Honorable Mentions for Top Albums of 2011

Honorable Mentions for my Top Album List of 2011

This list of five albums are those that were just about to make the list but for some reason or other didn't make it to my Top 25 of 2011.  These are pretty good albums themselves, they just lacked something I was looking for in them.  Check them out.  I'm sure you won't really be disappointed.

Forevermore 

by Whitesnake

Oh, Whitesnake.  Talk about guilty pleasures.  I've never been a huge fan of 80s Hair Metal.  I don't hate them all, but I am not a huge fan of bands like Poison and Warrant.  David Coverdale is another thing entirely.  It's surprising that at 60 years old, he still sounds so powerful.  Before I got into Whitesnake, I was a fan of Coverdale in Deep Purple, so it was pretty easy to get into their music.  This album comes three years after their comeback album (Good to be Bad).  The musicians here are all experienced people who have played in fantastic projects.  The aforementioned Coverdale, Doug Aldritch (Dio) on the guitar and also Brian Tichy (Derek Sherinian, Gilby Clarke, Pride & Glory) on the drums do a fantastic job not only paying tribute to the history of the band but also giving it a more modern feel.  Sure, songs like "Easier Said Than Done" are pretty ballad-y in that way I kinda dislike, but it comes with the territory.  This album won't win many awards, but it will keep Whitesnake fans happy.

A Dramatic Turn of Events

by Dream Theater

The year 2010 was a tough one for Dream Theater.  Longtime member Mike Portnoy decided to leave the band for some reason or another that doesn't really matter here.  This did mean that they had to work extra hard in order to make 2011 the year of the DT.  Having replaced the iconic Portnoy with drummer Mike Mangini, they were ready to let the world know that they were still Dream Theater post-Portnoy.  Which is probably the same thing that is wrong (if you will) with the album.  After all that happened and the name of the album, I expected something to refresh the Dream Theater sound.  Too bad this is not the album to do that.  DT has seemed stale these past few years and I hoped that a new drummer would change all that.  Mangini does a good job in terms of hanging with the virtuosity of the rest of the band, but he doesn't have anything new to offer, yet.  This album has top notch musicianship, cheesy lyrics, overindulgent music, like everything that DT is and has been for most of its history.  But there is something about listening to the music that makes me forget all those things (like a good fan of anything prog should).

Unto The Locust

by Machine Head

Machine Head are one of those metal bands that seems to be overlooked by almost every metalhead out there.  Sure, they have had their up and downs in terms of the quality of their music (The Burning Red comes to mind as a huge down), but from their earlier albums and now the newest couple, their metal credentials are firmly in check.  Rob Flynn is an interesting vocalist.  His melodic voice sounds fantastic in this album ("Darkness Within" and the acoustic version on the Collector's Edition) and his growls seem to have renewed passion and anytime he is not rapping (really terrible), he seems to be doing the right things.  This new album is different from the older material in that they seem to have switched from the shorter song structures made for MTV and VH1 and switched them with more complex song structures which makes their songs quite interesting.  Sure, the lyrics are still pretty cheesy, but the guys seem to be trying to show that they are music fans and a lot of things influence them.  Forgive their past transgressions with the nu-metal camp and give them a shot.  If you can, check out their covers of "The Sentinel" by Judas Priest and "Witch Hunt" by Rush that appear on the Collector's Edition of the album.

Wasting Light

by Foo Fighters

Modern music seems to be generally lacking those kind of people that you just knew were pure musicians.  Guys that could take whatever project they decide to work with and make it work by the sheer force of their abilities to make catchy music.  It's hard not to consider Dave Grohl one of those people.  It's obvious that this guy bleeds music.  One of the things I enjoy most about Grohl's vocals is the passion he imbues the songs with.  I really like a couple of the songs in this album.  "These Days" is probably my favorite right now.  I like how he gives you the melodic and slow and then explodes but doesn't go to far.  "Rope" is also a song that has grown on me.  The one track that I just couldn't stand was "White Limo".  It just doesn't feel like it fits in with the rest of the tracks.  There are a couple of forgettable tracks, but its a consistently good album.  Problem is that I didn't feel it was great.

 

Thank You, Happy Birthday

by Cage the Elephant

I really like Cage the Elephant's debut album.  I thought it was funky, it was interesting and it was incredibly catchy.  I'll gladly admit that the first time I heard the song "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" was through the game Borderlands (which is also an incredibly fun game).  Truth is, I loved that one song but it took me a while to get into the whole first album.  Once I got it, I was just hooked.  This second album was just as difficult to get into, if not more.  You have to understand going in that this is pretty far from what I usually listen to.  Even after saying that, this album has some really great songs.  "Shake Me Down" and "Aberdeen" immediately come to mind.  Something that can be taken from this album is that its angsty.  Probably more so that the self titled debut.  While that first one seemed more playful, this one is harsher.  The intro to the song "2024" is a testament to that angstier side.  Sure, it might seem like I'm trashing the album, but I'm not.  I like it.  Just not enough to be in my 'Best Of' list.

Rejuvenating the Sound: Foo Fighters - Wasting Light album review

Not much of a secret here... I've been looking forward to this. That's why I've taken my sweet time listening to it. And I must say, I am not disappointed.

First off, let me get this out in the open... I haven't bought an album in a very long time. I'm not ashamed of that at all. But in this case I'm really glad I did. I gladly wasted spent ten dollars on this album. And if i were to enjoy all albums half this much, I might buy them more often.

Now, onto the music. I popped the CD into my car stereo as I pulled out of my parking space; by the time I was leaving the mall parking lot I had realized that Bridges Burning was my new favorite track on the album, dethroning Rope just by a little bit. This first track is just so much fun; a really simple riff just thrown around in so many tones with a catchy chorus.

The first thing I noticed is how much fuller the band's sound was. I had expected it after reading that Pat Smear was back with the group for the first time since 1997's The Colour and the Shape. Now with three solid axemen in Grohl, Smear, and Shiflett the Foo's sound is just powerful. The three guitars meld perfectly together with Mendel's flawless bass playing to create memorable melodies that stick almost as much as the choruses do. But the true showstealer on this album is without a doubt Taylor Hawkins who not only helps accent the other instruments, but also chimes in with drum flurries that truly make songs memorable.

Ironically, the last album I heard with this type of drumming was the debut album for Them Crooked Vultures in 2009, where Grohl was drumming. It's just a complimentary drumming style, not overbearing like other rock acts.

Anywho, after Bridges Burning the album jumps into the first single, Rope. And I must say, it's at this point where I was truly surprised. I was so excited by that first song, that I almost wanted to skip the one I'd heard before in search of further surprises. I was then reminded that it's a great song, and I just can't skip it.

Dear Rosemary, the first "slow" song on the album starts and doesn't automatically catch your attention. But much like White Limo that comes right after I must say it's one of those songs that really grows on you. It's a fifty-fifty thing with this album. Half the songs are in your head right off the bat, and the other half somehow end up there eventually as well. Since I got the album I've probably had most of these songs stuck in my head at some point or another. That's a pretty good sign.

I hate to repeat my references, but Arlandria, the fifth song starts off with a very Them Crooked Vultures-y  riff to it. I'm not saying it's a bad thing at all. It actually feels refreshing after the heart-pumper that is White Limo. But that riff quickly melts away to reveal a song that is both clever lyrically and musically. Sounds like a second single to me (but it probably won't be). I wouldn't be surprised if they milked the shit out of this album with four or five singles. Again, in this case, it's not a bad thing, the song are just good enough.

These Days starts up, and you get that "this could be a single" feeling again. Oddly enough, this was the first song off the album that I knew a lyric from. Mr. Grohl posted some of the lyrics on the band's Twitter, and for a second there I felt like I was a part of it... My mark out moment was interrupted by the opening riff to Back & Forth, which has the most obvious sex reference chorus in band history, even though it's totally kept PG. Still a fun song, mostly carried by vocal melodies.

Ok, maybe I lied before, there might be some filler in this album. Certain songs are fine, but they seem sub-par when compared to some of the really great ones. A Matter of Time for example, isn't at all a bad song, it just  feels out of place in comparison. On the other hand, I did notice that the song is almost built for live shows. I can just tell that this song caters to a big crowd, and I can't wait for a DVD to prove I'm right. But for now I might skip this song every once in a while.

But the filler is followed by more kick-ass. Next up is probably my second favorite song on here. Miss the Misery starts off like a good kick in the gut. It's a really good back and forth song to start rounding up the end of the album. This song is probably the bets example of that three guitar arrangement I'm such a big fan of. It's the little details in here that make it fun.

The Foos slow down the tempo one last time with I Should Have Known, which is the slowest song on the album, but it's a goodie. Not exactly one of the songs that gets stuck in your head, but it might be that "oh, that song" song.

Rounding up the tail end of Wasting Light, we get Walk, which seems to be the second single (I'm guessing, it's advertised on the sticker on the wrapper). It really reminds me of the vibe from Times Like These from 2002's One By One album. It's a nice song, but I really hope it's not the second single. There are much better songs on here.

From listening to this album, it's clear that the band had a blast recording this album. But there seems to be an element of anger missing from it. Aside from White Limo there's very little intensity to these songs. They're fun to listen to, but it's not much of a "rock-out" album. I miss the rage in Dave's voice from songs like Breakout  or All My Life. This is me nitpicking. Nobody's perfect.

Did it live up to my expectations. In a way, yes. I fell in love with Rope when I first heard it, and I got more songs like it. But I did expect more out of the album. I still love it tho, and if I need rage I'll just go back and listen to One By One again.

7/10

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light: Preview

Ok, I will openly admit... I'm a Grohl fanboy. Basically anything the man touches I automatically love. I do believe he is the greatest all around rock musician of our time (FYI, the greatest all around musician is without a doubt Prince, but that's a subject for another post). Wasting Light comes out in less than a month, and after waiting for over three years for this new Foo album, it's not surprising that I'm a little bit pumped.

Being as fan friendly as Foo Fighters are, they've given us more than enough previews of what's coming; going as far as giving us step by step updates on the recording of the album all the way from Dave Grohl's garage on twitter.

But around a month ago we got some sound to go with the hype... A surprisingly heavy song titled White Limo popped up on YouTube, along with an awesome video featuring Lemmy... yes, that Lemmy.

To be honest, I didn't love the song. I totally love the video, but the song seems pushed to me. I can appreciate the heavier sound. But Dave's vocals by the end of it seem monotone. I mean, if you go all out then there's no big "Oomph" moment when the song needs it. He usually saves those awesome screams for when the song calls for it (see: All My Life, Breakout).

I watched it like fifteen times... and it did grow on me. But a week later they put up a rough audio version of the first single, Rope... And it not only renewed my love for the band... But it instantly became one of my favorite Foo songs...

The riff is upbeat and catchy from the get-go. Every instrument feels proficient throughout the song. And the chorus has been infinitely looped in my head.

We're still a couple days away from album release... And I can already say, this won't be an album I just burn from a friend.

Expect a full review as soon as I listen to it four or five times...