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 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 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”