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
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
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
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 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”
The Slabthrower 