Best of 2013 - Kim's Take
Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 12:01AM First of all: what a year 2013 has been! I remember doing this list a year ago and to be honest I was struggling to find 10 good-enough albums. I even ended up cheating with two albums from the year before. This time the struggle has been the opposite; too many great albums to choose from and only ten picks. I guess I shouldn’t complain though, there isn’t really something called “too much of great music,” right? So instead I’ll just give you my Top 10 of 2013, with a few honorable mentions in the end for those albums that didn’t make the cut. Enjoy!
10. Santa Cruz – Screaming For Adrenaline
I’ve had my eyes on these Finnish guys for a few years now and they finally got around to releasing their full-length debut. Songs like “Anthem For The Young ‘n’ Restless” and “Relentless Renegades” have been spinning pretty frequently at my house. Now I’m just hoping 2014 will be the year Santa Cruz start hitting some festivals. It’s about time people outside of Finland got to see them live too. Maybe at Skogsröjet this summer?
9. Revolver Eleven – Breaking Free
Sure, this EP is just three self-recorded and -produced songs, but it’s damn catchy. I’ve basically been walking around singing “Wicked Woman” constantly, ever since I first heard it. Apparently there are plans on releasing a full-length album next year and Breaking Free is making me really curious about what that album will sound like. Plus these guys are from Gothenburg, and you all know how much I love supporting bands from my hometown.
8. Tiger Bell – Don’t Wanna Hear About Your Band
Okay, so the title song is officially my new anthem. It’s just so liberating to hear someone just scream out their frustration. Especially when it’s an all-girl group screaming of frustrationabout annoying men with guitars, who think they’re better musicians simply because they’re men. This intense punk album might be a bit too much if you keep it on repeat a few too many times, but it definitely deserves a spot on this list.
7. Dregen – Dregen
Guitarist of Michael Monroe as well as Backyard Babies, and previously The Hellacopters, Dregen decided it was time to do something on his own. I’m glad he did. The result is his self-titled album with classic and simple rock’n’roll tunes, which is probably what Dregen does best. And he does it better than most. Obviously you can look forward to a lot of great riffs, but also a few interesting collaborations. Like the one with Titiyo on “Flat Tyre On A Muddy Road."
6. Saffire – From Ashes To Fire
It’s not really glam at all, but I’m hoping you will give this album a listen anyway. It really is rock’n’roll at its finest and the first single of the album, “Magnolia,” is simply brilliant. Singer Tobias Jansson is something beyond the ordinary and my thoughts go to vocalists as Dio when I hear him. Oh, and did I mention they’re from Gothenburg too?
5. Joan Jett And The Blackhearts – Unvarnished
In all honesty, I haven’t been listening to this album enough and I wasn’t really blown away by the first single “Any Weather” either, BUT Joan Jett is finally back with some new material and that is good enough for me. She deserves her spot on this list just by being Joan Jett. Now I’m just praying she will follow this release with a tour.
4. Skid Row – United World Rebellion – Chapter One
I’ve been very doubtful about everything that Skid Row has done since Sebastian Bach left. That was at least until I saw them live in November and they kicked off “Kings Of Demolition” from their latest album. And wow! Bach might not be the singer anymore, but this is Skid Row. At least that song. Since then I’ve listened quite a bit to United World Rebellion – Chapter One and it’s growing on me every time. Plus they still rock live. Not that I was around to see them in their prime, I’m just assuming they use to rock just as hard asthey did when I saw them in November. Which is pretty hard.
3. Hardcore Superstar – C’mon Take On Me
“Above The Law” is probably number one of my most played songs in 2013. But you all know how much I love Hardcore Superstar already, so this album doesn’t really need any further introduction or explanation.
2. Rob Zombie – Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor
If anyone would have told me a year ago that I would pick Rob Zombie’s latest album to be in my Top 10, I would probably have laughed in their face. Yet somehow he managed to sneak under my skin, and now I can’t get enough of songs like “We’re An American Band.” I absolutely love it. Right now he’s the act I’m looking forward to the most at Sweden Rock Festival 2014.
1. Michael Monroe – Horns And Halos
This man is a God. In case you didn’t know it yet, you do now. It’s only been two years since he released Sensory Overdrive and he’s already back with another amazing album? This while he seems to be constantly on tour and still is one of the best live acts out there? I have no idea how he does it, being over 50 and all, but he shows no signs of slowing down. And besides being very grateful for that, all we have to do is to bow down to the master and enjoy.
As I said I would also like to do a few shout-outs, especially to Buckcherry, Black Sabbath (!), Airbourne, Crashdïet and Hammered Satin, bands who also released great albums in 2013. Anyone I’m missing? I know it turned out to be quite a patriotic Top 10, with half of the list being Swedish bands, but I guess we just had a very good year over here? Plus I love to try and introduce some fresh bands and I’m hoping there are a few new ones for you here? So what do you guys think?
I’m already excited about what 2014 will bring when it comes to new music. So far I’m mainly looking forward to releases from The Treatment and Thundermother, and to see if Steel Panther will be able to bring something new to the table. Hopefully there will be a few happy surprises and some new great bands as well. What new albums are you most keen on this year?
Reader Comments (27)
Your list is great, as always, Kim!
I will check out Revolver Eleven, Tiger Bell, Dregen, Saffire, Hammered Satin and Thundermother (The name alone of the latter's got me curious, indeed).
One other you might like I forgot on my list is Maverick (Go back to the previous post for the rest).
\m/ HAVE A ROCKIN' METAL 2014 \m/
p.s. I saw Joan Jett 3rd row back in '82 so I can understand you putting her on your list. All I gotta say is, "Where are The Runaways?!"
NikkeSixx, Stryper has never been my thing, to be honest. Will definitely check out the latest Queensrÿche though, haven't been listening to it at all.
And as for the question.. "Where are The Runaways?". The Runaways will never do anything again. Sandy West passed away a few years ago and Joan Jett has nothing to gain by reforming The Runaway. Lita Ford and Cherie Currie have recorded a bit together and it looks like the two of them might tour together in 2014.
I saw Cherie Currie 2 times in 2013.. Loved her show.. If you do get a chance to see her, don't miss out. Cherie did a bunch of Runaways tunes including some unexpected ones.
p.s. The Runaways could do a "Reunion" to honor West.
I know you have a pretty good instinct for this stuff, being that you're a promoter and all but I think there would be a lot of hype around a "Reunion" and Joan would make more from one-off tour with Currie, Ford and Fox, taking into account their now mythic status and popularity from the film.
Granted, the most opportune time would have been immediately after the film's release, but the reunion would still get some play off of it.
I still think it's Laguna stoppin' it. With the other members getting back with Jett, he jeopardizes his control.
However, Ace would be the one to consult on the subject. It would be interesting to know his read on it all.
10) Alter Bridge, "Fortress". Phew, I don't know how I stayed awake for this one. B-O-R-I-N-G GENEROCK! Not a hook to be found anywhere on this joke of an album. Man, this was such an arduous task to have to slog through this sludge. I was having trouble coming up with the 10th worst album so I just simply shut my eyes and pointed somewhere on Christian's "Best of 2013" list and viola!... One, thing lead to another and I somehow wound up stumbling on these guys. I mean, how could I miss applying that formula, right? Here's another formula --Just take Slash's overrated and over pandered to Generic Singer, subtract Slash and you get Zero, Zilch, De Nada. Mild Kennedy - Slash = Alter Sh*t!
9) Korn, "The Paradigm Shift". Again, pass the No-Doz. This album marks the return of "guitarist", Brian "Head" Welch, which proves just how truly awful this is, as it doesn't make a damn bit of difference whether he's in the band or not, they still s*ck. The Paradigm Sh*t!
8) Davey Suicide, "Davey Suicide". Man, this dude and his band are only slightly better and more attractive looking than GWAR. What a bunch of talentless poseurs with "Davey" the most talentless! Hit YouTube if you don't believe me.
7) Asking Alexandria, "From Death To Destiny". Such a lovely and inspirational title from the worst named band in the business. I would have said "Rock & Roll History" but these guys are SO UNROCK that would have been a compliment. Please ask Alexandria for forgiveness for misappropriating her name. Total bark-a-thon! Check out the Doberman Duet of "The Death Of Me" and it will be the death of YOU! Unless, of course, you want to go on pretending this is actually good. Hey, you gotta hand it to these guys -- Why settle for one dog barker of a singer when you can have two! I'd rather listen to Captain & Tennille while on LSD than hear another note from these guys as long as I live! This might have won a Grammy for "Best Comedy Album of The Year" had they known to enter it in that category. Sublimely STOOPID. Ruff-ruff!
6) Stone Sour, "House of Gold & Bones, Pt. 2". As if Part 1 wasn't enough torture. If there's ever an example of the present sad state of Metal, it's Sh*tknot a*s clown Corey Taylor being heralded as a great singer/songwriter. If there's one thing he has in common with all the "Sons of Daughtry" inhabiting most of the bands featured on this list besides a midrangey-mangey voice, it's uninspired and boring as sh*t delivery of even more boring as sh*t lyrics. A snorefest to end all snorefests. Okay... brace yourselves, I actually have something positive say in the middle of this total Sh*tefest of an Exercise in Futility -- The song title, "Peckinpah" (Now, don't get excited, boyz... the song STILL s*cks) saves this bunch of bozos from winding up higher than #6. At least there is obviously some social/cultural awareness going on here beyond where the coolest tattoo parlor is in Venice Beach as evidenced by that solitary movie reference detail. Every other aspect of this total waste of studio time, I assure you, is sh*te!
5) Queensryche, "Queensryche", More Prog masquerading as Metal. Yeah, the new singer is incredible, but that doesn't save the material. One thing you gotta say about these guys... They're consistent, as in consistently B-O-R-I-N-G!!! Even more boring than me calling everything boring in this list! Okay, they pulled down one absolutely stellar song though it was years ago when Tate was still in the picture and had his "Silent Lucidity" about him -- the EPIC "Queen Of The Reich". So, one of the best moments on MORC was these idiots being stupid enough to open with that song so I didn't have to wait around for it and thus promptly hit the upper deck to catch a REAL METAL Band, Dangerous Toys as soon as Queensh*te went into their next song!
4) Dream Theater, "Dream Theater". Prog masquerading as Metal. Another hookless wonder. No wonder Portnoy quit. He got bored of the very monster he helped create. These guys have reached new heights of -- you guessed it -- The Art of Total Boringness!
3) Winery Dogs, "Winery Dogs". Talk about a bad idea to begin with right down to the idiotic logo. Take two card carrying members of Overplayers Anonymous, Billy Sheehan, Scientologic slap happy bass player with the Corporate Hair Metal AOR pedigree playing in Sh*temongers, Mr. Big (Okay, one good song -- "Addicted To That Rush"!), Prog-Unrock overpercussionist extraordinaire, Michael Portnoy (to rival another, Neil Peart) who quit Dream Theater in a misguided attempt to "Rock Out" and throw in "pretty boy" unremarkable singer but pretty marvelous guitarist of Poison, Arthur's Museum (before he got sidetracked) and Solo stints, dress 'em all up in John Varvatos aging slackerwear and you get absolute perfect... you guessed it... Complete and utter BOREDOM! These guys couldn't write a memorable riff between them to save their lives and the stuff they play is so simple yet they still can't resist overplayin' it. One thing's for sure, this is one less act I have to catch on The Monsters of Rock Cruise. Or, if I have trouble sleeping, I can just go see them and I'll be sawin' wood in 10 minutes out of, I said it before, sheer BOREDOM! Winery Dogsh*t!
2) Avenged Sevenfold, "Hail To The King". Have you guys lost your minds? Blatant knock offs of Metallica with a singer even more bland than Hetfield and you've got a one way ticket to Snoresville. Some of the music is actually "OK-ish" but this guy ensures the songs will s*ck as soon as he opens his mouth. Bark, bark, bark. Sludge, sludge, sludge. Bore! Bore! Bore! Platinum Shmatinum! A7Xcrement!
1) Sevendust, "Black Out The Sun". Black Out so you might not have to hear this. Oh, man, do I have to go to the Thesaurus to find another word for "BORING"? I've got a better idea -- Make a new "music" oriented dictionary and under the definition of "boring" put their name. This is THE MOST UNROCK album ever recorded in the last decade -- even worse than anything they've done previously, which I didn't think wsa possible. Who knows, maybe that's what they were shooting for. Not a lick, hook or riff to be found anywhere. If only the title of Track #7 was true. Alas, plenty of idiots out there want it, right boyz? I'll never forget watching the lead barker, yet another run of the mill, midrange growler, introducing himself to Vince Neil in the Sushi Bar on Shipf*cked! Neil was so disinterested in meeting him, he gave him the limpest of hand shakes, as the guy said, "I'm so-and-so. I'm the lead singer of Sevendust." And Vince said, "Uh-huh." Why? Because whatever you wanna say about Neil, the man knows his music and he knows these guys S*CK worse than an old Electrolux!!! Or do I mean better than a Dyson, when it comes to S*CKING! Sevendumb!
DISHONORABLE MENTIONS: Exhumed, Trivium, Coney Hatch, Black Star Riders, Powertrip, Red Fang, Darkthrone, Stomach Earth, Voivod, Cathedral, Interarma, Gorguts, Katatonia, Deafheaven, The Ocean, In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Portal, ASG, Whores, Carcass, Locrian
There's no bringing Sandy back but we could bring back The Runaways. I bet Sandy would have wanted it that way. Do it in honor of Sandy... THAT would be the way to Bring Back Glam!
p.s. Sorry, but I'm not impressed with some of Jett's decisions. Life just isn't hat complicated. Maybe when they get inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she'll finally get it.
p.s. I'm sure jett gets it, just prefers not to...it adds to her street cred.
METALBOY!'S TOP 12 ALBUMS OF 1993:
1) Vince Neil, "Exposed"
2) Type O Negative, "Bloody Kisses"
3) WASP, "The Crimson Idol"
4) Luv Junkies, "Luv Junkies"
5) Arcade, "Arcade"
6) Every Mother's Nightmare "Wake Up Screaming"
7) Brother Cane, "Brother Cane"
8) Black Sabbath, "Born Again"
9) De Ja Vu, "One Size Fits All"
10) Love/Hate, "Let's Rumble"
11) Easy Rider, "Back To Old Road"
p.s. As you could see, it was all coming to abismal end. Though these albums are great, this list is the result of very slim pickin's to choose from. You'll also notice, I had to go to the indies to fill it out. Please let me know if I forgot anything