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 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”