Despite the best of intentions, I didn’t
get to write much this year. The growing demands from work, a move in homes,
the ongoing failures of my chosen internet provider - and more recently, a
newly discovered fault in the telephone line – have all contributed to my
absence from the worldwide web.
But while I’ve been absent from the
keyboard, I haven’t forsaken music one bit. I still managed to find the time to
listen to new music. And like every year, 2014 produced its fair share of magnificent
gems, or disappointments. As so without further ado, he’s what I consider my
personal favourite of 2014.
Big Wreck – Ghosts (Anthem Records)
The second post reunion album from the
Canadian’s proved to be a bit of a sleeper for me. Initially, I though the
album was a little too slow and moody compared to their former efforts. But
after giving the album time to grow, it turned out to be an absolute winner.
The album’s worth owning for ‘Hey Mama’ alone.
Comeback Kid – Die Knowing (Victory
Records)
Canada’s Comeback Kid has always
impressed me, but there’s something about this fifth studio album from them
that totally blew me away. Maybe it’s the infectious melodies, or the
catchiness and brutality of the riffs. Either way, this is without a doubt one
of my favourite hardcore/punk album’s for 2014.
Winger - Better Days Comin’ (Frontiers
Records)
Hard rockers Winger have always been a
bit hit and miss with me – especially since their reformation. But if truth be
told, the band’s releases seem to be getting stronger, and ‘Better Days Comin’’
is evidence to support this. Although it does have a couple of less than
stellar tracks, ‘Midnight Driver Of A Love Machine’, ‘Rat Race’ and ‘Tin
Soldier’ are up there with the best the band has ever offered.
KXM – KXM (Rat Pak Records)
I’m always wary of the so-called
supergroup. But lo and behold, here’s one that not just lives up to the hype –
but exceeds it. Surprisingly enough, while King's X bassist/vocalist Doug
Pinnick and Lynch Mob/ex-Dokken guitarist George Lynch are the big names
involved, it’s actually Army Of Anyone/Korn drummer Ray Luzier that steak the
show. Part hard rock, part groove and experimental in places, KXM’s debut
effort turned out to be beyond my expectations.
Flying Colors – Second Nature (Mascot
Label Group)
Although strong in places, I couldn’t
help but be a little underwhelmed by all-star neo progressive rock outfit
Flying Color’s self titled debut effort. But on the second album, the issues
that plagued the first album (In particular the album’s inconsistent direction
and songwriting) are all issues relegated to the past. The opening trio of
‘Open Up Your Eyes’, the heavier ‘Mask Machine’ and ‘Bombs Away’ showcase the
band at their best.
California Breed – California Breed
(Frontiers Records)
From the ashes of the critically
acclaimed Black Country Communion comes California Breed. Although featuring
half of the former group (Bassist/Front Man Glenn Hughes and drummer Jason
Bonham), this isn’t a carbon copy of their former act. Heavier, funkier and
rooted in 70’s groove, the album is another Glenn Hughes vehicle worthy of his
legendary status.
Ginger Wildheart - Albion (Pledge
Edition) (Independent Release)
This was a bit of a tricky release for
me, because as much as I love Ginger’s output, this isn’t one of his more
memorable releases as a whole. But while some of the tracks fall flat on their
face, the good tracks are absolutely stellar. And that’s because this is
something of a band release rather than a true solo effort, and it’s clearly
evident in what the album offers overall. Tracks worthy of genius status
include ‘Drive’, ‘The Order Of The Dog’, ‘Burn This City Down’ and the title
track ‘Albion’.
Sanctuary – The Year The Sun Died
(Century Media Records)
O.K., so this new album from the
reactivated Sanctuary isn’t all that far from the sadly defunct Nevermore. And
yes, this album will never sit stack against the bands past efforts in the eyes
of the diehards. But I don’t care. A good album is a good album, and this one
is a real surprise winner for me. Yes, Warrel Dane’s vocals can’t hit the high
notes of the likes heard the last time Sanctuary were an active band (Some
twenty-five years ago!), but Dane is in terrific form, and so is the band.
Check out the slamming opener ‘Arise And Purify’, the moody ‘Exitium (Anthem Of
The Living)’ and the shredding ‘Frozen’. This is not an album to disappoint
Nevermore fans.
Mark Kelson – Resurgence (Audio Cave)
Having been a huge fan of The Eternal throughout
the years, I was keen to hear what front man Mark Kelson would come up with on
his debut effort as a solo artist. It’s again another one of those albums that
takes a little while to sink in, but when it does, it blew me away. The album
takes a bit of Pink Floyd, adds in a dash of The Tea Party, spices thinks up
with equal parts progressive rock and hard rock, laid on a base of The Eternal
and wrapped in plenty of melancholy. Essentially, it’s Kelson through and
though. I’d single out a track, but this is the kind of album that truly needs
to be listened to from start to finish to really appreciate.
Triptykon - Melana Chasmata (Century
Media Records)
After writing up a review of this album,
a friend of mind stated that there wasn’t really a question of whether the
album was a move forward for the band, but more a statement. This release
really is a defiant statement of who they are. And I totally agree. I rarely
accept more of the same without progression, but in Triptykon’s case, I’ll
gladly settle for what’s on offer. This is grim, primate, suffocating and morbid.
And really, what else would you want from Thomas Gabriel Fischer.
Top Ten Songs For 2014
This is really an excuse for me to make a top
twenty list for the year. These album’s didn’t quite make the top list, but
they’re worthy of an honourable mention because they all at least boast a few
absolutely awesome tracks. So here it goes...
Wolf – Shark Attack (From ‘Devil Seed’)
As much as I love it when band’s push
beyond the realms of expectations, there are times when all I want is a bit of
traditional heavy metal. And one of the best at it is Sweden’s Wolf. ‘Devil
Seed’ (The band’s seventh effort) is up there with the band’s best, and one of
the best tracks on offer certainly has to be the belting ‘Shark Attack’.
Decapitated – Moth Defect (From ‘Blood Mantra’)
I was one of the few who genuinely loved 2011’s
‘Carnival Is Forever’. So it’s would come as no surprise to find I was really
hanging out to hear ‘Blood Mantra’. And while I think the band sound better
than ever, I still feel that there’s something about the previous album that
stands out as my favourite. Despite that, ‘Moth Defect’, the limited edition
bonus track from ‘Blood Mantra’, is a definite favourite from the band. The
track is brutal, progressive and delivered with perfection. And really, what
more could you ask for?
Tantric – Cynical (From ‘Blue Room Archives’)
At this point in their career, I pretty much know
what I’m going to get from a Tantric release. But with ‘Blue Room Archives’,
Tantric front man Hugo Ferreira has put together a compilation of sorts that
brings together a variety of songs under the Tantric banner that didn’t fit any
of the band’s former releases in the feel sense. It makes sense, but a shame
nonetheless because ‘Cynical’ (Which also features ex-Dark New Day vocalist Brett
Hestla) is a great track.
Skindred – Kill The Power (From ‘Kill The
Power’)
The follow-up to 2011’s ‘Union Black’ was
a bit of a middling affair for me. There were too many slow and atmospheric
efforts and not enough rock for my taste. But ‘Kill The Power’ did have its
moment, and no more so than with the title track.
IQ – Knucklehead (From ‘The Road Of Bones’
(Special Edition))
As much as I love British neo-progressive
rock outfit IQ, sometimes their album don’t quite hit me in the same way as
some of their others. ‘The Road Of Bones’ is an O.K. album, but it’s the bonus
disc that really won me over. A prime example is ‘Knucklehead’, which is
uncharacteristically heavy sounding for the band, and a truly unique track from
the band. As you would have already guessed, it’s only available on the bonus
disc.
Transatlantic – Black As The Sky (From
‘Kaleidoscope’)
Much like IQ, I actually found the bonus
disc on the new Transatlantic album more enticing than the album itself (In
particular the band’s take on Yes’ ‘And You And I’ and Procol Harum’s ‘Conquistador’).
But after allowing the album to really sink in, I found ‘Kaleidoscope’ was a
true return to form for the band, and easily a more satisfying album than
2009’s ‘The Whirlwind’. My personal favourite is without a doubt the truly
collaborative ‘Black As The Sky’.
Sevendust – Upbeat Sugar (From ‘Time
Travellers & Bonfires’)
This album is somewhat of a filler
release from the band until they release a new album. Half the album is
acoustic renditions of old classic efforts from the band, and half are newer
efforts. So while it sounds cool, it’s not entirely satisfying. But if there’s
one track that stands out, it’s ‘Upbeat Sugar’. Don’t be surprised if this gets
the electric treatment somewhere down the track given how much it rocks already
in acoustic form!
Anathema – You’re Not Alone (From ‘Distant
Satellites’)
Anathema has hit a formula, and they’re
not willing to let it go just yet. What that means is that while I enjoyed
‘Distant Satellites’, I found that after three album’s of the same thing, it
doesn’t have the same impact that it did when I first heard 2010’s ‘We’re Here
Because We’re here’. But that’s not to say that the band can throw the odd
curveball every now and then. Much like ‘Panic’ from 2001’s ‘A Fine Day To Exit’,
‘You’re Not Alone’ is completely different from anything from anything else on
the album, and is a reminder that Anathema can sometimes break free of their
self imposed style and song writing cell.
Soundgarden – Kristi (From ‘Echo Of Miles:
Scattered Tracks Across The Path’)
O.K., so this is lifted from a compilation, but of
the previously unreleased material featured on the expansive three disc set,
‘Kristi’ is classic old-school Soundgarden. Downbeat, heavy and dense and
impassioned with Chris Cornell’s unique vocals, this track is a must have for
true Soundgarden fans.
Pain Of Salvation – Falling Home (From ‘Falling
Home’)
Much like the Sevendust release listed above,
‘Falling Home’ is a release which sees Pain Of Salvation reinterpret some of
their recent vintage material in acoustic form. While some don’t quite hit the
mark, some work like a wonder. But the real stand out cut is the new title
track ‘Falling Home’. Daniel Gildenlöw, despite his flaws, is still a genius
song writer when he puts his mind to it.
The Best D.V.D. Of 2014
Peter Gabriel – Back To Front (Peter Gabriel Ltd
And Real World Productions Ltd/Eagle Rock Entertainment Ltd)
As a fan of Peter Gabriel, I’ll admit to be a
little frustrated with his lack of studio work in recent years. But despite my
grumbles about his studio ventures (Or lack thereof), it’s hard to criticise
the legend’s efforts on the visual front. ‘Back To Front’, which celebrated the
twenty-fifth anniversary of his watershed ‘So’ release from 1986, is another
step forward in terms of concert performance. Rather than just deliver the
album in its entirety and some greatest hits selection to bolster the set,
Gabriel divides the concert in the three thirds, with each set building up in
members and momentum to what can only be described as a true fans’ fantasy. The
film is filmed with an intensity I’ve never seen before, and the musicianship
is absolutely second to none. Sure Gabriel is showing his age in places, but
that’s easily overlooked given the stunning results of the performance shown.
Does this compensate for a true studio release from Gabriel? No (Even if it
does feature one new song – ‘Show Yourself’). But given the likelihood of Gabriel
producing a new full-length album, this is a more than worthy filler effort for
the meantime.
The Best Book Of 2014
Billy Idol – Dancing With Myself (Simon &
Schuster)
Billy Idol may have made my 2014 for the biggest
disappointment on the album front, but he won me over on the book front. With
his self penned autobiography, Idol lays done his story (Which is his version
of events I might add) from his early days in England, Chelsea and Generation
X, through to his glory days as a pin-up and MTV icon. Idol is quite candid and
detailed about his formative years helping establish the growing punk movement,
and sheds light on his fast rise to fame within a couple of years after
returning to the U.S. in the early ‘80’s. But what really captivated me was
Idol’s tale of growing drug dependency in the late ‘80’s, his personal insight
into particular songs, his failures (1993’s ‘Cyberpunk’, and his relationship
with guitarist Steve Stevens and partner Perri Lister), his explanation for his
absence from the music scene for twelve years and his ultimate triumph that saw
him return to splendour in grandiose form. The book does lack a bit of detail
(There’s no mention of ‘Don’t Need A Gun’, his reunion with Stevens in 2002 on
VH1 Storytellers, his 2006 Christmas album and his contributions to various
other artists), and does feel a little rushed from around 1990 onwards, but is
solid enough to answer most of the questions I’ve always had about the
legendary rocker since I first seriously invested in his brand of
rock/soul/punk rock way back in 1986.
Biggest Surprise Of 2014
2014 saw a lot of surprises, but none more so than
the retreat of Jason Newsted from all things related to the public eye. Despite
some well received releases in 2013 (The E.P. ‘Metal’ and the full-length
follow up ‘Heavy Metal Music’), Newsted laid his band to rest and closed down
all his social network sites in September without any real reason. What
triggered Newsted’s retreat from the spotlight is anyone’s guess, but the speed
at which it was carried out does cause some concern. On a personal note, I
think it’s a real shame. Newsted’s band released some great releases, and I was
seriously looking forward to hear what the band was going to come up with next.
Best Newcomer Of 2014
Icecocoon
O.K., so technically ‘Deepest Crystal
Black’ isn’t the band’s first album and the album was officially released at
the very tail end of 2013. But let’s overlook the technicalities and focus on
what matters here. And that is that Icecocoon’s ‘Deepest Crystal Black’ is
without a doubt one of the strongest independent Australian releases I’ve heard
in the last year. Multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Owen Gillett has put
together an album that’s hard to pigeonhole, but could be best described as a
unique take on a hybrid post rock/progressive sound. This is an
album that needs to be heard from start to finish to fully appreciate. Tracks
worthy of a listen include ‘It’s All On The Line’ and ‘About Loving Someone’.
Here’s hoping there’s more to come from the band in 2015.
Biggest Disappointment Of 2014
This award really had me torn this year. For the better part
of the year, the dubious honour of disappointment of the year was bestowed upon
Def Leppard for their so-called deluxe edition of ‘Slang’. But given that I
found the time to write up a review of the band’s re-release, and have already
found an avenue to vent my opinion on all the things that the definitive
re-release lacked (From a huge fan of the said album and from a diehard’s
perspective), the decision kind of made itself. As a lifelong follower of Billy Idol, I
have to say that ‘Kings & Queens Of The Underground’ is a real letdown
after his huge return to form on 2005’s ‘Devil’s Playground’ (Barring the god
awful ‘Yellin’ At The Xmas Tree’). Rather than follow his rock/punk strengths
and trademark sound, Idol instead tried to reinvent himself for a new
generation. And the results are bland at best. The album starts off with some
solid tracks (In particular ‘Bitter Pill’, ‘Can’t break Me Down’ and ‘Save Me
Now’), but eventually things go from bland to blander with most of the album
sounding too middle of the road, modern (Both in terms of production and in
musical delivery) and forgettable. And don’t even start on me about the absence
of guitarist Steve Stevens throughout the course of the album. Idol has always
been a bit patchy on album, and admittedly, some albums (1986’s ‘Whiplash
Smile’ and 1990’s ‘Charmed Life’) are stronger than some of his others (1993’s
‘Cyberpunk’). I was really looking forward to this album, but after giving it
some time, I honestly feel that this is one of Idol’s inconsistent and
disappointing releases to date.
Most Anticipated Album Of 2015
There’s a lot of album’s I’m looking forward to in
2014, but the one I’m most looking forward to is the possibility of something new
from Travis Meeks/Days Of The New in 2015. Meeks has some serious personal
issues over the years, but apparently he’s back to playing, and in more recent
times, back to recording. 2001 was the last we heard anything new from Meeks,
and while the reunion of the original line-up may have sidetracked things for a
little bit (The band has since split once again after completing the tour), I’m
hoping Meeks (Who was once again in the news with a brush with the law in
October, which put the reunion line-up celebration to an abrupt halt) is ready to
face his demons, and finally put something new together and break the fan’s
long running drought of anything new from the troubled musical genius.
© Justin Donnelly
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