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 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”