Year to a Day

As another year closes, we all feel this need to reflect on the past events and the things that impacted and shaped out world these past 365 days. The relationships we strengthened and the ones we let go. The moments we wish we could pause and stay in forever, and the moments we wish we could forget. Yes all of these are great topics for reflection…at a later date. For now, I choose to wrap up the year with my Top 10 Albums of 2009!
Sadly, I can admit that 2009 was truly the year of the ipod for me. I bought new albums, loaded them into the pod and barely listened to them. I am so embarrassed by it. But certain albums snuck by and here are the 10 I thought were the best to my ears.

10. Spinal Tap - Back From the Dead
The Tap was back! Well kind of. There was old stuff redone and new stuff on this disc but overall it was an enjoyable listen. The leadoff single "Back from the Dead" is as funny and musical as you would expect. And in the era of the pod, these guys went above and beyond in packaging. The album is a fold out digipack that ends up being a display of action figures of the guys on stage. Amazing!








9. Lynch Mob - Smoke & Mirrors
I have never been the biggest Lynch Mob fan but I do love the voice of Oni Logan. After seeing them at Rocklahoma 2008, I was excited for this release. It took me a while to get around to listening to it, but it is a damn fine disc. George''s writing is some of his best in years. It has great maturity without losing any bite. I think it is his finest work. And Oni is spectacular.




8. Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life.
When the lead off single "Spellbound" was released, I remember being a bit shocked. This Euro-metal band had released a Hard Rock single. Of course with my leanings not being very much in the "\m/etal" realm, I was excited. The song was very cool and more in tune with my personal musical leanings. Picked up the album on release day and enjoyed it considerably. Well crafted songs and the mix is the best on any of their albums thus far. This band keeps getting better and I'm interested to see where they go next.


7. Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Linings
Of course when Dream Theater announced that they would be selling their new album in a limited edition crazy collector's version for over $130, I knew I had to buy it. And it was worth it for what you got. But for the album itself, I don't know. The leadoff single "Rite Of Passage" got me excited for the album. The song was very catchy and I played it a buck of times. Then when I got the album, I listened to the whole thing once, and not again for months. I'm not sure why, but it just did not connect. It wasn't until the video release of the song "Wither" that I spun the album again. "Wither" is an amazing song and the video just brought it together for me. Its sad that MTV doesn't play videos anymore. This may happen with many other bands and songs for people out there. Oh Well. On BC&SL, we also got the final piece of the "12 Step Saga" or whatever you want to call it. It took 8 years but the suite is completed and not a weak link in the bunch. Good album that took its time growing on me. Would like to hear James do more awesome singing but thats not the Roadrunner Records way.

6. W.A.S.P. - Babylon
W.A.S.P. delivered on what I think is their best album of the decade. It contains a cover tune that I have been waiting two albums to hear from Blackie Lawless, but he delivered big time. Deep Purple's "Burn" is the highlight of this album for me. Blackie adapted it wonderfully and made it his. Classic stuff. Overall not a clunker in the bunch. Now if we could get an American tour for it.



5. Winger - Karma
Another fantastic outing for Winger. This album mixes the classic Winger sound of the first album and the more beautifully written artistic sound from PULL and IV. This is not a bad thing as the band delivers catchy choruses that could have filled an arena 20 years ago while keeping the songwriting top notch as expected by fans of Kip & Co. It's no PULL but nothing can be. Probably their best album that isn't PULL though and that is saying something for Winger.




4. Foreigner - Can't Slow Down
If you told me four years ago that a Foreigner album would be on my list, I would have been confused. I was never much of a Foreigner fan. The songs were good but I hated Lou Gramm's voice and the vibe of the old songs. Well, enter Kelly Hansen, former voice of the band Hurricane. Since he has joined Foreigner, I have seen them 4 times and been wowed every time. CAN'T SLOW DOWN is the first album to feature Mr Hansen as well as Jeff Pilson, formerly of Dokken, on bass and background vocals. It still sounds like Foreigner, but what they should sound like in 2009. Classic yet current. A hard task to achieve no doubt. The album has the fun vibe you expect form the jukebox heroes, as well as the slow tender moments ow would expect from a band who was waiting for a girl like you. This album is not to be missed. Add in a DVD and a cd of classics and for 12 bucks at Wal-Mart, this is a can't miss hit.

3. Megadeth - Endgame
Ok Mr Mustaine, just when I am about to write you off, you redeem yourself…in my eyes anyway. The decade started well with THE WORLD NEEDS A HERO but every album after that has been full of disappointment and 1 or 2 good songs. But ENDGAME changes all that. This album top to bottom delivers. "44 Minutes" is the standout track to these ears. I'm happy to be back at peace with Megadeth. It was touch and go there for a minute but we have come to terms.








2. Kiss - Sonic Boom
It took 11 years for Kiss to put out a new original album. Was it worth the wait? Well if you were waiting 11 years for Kiss and doing nothing else, find a hobby please. Thats just sad. I enjoy this disc a lot. The songs have the classic Kiss feel but with the new/old blood of Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer in the mix, the bad sounds very current. Paul Stanley sings some unnecessary notes here and there and Gene Simmons sounds good throughout. Sonic Boom delivers and with a disc of re-recorded classics and a dvd, this was a fantastic Wal-Mart buy. Hmmm…a pattern emerges.


1. Orianthi - Believe.
Somehow, album of the year goes to someone I did not know existed before October. Like most of America, I became aware of Ms. Panagaris from her shining moments in the Michael Jackson movie "This Is It". Like Michael, we were awed by her talent and style. Its no easy feat to reinvent the solo to "Beat It" but she did it and it rocked. In looking for more information on her, I found that she had an album coming out in just days. The album BELIEVE is a perfect mix of rock, country, pop and virtuosity. The song "Suffocated" is my favorite on the album. Only 1 of 2 songs she did not write herself, this song is crunchy and hooky…perfect to the ears of the guy who loves both the Spice Girls and Black Label Society. "Drive Away" and "Feels Like Home" could find their way on any country station in America and should probably be all over them. Not bad for an Aussie who played at the Grammys with Carrie Underwood. Since the album was released it has rarely not been in my ears. A fine last minute entry for 2009 that took the top prize. Oh and did I mention "Highly Strung", her guitar duel with Steve Vai? Yeah she keeps up with him just fine. Ori is just starting out on the world stage, but I have no doubt she will be a player for years to come.