat their success? We'll see in the Top 20 of 2007!
Free Heed music:
Heed @MySpace
19. The Derek Trucks Band - Songlines
OK, let's shake off our metal armors. Derek Trucks is one of the white blues wunderkinds. He started playing guitar at the age of 9 and formed The Derek Trucks Band when he was 15. Heavy The Allman Brothers Band influences, but in their own very style. Great cover of Nina Simone - I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free.
Free The Derek Trucks Band music:
Short YouTube clip
18. Lordi - The Arockalypse
We're leaving the States to Finland, to see them: our beloved monsters. Surely they've become quite popular after their Eurovision success with Hard Rock Hallelujah, but other songs also rock and they do it well! All spiced up with their extraordinary image, catchy melodies, balls to the walls attitude and great dose of humor! Another top spot for the Scandi. Another proof for their dominance in Europe.
Free Lordi music:
Lordi's Eurovision performance @YouTube
17. Harem Scarem - Human Nature
Well, it's time to take another plane over the ocean. This time though we're landing not in the States, but in Canada. Who can we visit in the land of South Park and Wayne Gretzky? Celine Dion? Not at all! Here we are for the mighty Harem Scarem! Their brand new album delivers traditional HS sound, with all the melodies and hooks we got used to all through the years. Of course, the sound is again darker than in their first recordings, but this is the path the band chose and they're walking down this path without any problem at all. Hint for Europe and Skid Row: if you want to include modern influences in your albums, do it like Harem Scarem.
Free Harem Scarem music:
Album sampler @YouTube
16. Brother Firetribe - False Metal
Lots of traveling today. Basically one route: America - Scandinavia and back. Here we are again in Finland. Emppu Vuorinen of Nightwish fame (guitars) and Pekka Ansio Heino from Leverage (vocals) created a great rocking album, which contains everything a good melodic rock recording needs. You can find typical Scandi AOR influences, as well as elements of amazing American hard rock. Heino can easily be decorated as the best newcomer vocalist, as his delivery is top class. This album was featured in the majority of end-of-year summaries in the melodic rock community.
Free Brother Firetribe music:
Music video for "One Single Breath" @YouTube
15. Joe Bonamassa - You And Me
Here we are again in the States and we're visiting another blues prodigy. He beats Trucks in that category, as he started playing guitar at the age of… 4. Now in his late 20's Bonamassa delivered an emotional, powerful blues album, where he shows not only his spellbinding guitar talents, but also a bit of a softer side. I think it wouldn't be an overstatement to call Bonamassa the white Muddy Waters or the next Stevie Ray Vaughan, as he possesses enough quality to be compared with the mighty two.
Free Joe Bonamassa music:
"Bridge To Better Days" live @YouTube
14. Naked Beggars - Spit It Out
Wow. Cinderella-goes-Shannon Curfman-goes-Shakira? Yes ma'am! Two Cinderella guys: Jeff LaBar and Eric Brittingham, and Eric's wife Linda formed a band, where blues, rock and pop mix and complement each other. Linda's voice is amazing and it's a shame she hasn't exposed it to us before. Spit It Out is the second album of Naked Beggars and for sure not the last one. They're back in the studio again!
Free Naked Beggars music:
Naked Beggars @MySpace
13. Paul Stanley - Live To Win
Another solo album of Kiss front after nearly 30 years?! Yes. And it was worth waiting for. It could have even scored higher, but this year was really full of great music. Stanley provides us both with classic Kiss sound and some flirts with modern music. Fortunately, the vibe of great melodic rock is not lost. Great catchy choruses, beautiful ballads and this very characteristic delivery all pay their due to what has become a great album. Rock on Paul Stanley! Rock on Kiss!
Free Paul Stanley music:
"Live To Win" live @YouTube
12. Michael Bormann - Conspiracy
What a busy year for the German guy. Ex-Jaded Heart frontman recorded with four different project (Michael Bormann solo, Rain, Zeno and Redrum). From all this stuff, the solo work suits me in a best way. Amazing songwriting, great melodies, beautiful ballads, out of which "Amazing" being one of the greatest songs of the year. A truly talented singer and songwriter! And take a note: the first non-Scandi European in my Top 20.
Free Michael Bormann music:
Teaser #1
Teaser #2
Teaser #3
Teaser #4
Teaser #5
Teaser #6
11. Goo Goo Dolls - Let Love In
Let's take another trip to the States. The year 2006 saw another album of modern pop/rock stars Goo Goo Dolls being released. This recording is rather aimed at people who prefer the softer side of the Goo. Many reflective and emotional tracks, which is good, as that's what I'm looking for in music. I know, on the other hand, that not everyone was pleased with such selection. But even those who didn't, turn it on when you're in a mood for a softer side recording. It's worth it!
Free Goo Goo Dolls music:
"Let Love In" music video @YouTube
So that were the places from 11th to the 20th. Please feel free to leave your comments. I guess tomorrow I'll present the Top 10! Stay alert!