Breezy's Top 15 of 2013! #8 And #9!

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas day and were able to spend it with your friends and family.  I'm back with another couple of my faves from this past year, and like my last post two albums that don't have much in common except they both ROCK! Some straight up Rock n' Roll, and some Metal Punk (!)...is that a genre? Anyway...

#9 - Joan Jett - Unvarnished

A true rocker to her core, Joan is back with her 10th studio album, Unvarnished.  This record is full of classic hard rock, and showcases as always, her brilliant songwriting skills.  For any fan of her work, you know Joan wears her influences on her sleeve, so there are lots of nice 60's moments combined with 70's Punk and Hard Rock.  Dave Grohl and Joan wrote and perform the lead off track, Any Weather, and it is a reminder of her influence on other musicians.  An amazing track.  TMI is classic Jett, and Soulmates To Strangers (my fave) is one the best songs in her catalog.  A true return to form, from a musician who sticks to her guns, and lets the music do the talking.  If you ever liked Joan Jett, (and I still have a crush) you will not be disappointed!  A must!

# 8 - Toxic Holocaust - Chemistry Of Consciousness

...and now for something completely different.  Joel Grind and Co. come storming out of the gates again with Chemistry Of Consciousness.  A nice blend of classic Venom and Celtic Frost, with a hint of The Exploited, would be a good starting point.  Even with these influences, the album sounds unique and fresh.  Loads of heavy and fuzzy guitars riffs with cool tempo changes that really hit you on the head. Out of the Fire, Acid Fuzz, and a killer cover of L7's Wargasm keep it simple and to the point.  It's all over in about 28 minutes, and you just want to put it back on and go for the ride again.  A nice thrashy, retro record that goes well with the boys and some beer.  I delved into the past few records and they are cool as well.  A band I'll be keeping an eye on. Great!

More to come! Wishing everyone a great Holiday Season!  Now go use those gift cards and buy some great new music!  Until next time!

Breezy's Top 15 of 2013! #10 and #11!

Continuing on with this years list, here we have a couple of records that don't have much in common musically, but are both great listens and I played the crap out of them this year. Amon Amarth and Michael Monroe.

#11. Amon Amarth - Deceiver Of The Gods

Sweden's favorite Death Metal sons have returned with another slab of inspired viking legend.  This album is chock full of the furious melodic riffing and crushing vocals that Amon Amarth are know for. These guys have been on my radar, but this is the first time I really delved into their music.  I'm glad I did. This is melodic death at it's finest, with shades of classic In Flames and Arch Enemy.  Fave tracks are the title track, full of speed and melody, along with Father Of The Wolf and We Shall Destroy. Amon Amarth let the guitar attack lead the way, while vocalist Johan Hegg growls take it up a level.  After discovering this gem, I've gone back and I am discovering their back catalog.  If you like your Metal catchy and heavy, check it out.

#10. Michael Monroe - Horns and Halos

The brilliant follow up to last years Sensory Overdrive, proves it was no fluke.  Michael Monroe returns with a record chock full of punk attitude, 70's hard rock, and a bit of real Glam. Although Ginger has moved on, the main band members are all present and have put together an album of great tracks. Songs like TNT Diet and Eighteen Angels show Michael channeling his inner Iggy, and a tune like Stained Glass Heart should be all over the radio. At 51, Michael Monroe has stayed true to his roots and along with Sensory Overdrive, Horns and Halos is the best music he has done in his career.  New artists could take a tip on songwriting from this guy.  Great album, and looking forward to the next one!

There's two more in the books for my list this year.  Stay tuned for the rest over the coming weeks!

Breezy's Top 15 of 2013! #12 and #13!

Snow Day! Brutal weather is keeping me home from work today, so a perfect time to continue with my Top 15 of 2013.  The two today are both from veteran bands who continue to release solid material. Today it's Pretty Maids and Saxon.

#13. Pretty Maids - Motherland

Pretty Maids made a bit of headway in the mid to late 80's with their brilliant Future World album.  I haven't paid to much attention in the years that followed, but they are back big time with Motherland.  They still continue with the more aggressive rockers, with tons of melodies. The albums opener, Mother Of All Lies is instantly memorable, and shows the band still know how to write a GREAT song.  Pure perfection.  A tune like Sad To See You Suffer should be all over the radio, with it's powerful chorus and Ronnie Atkins soulful vocal delivery.
For fans of commercial hard rock, in the vein of Def Leppard (but better), you will do no wrong in picking this one up.  And while you're at it look into their back catalog to see what you've been missing.

#12. Saxon - Sacrifice

NWOBHM gods Saxon just keep putting out the Metal year after year. For a band this deep in their career, it is really something to be releasing music that easily stands along their classic material.  Like contemporaries Motorhead, Saxon have improved with age, and if anything gotten quite a bit heavier over the years.  Sacrifice contains some killer moments as in Warriors Of The Road, which could have been on '83's Power And The Glory, and the full on Metal of Stand Up and Fight. I've always been a big Saxon fan, and they continue to impress with each new release. Biff has never sounded better. There's a reason I still listen to the older bands...they still kick ass.  If you like classic metal, make a point of getting this one.

So there's a couple more releases from the past year that grabbed my attention. There was a ton of great music this year, and I'll be reviewing more over the next few weeks . Keep the faith!