These albums, all released in 2007, are my choices for "Must Own" albums of the year. These are all albums you should have in your library based purely on the musical excellence they all contain. They're not ranked in any particular order...maybe that's something I'll do at the end of the year.
Click on the album name for great deals.
Click on the album name for great deals.
1. Brandi Carlile - The Story
Simply an amazing album from beginning to end, this record has my vote for Album of the Year so far...and it will take an exceptional album to take its place.
2. Rush - Snakes and Arrows
An incredible effort by these aging rockers that brings you back to the days of vintage Rush. 2 AWESOME instrumental tracks round out this complete package.
An incredible effort by these aging rockers that brings you back to the days of vintage Rush. 2 AWESOME instrumental tracks round out this complete package.
3. Ozzy Osbourne - Black Rain
It's Ozzy. It's his first studio album in 6 years. Zakk Wylde is back on guitar. Enough said.
It's Ozzy. It's his first studio album in 6 years. Zakk Wylde is back on guitar. Enough said.
Just get it. It's Chris Cornell for crying out loud.
5. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81
A really good album you can listen to all the way through without skipping a track.
A really good album you can listen to all the way through without skipping a track.
6. Velvet Revolver - Libertad
Scott Weiland & Company back at it. Superb and compelling album.
7. Poison - Poison'd
Poison lets loose with a collection of cover tunes. A really fun album to throw in your car CD player, crank it up, and drive around with the windows rolled down.
8. Perry Farrell's Satellite Party - Ultra Payloaded
A concept album, with Nuno Bettencourt on guitar (who as of this writing has left the group) and guest appearances by Flea and John Frusciante of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fergie, and what may be the last known recording made by the late Jim Morrison of The Doors.
9. Circus Diablo - Circus Diablo
Billy Morrison: Vocals. Billy Duffy: Lead Guitar. Ricky Warwick: Rhythm Guitar. Brett Scallions: Bass Guitar. Matt Sorum: Drums. What else needs to be said?
10. Black Sabbath - The Dio Years
A retrospective of the Dio era of Black Sabbath. If you're any kind of fan of hard rock/metal this is a must have for your collection...even if you already own every Sabbath record ever made...because this compilation also contains 3 brand new recordings from Dio and the gang.
11. Tesla - Real to Reel
Another set of cover tunes, something that seems to be a trend lately...particularly with bands that had their heyday in the 80's/early 90's. This, like Poison's, is a good one. But then again, it's Tesla. It's hard to go wrong with Tesla.
12. Sixx: A.M. - The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack
It's Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue...and probably not what you'd expect from him. It's quite a mix of music, written to correspond with his book The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star.
Featuring catchy, melodic hard rock to epic orchestral numbers and mellow ballads, Sixx ties it all together with narration throughout using short excerpts from the book.
Featuring catchy, melodic hard rock to epic orchestral numbers and mellow ballads, Sixx ties it all together with narration throughout using short excerpts from the book.
13. Collective Soul - Afterwords
Oh my God. Just. Frigging. Buy it. It's that good.
14. Queensryche - Mindcrime at the Moore
The complete performance of both Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II live at Seattle's Moore Theater. I had originally purchased the DVD only, but decided I needed to have this double CD set as well (34 tracks in all) so I could hear (and relive the experience in my mind) it while driving. Queensryche, in my mind, is one of the most amazing bands to ever record an album, and Geoff Tate is my second choice behind only Freddy Mercury as greatest rock singer of all time. (See my list of Top Rock Singers).
Buy the Queensryche double DVD
15. Poets & Pornstars
It's September 1, 2007 and I'm adding this CD to the list. I had never even heard of this band until I saw them open up for Tesla last night. They rocked hard. So I bought the CD at the show and I LOVE it. They're a fun band...good old-fashioned 3 chord sleaze rock that will make you get your groove on. And I think I'm in love with the bassist.
16. The Cult - Born Into This
A great (although too short for this Cult fan!) album that will remind you of The Cult of old. "Dirty Little Rockstar" is the first single off the album and it's a rocker, but it's far from the best track. That honor I'll bestow upon "I Assassin" with "Holy Mountain" (Ian Astbury sounds just like Elvis Presley in parts) a close second.
17. Bruce Springsteen - Magic
A beautiful album of protest and longing. 12 tracks (11 tracks are listed, the 12th is an untitled hidden track which is a heartbreaker of a song) long, it's hard to pick a favorite. All the tracks are stellar. Bruce is still Bruce.
18. Scorpions - Humanity Hour 1
A concept album that is cleverly put together. Those Scorpions can still rock and Klaus hasn't lost a thing off his voice. One of the most interesting albums of the year.
More albums will be added as they come out (and are deemed worthy).
