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”
The Slabthrower 