What's your favorite album this year?

[G.I.Jim]

I have a toss-up. I REALLY like the new Jamison album. It has some great writing in it, and it's the best I've heard Jamison sing in a while. His voice definitely has some wear and tear, but he still sounds great on the album. I also LOVE Wetton's Battle Lines. It released in the early 90's, but I'd never heard of it untilo this year. I absolutely LOVE most of that album. Anyways, those are my two favorites this year. How about you?

[Archetype]

[conversationpc]

Can that pick be shrunken a bit?

[brandonx76]

Since we're talking Melodicrock, The Rick Springfield album is pretty strong, at least half the songs are some of my favorites - as an album / complete work and vibe, I would say Work of Art's In Progress

[Liam]

In Progress was from '11, dude.

Now for me...
1.RUSH - Cloclwork Angels
2.Jeff Scott Soto - Damage Control
3.Halestorm - Strange Case Of...
4.Eclipse - Bleed & Scream
5.VH - Different Kind Of Truth (was thinking '11 for this one)

[No Surprize]

With out a doubt A different kind of truth. Rick Springfields new one is great also.

[Journey/Survivor]

Neal Schon's "The Calling."
Jimi Jamison's "Never Too Late."

[Everett]

Can that pick be shrunken a bit?

I second that. Yikes.

[Andrew]

Can that pick be shrunken a bit?

I think it needs to be bigger

[Andrew]

In Progress was from '11, dude.

Now for me...
1.RUSH - Cloclwork Angels
2.Jeff Scott Soto - Damage Control
3.Halestorm - Strange Case Of...
4.Eclipse - Bleed & Scream
5.VH - Different Kind Of Truth (was thinking '11 for this one)

Good pics... Plus

RS
Jimi Jamison
Shinedown

Lots more.

[Memorex]

This has been one of the best years in music for me in a long time. So many albums I like. Most years lately there are one or two, maybe. This year, I've been excited about 10 or so releases. Add in a couple from last year and it's banner!

I'm going to say Rick Springfield's album is my straight up favorite. I relate to his stuff on every album. The new CD is just insanely solid.

I'm liking the new Melissa Etheridge - it's different. Moody. Warm. Though I've only had Mick Huknall's cd for a couple days, I'm feeling that same "warmth" in it.

The Script CD is also really good. And several more.

[majik]

Halestorm - strange case of...
Richard Page - Songs from the sketchbook
And
Steve Lukather - All's well that ends well , still played regularly since last year

[AR]

Halestorm's was my favorite. I like Liam's list a lot.

I would add "Asia XXX" to the list off the top of my head. Rick Springfield's is excellent on some early spins as well.

[RyanHippFTW]

A Different Kind Of Truth

[Rick]

A Different Kind Of Truth

+1 This was such a refreshing album for me. DLR just makes Van Halen what they are, and they're not the same without him. They're a much more fun band when he's writing and singing the songs.

[jestor92]

I haven't heard too many new albums this year, but I have heard I enjoyed the new VH album the most. Eclipse's new album is damn solid as well. Not really a fan of the new Rush, KISS, JSS, or Journey albums though.

[steveo777]

http://www.theskyofficial.com/videos.php

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPRuZdGqfzA

[TageRyche]

Accept - Stalingrad

[G.I.Jim]

Just to clarify... I didn't mean albums that were released this year. Just curious what your favorite albums that you're listening to this year. I would also like to add Eclipse to mine as well. It's not my favorite, but it was spun several times. Oh, and I'm also still listening to VH's A Different Kind Of Truth. I always skip 5 or 6 songs, but the rest of the songs on there kick ass!

[Liam]

In that case....Rush - Counterparts and Power Windows have been played a lot too.

[G.I.Jim]

http://www.theskyofficial.com/videos.php

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPRuZdGqfzA

Do much acid in the 60's Steve?

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

heres a list of the new albums I have bought this year

Halestorm- strange case of
Tyketto Dig in Deep
Gotthard Firebirth
Eclipse Bleed and Scream
Springfield - songs for the end of the world
Hardline - Danger zone
Europe - Bag of bones
Rush - Clockwork Angels
Jimi Jamison Never too late
JSS- Damage control

Cant say which one of those albums was the best, as they all have some great songs on them. If I absolutely had to pick one it would probably be the Halestorm album,

[RyanHippFTW]

Just to clarify... I didn't mean albums that were released this year. Just curious what your favorite albums that you're listening to this year.

The album I listened to for the first time this year and made the biggest impact/my favorite/whatever is Crossroads Moment. ADKOT is a very close second.

other first listens in 2012 that were the greatest things:
Unruly Child debut
everything by Pride Of Lions
Def Leppard's Slang, Euphoria, and X
Journey's Revelation and Eclipse
Night Ranger's Somewhere In California
almost all of JJ's solo stuff
W.E.T. debut
the Bad English albums
Mecca debut
the pre-JJ Survivor albums
Bon Jovi's These Days
Stan Bush debut

[maverick218]

Asia XXX
Joe Bonamassa "Driving Towards the Daylight"
Rush "Clockwork Angels"
Really digging anything by Thunder right now

[kgdjpubs]

new stuff this year.....in relatively brief review

Cold Chisel - No Plans....very solid, although I think some of the songs (although good) should not have been on a Chisel album. I don't think it
adds to the legacy, but doesn't hurt it either. Charlie Drayton does an admirable job filling in for Steve Prestwich. How tragic to wait
years before recording again because you figure you have all the time in the world, just to lose a band member right after you start recording.
Dead and Laid to Rest.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KmuKv_oTMk
All For You... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYl49c3NpnE


Magnum - On the 13th Day...through sheer effort, Magnum has at least somewhat succeeded in breaking free from the
"nostalgia band" label. Very strong album that is probably the best mix yet of classic Magnum and post-reformation
Magnum, without simply being a rehash of the old stuff. The magic is still there, and this is probably the best since Sleepwalking.
See How They Fall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYYyjxaaRQg
So Let it Rain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztjLcPIgi9M


Richie Sambora - Aftermath of the Lowdown
There's a good album in here, but that necessitates killing a few songs, adding Backseat Driver and shuffling the
running order around a bit. There's some good stuff, but who in their right mind thought that adding effects over the
vocals on practically every rock song was a good idea? Still, when it's good, it's very good and better than most
of the main band's material in recent years.
Every Road Leads Home to You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0WVdnQd4bQ
I'll Always Walk Beside You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO7z4bDqVFU


Matchbox Twenty - North
There's a good album in here also....too bad they released most of somewhere else. Once you stop trying to
find the rock album (it just isn't there) and accept it as pop, there's some good stuff. It seems, however, that most
of the good songs were relegated to bonus tracks. Once you do all the swapping out and such, it's much better.
Not great, but good and miles above the normal version.
She's So Mean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8WLa6umgdw
Radio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m50US4ItYMo


Tyketto - Dig in Deep
OK, so "Don't Come Easy, Part 2" it isn't. Closer to the Danny Vaughn solo efforts than anything else, not that
this is necessarily a bad thing--just a bit unexpected. Faithless is a monster. The rest ranges from very average
to very good. Needs a few more songs, and a couple dropped to be really good. As is, it's ok.
Faithless http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_18f4Blfvgk
Battle Lines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKHcRoAz3aU


Gotthard - Firebirth
Probably the most painful review. Nic Maeder is fine as a singer although he isn't Steve Lee (who is?!?!),
but the songs are the issue. Music is fine. Verses are fine. The choruses just aren't there....and what there is
isn't much. If they can figure out how to write some choruses, the next album might be a winner, but this is a
tremendous letdown from the most consistent band out there. Maybe next time guys...
Starlight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nHddWz_X3s


Jimi Jamison - Never Too Late
Jamison sounds great, but the album just leaves me cold. It’s a fairly instant album, and upon first listen,
I thought it might turn out to be a strong candidate for album of the year. Without the lyrical strength to return to,
I feel it fading fast minus a couple of truly standout songs where the melodies are so strong that they outweigh
the lyrical content. The lyrics aren’t strong enough to carry the songs, and the songs aren’t strong enough to
compensate for the lyrics. I don’t hate it, but on the whole, I’m not really moved one way or the other by it.
Thus is the problem and it’s frustrating being a longtime Jamison and Survivor fan, especially when the first
listen elicited such a positive reaction. Instead of getting better, the cd simply planed off. There are some
great choruses here, but I just need more.
Never Too Late http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_ReU37cFpU


Ten - Heresy and Creed
Solid, if not spectacular.....once you get by one of the worst track orders I've seen in a while. Andrew's version
is much, MUCH better. As far as the songs go, nothing to change the opinion one way or the other for the band.
If you liked Ten before, you probably will now. If you hated (or at least couldn't be bothered), I doubt anything
here will change that. Just wish Another Rainy Day didn't ape the chorus from Lady Antebellum's I Need You Now.
It's a good song, but the lawyers could have a field day. Still trying to figure out how Gary Hughes went to
looking like Phil Collins.
Arabian Nights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGH7shb2vvk
Another Rainy Day (best version I could find) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JdsjIcrUo8


Dare - Calm Before the Storm 2
OK, so this is a new album that isn't a new album. Re-recorded with a couple of songs added, a song dropped,
and a bunch of changes within the songs. The original was good, I think this is a bit better. Shorter songs, and
just tighter all around. Don't want to see this become a habit, but it takes a good album into the very good
category. At the risk of going against the grain, I think the original album cover was far more classy.
Walk on the Water http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQHZKpMnOXs
Cold Wind Will Blow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDjlaFqX730



and the shorter ones...

Eclipse - Bleed and Scream
Pretty cool. The title track is killer.

Shinedown - Amaryllis
I don't like all of it, but when it's good, it's REALLY good. Special award must go to the incredible inventive video for Enemies.
Unity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmHpe5T0-0I

Jeremey Frederick - Every Little Thing
Not half bad....actually really good. A couple of cool songs, and This is Your Life is probably one of the
better ballads I've heard in a while. Every Little Thing might be the best on offer.

Halestorm - The Strange Case Of....
Not exactly my cup of tea, but they do what they do rather well.....and the girl can sing. I'm sure there's an audience
for this though, and the attitude is set on burn all the way through (like Eclipse). Here's to Us is a strong contender for
song of the year. Perfect way of doing a sentimental song without going sappy. Still not a fan of cussing in lyrics
though....I see it as a cheap way out instead of figuring out how to say it better.
Here's to Us http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaOnipj3yc0

[No Surprize]

Matchbox Twenty - North
There's a good album in here also....too bad they released most of somewhere else. Once you stop trying to
find the rock album (it just isn't there) and accept it as pop, there's some good stuff. It seems, however, that most
of the good songs were relegated to bonus tracks. Once you do all the swapping out and such, it's much better.
Not great, but good and miles above the normal version.
She's So Mean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8WLa6umgdw
Radio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m50US4ItYMo


Like Kiss's "Monster" which I was looking forward to along with MB20's, I was utterly demoralized by these lack-luster efforts. "She's so Mean" is a great

MB20 tune and I had some hope for it, but the other songs are pure ass garbage. Oh the shame & humanity of it all!


Haelstorm's album was pretty good. I dig it but it wasn't better than ADKOT or Rick Springfields new one, not even close.

[cutter33]

JORN Bring Heavy Rock to The Land 10/10.

[Jonny B]

Halestorm - The Strange Case Of....
Not exactly my cup of tea, but they do what they do rather well.....and the girl can sing. I'm sure there's an audience
for this though, and the attitude is set on burn all the way through (like Eclipse). Here's to Us is a strong contender for
song of the year. Perfect way of doing a sentimental song without going sappy. Still not a fan of cussing in lyrics
though....I see it as a cheap way out instead of figuring out how to say it better.
Here's to Us http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaOnipj3yc0

The excessive swearing is the sole reason why Halestorm didn't get my Album of the Year. But I do agree that they're the best that the USA has to offer as far as female rock goes.

As far as all-around best album regardless of genre, I gave my AOTY to Xandria 'Neverworld's End.' It's a complete knockoff of Tarja-era Nightwish but it's an awesome knockoff, a lot heavier and more guitar-driven.

As far as melodic rock goes, my AOTY would go to Issa 'Can't Stop.' Sure, it's a covers album, but it gets the nod because the covers are obscure AOR songs (so it sounds like a fresh album anyway,) and she doesn't sing like a girly power-pop singer...that's a HUGE plus. Issa sings with an edge and sounds as good as the last Robin Beck and Fiona albums.

[Rick]

The excessive swearing is the sole reason why Halestorm didn't get my Album of the Year.

I have a big problem with that. I have a kid riding with me fairly frequently and I'm not going to play that with her in the truck.

[Liam]

Learning that Lzzy Hale would PROBABLY take a gang bang is why I love that album.