Favourite Five Of 2023

Memento Mori by Depeche Mode

Released in March, Memento Mori is Depeche Mode’s fifteenth studio album.

After the death of founding member and keyboardist, Andy Fletcher, remaining members Dave Gahan and Martin Gore decided to soldier on as a duo. I am really glad they did, as Memento Mori is an inspired work and in my opinion their best album since 2005’s Playing The Angel. Lyrically it appears to be themed around death and mortality but musically this is classic Depeche Mode. Has been on and off high rotation for me in the nine months since its release.

Favourite track: “Caroline’s Monkey”

72 Seasons by Metallica

After a seven year gap, Metallica released their eleventh studio album, 72 Seasons, in April

Although I enjoyed 2016’s Hardwired…To Self-Destruct I enjoy 72 Seasons so much more. I find it difficult to articulate why, but I believe it may be that as a collection of songs it holds together much better as an album. The album received three Grammy nominations and 5 singles were released.

Favourite track: Metallica’s longest song to date, the epic “Inamorata”

Road by Alice Cooper

Road is the 29th studio album from Alice Cooper and his 22nd since becoming a solo artist

The aptly-titled Road features and was written with, his live band and the album has a live feel having been recorded with no overdubs. Alice has described it as a concept album about things that happen while a band is on the road. Featuring his old partner in crime on the mixing desk and production duties, Bob Ezrin, Alice sounds great on the album. Big name guests include Roger Glover and Tom Morello too.

Favourite track: “Big Boots”

Hackney Diamonds by The Rolling Stones

Hackney Diamonds is the first Rolling Stones studio album of original material since 2005

How have they done it? I was very pleasantly surprised by how good this album is. I did not have high hopes when I took it home but I was blown away. They have not sounded this good in decades. Jagger is singing surprisingly well for an octogenarian and although Keith may have adjusted his playing style due to his arthritis, he still sounds rifftastic!

Favourite track: “Whole Wide World”

i/o by Peter Gabriel

More than two decades in the making, i/o arrived 21 years after its predecessor, Up

I was very excited when I heard Gabriel was releasing a new album called i/o (inside/outside) in 2023. I have been a fan for many years and waited with baited breath. Gabriel being Gabriel, he decides to release a new song every full moon and a new mix each new moon. Wait, multiple mixes of the same songs will be available. Yes, 3! The physical versions of the album would not be released until 1st December but it was worth the wait. I got myself a copy of the 2CD/BluRay version as it contains one disc of the Bright Side Mix, one disc of the Dark Side Mix and the BluRay features the Inside Mix. They are all good, if slightly different, and at the time of writing I prefer the Dark Side Mix of the tracks. Great stuff and my contender for album of the year.

Favourite track: “i/o”, the title track

Favourite Five Of 2022

Elephants Of Mars by Joe Satriani

Elephants Of Mars is the 18th studio album released by guitar maestro Joe Satriani

The ever-reliable Joe Satriani continues to release new albums for his fans. At this stage of his career he is unlikely to be finding new recruits but he is definitely keeping his existing fans, like me, happy. This is another great collection of instrumentals that showcase his guitar prowess. I always find much to enjoy about each new release and this album keeps up the trend.

Favourite track: “Sahara”

I Am The Moon by Tedeschi Trucks Band

I Am The Moon is a four part album released over four consecutive full moons

Tedeschi Trucks Band are one of my favourite bands of recent years and when I heard they were doing a four album release I was quite excited. When I discovered that the inspiration for the albums was from the same poem the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (probably my favourite album of all time) took its name, my excitement was trebled. When Clapton used it as source material he only took the name Layla. Tedeschi Trucks Band decided there was a whole story there that deserved more attention. Each album is old-school length of 30-35 minutes and each release was accompanied by an album-length music video. I loved the whole thing. Every track on each album was well-considered, beautifully recorded and contains fantastic musicianship and vocal work. Quite simpy, a masterpiece.

Favourite track: The title track “I Am The Moon”

AfterLife by Five Finger Death Punch

AfterLife is the 9th studio album released by Las Vegas rockers Five Finger Death Punch

AfterLife achieved instant success for Five Finger Death Punch, achieving top ten status in Finland, Germany, Australia, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, the UK and their home country, the USA. Four singles were released from the album that were also quite successful. It is the first studio album released since long-time lead guitarist Jason Hook left the band.

Favourite track: “Welcome To The Circus”

Sunrise On Slaughter Beach by Clutch

Clutch released their 13th studio album, Sunrise On Slaughter Beach, in September 2022

In recent years Clutch can do no wrong for me and I have enjoyed their last few albums very much indeed. This is no exception and I was disappointed with the first copy I obtained. The compact disc was faulty and missing the last two tracks! Heresy! When I received my replacement I was very relieved as not only is it a great album but my favourite track is one of the ones that was missing on the first copy sent to me.

Favourite track: “Three Golden Horns” just for the lyric “jazz music corrupts our youth”

Resist by Midnight Oil

Resist is Midnight Oil’s 13th studio album and was supported by their final tour

I was very impressed by how good this album is. It has the energy and verve of their earlier work and lyrically still displays their forthright opinions on issues that concern them. Although the tour for the album may be their last the band have said that they are still open to recording again in the future. The album debuted at number one in Australia and also achieved top 20 status in Germany and Switzerland.

Favourite track: “Reef”

Favourite Five Of 2020

F8 by Five Finger Death Punch

In February 2020 Five Finger Death Punch released their 8th studio album, F8

This is one of those acts that I stumbled upon by accident. Someone I know shared one of their music videos on social media and I was hooked. Love the vocals and the guitar oriented sound and wanted to get me some. I was not disappointed and have enjoyed their original compositions as well as a couple of cover versions they have made. This is the first full album I have purchased as I only had a compilation prior to getting hold of this. It was a successful one for the band reaching the top ten in 10 countries and number 2 here in Australia.

Favourite track: “A Little Bit Off”

PWR UP by AC/DC

PWR UP (Power Up) is AC/DC’s 17th studio album and the 3rd produced by Brendan O’Brien

After the death of founding member Malcolm Young, no one was really sure about the future of AC/DC, including the band themselves. However, despite various issues singer Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd all returned to the band for this album. I really like it and admit to being surprised by its quality. I can’t help but wonder how many of these tracks were based on riffs from the late Young brother. Five singles were released and the album went to number one all around the world.

Favourite track: “Through The Mists Of Time” because it sounds different for them

Existential Reckoning by Puscifer

Is the fourth studio album from Puscifer their most accessible to date?

Maynard James Keenan has never been one to rest on his laurels so it is no surprise that another Puscifer album surfaces not long after one from Tool. Existential Reckoning received generally positive reviews from critics, but unfortunately it didn’t reflect in album sales. Sound wise this is fairly easy to digest compared to their earlier work but it is still uniquely Puscifer. Simply put, if you are a fan you will enjoy the album although it is unlikely to win them new ones.

Favourite track: “Bullet Train To Iowa”

Human Design by Birds Of Tokyo

The sixth studio album from Birds Of Tokyo debuted at #1 on the Australian charts

The catchy tunes one has come to expect from Birds Of Tokyo are still here, only this time the lyrics were more personal. The lyrics are largely written about singer Ian Kenny’s marriage breaking down as a coping mechanism for him. They are great songs all the same and 6 of them were released as singles.

Favourite track: “The Greatest Mistakes”

Shapeshifting by Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani released his seventeenth studio album in April 2020

You always know what to expect from a Joe Satriani album and he never disappoints. I own all of his stuff and each album he has released still gets a regular listen. This album made the top 40 in Hungary, Scotland, Poland, Portugal and here in Australia too. Not as successful as his earlier work but still of the same quality in my opinion.

Favourite track: “NIneteen Eighty”

Favourite Five Of 2019

This Land by Gary Clark Jr.

This Land was Gary Clarke Jr.’s third studio album and it debuted at #6 on the US charts

I first heard Gary Clark Jr. when he featured at the 2013 Crossroads Guitar Festival. I then tracked down his debut album and have followed his career ever since. I love his playing and singing as well as the different genres of music that turn up in his repertoire despite being considered a bluesman. This Land was his third top ten album in the US and it won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. The title track was released as the lead single (with an accompanying music video) and the song would win Grammy Awards for both Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance.

Favourite track: “Gotta Get Into Something”, which for some reason reminds me of The Clash…

Untitled by Rammstein

Rammstein’s seventh studio album was released untitled, a practice I have never understood

This album was released a decade after its predecessor and despite the long interval it went to number one in ten countries. It achieved critical acclaim as well as commercial success and was supported by the release of three singles. I have been a fan of the band since first hearing their work on the soundtrack to David Lynch’s Lost Highway.I continue to purchase their albums as soon as they are released. Although I like some better than others, they never disappoint.

Favourite track: The single “Auslander”

Signs by Tedeschi Trucks Band

Signs is the fourth studio album released by the Tedeschi Trucks Band

Another album from this fantastic band that have often been described as blues and roots. Husband and wife, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, merged their two bands together creating an amazing group of talented musicians. Sadly one of those musicians, Kofi Burbridge, died on the day of the album’s release. This is another act I discovered via the Crossroads Guitar Festival and consider them one of my favourite musical acts this century!

Favourite track: The magnificent “Shame”

Encore by The Specials

Encore is the eighth studio album for The Specials and their first for more than 20 years

Terry Hall returned to the Specials and this is his first recording with the band since 1981. I heard one song from this thanks to another of those free compact discs that comes with a music magazine. They sounded like the Specials of old so I purchased the album. It is an absolute cracker if you are a fan of the band like I am. I was very pleasantly surprised by how good this is.

Favourite track: “Blam Blam Fever” a cover of a song originally recorded by The Valentines (not to be confused with the Australian band of the same name)

Fear Inoculum by Tool

Returning after a 13 year gap in releases, Tool released their fifth studio album in 2019

Fear Inoculum absolutely blew me away from the first listen. I could hear influences from all their previous work in this album, whilst also being its own unique beast. The majority of the tracks are more than ten minutes long, which in their hands, is a good thing. It has now been more than four years since its release and I still listen to it regularly. Brilliant stuff.

Favourite track: A really difficult ask but I decided on “Culling Voices”

Favourite Five Of 2018

Black Coffee by Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa

Black Coffee was the third collaborative album recorded by Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa

These two clearly enjoy collaborating and it has always showed on the cover albums they have made together. This one is no exception and it sounds like they are having a rollicking good time. Kevin Shirley is back in the producer’s chair as per the previous two albums and he seems to get the best out of his performers as usual. Another eclectic mix of song choices also helps and I find this an enjoyable listen from start to finish.

Favourite track: “Black Coffee”, the Ike & Tina Turner cover which serves as the album’s title track

American Utopia by David Byrne

American Utopia is the 8th studio album released by David Byrne

This album is Byrne’s first solo studio album since 2004 and it was released as part of a larger multimedia project called Reasons To Be Cheerful. The project aimed to spread positivity in spite of political strife and environmental problems. It is an upbeat album accordingly and was the first of David Byrne solo albums to reach the top ten in the Billboard album charts. It is a quirky and enjoyable album and the corresponding tour culminated in performances on Broadway resulting in the second best concert film of Byrne’s career.

Favourite track: The lead single “Everybody’s Coming To My House”

Eat The Elephant by A Perfect Circle

A Perfect Circle’s 4th studio album was released 14 years after its predecessor

Despite a difficult birth due to the writing process, scheduling conflicts and disagreement on the album’s sound, the album was a return to form for A Perfect Circle and an instant success. Coming on the back of four singles released prior to the album’s launch, it debuted at number 3 in the US charts and top ten in eight other countries. The album also received critical acclaim and for me is the best of their career to date.

Favourite track: “So Long And Thanks For All The Fish”

Book Of Bad Decisions by Clutch

Book Of Bad Decisions is the 12th studio album released by American rock band Clutch

Although I am a fan of Clutch, this album snuck up on me in a way. I was not aware that it was coming until I read an article about it in a music magazine. I jumped on a copy as quickly as I could and it went on high rotation immediately. It was a critical and commercial success reaching the top 20 in the UK, Hungary, Germany and the US.

Favourite track: The horn-laden “In Walks Barbarella” with an honourable mention to “Hot Bottom Feeder” which is essentially a catfish recipe

Beloved Antichrist by Therion

For their sixteenth studio release Therion unleashed the triple album epic Beloved Antichrist

Beloved Antichrist was intended as the soundtrack to a rock musical by the band, who are accompanied by a large orchestra and choir. The founder of the group, Christofer Johnsson, finally decided to do metal/rock music with opera instead of a traditional opera. The result is an epic more than three hours in length, featuring electric rock band instruments, operatic singing and accompanied by an orchestra. As a fan of Therion for more than two decades, this was right up my alley and I think it nothing short of a masterpiece.

Favourite track: “Shoot Them Down!” although it seems wrong to select one song from what is a cohesive whole

Favourite Five Of 2017

Is This The Life We Really Want? by Roger Waters

Roger Waters released his fourth solo album in 2017, a mere 25 years after its predecessor

As has always been the case when it comes to Pink Floyd, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That being said, I have largely still enjoyed the solo albums of its members and the Pink Floyd albums made after the departure of Roger Waters. Although I am sure he would not like to hear it, I find this album a lot closer to the material of his former band than his previous albums. Maybe that is why I like it so much! It was a successful one too, reaching #3 in the UK album charts and #11 in the US.

Favourite track: The trilogy of “Wait For Her/Oceans Apart/Part Of Me Died” which is really a single work in three parts

Party Of One by George Thorogood

George Thorogood released his first solo album, without the Destroyers, in 2017

Choosing to release his first solo album more than 40 years into his career may have seemed a strange decision, but the proof is in the pudding. George plays all the instruments himself on largely acoustic arrangements of tracks that George has loved for most of his life. These compositions were originally performed by some of his heroes such as John Lee Hooker, Elmore James and Robert Johnson. He does them justice and if you have ever been a fan of acoustic blues I highly recommend this album.

Favourite track: His cover of “No Expectations”, a Rolling Stones original

Life Love Flesh Blood by Imelda May

Imelda May collaborated with American musician T-Bone Burnett for her fifth studio album

Deciding to have a radical change in direction from her previous rockabilly material seemed to have worked very well for Ireland’s Imelda May. The sound consisted of more acoustic and softer rock styles and was made after her divorce, itself an influence on the album’s lyrics. As I was a fan of her rockabilly material I was a little unsure when I first brought the album home but I needn’t have worried.

Favourite track: The magnificent 3rd single from the album, “Should’ve Been You”

Prophets Of Rage by Prophets Of Rage

The debut (and only) self-titled album from Prophets Of Rage, released in September 2017

Prophets Of Rage are a musical act consisting of members of Rage Against The Machine, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill. On paper this collaboration shouldn’t work, but it does. I have always liked the music and musicianship of Rage Against The Machine but have only been able to handle Zack de la Rocha’s vocals in small doses. I enjoyed their work with Audioslave, although others didn’t, because I like Chris Cornell’s vocals. My brother-in-law put me onto this band and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy this album. The group got together as a reaction to Trump which is a good enough reason for me.

Favourite track: “Living On The 110”

Villains by Queens Of The Stone Age

Villains, the 7th studio album from Queens Of The Stone Age, was released in August 2017

Villains was nominated for a Grammy as Best Rock Album and was another successful release for the Josh Homme and co.’s band. The album topped the charts around the world, including here in Australia and was supported by a world tour and the release of two singles. I got to see them on this tour as it included dates in Hobart. I was very impressed with the album as well as their live performance.

Favourite track: “Feet Don’t Fail Me”

Favourite Five Of 2016

Dig In Deep by Bonnie Raitt

2016 saw the release of American singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt’s seventeenth studio album

For my taste, this is Bonnie Raitt’s best album for more than two decades. It is not a coincidence that it is the first for some time to feature some original Raitt compositions. But she also shines when performing the material of others. The album peaked at #11 on the US charts and also reached the top 40 in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and the UK.

Favourite track: The slinky, bluesy cover of the INXS hit, “Need You Tonight”

The Lexicon Of Love II by ABC

ABC chose to release a sequel to their 1982 debut studio album The Lexicon Of Love in 2016

Deciding to revisit a classic time in a band’s career is fraught with all sorts of pitfalls. Thankfully ABC didn’t fall into any of those and have instead created a worthwhile successor to their very successful debut. Although lead singer Martin Fry is now the sole member of ABC, this album’s lush orchestrations hark back to the original The Lexicon Of Love as they were created once again by Anne Dudley. I heard one song off this and thought it good enough to warrant investing in the whole album and I was not disappointed.

Favourite track: “The Flames Of Desire”

Santana IV by Santana

Santana chose to call their twenty-fourth studio album, Santana IV

Santana IV picks up where Santana III left off back in 1971 (hence the title) as it features the majority of the line-up from that album in a reunion of sorts. The album was an astounding success, debuting at number 5 in the US as well as reaching the top ten in Germany, the UK, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The album peaked at number 11 here in Australia and I really enjoyed it right from the first listen.

Favourite track: “Shake It”

Post Pop Depression by Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop’s 17th studio album was recorded Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, California

Post Pop Depression is largely co-written by Iggy Pop and Josh Homme, of Queens Of The Stone Age. Homme also produced the album as well as playing on it in a band that featured fellow bandmate from Queens, Dean Fertita and the drummer from Arctic Monkeys, Matt Helder. A sympatico group of musicians that supported Pop in the best possible way which, well, let Iggy be Iggy. The result was a resounding success that made the top ten in album charts around the world.

Favourite track: “Sunday”

Blackstar (stylised as ★) by Iggy Pop

Blackstar is the 26th and final studio album released by the late David Bowie

Blackstar was Bowie’s most experimental album for some time containing art rock combined with avant-garde jazz. Bowie was suffering from liver cancer during its recording and in fact died only two days after the album’s release. The lyrics do appear to feature his impending death and I believe he left us with one last masterpiece before his departure from this mortal coil. Unsurprisingly, it was a number one album all around the world.

Favourite track: The hauntingly beautiful “Lazarus”

Favourite Five Of 2015

Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit by Courtney Barnett

Courtney Barnett released this, her debut album, after first releasing two EPs

Sometimes you hear hype about an artist before you hear the artist themselves. It doesn’t always turn out well. I was pleasantly surprised by how good this album is and it definitely lived up to the hype. The album did well reaching number 4 in the Australian charts, as well as achieving top 20 in the US, New Zealand and the UK. It also won the 2015 Australian Music Prize, the Australian Album Of The Year at the J Awards and the ARIA Awards for Best Cover Art, Breakthrough Artist, Best Female Artist and Best Independent Release.

Favourite track: “Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go To The Party”

Drones by Muse

For their 7th studio album Muse co-produced with uber-producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange

Drones debuted at number one on the UK albums chart and was the fifth consecutive number one album in the UK for Muse. It also debuted at number one in the US and topped the charts throughout Europe as well as in Australia, Mexico and Japan. Five singles were released and although some critics disliked the lyrical content it certainly didn’t stop the general public from buying it. The first time I heard the album in its entirety was during a road trip with a friend in his convertible.

Favourite track: “Psycho”

Psychic Warfare by Clutch

Psychic Warfare is the eleventh studio album released by Clutch and remains my favourite

I absolutely love this album and every track on it. I was already a fan of the band but I still didn’t anticipate how good this would be. It performed well on the charts as well, reaching top 20 in the US, Canada, Sweden and the UK and made it to 23 on the Australian album charts. They are not as well known here in Australia as they are elsewhere so I was pleased it did so well. I was even more pleased when they toured here in support of the album and I got to see them live in Sydney with a dear friend.

Favourite track: “Firebirds!”

The Book Of Souls by Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden’s sixteenth studio album and also their first double studio album and longest

The Book Of Souls was a very successful release for Iron Maiden, achieving number one on album charts in 24 countries around the world as well as gold sales status in multiple countries. It is also the fifth of six of their studio albums to be produced by Kevin Shirley (so far). It is not a concept album as such, but it does feature references to mortality and the soul throughout.

Favourite track: Their longest song released to date, the 18 minute epic about the R101 airship disaster, “Empire Of The Clouds”

Endless Forms Most Beautiful by Nightwish

Endless Forms Most Beautiful is the first album to feature Floor Jansen on lead vocals

Nightwish were armed with a new lead vocalist so I did not know what to expect prior to its release. Élan was released as the first single and I can’t say I was impressed. Thankfully it wasn’t representative of the album and I was blown away by how good it is and how good Floor Jansen’s vocals are. I had been familiar with her work with her former band After Forever but it did not prepare me for this. I was also impressed with the lyrical content/subject matter so for me it had everything going for it.

Favourite track: One of the most epic tracks in my collection, the 24 minute masterpiece that is “The Greatest Show On Earth”

Favourite Five Of 2014

Blank Project by Neneh Cherry

Blank Project was Neneh Cherry’s first album of solo material in eighteen years

As a long time Neneh Cherry fan, I was pleasantly surprised when the release of Blank Project was announced. After such a long time between drinks I did not know what to expect. I heard one single and had viewed its accompanying music video before purchasing the album. I took it home with some trepidation as I did not want it to tarnish her fantastic back catalogue of music. I needn’t have worried, as the album is fantastic and perhaps even the best of her career to date. Cherry apparently wrote the album as a way to mourn her mother and maybe that is why she chose a sparser sound than her previous releases.

Favourite track: “Spit Three Times”

World On Fire by Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators

World On Fire is the 2nd studio release by Slash with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators

Back in 2010 when Slash released his first solo album it featured a range of guest vocalists. The only vocalist to appear twice was Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy. They obviously enjoyed the collaboration so when it came to do another album they formed a band together. This is the second of four studio albums they have released together so far. The album was a top ten success around the world and three singles were released.

Favourite track: “Wicked Stone”

Oz by Missy Higgins

Missy Higgins released an album of Australian cover versions as her fourth studio album

I have enjoyed some Missy Higgins releases but not enough to justify buying an album. Until Oz. An incredibly eclectic choice of Australian compositions intrigued me to say the least and her version of NYE (originally performed by Perry Keyes) was the first thing I heard off this. Not being familiar with the original I was enamoured with her version. When I saw the tracklist also featured songs by The Angels, Paul Kelly, Divinyls, Slim Dusty, Dan Sultan and more, I went out and bought the album. Great stuff.

Favourite track: The afore-mentioned “NYE”

Space Invader by Ace Frehley

It wouldn’t be an Ace Frehley album without references to “space” would it?

Space Invader, the fourth solo studio album released by Ace Frehley, has the honour of being the only solo album from one of the past or current members of KISS to reach the top ten in the US. If the artwork appears to have a style reminiscent of something you have seen before, it is because it was created by Ken Kelly, who is also responsible for the artwork for the KISS albums Destroyer and Love Gun. This is a great bunch of songs, three with a space theme and a great cover of Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker”. Classic stuff.

Favourite track: “Inside The Vortex”

Primus & The Chocolate Factory With The Fungi Ensemble by Primus

Primus reimagined the soundtrack of the 1971 film Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Primus have always marched to the beat of their own drum, so their choice to cover a film soundtrack as their eighth studio album isn’t all that surprising. However, in saying that, nothing prepared me for how much they would make these songs their own. I adore this album and am grateful that I stumbled across it. I have always liked Primus but I cannot remember how I heard about this one!

Favourite track: “Golden Ticket”

Favourite Five Of 2013

Dirty Pop Fantasy by Regurgitator

Dirty Pop Fantasy was Brisvegas rockers Regurgitator’s eighth studio album release

Dirty Pop Fantasy was written and recorded in Hong Kong and was streamed two weeks earlier than its official release. The tracks on this album are all quite radically different yet still 100% Regurgitator so they all seem to gel well. The album title does a good job of describing the album’s contents and I enjoyed it right from the first listen. But then I have been a fan since very early on in their career…

Favourite track: “Fuck You Sweetness”

Tubular Beats by Mike Oldfield

Tubular Beats, a remix album resulting from a collaboration between Mike Oldfield and York

For me, this album almost works as a “greatest hits remix” album for Mike Oldfield. When collaborating with York they have used some of the original master recordings, some new recordings of Mike Oldfield and some rerecorded vocals featuring different singers than on the original releases. I think it can be enjoyed as a cohesive whole and even the music video for the remix of “Guilty” works really well. I have been a long time fan of Mike Oldfield and found it interesting to hear his material presented differently.

Favourite track: “Far Above The Clouds”

Asymmetry by Karnivool

Karnivool’s Asymmetry was nominated at the J Awards for Australian Album Of The Year

Coming four years after the successful Sound Awake, Asymmetry was the third studio album released by Karnivool. Fans of the band, like myself, have now been waiting a decade for a follow-up album. The album was a success, topping the Australian albums chart and achieving gold sales status. Two singles were released and the album won the ARIA Music Award for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album.

Favourite track: Lead single, “We Are”

Black Dog Barking by Airbourne

Australia’s O’Keefe brothers and their bandmates released their 3rd studio album in May

Airbourne are quite appropriately compared to AC/DC, a very obvious influence. Some would go so far as to say that they are almost a carbon copy. My response to that has always been “and your point is…”. I have no problem with bands sounding like their influences and as long as I like what I hear with my ears, who am I to judge?

Favourite track: “Live It Up”

Earth Rocker by Clutch

After a four year gap, Clutch returned with their tenth studio album, Earth Rocker

I haven’t always been a fan of Clutch, but I have liked all their releases from Blast Tyrant onwards and would consider them one of my favourite 21st century musical acts. This is an absolute cracker in my opinion and has been described as heavier and faster than their previous efforts. They had been touring with Thin Lizzy and Motorhead prior to the album’s release and some band members believe this contributed to Earth Rocker becoming a more straight ahead rock and roll album.

Favourite track: “Cyborg Bette”

Favourite Five Of 2012

A Different Kind Of Truth by Van Halen

Van Halen’s 12th and final studio album, A Different Kind Of Truth, was released in February

Reuniting with original lead singer David Lee Roth, this was the first full album recorded with him on vocals since the 1980s and was also unfortunately the last Van Halen album. It was also the only one to not feature Michael Anthony on bass, as he had been was replaced by Eddie’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen. The album was very successful and achieved top ten status around the world. Two singles were released and for me, was a return to the form of their heyday.

Favourite track: “Stay Frosty”

Love This Giant by David Byrne & St. Vincent

Love This Giant is a collaboration between David Byrne and Annie Clark a.k.a. St. Vincent

This is Byrne’s ninth studio album overall and Clark’s fourth. The duo had previously played together on the album Here Lies Love. The performers enlisted a variety of brass musicians to augment their song-writing and toured over the following year to promote the album. The album was a success and reached the top 30 in the US on the back of two singles.

Favourite track: Lead single, “Who”

Black Rabbits by Grinspoon

Black Rabbits was the seventh and to date, final studio album by Australian act Grinspoon

I have enjoyed Grinspoon’s music throughout their career and own all their albums. Even so, I was surprised by how good this album was and was disappointed that it was not as well received as some of their earlier albums. It did reach the top 10 in Australia though and two singles were released. The following year the band went on a five year hiatus.

Favourite track: “Branded”, released as the album’s second single

King Animal by Soundgarden

King Animal was the sixth and final studio album released by grunge rockers Soundgarden

Released 16 years after its predecessor Down On The Upside, a reunited Soundgarden did their best to recapture their former glory. Largely it worked, picking up from where they left off. The album debuted at number five on the US charts and was a success around the world. Three singles were released, two of which charted well in the US.

Favourite track: “By Crooked Steps”

The Russian Wilds by Howlin Rain

Howlin Rain’s third studio album was four years in the making

I absolutely adore this album and I still haven’t tired of it after 11 years. I think it is a modern masterpiece and it was not just my favourite album of 2012, but also the decade! I had not heard of the band prior to this album and it was another of those serendipitously discovered thanks to a free compact disc accompanying a music magazine. Man do I miss those happy accidents!

Favourite track: “Phantom In The Valley”

Favourite Five Of 2011

Wasting Light by Foo Fighters

Wasting Light is the seventh studio album released by Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters recorded this album in frontman Dave Grohl’s garage in Encino, California using only analogue equipment. The band sought a heavier sound and wanted to recapture the sound of their earlier material. The process worked and the album was another successful one for the band. Six singles were released and the album debuted at number one in 12 countries. It was their first to top the US charts.

Favourite track: “Bridge Burning”

From Here To Anywhere by Sneaky Sound System

Sneaky Sound System released their third studio album in October 2011

This is actually the 5th studio album in my collection to feature Connie Mitchell as lead vocalist, as I also have the two albums she released with Primary. I have always loved her vocals and I think this is the most cohesive effort from Sneaky Sound System. Four singles were released and the album was nominated for Best Dance Release at the ARIA Music Awards.

Favourite Track: “Friends”

The Unforgiving by Within Temptation

The Unforgiving is the fifth studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation

The Unforgiving part of a multimedia storytelling project and involved a series of six comic books and three short films. The album featured more pop and 80s influences than previous efforts and three singles were released. The album reached the top 10 in several European countries, the top 30 in the UK and Australia and the top 50 in the US.

Favourite track: Third single, “Shot In The Dark”

To The Horses by Lanie Lane

Lanie Lane released her self-produced debut album, To The Horses, in 2011

Lanie Lane seemed to come out of nowhere to most listeners upon release of this, her debut album, in 2011. I had the advantage of being involved in community radio at the time so got to know her material from the start, before this was released. I was an instant fan and really enjoyed her music. The album was a success and reached number 12 in the Australian album charts. Six singles were released and Lanie was nominated for five ARIA Music Awards.

Favourite track: “Betty Baby”

Welcome 2 My Nightmare by Alice Cooper

Welcome 2 My Nightmare, was released as a sequel to 1975’s Welcome To My Nightmare

Producer Bob Ezrin convinced Alice Cooper to release a sequel album to the biggest album of Alice’s career. It was a wise decision as it made the top 30 around the world and was his most successful album in the US since Trash back in 1989. The album also featured some tracks recorded with the surviving members of the original Alice Cooper band, their first recordings together since 1973’s Muscle Of Love.

Favourite track: “I’ll Bite Your Face Off”

Favourite Five Of 2010

Scratch My Back by Peter Gabriel

Released in February 2010, Scratch My Back was Peter Gabriel’s 8th solo studio album

Gabriel decided to release an album featuring his interpretations of other artist’s compositions using only orchestra and voice, resulting in Scratch My Back. The intent was always for his covers to be reciprocated by the artists he covered. Most played along and after some delays the companion album, And I’ll Scratch Yours, was released in 2013. The album performed well on album charts around the world reaching the top 5 in Belgium, Sweden, France, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Canada. It also achieved top 20 in the UK and top 30 in the US.

Favourite track: “My Body Is A Cage”, originally performed by Arcade Fire

Bingo! by The Steve Miller Band

The Steve Miller Band’s 16th studio album, Bingo!, was released after a 17 year hiatus

Bingo! was recorded at the studio owned by George Lucas, appropriately named Skywalker Studios. Miller chose to record covers of some of his favourite songs, predominantly in the blues genre. He intended the recording to be a “party album” that would make people get up and dance. Joe Satriani also turns up on a couple of tracks.

Favourite track: “Tramp”

What Lies Beneath by Tarja

This is Tarja’s first album in which she is credited for composition on every track

Original Nightwish lead singer, Tarja Turunen, released her third studio album in September of 2010. It is probably the first to sound closer to the music she made with her former band. Four singles were released from the album and it performed well in the charts of various European countries. Joe Satriani turns up on this one too!

Favourite track: “Anteroom Of Death”

The Final Frontier by Iron Maiden

The Final Frontier, the 4th studio album released since Bruce Dickinson rejoined the band

I loved this album right from the first listen and it remains one of my favourites from the band. I also got to see them live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on the tour for this album. I thought they were amazing and the new songs held up well in the live format. The album received favourable reviews and topped the charts in 28 countries.

Favourite track: “Isle Of Avalon”

American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem

American Slang, was the Gaslight Anthem’s third studio album, released in June 2010

I first heard a track from this band and from this album on another of those sampler compact discs that came free with a music magazine. The album was successful in the US, Ireland and Australia. Five singles were released from the album to limited success. The band also toured Australia on the back of the album.

Favourite track: “The Spirit Of Jazz”

Favourite Five Of 2009

Anomaly by Ace Frehley

Anomaly was the first album of original material from Frehley since 1989’s Trouble Walkin’

This was the first studio album recorded by original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley since becoming clean and sober. It tells in the quality of his playing, the quality of the song-writing and his focus on recording a cohesive album. I loved this from the first moment I heard it, but then he was always my favourite member of KISS.

Favourite track: “Outer Space”

Before The Frost…Until The Freeze by The Black Crowes

Before The Frost… was released on a CD that was manufactured as a vinyl LP replica

When buying Before The Frost… a code was provided for downloading …Until The Freeze

This double album from the Black Crowes was recorded before a live audience at Levon Helm’s studio The Barn in Woodstock, New York. I loved this whole thing from start to finish and for me, was their best recording for more than a decade. Although they are back performing live again, albeit with a different line-up, they still haven’t recorded any new original studio material since this release.

Favourite track: “Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)” just for the guitar fireworks of the last 3 minutes or so of the 8 minutes plus track

Sound Awake by Karnivool

Sound Awake was the second studio album from singer Ian Kenny’s “other” band

Karnivool was singer Ian Kenny’s original band before also joining Birds Of Tokyo. Despite this, Karnivool have only released three albums whereas Birds Of Tokyo have released six. I think this album is brilliant and is still on high rotation more than a decade after acquiring it. The album was also a success debuting at number two on the ARIA charts and achieving Gold certification for sales in Australia. Two singles were also released from the album.

Favourite track: The epic “New Day”

Chickenfoot by Chickenfoot

Chickenfoot was the self-titled debut of the band which was released in June 2009

This is the first of two “supergroups” to feature in my favourite five albums of 2009. This band features one my favourite guitarists, Joe Satriani, on guitar. It also includes drummer Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers and two ex-Van Halen members, Michael Anthony on bass and vocalist/guitarist Sammy Hagar. What a line-up! Three singles were released from the album and it achieved the top five in both the US and Canada.

Favourite track: “Soap On A Rope”

Them Crooked Vultures by Them Crooked Vultures

Prior to the release of this album Cream was my favourite “supergroup”

Them Crooked Vultures included Josh Homme of Queens Of The Stone Age on guitar and vocals, Dave Grohl of Nirvana/Foo Fighters on drums and former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones. This band absolutely rocks! I love this album so much it would be in my top ten albums of all time and one of my “desert island discs” as they say. The album was a success reaching the top 5 in Australia, Norway, Belgium, Canada and New Zealand. It also made the top 20 in the US, Germany, the UK and Ireland.

Favourite track: “Bandoliers”

Favourite Five Of 2008

Death Magnetic by Metallica

Death Magnetic, Metallica’s 9th studio album, was released 5 years after St. Anger

Death Magnetic became Metallica’s fifth number one album in a row on the US charts upon its release. For many fans it was seen as a return to form after the much-maligned St. Anger. I didn’t mind St. Anger myself, but this album was way better in my opinion. I enjoy every track on it and six singles were released. It topped the album charts all around the world and even the tracks that didn’t make the cut, were released as an EP called Beyond Magnetic a couple of years later.

Favourite track: “The Day That Never Comes”

Black Ice by AC/DC

Black Ice is AC/DC’s 15th studio album and the 9th recorded with Brian Johnson

Producer Brendan O’Brien set out to push AC/DC to sound more like they did in the 1970s on this album. He felt that the previous two albums had been more blues-oriented and instead wanted them to focus more on the melodic side with strong choruses. Four singles were released and the album was a multi-platinum seller around the world.

Favourite track: “Big Jack”

The Long Now by Children Collide

The Long Now was the debut studio album from the Melbourne-based indie band

I first heard this thanks to my co-host on community radio at the time of the album’s release. He added one of the album’s singles to our playlist and I have been a fan of the band ever since and own all of their albums (four at the time of writing). Four singles were released from the album and they received airplay on Australian radio station Triple J.

Favourite track: “Social Currency”

Along Came A Spider by Alice Cooper

Cooper’s 18th studio album was his highest charting in the US since 1991’s Hey Stoopid

I really enjoyed this and Alice has never been afraid to make a concept album. The premise here is based on a serial killer called “Spider” collecting a leg from each of his victims to make his own arachnid. He is brought down by falling in love with the 8th victim. I was totally chuffed when it is revealed at the end that “Spider” is actually the character Steven from Cooper’s 1975 album, Welcome To My NIghtmare.

Favourite track: “The One That Got Away”

Indestructible by Disturbed

Indestructible was the fourth studio album released by the American heavy metal band

Debuting at number one on the US charts, Indestructible also topped the charts in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Four singles were released from the album and “Inside The Fire” was even nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. It was the first of their albums I purchased and ended up buying its predecessors as well as those released since.

Favourite track: “The Night”

Favourite Five Of 2007

Dark Passion Play by Nightwish

Dark Passion Play was the 1st of two studio albums featuring Anette Olzon as lead vocalist

After original Nightwish lead singer Tarja Turunen’s departure from the band, none of the band’s fans knew what to expect going forward. Anette Olzon was announced as the new lead singer of the band and the album Dark Passion Play was released in September 2007. The album was a top 5 success all over Europe and topped the charts in five countries. Although a completely different vocalist Olzon blended with the band straight away and did not sound out of place at all.

Favourite track: The album-opening epic “The Poet And The Pendulum”

Magic by Bruce Springsteen

Magic was Bruce Springsteen’s 15th studio album and 8th recorded with the E Street Band

For me, Springsteen is always at his best when recording with the E Street Band. This was the first album he had recorded with them since 2002’s The Rising. Although it doesn’t scale the heights of his masterpiece albums like Darkness On The Edge Of Town or Born To Run, Magic holds its own against the majority of his back catalogue. The album was a top ten success around the world and reached number one in ten countries.

Favourite track: Lead single “Radio Nowhere”

Love And Paranoia by Regurgitator

The majority of Regurgitator’s sixth studio album was recorded in Brazil

Adding a fourth member was an inspired decision and Seja Vogel added both her vocals and keyboards to their sound. The album was 80s influenced and lyrically was loosely based around either romantic love or fear and paranoia as indicated by the album’s title. I really enjoyed this album and although I like the majority of their material, I have a soft spot for this one.

Favourite track: “Romance Of The Damned”

Raising Sand by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

T-Bone Burnett produced the album by the pair and selected the songs they should cover

In what initially appeared like an unlikely pairing, no one was more surprised than me how good this was. Their voices blend amazingly well and T-Bone Burnett’s song choices were inspired and worked amazingly well for both singers. The album won Album Of The Year at the Grammys and performed well on charts around the world.

Favourite track: “Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us”

Blackbird by Alter Bridge

Alter Bridge pulled out all the stops for their second studio album helping make the band

One Day Remains was a great debut album but Blackbird was truly a creative leap from its predecessor. Four singles were released from the album to varying success yet the album charted reasonably well. The first album was mostly written before lead vocalist Myles Kennedy joined the band so his song-writing contributions are notable on this album and it was all for the better.

Favourite track: Title track “Blackbird” featuring one of the finest guitar solos ever recorded, in my humble opinion

Favourite Five Of 2006

All The Roadrunning by Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris

Both regular collaborators with others, these two took seven years to complete the album

I tend not to listen to much of anything with a country flavour but I have made the odd exception over the years, including this album. They work so well together and I admit to being pleasantly surprised when I first heard the album. The album was a success for the pair and they followed it up with a successful tour and corresponding live album.

Favourite track: “Red Staggerwing”

Blood Mountain by Mastodon

Mastodon’s third album was my first taste of this American heavy metal act

I stumbled across Mastodon through one of those free sampler compilation CDs that used to come with music magazines, remember those? I bought this album on the strength of one song and have bought every album they have released since. The album is a concept album about climbing a mountain, getting lost in the woods, starving, hallucinating, hunted and running into strange creatures apparently.

Favourite track: “Sleeping Giant”

Live To Win by Paul Stanley

Live To Win is only the 2nd solo album from the KISS founder released 28 years after the first

Sounding unsurprisingly much like his regular band, Stanley collaborated on this album with songwriters he had worked with before in Holly Knight and Desmond Child. He also drafted former KISS guitarist, Bruce Kulick, to play bass on a few tracks. I was unsure what to expect when this came out but I needn’t have worried. As a KISS fan who actually enjoys their music, I was always going to like this.

Favourite track: “Bulletproof”

The Road To Escondido by J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton

This collaboration album features the final recordings from keyboardist Billy Preston

Clapton has always been a fan of J.J. Cale and has recorded several of his songs throughout his career, usually achieving greater success than the originals. 11 of the 14 songs on the album are Cale compositions so it effectively works as a J.J. Cale album featuring Eric Clapton. But that is also its charm.

Favourite track: Their cover of the Brownie McGhee composition “Sporting Life Blues”

Black Holes & Revelations by Muse

Black Holes & Revelations was the fourth studio album released by English rock band Muse

This is one of only two Muse albums in my collection. I have liked several of their songs over the years but have found some of their albums overwrought. Not so with this one and it deservedly topped the charts all around the world. Five singles were released which were quite successful, particularly in the UK. The album cover was designed by Storm Thorgerson, renowned for working with Pink Floyd.

Favourite track: “Knights Of Cydonia”

Favourite Five Of 2005

Aerial by Kate Bush

Kate Bush’s eighth studio album, Aerial, was released as a double album in November 2005

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. But what does it do to a musical career? Aerial was released after a twelve year hiatus, during which time Kate Bush devoted herself to her family and raising her son. This double album is a tour de force and for my taste is her finest since Hounds Of Love. The first disc is subtitled A Sea Of Honey and features a number of unconnected songs. The second disc, subtitled A Sky Of Honey, consists of single musical piece representing outdoor adventures over a 24 hour period.

Favourite track: The magnificent hit single “King Of The Mountain”

Wolfmother by Wolfmother

 Wolfmother’s debut self-titled album was released in Australia in October 2005

Wolfmother received high rotation on Australian radio station Triple J upon release and won the station’s inaugural J Award. They weren’t afraid to proudly wear their influences on their sleeves and the album’s sound was reminiscent of early 70s hard rockers like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. The album reached the top 3 in Australia and achieved five times platinum in sales on the back of six singles released from the album. Although not as successful when released in the US & the UK it did achieve top 30 in the album charts in both markets.

Favourite track: Their highest charting single “Joker & The Thief”, which was also featured in the motion picture soundtrack for Shrek The Third

With Teeth by Nine Inch Nails

With Teeth was the fourth studio album released by the band and is catalogued as Halo 19

Featuring three singles and more rock-oriented songs, With Teeth, is probably the most accessible Nine Inch Nails album since Pretty Hate Machine. I found the songs to be quite catchy and the whole album a much more comfortable and enjoyable listen than either The Fragile of The Downward Spiral. Although I like those albums too they are a more challenging listen that you need to be in the mood for.

Favourite track: The album opener “All The Love In The World”

Tea & Sympathy by Bernard Fanning

Tea & Sympathy was the debut solo album of the former Powderfinger lead singer

Released while Powderfinger were on hiatus, Bernard Fanning had a ready-made audience for his debut album. Although a slightly different sound to his band it wasn’t far enough removed to deter their fanbase, so the album performed well, topping the Australian charts. It also won three ARIA Awards and an APRA Award. I liked it right from the first time I heard it and I still do.

Favourite track: “Songbird” which was released as the second single off the album

Mezmerize/Hypnotize by System Of A Down

Mezmerize was released on the 17th May 2005

Hypnotize was released on 22nd November 2005

Although released six months apart, Mezmerize and Hypnotize were two parts of the same whole. Mezmerize opens with an excerpt from the closing track of Hypnotize effectively bookending the two albums. I think they are both great albums and either would be capable of standing on its own two feet. The fact that they work as companion albums is an added bonus. I do wonder if it exhausted them creatively though, as ultimately the band pretty much fell apart and haven’t released any new original music since.

Favourite track: “B.Y.O.B.” an acronym for Bring Your Own Bomb

Favourite Five Of 2004

Once by Nightwish

Once, the 5th studio album by Nightwish and last to feature original vocalist Tarja Turunen

Thanks to a sampler DVD which came with another purchase, I discovered Nightwish by watching the music video for lead single “Nemo”. I was intrigued and was already into symphonic metal largely due to another band that features later in this blog post. The vocals were extraordinary so I wasn’t surprised to discover that lead vocalist, Tarja Turunen, had been opera-trained. She was asked to leave the band after this album which although I was originally disappointed, it just meant I now had a solo career to follow as well as that of Nightwish.

Favourite track: “Dead Gardens”

Seven Circles by The Tea Party

Seven Circles would be the last studio album released by the band for a decade

The Tea Party broke up after the tour that accompanied the release of this album in 2005. It was a surprise to the other band members, as singer Jeff Martin announced his solo career. They had assumed the band was just going on hiatus for a while. In the end that turned out to be the case when they reformed in 2011. Seven Circles was a success for the band, particularly in Australia and their native Canada, and two promotional singles were released. The track “Empty Glass” appears to be some sort of tribute to David Bowie as its lyrics include the terms Major Tom, diamond dogs, starman and golden years.

Favourite track: “Stargazer”

Mach Schau by Hoodoo Gurus

Ending an 8 year gap between albums Mach Schau was released by the re-formed band

Hoodoo Gurus broke up in the late 1990s but reformed in 2003 before going on to record this album. I am sure that I was not alone in thinking the break-up would end the band and was very pleasantly surprised when they got back together. For me, this was their best album in many years and I was very pleased with what my ears were receiving when I took it home on its first day of release.

Favourite track: Album opener “Chop”

Lemuria/Sirius B by Therion

Lemuria and Sirius B were released simultaneously by Therion on 24th May 2004

What’s better than a new album from your favourite Swedish symphonic metal band? Why, two new albums of course! I was blown away by how good both these albums were as there was not a weak track between them in my humble opinion. A work colleague in the late 1990s got me into them and I have been a fan ever since. Lemuria apparently refers to a lost continent much like the mythical Atlantis and Sirius B to the twin star of Sirius A. As one would expect from Therion, the albums’ lyrics feature mythical creatures, deities and religious sects.

Favourite track: “The Blood Of Kingu”

Is There Love In Space? by Joe Satriani

Is There Love In Space? is the tenth studio album by guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani

The ever-reliable Joe Satriani returned with another guitar master class with the release of Is There Love In Space? in April 2004. As always with an artist I know and love, I bought it first day out as I couldn’t wait to hear it. That’s how music used to work, you had to have the physical version in order to hear the material! To this day I still like holding something physical when I purchase music.

Favourite track: “If I Could Fly”

Favourite Five Of 2003

De-Loused In The Comatorium by The Mars Volta

The Mars Volta was formed by former members of At The Drive-In after their break-up

This album completely blew me away and it was so unexpected. I liked At The Drive-In but not enough to go out and buy one of their albums (although the track “One Armed Scissor” is amazingly good). I loved this from the get-go and still listen to the album regularly. Apparently the concept album is based on a short story about Cerpin Taxt, a man who enters a week-long coma after overdosing on a mixture of morphine and rat poison. Now there’s a premise for an album…

Favourite track: “Inertiatic ESP”

Vulture Street by Powderfinger

Powderfinger’s fifth studio album, Vulture Street, won the ARIA for Best Rock Album

Vulture Street peaked at #1 on the Australian albums chart and four singles were released from the album. Overall it was a very successful follow-up to its predecessor Odyssey Number Five, although the band had decided to deliberately go in a more rock-oriented direction with the intent of creating an album more fun to play live. Whatever their thinking was behind the album it definitely worked.

Favourite track: Album opener “Rockin’ Rocks” setting the scene for the rest of the album

Kiss My Grass: A Hillbilly Tribute To Kiss by Hayseed Dixie

Hearing Kiss tracks performed in a bluegrass style is certainly a unique experience

I had already heard Haysee Dixie’s treatments of AC/DC tracks prior to this albums release so when I heard they were doing the same thing to my favourite band’s songs I had to have it. I have no regrets and I think their arrangements are quite cleverly done. They even dub their own style of music as “rockgrass” by focussing on covering hard rock tracks in a bluegrass style.

Favourite track: Although not my favourite Kiss track, “Let’s Put The X In Sex” is outright hilarious when given the Hayseed Dixie treatment

Blackout by Dropkick Murphys

Blackout is the fourth studio album from American Celtic punk band, Dropkick Murphys

Although similar in intent to the Pogues, Dropkick Murphys rock harder and are far punkier (if there is such a word). I actually heard them for the first time by watching the Martin Scorsese picture The Departed, which featured in its soundtrack their brilliant track “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” featuring lyrics by Woody Guthrie. What a discovery they turned out to be!

Favourite track: The fantastic duet “The Dirty Glass”

Tough Love by Magic Dirt

Tough Love was Magic Dirt’s fourth and most commercially successful album

The band worked particularly hard on Tough Love and they found it difficult due to its regimented and disciplined recording process. So much so they vowed never to record that way again. The fruit of their labours was definitely worth the effort though and it remains my favourite of their albums.

Favourite track: The simply fantastic “Vulcanella”

Favourite Five Of 2002

The Rising by Bruce Springsteen

The Rising was the first album fully recorded with the E Street Band since Born In The USA

The Rising was an instant commercial and critical success for Springsteen. Unsurprising as it is the first full album recorded with the E Street Band since their reunion. They always seem to bring out the best in him in my opinion. Written in the aftermath of 9/11 in contains some of his most poignant work. The album topped the charts around the world and three singles were released. He then launched a successful world tour supporting the album and I finally got my chance to see him live at an outdoor gig at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Favourite track: “You’re MIssing”

Songs For The Deaf by Queens Of The Stone Age

Songs For The Deaf, a concept album taking the listener driving through the California desert

Featuring Dave Grohl on drums, Songs For The Deaf was the third studio album from Queens Of The Stone Age. The late Mark Lanegan, formerly of Screaming Trees, was also a member of the band at the time of recording. Three singles were released from the album and it was very successful for the band making the top 10 in the UK, Norway, Australia, Belgium and Germany.

Favourite track: The fantastic lead single “No One Knows”

Up by Peter Gabriel

Excluding Gabriel’s soundtrack work Up was his seventh studio album and thirteenth overall

Initially I found this album quite different to what I was expecting from Peter Gabriel, but like a fungal infection it grew on me. I now consider it a masterpiece on a par with Us and So. Largely concerning themes of death, it is considerably darker than his previous work. But that is also its appeal. Four singles were released and it was another successful album for Gabriel.

Favourite track: “Growing Up”

By The Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers

The eighth studio album from Red Hit Chili Peppers went on to sell 8 million copies

Guitarist John Frusciante has gone on record to say that writing this album was one of the happiest times of his life. It shows in the material, which has a strong melodic focus and little of the funk fusion that made their name. Four singles were released and it peaked at #1 on numerous album charts around the world.

Favourite track: “The Zephyr Song”

Strange Beautiful Music by Joe Satriani

Virtuoso guitarist Joe Satriani released his ninth studio album in June 2002

I have bought everything Joe Satriani has released ever since I became a fan upon hearing Surfing With The Alien. His releases never disappoint and I am continually amazed by his compositions as he somehow allows the music to breathe even when playing at his fastest. Someone else summed up his abilities as having the knack of knowing when not to play.

Favourite track: “Chords Of Life”

Favourite Five Of 2001

That’s What I Am by Eric Gales

Child prodigy Eric Gales released his first solo album at the ripe old age of 27

Having released two albums with his band in 1991 and 1993 respectively and another with his brothers in 1996, it was surprising that his first real solo album didn’t come until later. Primarily showcasing his guitar chops the album also features hip-hop style vocals, turntable scratching and a fiery cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxey Lady”, an artist he is often compared to. He is much funkier here than was indicated on his previous releases.

Favourite track: “Insane”

Lateralus by Tool

The album arrived five years after its predecessor mostly due to legal issues with their label

Lateralus is quite epic in its scope compared to previous Tool releases and even includes one three track song cycle that totals more than 23 minutes in length. As a big fan of Tool I was always going to like this although I still prefer Ænima. It rewards repeated listening, as does much of their work, not least due to the complexity of the rhythm changes and the album’s dynamic sound.

Favourite track: Album opener “The Grudge”

Watching The World by Primary

Primary was my first taste of the vocal stylings of Connie Mitchell, it would not be my last

Before a brief stint with Machine Gun Fellatio and joining Sneaky Sound System, Connie Mitchell performed vocals out the front of Primary. The Fonti brothers, previously members of Caligula, formed techno rock group Primary with Connie. I enjoyed their debut album This Is The Sound, but I thought their sound had improved markedly on this one and loved it right from the first listen.

Favourite track: “Not For Me”

Gold by Ryan Adams

Released in September 2001, Gold was the second solo studio album by Ryan Adams

I was never really a fan of Whiskeytown, which featured Adams on lead vocals and guitar, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy this album. I hadn’t heard his first solo album and so this was the first of his releases I had ever listened to in its entirety. Released only two weeks after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the single “New York, New York” did well for the singer accordingly. His intent was to create a modern classic and he originally intended for it to be a double album, but sadly his record company didn’t agree.

Favourite track: “Enemy Fire”

Strange Little Girls by Tori Amos

Four different album covers were available representing four different tracks from the album

Amos released Strange Little Girls as a concept album reinterpreting songs written and performed by males, from a female perspective. If you didn’t know these songs otherwise you’d be mistaken for thinking them her own compositions so unique are her interpretations. I have been a fan of Tori’s work since her debut so I soon as I heard which songs she’d be covering I knew I would have to get my hands on it.

Favourite track: Her unusual take on Slayer’s thrash metal classic “Raining Blood”

Favourite Five Of 2000

Smoke & Mirrors by The Radiators

Smoke & Mirrors was the seventh and final studio album released by The Radiators

Australian pub rockers the Radiators, more commonly known as the Rads, have been around for what feels like forever. This is probably because they haven’t stopped their constant gigging since their inception in 1978. I have always been a big fan and have seen them live 11 times. I was pleasantly surprised when this album came out, as it had been seven years since their self-titled previous album (although a couple of EPs had been released in between). It has the sound of their classic material and I am sure it would be enjoyed by fans of the band even if it didn’t win them any new ones.

Favourite track: “Ocean Blue”, in some ways reminiscent of “Summer Holiday” from their 1980 debut

Riding With The King by B.B. King & Eric Clapton

What do you do when two of your favourite blues artists record an album? Buy it of course!

As soon as I heard this album was coming out I made a note in my desk calendar (they used to be a thing once upon a time), to remind me to go out and buy it on the day of release. I was not disappointed and I adore enjoy every track on it. Featuring predominantly revisited tracks from King’s earlier career and cover versions, B.B. shares the lead vocal duties with Clapton on most of the album. Unsurprisingly the album was a success achieving double platinum sales in the US, reaching the top 5 in the album charts around the world and winning a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Favourite track: The cover of “Marry You” originally recorded by Doyle Bramhall II, who also plays on the album

Brutal Planet by Alice Cooper

Brutal Planet was the fourteenth solo studio album released by Alice Cooper in June 2000

Going for a much darker and heavier sound than his 90s material was an interesting change in direction for Alice. This was almost industrial metal and although it did not appeal to some listeners, it really worked for me. The album features regular contributor Ryan Roxie on guitar and KISS drummer Eric Singer.

Favourite track: “Pessi-Mystic” just for the lyric “I’m so pissed-off-istic“

Odyssey Number Five by Powderfinger

Odyssey Number Five was the most successful album of Powderfinger’s career

Powderfinger’s fourth studio album, Odyssey Number Five, won the band several ARIA Music Awards including Highest Selling Album, Best Group and Best Rock Album. Four singles were released, the second of which “My Happiness”, won the ARIA for Single Of The Year and peaked at #4 in the Australian music charts as well as topping radio station Triple J’s Hottest 100. I was already a fan of the band before the album so they just continued to grow in stature for me.

Favourite track: “Like A Dog”

Daisies Of The Galaxy by Eels

Daisies Of The Galaxy was the third studio album released by American rock band Eels

In my opinion this is a fine album of catchy pop music on the whole with some darker edges. Along with the usual suspects of Mark Oliver Everett aka E playing the majority of the instruments and Butch on drums, the album features guest musicians such as Grant-Lee Phillips and REM’s Peter Buck. The album achieved gold record sales in the UK, Belgium and Australia. It also made the top 40 in Ireland, France and Norway.

Favourite track: “Mr E’s Beautiful Blues”

Favourite Five Of 1999

Here are my favourite five albums from 1999 to finish off the 90s decade.

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Californication is the 3rd album from Red Hot Chili Peppers to be produced by Rick Rubin

Reuniting with John Frusciante was a wise move from Red Hot Chili Peppers and ultimately resulted in another very successful album for the band. Five singles were released and the album topped the charts all around the world (pun intended). Millions of copies were sold and it remains one of their best sellers most likely due to having a more melodic sound than the previous six albums.

Favourite track: “Scar Tissue”

Supernatural by Santana

Unbelievably, prior to the release of this album Santana did not have a record contract

Carlos Santana decided that he would work with Clive Davis, who originally signed Santana to Columbia in 1969, ultimately signing with Arista prior to the release of the album. Santana had decided that he wanted to go in a more pop-oriented direction and that Clive Davis would be the right man for the job. He wanted to produce radio-friendly songs with strong melodies and collaborate with contemporary musicians. Six singles were released and 30 million copies of the album were sold, clearly a runaway success.

Favourite track: “Smooth”, featuring Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas on vocals

Grand Slam by Spiderbait

Spiderbait’s fourth album went in a poppier direction than previous albums

Grand Slam achieved gold sales in Australia and made the top ten albums chart. Four singles were released from the album mostly featuring bass player Janet English’s vocals. Phil McKellar, who had worked at the ABC and youth station Triple J, was the perfect choice to produce the album for the band managing to capture the sound they were after.

Favourite track: “Shazam!”

There Is Nothing Left To Lose by Foo Fighters

There Is Nothing Left To Lose’s cover features the band’s initials on the back of Grohl’s neck

The third album from Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters is also the first to feature Taylor Hawkins on drums. Five singles were released from the album and it has a softer more experimental sound than its predecessors. The album was a top ten hit in Australia, the US, Norway, Canada, Sweden and the UK. It would also win the band their first Grammy, winning for Best Rock Album.

Favourite track: “Stacked Actors”

Born Again Savage by Little Steven

After a gap of a decade, Little Steven released his fifth studio album in 1999

In the liner notes for this album Little Steven claims this would have been the album he would have released in 1969 if he had been capable. It describes its loose garage rock sound and the power trio band line-up. Featuring his own guitar and vocals, Little Steven managed to get Jason Bonham to play drums and U2’s Adam Clayton to play bass. After the album’s release he would return to Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band for the next 18 years.

Favourite track: “Guns, Drugs And Gasoline”

Favourite Five Of 1998

Psycho Circus by KISS

The album featured a lenticular cover alternating between the KISS logo and a circus image

Psycho Circus was hailed as the return of the original line-up in the studio on the back of their worldwide tour together. In truth, original drummer Peter Criss only plays drums on one track and original guitarist Ace Frehley plays guitar on two. The album does feature vocals from all four originals however. Despite their limited involvement, KISS had not seemed this invigorated for years and it remains the last decent album they have made. Four singles were released to promote the album and it was a top five hit in Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, the US and Sweden.

Favourite track: “Psycho Circus”, the title track and lead single

www. tism. wanker. com by TISM

TISM (This Is Serious Mum) are noted for their dark, sarcastic humour and anonymity

One of the tracks on this album inspired Bruce Ruxton, the former head of the RSL, to write to TISM’s record label to complain about lowering standards to the sewer. TISM unsurprisingly published it on their website to help promote the album. The album was TISM’s fourth studio album and four singles were released to promote it. It was nominated for Best Independent Release at the ARIA Awards.

Favourite track: “Thunderbirds Are Coming Out”

Pilgrim by Eric Clapton

Pilgrim would be the first of several Eric Clapton solo albums produced by Simon Climie

Having first collaborated with Simon Climie as TDF in 1997, Clapton had him produce his next solo album, Pilgrim, which was released in March 1998. Although most critics didn’t like this album, I still did. Clearly I wasn’t alone as it became one of his most successful albums reaching the top ten in 22 countries. Five singles were also released from the album including “Circus”, written about the last night he spent with his four year old son Conor before his untimely death.

Favourite track: “Fall Like Rain”

Mechanical Animals by Marilyn Manson

Mechanical Animals is the 3rd studio album by the band fronted by Brian Warner

Although Marilyn Manson had made their name prior to this album, in reality there was nothing new about their “shock” tactics. Like many artists before, Alice Cooper and KISS for example, they realised that controversy meant publicity and publicity meant sales. Musically however, this album was more akin to glam than the harder-edged industrial rock they had been known for. Maybe that’s why I like this album so much.

Favourite track: “Rock Is Dead” just beating out “The Speed Of Pain”

Words And Music by Paul Kelly

Including his work with the Dots, Words And Music is Paul Kelly’s 11th studio album

This 1998 release from legendary Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly, was for me his best album since parting ways with his Coloured Girls/Messengers band line-up. The album reached the top 20 in Australia achieving Gold sales status and also reached the top 50 in New Zealand. Along with his then current band line-up, the album featured three Australian female vocalists in Renee Geyer, Monique Brumby and Rebecca Barnard. Four singles were released from the album.

Favourite track: The Prince-inspired “Nothing On My Mind”

Favourite Five Of 1997

1997 saw the release of some of my favourite albums of the 90s decade. This year was full of music that appealed to me, so it remains another where I found it hard to limit myself to five with some classic albums left off the list.

Unit by Regurgitator

Unit’s simplistic artwork has seen it become iconic and instantly identifiable

Unit was a radical shift in Regurgitator’s sound and was unlike any of their previous material. Wearing their 80s influences on their sleeves they pre-empted the backlash from their original fans by penning “I Like Your Old Stuff Better Than Your Knew Stuff”. This remains my favourite Australian album of the 1990s. It made the top 5 in Australia, top ten in New Zealand and won 5 ARIA Awards including Album Of The Year.

Favourite track: “! (The Song Formerly Known As)”

Blue Moon Swamp by John Fogerty

John Fogerty’s fifth solo album was released more than a decade after its predecessor

After a long absence Fogerty returned to the world of popular music with the release of this album. It was a critical and commercial success and won a Grammy for best rock album. The album achieved platinum sales status in Australia and gold in the US. It was a top 20 album in Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium. Several singles were released from the album which no doubt contributed to its success.

Favourite track: “Walking In A Hurricane”

OK Computer by Radiohead

Radiohead’s third studio album won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album

In 2014 OK Computer was included by the United States Library of Congress in the National Recording Registry as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. This is indicative of how influential and revered this album has become. I consider this one of my favourite albums of the 90s decade and I still enjoy it enormously. Although the singles made me want to buy the album, I was pleasantly surprised when I got home and discovered the whole thing was of the same high quality.

Favourite track: “Subterranean Homesick Alien”

Transmission by The Tea Party

Transmission was the fourth album released by Canadian rock band The Tea Party

The Tea Party expanded their sound on Transmission by adding electronic instruments to their usual mix of world music, rock and blues. In places the album featured acoustic instruments alongside samples, loops and sequencers. The lyrics were influenced by dystopian fiction and the album continued their success with five singles released from the album. The album did particularly well in Australia, where the album made top 5, also doing well by peaking at #3 in their home base of Canada.

Favourite track: Lead single “Temptation”

Earthling by David Bowie

Released in February 1997, Earthling was David Bowie’s 21st studio album

I really enjoyed the sound of Outside upon its release in 1995 and was disappointed that the final two albums of what was intended to be a trilogy were not happening. My disappointment was short-lived however as Bowie gave us this. Continuing the industrial sound of its predecessor this was a far more accessible album. Five singles were released and the album was a top 40 hit around the world.

Favourite track: “Little Wonder”

Favourite Five Of 1996

12 Golden Country Greats by Ween

Despite its title the album only features 10 tracks whilst the 12 represents the veteran musos

This is Ween’s fifth studio album and musically, was a radical change in direction. Employing a bunch of Nashville musicians to create a genuine Nashville-sounding country album was a surprise to many of their fans. Some of the musicians they asked turned them down however, due to the lyrical content of their songs. Ween retained their familiar juvenile comedic lyrics on some of the tracks as per their previous material, yet musically the tracks are very faithful to the intended Nashville sound. Part pisstake and part faithful homage, I really enjoyed it. Some of the lyrical content hasn’t aged well however.

Favourite Track: “Help Me Scrape The Mucus Off My Brain”

Ænima by Tool

Tool followed up their much-loved debut Undertow, with the masterpiece Ænima

The album was very successful for Tool, debuting at #2 on the US charts and eventually earning triple platinum sales. The title track would also win a Grammy for Best Metal Performance. I loved this album from the moment I first heard it and eagerly purchased 4 tickets so I could go see them live with a few friends, as they were coming to Canberra to play at the ANU Bar. Come the night of the concert I discovered my tickets had been stolen, so not only could we not go, I was out of pocket for 4 tickets. I eventually got to see them 22 years later. This remains another of my favourite albums of the 90s decade.

Favourite track: “Forty Six And 2”

Boys For Pele by Tori Amos

Boys For Pele was the third studio album by Tori Amos, released in January 1996

I have been following the career of Tori Amos since her debut album. I remember buying this on the day of release having already heard the single, “Caught A Light Sneeze”. In terms of its sound, it was more diverse and adventurous than some of her previous work and I loved it straight away. According to interviews she gave at the time, Amos conceived of the songs as representing stealing fire from the men in her life as well as a journey to finding her own fire as a woman.

Favourite track: “In The Springtime Of His Voodoo”

Booth And The Bad Angel by Booth And The Bad Angel

The only album released by the collaboration between Tim Booth & Angelo Badalamenti

I don’t know who came up with the idea for Tim Booth of James and Twin Peaks soundtrack composer Angelo Badalamenti to work together, but it was a stroke of genius. This much under-rated album still gets listened to on a semi-regular basis and I still enjoy it every time. It peaked at #35 on the UK charts but I cannot find any data on how it performed elsewhere (most likely because it didn’t). This is a hidden gem in my opinion and if you can find a copy on a digital stream or elsewhere, I highly recommend you give it a listen.

Favourite track: “Dance Of The Bad Angels”

The Masquerade Overture by Pendragon

The Gloucestershire band released their fifth album, the Masquerade Overture, in 1996

Musically, Pendragon are often-described as neo-progressive rock and were considered contemporaries of Marillion, often supporting them on their tours in the early 1980s. I heard this album through a friend around the time of its release so subsequently had to get hold of my own copy. It turned out to be a wise decision as I still enjoy the album now.

Favourite track: “Paintbox”

Favourite Five Of 1995

The Bends by Radiohead

English rock band Radiohead released their second studio album, The Bends, in March 1995

For me, this was a massive improvement on their debut and really showed how much their songwriting had matured. Although it didn’t have anything that sounded like hit single “Creep” from their debut album Pablo Honey, it did receive greater critical acclaim. In the end six singles were released from the album, each with an accompanying music video.

Favourite track: “Just”, which I love both for the music and its intriguing music video

A Million Year Girl by Max Sharam

Three hit wonder Max Sharam, released her only studio album to date in May 1995

Max Sharam has had a very diverse career. She spent several years busking around Europe before landing a lead role in a hit Italian opera. She toured with musical around Europe for two years. She received an award for her efforts, released a dance EP and then spent a year in Japan studying Taiko drums. She returned to Australia and spent time as a stand-up comedian before performing her song “Coma” on TV’s New Faces. This garnered her music label attention ultimately leading to the recording of this album. I loved the singles and enjoy the whole album.

Favourite track: “Can I Catch Fire?”

Stanley Road by Paul Weller

This was Paul Weller’s third studio album and was named after the street he grew up on

Featuring an album cover by Peter Blake, the artist behind the Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, Stanley Road continued Paul Weller’s career rejuvenation. It was a commercial success for Weller and featured guest artists including Noel Gallagher and Steve Winwood. I enjoy the whole album immensely and some 28 years later can still put it on any time of day or night and enjoy it.

Favourite track: The fantastic cover of Dr John’s “I Walk On Gilded Splinters”

To Bring You My Love by P.J. Harvey

Recorded after her trio’s demise, this album is considered to be P.J. Harvey’s first solo outing

The material on this album is inspired by one of P.J. Harvey’s influences, Captain Beefheart, as well as American blues music in general. I remember being blown away by the first single and its music video, “Down By The Water”. I bought the album as soon as I could get my hands on a copy and it came with a VHS video featuring the music videos for “50ft Queenie”, “Mansize” and “Down By The Water”. It is a very successful album for her, achieving critical acclaim and chart success around the world.

Favourite track: “Down By The Water” of course

Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness by the Smashing Pumpkins

This magnum opus from the Smashing Pumpkins was released in February 1995

I absolutely love this album and consider it another of my favourites of the 90s decade. In the 1990s, many acts felt the need to pad out their albums to fill out a compact disc to maximise its 74 minute limit (79 minutes later on), as opposed to the 50 minutes of vinyl LPs. Often this created a mediocre album due to the amount of filler included. This is not the case here. Billy Corgan gave us a two hour masterpiece spread across two CDs, split as Dawn To Dusk and Twilight To Starlight. On the triple vinyl release the sides were Dawn, Tea Time, Dusk, Twilight, Midnight & Starlight. The album was a huge success around the world and spawned five singles.

Favourite track: “Porcelina Of The Vast Oceans”

Favourite Five Of 1994

Amorica by the Black Crowes

Amorica’s risque cover photo was taken from the July 1976 issue of Hustler magazine

Amorica was the third studio album released by the Black Crowes and the second of three featuring what is for me the definitive line-up of Chris and Rich Robinson, Eddie Harsch, Marc Ford, Johnny Colt & Steve Gorman. The album was another successful one for the band, reaching the top 20 in Australia, the US and the Netherlands and made it in to the top 10 in the UK.

Favourite track: “High Head Blues”

The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails released their second studio album five years after their debut

The Downward Spiral was intended as a concept album detailing the self-destruction of a man from the beginning of his misanthropic “downward spiral” to his suicide. Dark and abrasive, I have always considered this both a challenging and rewarding listen. Progressive rock guitarist Adrian Belew, was given a brief that asked him play freely yet react to melody, concentrate on rhythm and use noise. He certainly stuck to the brief!

Favourite track: “Hurt”, both the original version and the fantastic Johnny Cash cover version.

Around The Next Dream by BBM

BBM was an acronym for the last names of members Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce & Gary Moore

In 1993 legendary power trio Cream were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and were briefly reunited to play a few tracks at the induction. Baker and Bruce wanted to reform and go on tour but Eric Clapton was not ready to do so (they would not reform until 2005). Not wanting to lose momentum they formed a short-lived trio with Gary Moore instead. They recorded just the one album, went on a short tour and then disbanded. Being a fan of both Cream and Gary Moore, I bought the album on its day of release and have loved it ever since.

Favourite Track: The track featuring one of Gary Moore’s finest solos, “Why Does Love (Have To Go Wrong?)”

Grace by Jeff Buckley

Jeff met his singer-songwriter father Tim Buckley, only once during their equally short lives

When Grace was released sales were initially slow despite critical acclaim and celebrity endorsement from the likes of David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Brad Pitt, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. The album sold well in Australia and Buckley toured twice in late 1994 and early 1995. The album consisted of his own compositions alongside three covers, including his well-known take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.

Favourite track: “Last Goodbye”

Purple by Stone Temple Pilots

Purple, the hugely successful second album from Stone Temple Pilots, released in June 1994

Purple debuted at number one on the US charts and would go on to sell six million copies. Three singles were released and were also successful. The album didn’t just do well in the US, it also topped the charts in Australia and was a top ten hit in Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and the UK. I love this whole album, including the hilarious hidden track, and I still listen to it as an album regularly.

Favourite Track: “Big Empty”

Favourite Five Of 1993

Cure For Pain by Morphine

Cure For Pain was the second studio album of five released by Morphine

The unusual sound of Morphine was due to the intentional absence of guitar, relying primarily on bass, drums and saxophone. I loved them from the moment I first heard the track “Buena” on Australian alternative radio station Triple J. I was enamoured with their unusual sound and ended up buying all of their albums. Sadly bass player and lead singer, Mark Sandman, died instantly on stage due to heart attack in 1999 effectively ending the band.

Favourite track: “Buena”

Songs Of Faith And Devotion by Depeche Mode

Darker than its predecessor, Depeche Mode’s eighth album was a successful follow-up

Depeche Mode were really at their zenith in the nineties releasing several successful albums during the decade. I thought Violator almost impossible to top, but Songs Of Faith And Devotion certainly came close. The album was a top 20 chart hit in more than twenty countries and four successful singles were released.

Favourite track: The original album version of “In Your Room”

Symphonic Music Of Yes by London Philharmonic Orchestra & former Yes members

Symphonic Music Of Yes was mixed in Dolby Surround Sound

Featuring former members of Yes, including original singer Jon Anderson on a couple of tracks and pairing them with the London Philharmonic Orchestra was a stroke of genius. Effectively coming across as a “greatest hits” album by Yes, the orchestrations really highlight the complexity of the compositions. I absolutely adore this album and have had people borrow it as a way of testing if their surround system has been set up correctly.

Favourite track: “Starship Trooper”

Undertow by Tool

Tool became one of my favourite bands virtually overnight due to this album

I absolutely love Tool and enjoy all of their recordings. “Sober”, a single off this album, was the first song of theirs I ever heard and I loved its stop-motion music video too. I decided to buy the album on the strength of that one song and when I got it home I was blown away by how good it was. It was on high rotation for weeks on end both at home and in my car.

Favourite track: “Bottom” featuring the “engaging” spoken words of Henry Rollins

Debut by Björk

Debut was technically incorrect having released a self-titled album as a child in 1977

This solo album was Björk’s first release after the break-up of her previous band the Sugarcubes. Preceded by the single “Human Behaviour”, nothing else around at this time sounded anything remotely like this. The uniqueness of her sound no doubt contributed to her appeal as I know it what made me seek out the album. There have been many imitators since, but none come close to the original.

Favourite track: The non-album single “Play Dead”, which had been added to the album before its Australian release

Favourite Five Of 1992

Us by Peter Gabriel

Us, was the follow-up to its highly successful predecessor, So, released 6 years earlier

Us, was an appropriate title for an album that would focus on personal themes for Gabriel, including divorce as well as romantic and familial relationships. Five singles were released from the album, including two that featured Sinéad O’Connor on vocals. The album was one of the first to be promoted with interactive multimedia software that only worked on Macintosh computers. The album was another top ten success all around the world for Gabriel.

Favourite track: The original video mix of “Kiss That Frog” which sadly now appears unavailable

Cut by Hunters & Collectors

Released in September 1992, Cut was the seventh studio album from Hunters & Collectors

After discussions with almost 20 producers in an attempt to evolve the sound of the band, they settled on American Don Gehman. They recorded most of the album with him and he incorporated drum loops and electronic percussion into their sound. The recording was apparently an unhappy process for the band as several members didn’t like the change in direction. Few could fault its success though, with six singles released and a top ten album with platinum sales.

Favourite track: “Head Above Water”

Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos

Little Earthquakes was the debut solo album from the Y Kant Tori Read lead singer

Following the break-up of her former band, Tori Amos made several demos for Atlantic Records. Initially rejected, she kept trying and recorded more songs. These were more acceptable to the label and she moved to London at their request, as they believed the British public would be more accepting of her eccentric style. This was indeed correct and when the album was finally released in the UK it made the top 20 and was on the charts for 23 weeks. It was also critically and commercially successful in the US selling over 2 million copies. It also achieved gold record status in Australia, Belgium, the UK, the Netherlands and Canada.

Favourite track: The hilarious “Leather”

Tear Of Thought by the Screaming Jets

Tear Of Thought was produced by Steve James, the son of comedian and actor, Sid James

Preceded by the Living in England EP four months earlier, Tear Of Thought was a very successful sophomore album and a more than capable follow-up to their debut, All For One. Five singles were released from the album, including a cover of “Shivers”, originally recorded by the Boys Next Door with Nick Cave on lead vocals. The band expanded somewhat on the sound of their debut but it was still classic Aussie pub rock at its core. The album was a platinum-selling top 5 success for the band.

Favourite track: “Think”, the album’s lead single

Triage by David Baerwald

A former member of David & David, this release was Baerwald’s second solo studio album

This is another of my favourite albums of the 90s decade. It is unlike anything else in my collection and contains a variety of musical styles. Apparently the album’s lyrics were inspired by a combination of conspiracy theories and politics. Fittingly, the liner notes contain photos of the FBI’s files on his father. Sales were modest, but for me it remains an under-appreciated masterpiece and is an album I never tire of.

Favourite track: “The Got No Shotgun HydraHead Octopus Blues”

Favourite Five Of 1991

Some may consider it sacrilege that Nevermind is not in my five favourite albums of 1991. I like the album generally and it has some fantastic songs on it, it just didn’t really do it for me as an album. I found the quality of the material inconsistent, although I accept how influential they were at the time to the grunge genre. So here’s at least five albums that I personally found more impressive.

Metallica by Metallica

Metallica’s fifth studio album was self-titled but became better known as “the black album”

Metallica became the band’s best-selling album virtually overnight debuting at number one in ten countries. Although an instant success, five singles were also released from the album. It would also be the first of four albums they would record with producer Bob Rock. Some fans of the thrashier earlier style didn’t like the more radio-friendly sound of the album but for me, i found it a natural progression. I loved the whole album from start to finish right from the first listen.

Favourite track: I found it very difficult to choose but I decided on “Wherever I May Roam”

Mama Said by Lenny Kravitz

This was the first Lenny Kravitz album I purchased but it would not be the last

I had heard some of Lenny’s material from his debut album, Let Love Rule, although enjoyable it did not make me want to rush out and buy it. That all changed the instant I heard the lead single from this album, “Always On The Run”. Sure the solo from Slash contributed, but the whole thing was a smash as far as I was concerned. When I discovered he was a multi-instrumentalist and that the whole Mama Said album was of high quality, I was impressed further. I have bought every album he has released since and I went back and bought Let Love Rule too.

Favourite track: The still impressive “Always On The Run”

Holidays In Eden by Marillion

Marillion’s sixth studio album was the second to feature Steve Hogarth on lead vocals

Filling in the shoes of an iconic singer like Fish was always going to be a difficult ask. Steve Hogarth did a sterling job on his first album with the band, Season’s End, but it was on Holidays In Eden that he really cemented his place. This may be because this was his first album with the band where he was involved in the song-writing process right from the start, as opposed to coming in after the music had been written as was the case on the previous album. Steve Hogarth still performs lead vocals with Marillion today. The album reached the top ten in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK and three singles were released.

Favourite track: The album’s first single “Cover My Eyes (Pain And Heaven)” featuring Steve Hogarth’s sublime vocals

Baby Animals by Baby Animals

At the time of its release Baby Animals was the highest-selling debut Australian rock album

Debuting at number six and topping the Australian charts for six weeks, was a rather audacious start for Baby Animals. It wasn’t lead singer Size DeMarchi’s first foray into music, having moved to London in the mid-80s and released some pop singles. She missed fronting a band and returned to Perth to form Baby Animals with three fellow Perth-based musicians, including guitarist Dave Leslie. Prior to recording the album they made a name for themselves on the pub and club circuit and had a demo released as a B side of the “Dogs Are Talking” single released by the Angels in April 1990.

Favourite track: Debut single “Early Warning”

Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Produced by Rick Rubin, Blood Sugar Sex Magik was the band’s fifth studio album

After listening to their earlier work I don’t think anyone could have predicted how successful this album would be, or how big Red Hot Chili Peppers would become after its release. For me, it remains one of my favourite albums of the decade and no one can deny its influence on scores of acts since. Five singles were released and the album topped the charts in Australia, Canada and New Zealand as well as peaking at number 3 in the US and number 2 in the Netherlands.

Favourite track: The haunting ballad “I Could Have Lied”

Favourite Five Of 1990

Brick By Brick by Iggy Pop

Iggy kicked off the 1990s with this album and got Don Was to take on production duties

Although his output in the 1980s was a little hit and miss, Iggy started the next decade strongly with this album. Preceded by the single “Living On The Edge Of The Night”, the album didn’t really gain traction until after the second single, “Candy”, the duet with Kate Pierson of the B-52s, received high rotation on MTV. He also received positive reviews from critics, probably his best since his 1977 David Bowie-produced albums.

Favourite track: “Butt Town”

Still Got The Blues by Gary Moore

The Jimi Hendrix poster in this album cover is a lovely salute to one of Gary’s idols

Gary Moore decided to return to his blues roots after producing a variety of rock albums in the 80s. I doubt even he expected the unprecedented success he would have. This album reinvigorated his career and set the blueprint for the majority of his 90s output, if not the rest of his career. Getting guest artists the calibre of Albert King, George Harrison and Albert Collins to perform on the album probably didn’t hurt either.

Favourite track: The self-penned “Texas Strut” featuring former Thin Lizzy bandmate Brian Downey on drums

Passion And Warfare by Steve Vai

Vai claims that the album is based on dream sequences he had when he was younger

Vai sums the album up as “Jimi Hendrix meets Jesus Christ at a party that Ben Hur threw for Mel Blanc”. What that means is anybody’s guess. For me this album remains the pinnacle of his career, not because it is his most successful, but because it is his most accessible. I enjoy every track on it and I had only heard of him prior to this in the context of being David Lee Roth’s guitarist. Boy was this album a nice surprise!

Favourite track: “The Audience Is Listening”

Violator by Depeche Mode

Violator was the album that converted me into a Depeche Mode fan

Although I had liked the odd single from Depeche Mode, I had never been swayed to go out and purchase one of their albums. This album changed everything, not just for me, but for the band too. It was an international success and was their first album to sell a million copies in the US on the back of four successful singles.

Favourite track: Even though an obvious choice, I couldn’t go past “Personal Jesus”. I even like the cover versions by Marilyn Manson and Johnny Cash.

Ragged Glory by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Ragged Glory is Young’s 18th studio album and the 6th recorded with Crazy Horse

I have always found that my favourite Neil Young music is the stuff he records with Crazy Horse. In my opinion, the band hasn’t rocked this hard together since 1975’s Zuma. This is also their first album together since the Re·ac·tor album in 1981. Thankfully Young would record another two albums with them in the 90s and fittingly, one with Pearl Jam too.

Favourite track: The rollocking “Fuckin’ Up”

Favourite Five Of 1989

In Step by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

In Step, the fourth and final studio album released by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

In hindsight, it is no surprise to anyone that In Step is the band’s strongest studio album largely due to it being the first that Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded clean and sober. The album featured strong compositions from the band as well as inspired cover songs. The album performed well in the US, Canada and Australia and won the the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Favourite track: The epic jazz-influenced instrumental “Riviera Paradise”

Flying In A Blue Dream by Joe Satriani

Flying In A Blue Dream, Satriani’s first album to include tracks with him performing vocals

Joe Satriani will never be remembered for his vocal work, but they were serviceable on the tracks he chose to sing. His success continued with this album, featuring four top 40 hits in the US. The album itself remained in the US charts for 39 weeks and made the top 40 in three other countries.

Favourite track: The title track “Flying In A Blue Dream”

Disintegration by The Cure

Disintegration was the eighth studio album released by English band The Cure

Recorded during a time of upheaval within the band, founding member Lol Tolhurst was sacked before the album’s release, the album is a return to the group’s gothic rock from earlier in the decade. The Cure released four successful singles from the album. The album itself fared very well internationally as it made the top ten in Australia, Austria, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland and France. It also peaked at #12 in the US.

Favourite track: The delightfully creepy “Lullaby”

The Healer by John Lee Hooker

The Healer featured an epic list of guest artists alongside blues legend John Lee Hooker

Although only reaching #62 on the US charts, the album made the top 20 in Australia and was successful enough to let John Lee Hooker live in comfort the rest of his life. John Lee won his first Grammy Award for his duet with Bonnie Raitt on “I’m In The Mood”. Featuring a plethora of guest contributors alongside a core band of session musicians, the guests featured included Carlos Santana, George Thorogood, Robert Cray and Los Lobos.

Favourite track: “The Healer” featuring the blistering guitarwork of Carlos Santana alongside John Lee’s simpler rhythmic playing

Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails

The debut album from industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails was released in October 1989

I became an instant Nine Inch Nails fan from the first moment I heard “Head Like A Hole”. I had heard nothing like it before and loved its sound, which in turn made me seek out the album. I love this album still and own it in several formats. It also remains perhaps the most accessible of the Nine Inch Nails releases.

Favourite track: “Kinda I Want To”

Favourite Five Of 1988

Bonk by Big Pig

Big Pig’s debut album Bonk, made the top five in the Australian album charts

I absolutely loved this band and this album right from the get go. I saw them on the tour for this album and they were brilliant. A great live act, featuring five percussionists and not a guitar in sight. The band featured the sublime vocals of Sherine Abeyratne, who I believe was instrumental in their success. She had previously provided backing vocals for jo Jo Zep and INXS. Sherine’s twin sister, Zan, was a co-lead vocalist in I’m Talking with Kate Ceberano and also performed backing vocals with INXS, Models and U2.

Favourite track: “Hungry Town”

Vivid by Living Colour

Vivid, was the very successful debut album released by Living Colour

Produced by the legendary Ed Stasium and featuring three hit singles, Vivid was a runaway success for Living Colour. The album also featured guest performances from Flavor Flav and Mick Jagger. Retrospectively, the hard rock album is viewed by some critics as a “landmark” for its blend of hardcore, funk and jazz influences and was recommended to me by my dear friend, Paul Culnane. Personally, I just thought it rocked.

Favourite track: “Open Letter (To A Landlord)”, its lyrical content is still relevant today

16 Lovers Lane by the Go-Betweens

16 Lovers Lane was the equally successful follow-up to its predecessor, Tallulah

Although Tallulah will always be my favourite, this was a very fitting and accessible follow-up. It was also the album that would lead to the band’s breakup. The relationship between Forster and Morrison had soured and Morrison’s unhappiness was not helped by having her drums replaced by drum machines. The relationship between McLennan and Brown had gone the other way, with most of the compositions by McLennan on the album ended up featuring Brown as the subject matter.

Favourite track: Although it was almost ruined by its use by a particular commercial television network, “Streets Of Your Town” is still my favourite after a recent reappraisal

Born To Be Bad by George Thorogood & The Destroyers

The seventh album from George Thorogood & the Destroyers peaked at #32 in the US

On the day of its release, I was in my work vehicle and unable to “leave my post” and get to the music store to purchase a copy of “Born To Be Bad”. A friend and colleague came along on his motorcycle and after a very brief discussion, I gave him the cash and he went and purchased it for me. Upon his return we sat in the work vehicle listening to the cassette he had purchased on my behalf. We listened to it twice in its entirety that afternoon and many times more in the weeks and months after. We both loved it.

Favourite track: George’s cover of Roy Head’s “Treat Her Right”

Xenophobia (Why?) by V.Spy V.Spy

Xenophobia (Why?) was the third studio album from V. Spy V.Spy

Despite adoring its predecessors, in my opinion this was the pinnacle of the output from the Spies. Their two previous albums had some fantastic songs, but this was the album that featured nothing but great songs. The album also works as a cohesive whole, although not a concept album as such. If I am in the mood to listen to Blox and co, this is often the album I grab.

Favourite track: “Working Week”

Favourite Five Of 1987

Tallulah by The Go-Betweens

Tallulah was the fifth studio album released by the Go-Betweens, their first as a five-piece

With the addition of multi-instrumentalist Amanda Brown to the line-up, the sound of the Go-Betweens seemed to be fuller. Whether it was her violin adding another dimension, or just the improved songwriting of Forster & McLennan, their overall sound went ahead leaps and bounds on this album. I had heard several of their songs previously, and enjoyed them, but this was the first album of theirs I bought outright. On cassette actually and I loved it then and still do.

Favourite track: “Right Here”

Surfing With The Alien by Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani’s second studio album cemented his reputation as a respected rock guitarist

Nobody in Australia had heard of Joe Satriani before this album. This is the one that became the foundation of his career as well as providing the blueprint for his future album releases. Instrumental guitar music had not been received so well since its heyday in the era of Duane Eddy, the Shadows, Dick Dale and Link Wray et al. The album was a gold seller reaching the top 10 in Australia, a silver seller reaching the top 20 in the UK and with platinum sales peaked in the top 30 in the US. Not bad for an album that only cost $13,000 to make!

Favourite track: “Satch Boogie”

Diesel And Dust by Midnight Oil

Midnight Oil’s sixth album was produced by Warne Livesey with the band themselves

Midnight Oil went on their Blackfella/Whitefella Tour of remote indigenous communities with the Warumpi Band and Gondwanaland in 1986. This album was born out of that experience and is at its core, a concept album about the struggles of Australia’s indigenous people as well as addressing environmental issues. In its sound it is 100% Oils. The album was the band’s most successful both in Australia and internationally and has been critically lauded since its release.

Favourite track: “Beds Are Burning” may be their most successful track, but my favourite will always be “Sometimes”

Appetite For Destruction by Guns N’ Roses

The album took over a year to top the US charts but would go on to sell 18 million copies

I think this is a fantastic debut album and for me, their best. I loved “Sweet Child o’ Mine” right from the first listen and on impulse went out and bought a copy. I flogged it to death for weeks and weeks and enjoyed the whole thing. You know you are listening to a good album when your favourite track keeps changing.

Favourite track: “Welcome To The Jungle”

Man Of Colours by Icehouse

Man Of Colours was the first Australian album to feature five top 30 singles

Man Of Colours was the fifth studio album released by Icehouse and their most successful. “Electric Blue” was the second single released from the album and ended up being their only number 1 hit in Australia. The album itself topped the Australian charts for 11 weeks and even made it to number one in New Zealand as well as doing well in the US, the Netherlands and the UK.

Favourite track: “Nothing Too Serious”

Favourite Five Of 1986

Harry’s Reasons? by V. Spy V. Spy

The debut album from the band affectionately known as Spies

V. Spy V. Spy were one of my favourite Aussie bands and I got to see them live in 1986 at the Manuka Football Club (a venue that no longer exists) in Canberra. I was under 18 at the time, so wisely decided to get there mid-afternoon (the gig was on a Sunday night) as there would be no one checking IDs on the door at that time. I thought their previous EP, Meet Us Inside, was excellent so I bought this album as soon as it was released. I was not disappointed.

Favourite track: “Injustice”

Infected by The The

The The was really the solo efforts of Matt Johnson aided by different musicians

The The never quite saw the success in Australia as they enjoyed at home in the UK. Infected spawned four charting singles in the UK, notably “Heartland”, which made the UK top 30. It was also unusual for having a full-length accompanying film which represented as separate music videos for each track. I absolutely love this album but haven’t met too many other Australians who do.

Favourite track: Single “Slow Train To Dawn”, performed as a duet with Neneh Cherry

Human Frailty by Hunters & Collectors

Human Frailty was the fourth studio album released by the Melbourne rock band

This is without doubt one of my favourite Australian albums ever. I think it a masterpiece that remains unsurpassed in their catalogue. Containing several singles, including the successful version of “Throw Your Arms Around Me”, it would prove to be their most accessible and commercially successful album to date. They were also a great live act and I have seen them at least half a dozen times.

Favourite track: “Say Goodbye”

Skylarking by XTC

The ninth studio album from XTC was recorded at Utopia Sound Studios in New York

Although the band considered him a difficult taskmaster, particularly lead singer Andy Partridge, having Todd Rundgren produce the album ended up being a masterstroke. The album features well-written songs that were beautifully recorded. Despite this, the album was pretty much ignored at the time of its release but has since become a classic.

Favourite track: “Dear God”, originally a B-side, was added to later pressings before becoming an A-side single in its own right

Gossip by Paul Kelly & The Coloured Girls

The first album Paul Kelly recorded with the band that would be renamed the Messengers

This was not my first introduction to Paul Kelly, but I was pleasantly surprised by how good this album was. Nothing he had released previously had prepared me for this. A double album on vinyl, this was a strong set of songs that featured several hit singles. Although he recorded another three albums with this band, for me this was the pick of them.

Favourite track: The rocking “Down On My Speedway”

Favourite Five Of 1985

Although you wouldn’t know it from some of the selections I have made here, 1985 was the year where my musical tastes started to stray from the top 40. This was due to a number of factors, but primarily because my horizons had expanded and I was exposed to a wider variety of popular music.

Showdown! by Albert Collins, Robert Cray & Johnny Copeland

The aptly titled Showdown! from three brilliantly talented bluesmen

For me, this is the finest blues album of the eighties if not my entire collection. I never tire of listening to this and the interplay between all three guitarists inspires each of them to greater heights. I was already enamoured with Albert Collins and to a lesser extent Robert Cray, but it was my introduction to Johnny Copeland. The album won a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Recording and nobody could begrudge them such an accolade.

Favourite track: “Black Cat Bone”

Mars Needs Guitars! by Hoodoo Gurus

Apparently the title of the album refers to the 1967 science fiction film, Mars Needs Women

The follow-up to their excellent debut, Stoneage Romeos, went very well for Hoodoo Gurus. Their sophomore effort included four successful hit singles and the album even charted in the US. Mark Kingsmill had replaced James Baker behind the drumkit, a position he would fill long term from 1984–1998 and then from 2003–2015.

Favourite track: “Like Wow-Wipeout”

Scarecrow by John Cougar Mellencamp

Johnny Cougar takes a step toward performing under his birth name, adding Mellencamp

I absolutely adored this album from the first time I heard it and still think it is his best. It is also his most successful with three top ten singles in the US as well as reaching #2 on the US album charts. The overall theme of the album is the fading of the American dream in the face of corporate greed. The band sound really tight on the album, most likely due to spending a month in rehearsals playing over a hundred rock and roll songs from the 1960s.

Favourite Track: “Small Town”

Misplaced Childhood by Marillion

Marillion’s second last album with lead singer Fish, was their third album overall

Marillion never made much of an impact here in Australia, so this is an album I came to about 5 years after its release. Misplaced Childhood is a concept album loosely based on the childhood of Marillion’s lead singer, Fish. Each side of the album is a continuous piece of music. Nevertheless, three singles were released from the album, two of which reached the top ten in the UK.

Favourite track: UK #2 hit, “Kayleigh”, which peaked at #88 in Australia

Centerfield by John Fogerty

Thanks to overdubbing, Fogerty played all the instruments on this album himself

After a long break from the music industry due to legal battles with his record company, John Fogerty returned with his third solo album almost a decade after its predecessor. The album was a resounding success, achieving multi-platinum sales around the world, including 2 million in the US alone. His legal battles weren’t over however, as his former record company decided to sue, ridiculously accusing John Fogerty of sounding like himself! Thankfully, Fogerty won that legal battle.

Favourite track: “The Old Man Down The Road”

Favourite Five Of 1984

Stay Hungry by Twisted Sister

Stay Hungry, their third studio album resulted in international success for Twisted Sister

The music videos for singles “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock” and their slapstick humour, were instrumental in the success of this album for Twisted Sister. But at the album’s core were great songs which is ultimately why it all worked. The band’s tour supporting the album was also successful and included a young Metallica as their opening act. They would never achieve such success again and the decision to use their cover of “Leader Of The Pack” as the lead single from their next album Come Out And Play definitely didn’t help.

Favourite track: “Burn In Hell”

Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen

Born In The USA has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, including 17 million in the US

Bruce Springsteen most successful album saw the release of an unprecedented seven hit singles. It is hard to imagine going anywhere in the western world without hearing music from this album in 1984/5. It was almost as ubiquitous as Brothers In Arms would become in 1985. The E Street band were all in fine form too and the songs were well-developed. The album has the honour of being the first compact disc manufactured in the United States for commercial release.

Favourite track: “No Surrender”

The Swing by INXS

The Swing, the fourth album from INXS, was number one in Australia for 5 weeks

The Swing remained in the top 100 albums in Australia for over 100 weeks upon its release. It went to the top of the charts on the back of four successful singles. “Original Sin” recorded at the Power Station in New York with producer Nile Rodgers, was the most successful. It was their only #1 in Australia and charted in the US and Canada as well.

Favourite track: “Burn For You”

Heartbeat City by The Cars

Heartbeat City was co-produced by the band with uber-producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange

Six singles were released from Heartbeat City, the most successful album from American rock act, The Cars. Their corresponding music videos all received high rotation on MTV, which no doubt contributed to their success. When the band got to perform at Live Aid they played three tracks from this album.

Favourite track: “You Might Think”

1984 by Van Halen

1984 would be David Lee Roth’s last album with the band until 2012

1984 saw David Lee Roth help the band find their greatest success and their best album since their debut, before departing to pursue a solo career. Of course it was Eddie Van Halen’s talents that were at the nucleus of Van Halen, but the flamboyant frontman was also a vital cog in the machine. Eddie’s insistence on the use of keyboards and synthesizers were instrumental in the band’s new found success as were the music videos for the band’s singles.

Favourite track: “Drop Dead Legs”

Favourite Five Of 1983

Speaking In Tongues by Talking Heads

Speaking In Tongues was the fifth studio album released by Talking Heads

Choosing to self-produce after splitting with producer Brian Eno appears to be a wise decision with hindsight. Speaking In Tongues would be a commercial breakthrough for Talking Heads spawning their only top ten hit in the US, the wonderful “Burning Down The House”. The tour for this album would also give birth to their fantastic concert film and live album, “Stop Making Sense”, which will get a cinematic re-release in 2023.

Favourite track: “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)”

War by U2

War was U2’s third studio album recorded with producer Steve Lillywhite

War was a very successful album for U2 becoming their first to reach #1 on the UK charts. It actually knocked Michael Jackson’s Thriller from the #1 spot. It also made it to #12 on the US charts and became their first US gold-selling album. Four singles were released from the album with the first, “New Year’s Day”, achieving the most success.

Favourite track: “Sunday Bloody Sunday”

Desperate by Divinyls

Desperate, the debut studio album by Divinyls, following up the Music From Monkey Grip EP

Divinyls made a name for themselves by gigging around the pubs and clubs of Kings Cross in Sydney. Film maker Ken Cameron saw them and put them in his 1982 film, Monkey Grip, for which Divinyls provided the soundtrack EP. Their debut album Desperate followed in 1983 on the back of their successful single “Science Fiction”.

Favourite track: “Siren (Never Let You Go)”

Eliminator by ZZ Top

Released in March 1983, Eliminator was ZZ Top’s eighth studio album

Since 1981 Billy Gibbons had been trying to push the band into a more new wave direction whilst keeping the basic guitar boogie sound of the Texas trio. It hadn’t really worked with previous efforts, so the tempo was increased and more synthesizers and drum machines were added, before striking upon the winning formula. Although some long-time fans were not happy with the new direction, the album contained four successful hit singles. Each of which had stylish music videos that received regular airplay on the burgeoning MTV channel. Little wonder that this became ZZ Top’s most commercially successful album.

Favourite track: Hard to go past “Legs”

Violent Femmes by Violent Femmes

The self-titled album was simultaneously their debut and their most successful album

This sounded like nothing else around at the time and at first I didn’t quite to know what to make of it. But much like fungus does, it grows on you! Gordon Gano’s compositions show his songwriting skills and the whole band gels together very well. This is not surprising when you look at their history, as they busked together on street corners and in cafes before their discovery by James Honeyman-Scott, a member of the Pretenders. Later that same evening Chrissie Hynde invited the band to play an acoustic set after the opening act, and the rest, as they say is history.

Favourite track: “Add It Up”

Favourite Five Of 1982

1982 was an absolute cracker when it came to Australian music. Some of my favourite Aussie albums were released in this year and I believe I could have not only made all these choices Australian (I didn’t), I could have done so twice over.

Circus Animals by Cold Chisel

Cold Chisel’s chart-topping fourth studio album, Circus Animals

Circus Animals remained on the Australian charts for 40 weeks. It is not hard to understand why when it is filled to the brim with brilliant songs. This is one of those albums where I just love every track. The band did amazingly well given they were following up its very successful predecessor, East. An album this good means it was very hard to pick a favourite!

Favourite track: The superb Steve Prestwich composition, “When The War Is Over”

Primitive Man by Icehouse

Primitive Man was the first album recorded under the band name Icehouse

Iva Davies and co still had great songs in the tank despite releasing this just under two years their previous album under their prior band name of Flowers. Containing several hit singles the album also features one of their most well-known tracks in “Great Southern Land”.

Favourite track: The afore-mentioned “Great Southern Land”

Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden

Number Of The Beast was Iron Maiden’s first album with Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals

I adore this album as it was my real introduction to the band. Another of those where I love every track on it. I remember being absolutely blown away by Bruce Dickinson’s powerful vocals. Seeing Iron Maiden videos on episodes of Countdown on the ABC was also an unusual experience as I had seen nothing like them on that show before.

Favourite track: “Hallowed Be Thy Name”

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 by Midnight Oil

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 became better known by the simplified 10 to 1 by Midnight Oil fans

Although 10 to 1 only peaked at number 3 on the Australian album charts it remained on the charts for an incredible 171 weeks. That is just unprecedented for an Australian band. I love the quote from Rolling Stone Magazine’s David Fricke, who said the album, “sounds like the end of the world turned up to 10”. This was Midnight Oil’s first album to get a US release and was their fourth overall.

Favourite track: “Power And The Passion” with its fantastic Rob Hirst drum solo

Shabooh Shoobah by INXS

The magnificent third album from INXS and my favourite of theirs, Shabooh Shoobah

I originally had this album on cassette and currently own it on remastered compact disc. At some point I may even get it on vinyl. I will never tire of this one and I think it is the best album INXS made. Sure The Swing, Listen Like Thieves and Kick are great too, but I still prefer this. INXS toured the US for the first time on the back of this album.

Favourite track: “To Look At You”

Favourite Five Of 1981

Icehouse by Flowers

The album from Flowers released in 1981 would soon become their band name

This is a stunning debut album containing several hits for the band that would become better known as Icehouse. The songwriting and vocal work of Iva Davies was on full display here and it surprised no one that the band would go on to a very successful career in Australia.

Favourite track: “Walls”

I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll was the first album credited to Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Joan Jett, former member of the Runaways, released her solo debut album in 1980. After that album was released Jett recruited the band that would become the Blackhearts and re-entered the studio to record this album. It is Jett’s biggest commercial success selling over one million copies.

Favourite track: The cover of “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” originally recorded by the Arrows

Days Of Innocence by Moving Pictures

The unsurpassed debut album from Moving Pictures, Days Of Innocence

This album is often overshadowed by the incredible success of its second single, “What About Me?”, which would top the Australian charts in 1982. For me, it is my least favourite track on the album and not representative of the quality of the rest of the material. I love this album and found it hard to pick a favourite!

Favourite track: “Wings”

Dare by The Human League

Dare was the Human League’s third studio album but the first to feature a new line-up

After the break-up of the original line-up Phil Oakey decided to move the band in a more pop-oriented direction. To assist with that intended aim, Ian Burden was welcomed to the band and with the addition of teen singer/dancers Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall, they were ready to get started. Pairing with veteran producer Martin Rushent was most likely a contributing factor in their success as well. With four hit singles released, it is little wonder the album was a multi-platinum seller. I can remember at one time wanting hair like Phil Oakey’s…

Favourite track: “Love Action (I Believe In Love)”

Business As Usual by Men At Work

Business As Usual was the debut album from Men At Work

Australian music was really finding its feet in the early 80s. Even so, no one predicted the unmitigated international success of Men At Work on the back of their single “Down Under”. The album spent 15 weeks at number 1 in the US album charts, which was unprecedented for an Australian band. I love this album and their second Cargo, after which the wheels would begin to fall off for the original line-up.

Favourite track: “Be Good Johnny”

Favourite Five Of 1980

Ace Of Spades by Motörhead

Motörhead’s fourth studio album, Ace Of Spades released October 1980

Classic four on the floor rock and roll. That is probably the best way to describe the music performed by the band that Lemmy Kilmister fronted for over 40 years. This is their most commercially successful album reaching #4 in the UK. I think Overkill and Bomber (both released in 1979) are equally good which just demonstrates what a plethora of great material they had at the time releasing three of their best albums in only 18 months.

Favourite track: The title track of course, “Ace Of Spades”

Back In Black by AC/DC

Back In Black was released a mere five months after singer Bon Scott’s death

Bon Scott left big shoes to fill and I think everyone, including the band members themselves, were surprised at how good a job Brian Johnson managed to do. I think the previous album is AC/DC’s best with Bon Scott and I believe this is the best with Brian. They have tried many times to replicate its success but nothing has compared, although at times they have come close. This is the second biggest-selling album in history behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Favourite track: “You Shook Me All Night Long”

East by Cold Chisel

East, with its iconic Jimmy Barnes in a bathtub cover art

This album is one of Cold Chisel’s finest work and is filled with some of their most well-known songs. Songs you will still hear on the radio and in their concerts today. This was their third studio album and although it peaked at #2 it ended up staying on the Australian album charts for 63 weeks. “Choirgirl”, “Cheap Wine” and “My Baby” were all hits as well, which I am sure didn’t hurt their album sales.

Favourite track: The ode to Ms Buttrose, “Ita”

The Turn Of A Friendly Card by The Alan Parsons Project

The fifth album from progressive rock act, the Alan Parsons Project

Like all their albums, this works best as a cohesive whole so should be heard in a single sitting. It is a concept album concerning gambling and particularly the fate of gamblers. It was more melodic than their usual fare which may be why I like it so much.

Favourite track: The hit single “Games People Play”

Feel The Heat by The Radiators

Latter pressings include two tracks from the You Have The Right To Remain Silent EP

Sydney rock band, The Radiators, are one of my favourite live acts having seen them 11 times in total. They started very well with a very successful debut album and appeared on ABC TV’s Countdown. There were several hits on the album and at one time were considered one of Sydney’s hardest working bands consistently playing over 300 shows a year.

Favourite track: “Nancy Can’t Dance”

Favourite Five Of 1979

With these five I have now listed my top five albums for each year of the 1970s. Just wait and see what the 80s brings!

London Calling by The Clash

A career-defining album from the Clash demonstrating their departure from punk

This double album from the Clash features a diverse array of styles including punk, hard rock, reggae, pop, ska and rockabilly. The album has sold over five million copies worldwide and was met with widespread critical acclaim. It has retrospectively been named one of the greatest albums of all time and was even commemorated with a UK postage stamp issued by the Royal Mail.

Favourite track: “Lost In The Supermarket”

Highway To Hell by AC/DC

The glorious Highway To Hell with its original Australian issue flames artwork

Bon Scott’s final album with the band was always going to go down as a classic irrespective of his sad demise. The album for me remains their finest work and every track is exceptional. Not a weak moment on it and some of Bon’s best lyrics too.

Favourite track: “Love Hungry Man” with its funky bass line unlike anything else they have recorded either before or since

Black Rose: A Rock Legend by Thin Lizzy

Black Rose: A Rock Legend, my favourite Thin Lizzy album

After Brian Robertson’s departure Phil Lynott’s old mate Gary Moore was most definitely a fitting replacement to partner Scott Gorham. The twin guitar attack continued and four singles were released from the album. Peaking at #2 in the UK charts and it ended up being their most commercially successful album.

Favourite track: “Róisín Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend” incorporating several traditional tunes along side original compositions

Dynasty by KISS

Dynasty was the most successful album in Australia for KISS

This album could have easily been dubbed “KISS does disco” but I find it quite enjoyable all the same. Each member of the band brought tracks to the sessions and the only Peter Criss contribution used is also the only track he played on for the album. It remains the weakest track on the album too, in my opinion.

Favourite track: “Sure Know Something”

The Specials by The Specials

The Elvis Costello produced debut self-titled album from the Specials

The album features a mixture of original material and several covers of classic Jamaican ska tracks. Interestingly, Trombonist Rico Rodriguez, who performed on many ’50s and ’60s Jamaican recordings before moving to London in 1962, played on the band’s version of “A Message To You, Rudy”, as he had on the original recording 15 years previously.

Favourite track: “A Message To You, Rudy”

Favourite Five Of 1978

Van Halen by Van Halen

The incredible self-titled debut album from Van Halen

Some bands take a while to find their feet in the studio, whilst others arrive fully formed with a bunch of road-tested material and ready to rock. This album is a fantastic first attempt and it would be another six years before they got near it again in terms of song quality. Worth the price of admission just for their cover of “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks, the fact you get another ten great tracks is a bonus!

Favourite track: The blistering instrumental “Eruption” that announced the arrival of Eddie Van Halen to the world.

Rose Tattoo by Rose Tattoo

Rose Tattoo’s debut album was released on the Alberts label, home to AC/DC and the Angels

Hard-rocking Aussie band Rose Tattoo made a name for themselves in Sydney and members of AC/DC recommended them to their label who quickly signed them. Their debut contains some of their most well-known tracks, several of which would remain in their live repertoire for decades. A brilliant way to start and it is unsurprising that Guns ‘N’ Roses consider them an influence. Sadly, they were not able to maintain this consistent quality throughout the rest of their career.

Favourite track: The amusing track containing their band name in the lyrics, “Stuck On You”

Darkness On The Edge Of Town by Bruce Springsteen

Springsteen’s first full album with the classic E Street band line-up

This will always be my favourite Springsteen album. I love everything about it from the unassuming cover art, the awesome musicianship of the E Street band, to the amazing songs that make up the album’s track list. This album is also beautifully produced and recorded and still sounds great today. If you love this album half as much as I do, I recommend immersing yourself in the 3CD/3DVD box set of The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story.

Favourite track: This was a really difficult choice as I love every track on it but had to go with the brooding title track “Darkness On The Edge Of Town”

Some Girls by The Rolling Stones

Some Girls was the first album to feature Ronnie Wood as a fulltime band member

Some Girls was a critical and commercial success for the Stones, reaching #2 in the UK charts as well as topping the charts in the US. It would go on to become their biggest selling album in the US, selling over six million copies and including several successful singles. Some reviewers at the time consider the album their best since Exile On Main Street and I am inclined to agree.

Favourite track: The hilarious tongue-in-cheek country-influenced “Far Away Eyes”

Face To Face by The Angels

The sophomore effort from the Angels, Face To Face

Unlike Rose Tattoo and Van Halen above, it was the second album from the Angels where they really found their feet. Musically, there was tremendous growth since their first album having stumbled upon their signature sound. The album is a cohesive whole because of this sound. They are one of Australia’s unluckiest bands never quite obtaining the international success they should have due to a variety of factors including bad luck, poor decisions and band infighting.

Favourite track: So many classic songs on this album made it another one where it was difficult to choose just one. In the end I went with “I Ain’t The One”

Favourite Five Of 1977

There were many fantastic albums released in 1977. Punk made a name for itself, but there were also some big selling pop rock albums released as well. Here are my top five released that year.

Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols by The Sex Pistols

The one and only studio album released by the Sex Pistols

It is hard to believe even now, that the most infamous punk band of all time only released one studio album before everything fell apart. But what a great album it was. Tellingly, Glenn Matlock was a cowriter on 9 of the 11 tracks before he left the band and was ultimately replaced by the dubiously talented Sid Vicious.

Favourite track: I found it too hard to go past the wonderfully audacious Silver Jubilee reaction “Anarchy In The U.K.”

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac

Rumours became Fleetwood Mac’s first album to top both the UK & US charts

Following on from the commercial success of their 1975 self-titled album, their first to feature Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, this is the album that really launched Fleetwood Mac into the multi-million selling behemoths that they became. Written and recorded during a tumultuous period with the various relationship breakups and substance abuse issues plaguing the band it certainly didn’t dampen their creativity.

Favourite track: My initial reaction was to say all of them but I have gone with “Dreams”

Lust For Life by Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop’s second solo studio album, Lust For Life

Released only six months after his debut solo album, Lust For Life was Iggy Pop’s second album to be produced by David Bowie in 1977. Both of Pop’s Bowie-produced albums are great but I find this one I tend to listen to more often than the first. Both feature songs that Bowie would cover later in his career as well as musicians that he would end up working with.

Favourite track: “The Passenger”

Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf

The first of several Meat Loaf albums of Jim Steinman compositions

I absolutely adore this album and I am not ashamed to admit it! Featuring Jim Steinman’s best songs, Meat Loaf’s soaring vocals and Todd Rundgren’s guitar and production skills this album remains unsurpassed in Meat Loaf’s career. This is an album everyone should hear at least once.

Favourite track: The epic title track “Bat Out Of Hell”

Animals by Pink Floyd

Animals, featuring a floating pig balloon over Battersea Power Station on the album cover

Over the years, this has become my favourite Pink Floyd album. Three epic tracks bookended by two short ones (which are really part of the same track) is a very unusual way to create a track listing. But this album contains some of their best songs and in some ways was also the beginning of the end. Roger Waters took control of the songwriting during this album and would never let go of the reigns again before leaving the band after 1982’s The Final Cut.

Favourite track: “Dogs”

Favourite Five Of 1976

Destroyer by KISS

The fourth studio album released by KISS, Destroyer

With hindsight it is obvious that combining the production talents of Bob Ezrin in his heyday with the original line-up of KISS during theirs, was always going to bear fruit. Stanley described the sessions as “musical boot camp” but believed KISS learnt a lot from the experience. This was their first platinum-selling album in the US but it would not be their last. Personally, it will always be my favourite of theirs.

Favourite track: The magnificent “Detroit Rock City”

Tales Of Mystery & Imagination Edgar Allen Poe by The Alan Parsons Project

The album’s lyrics were all based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe

The debut album from the Alan Parsons Project was really quite an audacious thing to attempt for a debut. Using the works of Edgar Allen Poe was an ingenious idea and for the most part, worked really well. Gathering together a large group of some of Britain’s very best musicians also aided proceedings, as did the engineering and production skills of Alan Parsons himself.

Favourite track: “The Raven”

Boston by Boston

Boston’s self-titled debut album was released on the 25th August 1976

MIT graduate Tom Scholz displays his production, songwriting and multi-instrumentalist skills on Boston’s first album. Skills that he would continue to utilise for the rest of their career, remaining the only member of the band to appear on all their releases. Over the years he has built and rebuilt studios, re-recorded entire albums, fought legal battles with record executives all to try and record the most perfect sounding albums. But it all began here with an album that sold over 17 million copies in the US alone.

Favourite track: The majestic and unforgettable “More Than A Feeling”

Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy

Jailbreak was Thin Lizzy’s sixth studio album and third on the Vertigo label

This is the album that really made Thin Lizzy. The twin guitar attack of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson finally gelled and the songs were great too. It also included some classic singles that earned chart success for the band. Which is all just as well as Vertigo considered this their final chance for a commercial breakthrough or they would have released the band from their contract.

Favourite track: “Emerald”

Hotel California by Eagles

Hotel California was the fifth album released by Eagles and the first to feature Joe Walsh

This for me will always be the finest work by Eagles. Featuring several hit songs and no filler, this album is great from start to finish. The addition of Joe Walsh to the line-up (replacing Bernie Leadon) was an inspired choice. The album was a critical and commercial success and was nominated for five Grammys.

Favourite track: “The Last Resort”

Favourite Five Of 1975

T.N.T. by AC/DC

AC/DC’s second Australian studio album was released less than 10 months after their debut

T.N.T. was a significant improvement on High Voltage and it laid down the blueprint for all future AC/DC albums. The album features their own compositions along side one Chuck Berry cover. You could be forgiven for thinking they wrote them all as in their hands even “School Days” sounds like one of their own. Classic stuff.

Favourite track: “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

The album’s themes include music business criticism, alienation and missing Syd Barrett

Wish You Were Here had big shoes to fill following up The Dark Side Of The Moon. Although not received well universally by critics at the time it has since stood up well. This was my favourite Pink Floyd album for many years, but I think I now prefer Animals.

Favourite track: All nine parts (although split in two on the album) of the composition created as a tribute to founding member Syd Barrett, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”

Welcome To My Nightmare by Alice Cooper

The debut solo album by Alice Cooper after the breakup of his band of the same name

A concept album based around a series of nightmares of a child named Steven, a character that would return in some of Cooper’s later work. This album features a talented group of musicians that were the core of Lou Reed’s band and their experience really adds to the album’s overall sound. Much is owed to the production work of Bob Ezrin, who had produced four albums with the original Alice Cooper band before this. He would go on to produce another six albums with Alice after this one. For me this is Cooper’s finest work and a pinnacle he has not come near since.

Favourite track: “Steven”

Dressed To Kill by KISS

The third studio album released by KISS in only 13 months

Due to the Casablanca label being in dire financial straits at the time, Dressed To Kill was produced by label owner Neil Bogart and the band themselves as they could not afford a producer. It may not be their best-sounding album accordingly, but the songwriting was still going strong. The studio version of “Rock And Roll All Nite” was released as a single from the album but it did not do well, only rising to #69 on the charts. The live version from Alive! released 6 months later was the one that made it to #12 and helped it to become the band’s signature song.

Favourite track: “Rock Bottom”

Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen

Born To Run was recorded with what would be the definitive line-up of the E Street Band

Springsteen was given an enormous recording budget and took 14 months to finish the album. Six months were spent on the title track alone! The album features some of his best known pre-Born In The USA songs. Described by some critics at the time as “magnificent”, who am I to disagree with that assessment?

Favourite track: “Thunder Road”

Favourite Five Of 1974

Apostrophe (‘) by Frank Zappa

Apostrophe (‘) was Zappa’s eighteenth album, released 22 March 1974

Eighteen albums into his career and Frank Zappa finally releases an album that contains his first hit single. The album became the most successful of his career reaching the top 10 on the US albums chart.

Favourite track: Zappa’s first Billboard Hot 100 single, “Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow”, an edit of several of the album’s tracks. It peaked at #86 in November 1974.

461 Ocean Boulevard by Eric Clapton

Clapton’s second solo studio album was released in July 1974

After a three year hiatus due to his heroin addiction, Clapton returned with his second solo studio album. Inspired by listening to old blues records and reggae he came up with an eclectic mix of material. His cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff” out-performed the original, made the top 10 in nine countries and was his only chart-topping hit in the US.

Favourite track: His cover of Blind Willie Johnson’s “Motherless Children”

Living In The 70’s by Skyhooks

The brilliant debut album by Skyhooks which topped the Australian charts for 16 weeks

I think Australia was both ready for and simultaneously not ready for, a band like Skyhooks. They were like nothing that had come before in Australia. The unique songwriting talents of Greg Macainsh were about to make them household names with singles like the title track and their number one smash “Horror Movie”.

Favourite track: Maybe it is my twisted sense of humour, but I prefer the Red Symons composition “Smut”.

Bridge Of Sighs by Robin Trower

Bridge of Sighs is the second solo album by English guitarist Robin Trower

Produced by his former Procol Harum bandmate, Bridge Of Sighs was a top ten album in the US and charted for 31 weeks. His guitar work is exemplary and the album works well as a power trio workout similar to Cream. This is an album I only discovered 4 or 5 years ago thanks to a guitarist friend on social media.

Favourite track: The funky epic “Too Rolling Stoned”

The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis

The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway was a double album released 29 November 1974

In what was to be his swan song with the band, this is the last Genesis album to feature Peter Gabriel as lead vocalist. The album is based on a story devised by Gabriel about Rael, a Puerto Rican youth from New York City who is suddenly taken on a very strange trip indeed. Much of the music was developed by jamming and improvising however Gabriel insisted on writing all the lyrics. He left the band after touring this album to launch his solo career.

Favourite track: “The Carpet Crawlers”

Favourite Five of 2021

After the longest hiatus yet from this blog, I have decided to post something music-related once more. To that end, here are my five favourite albums of 2021 (in no particular order as always). I am considering posting my favourite five from previous years as well, but let’s wait and see.

Hardware by Billy F Gibbons

Hardware, the latest solo album from ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons.

Billy’s solo career continues with an album recorded in the desert with Matt Sorum and Austin Hanks. I don’t think Billy is likely to win new fans with this one, but ZZ Top fans are sure to be satisfied. At times sounding like his old band yet somehow uniquely his own too.

Favourite track: “Desert High”

Layla Revisited by Tedeschi Trucks Band

Tedeschi Trucks Band record their own version of the Derek & The Dominos classic

The Tedeschi Trucks Band is one of my favourite bands of the last decade or so. Featuring the sublime vocals of Susan Tedeschi and the excellent slide playing of her husband Derek Trucks, I was very excited when I heard this one was coming. It didn’t disappoint and is a magnificent rendering of what is perhaps my favourite album of all time.

Favourite track: “Keep On Growing”

Medicine At Midnight by Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters 2021 release, Medicine At Midnight

I have always had mixed feelings about Foo Fighters. On the one hand, they have always been capable of some fantastically catchy songs, yet some of their albums disappoint. Luckily this isn’t one of them, as it is the literal all killer, no filler type of album. Maybe that’s a result of keeping it short and sweet. Their best since Wasting Light in my humble opinion.

Favourite track: “Waiting On A War”

Senjutsu by Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden’s epic album, Senjutsu

Iron Maiden’s 21st century output continues to impress as they delve into even more progressive and epic tracks. I thought that Book Of Souls was both epic and incredible and I was pleasantly surprised to find I like this one even more. The final three tracks, each over ten minutes in length, truly define going out with a bang! What a way to finish an album.

Favourite track: “Hell On Earth”

The Dharma Wheel by Howlin Rain

The Dharma Wheel is the 6th studio album released by California’s Howlin Rain

When at their best, Howlin Rain would be one of my favourite bands this century. But not everything they release reaches such a peak. This for me is their best since 2012’s The Russian Wilds, which was brilliant. Ethan Miller and co have at least reached the same dizzying heights here and this album still remains on high rotation for me. I don’t foresee a time where I will get sick of this album.

Favourite track: Hard to go past the epic title track, “Dharma Wheel”