Top 10 of 2012 - The Editor's Take

Today, we continue our posts regarding the albums we personally think are the best of 2012.

10. Rival Sons - Head Down. What classic rock should be... by a modern band!

 09. Charm City Devils – Sins. Straight up Glam from Baltimore. Charm City Devils deserve fame. "Man of Constant Sorrow" is a stand out.

08. Attack Attack – This Means War. The new one from the Columbus, Ohio metalcore band. Not as good as the band's self-titled album, but still darn good and way heavier.  

07. Van Halen – A Different Kind of Truth. Classic arena rock. No album could have lived up to the hype or expectation, but A Different Kind of Truth filled a void in our current commercial music landscape. It's not 1984 anymore, and that's okay. Van Halen has evolved and we can too.

06. The Darkness – Hot Cakes. Poppy Glam. High notes. Tons of energy. Hilarious videos. What's not to love? "Nothin's Gonna Stop Us" is a stand out track.  

05. Scorpions – Comeblack.Re-recordings of classics and covers, too. For Scorps fans, this is a great album. Plus it marked a turning point: with this release the band let their fans know that full retirement wasn't really happening after all.

04. Europe - Bag of Bones. Don't ever doubt the vocal prowess of Joey Tempest.

03. Kix – Live in Baltimore. A strong live album by one of my favorite bands. Plus, Live in Baltimore puts Kix back on the map... and back in the studio. Rarely does a live album capture the true energy of a given concert... but this album does that in droves.

02. Aerosmith – Music From Another Dimension. New music from my favorite band. This album doesn't get the top spot because of the sappy ballads. The rockers rock, though, and that's all we need from our bad boys from Boston.

01. I See Stars – Digital Renegade. My most-listened to, favorite album of the year bar none. This album would actually go into my "desert island" collection as well. I See Stars happens to be my favorite metalcore band, largely because of Digital Renegade. The songs are epic. The videos are epic. The guest stars (Cassadee Pope and Danny Worsnop) are epic. I can't say enough good things about this album. No, it's not Glam, but there are melodic breakdowns. Plus, I don't listen to Glam 24/7. If I did, I'd go crazy. Stand out tracks: "Electric Forest," "Filth Friends Unite" and "Endless Sky."

Honorable mention: Adler: Back from the Dead. This album is incredible, but it hasn't been out very long hence it's place below the top 10. I highly suggest you buy this one - you'll love it.

Comments

[fletch]

private message to ace (not really): go home, the earth is full

[fletch]

when we first met 5yo Nicholas (2008) to potentially adopt him; he had been expelled from Norristown School District (as a Kindergartener), was in a partial-hospitalization program, languishing in foster care, had a recommendation for long-term residential treatment and diagnosed with mental retardation. After visting with him a few times, I said this is bullshit; He is not MR, he should be mainstreamed and "the system" is failing him miserably. Full of gusto, Cathy and I fought the authorities (schools, therapists, etc...).

Fast forward, 6 years later...he has been re-evaluated and does not have MR, he no longer has an IEP and his report card today in all mainstream classes gives him 3 A's, 3 B's and 3 O's for Outstanding. Most of the teachers' comments write, "Nick is a pleasure to have in class."

His biological sister, Ally, who we adopted too, is now in kindergarten and her report card reflects all "P's" for "proficient"- the highest score given for kindergarten students.

Oh, I love my kids and I also love teaching people new ways of thinking.

leave this thread gawkers and naysayers...the earth is full

[fletch]

wow. all I can say about it is WOW! tom keifer brought us "The Flower Song" and he came out with his signature 1-2 punch knock out...and he delivered! I...can...not...wait...to make love to this song. perhaps next month in Disney, cath? you ready? game?

peace/rock on readers

[fletch]

i will comment. i will comment. i will comment...

mb is wrong on this analysis.

It's great that tom is finally releasing a solo album. tom keifer "is" cinderella and i believe has always been held back and strangled by the corporate AOR "professionals" that insist on bon jovi; hence...exactly

[fletch]

and, more importantly, if you can't understand the pressure to "be"/act bon jovi...perhaps you should look for another profession

[fletch]

HIM: VERY easy question to answer...because it helps people who think that they can't or shouldn't. It elevates those who are too cautious. and mb: it also sends a fuck you message to those who believe that they are entitled...duh

[fletch]

and, if I was asked "why" in 2008, we might've saved glam in a different, more positive way, but I digress. I know whose (not who's) in charge of glam: then and now

[fletch]

mb: (friendship tone): relax. I am "not" busting your balls continuously despite your OCD, pavlov dog's conditioned response to believe otherwise. If I "really" hated you, I would be really hateful and unapologetic. As you notice, there are many commentors on this site and MANY more readers, and instead of addressing them individually as you often do ( and I sometimes do), I tend to address the more relevant comments (which yours are)- moreso for "their" sake; not yours. so again, just relax, raise your red solo cup and put it in your pipe. peace

[fletch]

I'm just hoping that this time, we can re-arrange the [many]stars. it can't be that hard.

-through our rain, cinderella/still climbing

[fletch]

and one of my last thoughts on the current subject: ebrace it. don't be critical or skeptical. you helped teach me. I'm simply sharing it...albeit in a very odd way

but that's just...well, me

[fletch]

him: there are very specific reasons and approvals that went into naming our daughters' middle names: rose and faith. and trust me, it's not because I hen peck. it's because I embrace the philosophy when it'd done for the right reasons.

P.S. I suggested the names. She approved them. both sentences are for the right reasons

[fletch]

him: I explained bongiovi's reason. now allow me to explain my reasons as to why I do what I do: [I'm quoting tom keifer]: you only go once around this ride...

Now I will quote me: ...and I want to be remembered fondly

[fletch]

oh...and for some really dumb, stupid reason...I need to explain that in my therapy session last night, my therapist asked me how I believe my kids will perceive me in 20/30/40 years from now...

thanks mommie dearest that I had to log back on

[fletch]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/01/28/tom-keifer-cinderella-solo-flower-song/1870167/

[fletch]

howard asked, so I'll respond. yes, give it up. here's why:

ronnie: hate
benji: hate
benji's schticht: hate even more
sal: hate
Depace: hate
gary: used to like
robin: I wish her all of our collective best and I'm pulling for her
fred: can't stand anymore
you: crotchedly old complainer; but still conducts great interviews: jason bateman's was fabulous. tommy matollas' sucked. but, still

Your advice would be to cancel my subscription, but the only reason (for now) that I keep it is for the jackie and artie years during the alternative live broadcast.

that, howard, was when you were funny

hey florentine and/or trunk: what's "your" take. post here if you want to bring it.

[fletch]

here is simply one philosophical difference between mb and some of her friends and contemporaries; in that I admire and respect (and wish I thought of, to be totally honest):

mb: "We live in a cilvilized society and therefore, we not only expect, but demand that you act civilized."

other Tx: "You are in a compliant society and I not only expect, but demand that you comply with me." (I paraphrased the latter, but hardly.)

whereas- fletch to (some of) his very out-of-control, fledgling and aspiring ASPD former foster kids: YOU(?) think you're civilized and/or compliant? YOU(!) think 'you' has what it takes to keep up with me? I'm here to help you and maybe in 20-30 years, you might (finally) "get it".

[fletch]

(and a final note to those): who didn't believe me or support me when I needed you: fuck you. and moreover to those who didn't believe in me:

I see you year after year at musikfest; giggling all the way to your bank. again, fuck you. yes, I'm dictating to you.

before you flash one more mean, holi4er-than-thou look at me, remember, I (we) could nail your ass. we just don't!

see, mb, I TOLD you that metalica was very easy to do

[fletch]

oh, snd kraus, simply can't. it's not thst s/he has restraint. she simply cant.

[fletch]

oh, and mb: we're not on the same page either. just because I respect you, doesn't mean I'm not angry with you. as love/hate sings: we can be brothers and wear our different colors.



















too

[fletch]

because, I refuse to bring back glam. I'm here to (try to) bring it forward