Time To Rank The Best of 2014

It's hard to believe, but 2014 is nearly over. Soon we'll be popping champagne and ringing in 2015. This means we need to rank the best albums of 2014. Before I just drop a blanket list, I'd like to know your picks for the best of the best. And the music doesn't have to be all Glam either. I like all types of music and if an album is extraordinary, we should be talking about it for sure. So, what did you like best in 2014? I can't wait to read your picks!

Comments

[Metalboy!]

True, true, BK. That is, unless they're good, hahaha!!! I kid, I kid... But who do you recommend from the current genre of Metal?

[The Cheap Seats]

I was just hoping I wouldn't get killed for my list, surprised by the positive words.

Truth be told, I haven't even listened to a lot of what is on other people's lists, therefore, no way I could include them. I'm going to have some down time during the holidays, so I'll be checking a lot it out.

And how did I know that MB's only problem with my list would be the AOR kings. ;)

[Metalboy!]

Hahaha!!! I think that's an accurate description of them, Cheap Seats! They are definitely at the top of AOR Mountain! If you really think about it, it's almost as though they invented the mold with many others who followed them merely cast in it, stamped out in assembly line like fashion by The Record Machine.

I do think Journey runs a close second but they are inauthentic since they're missing their true guiding light. What's really scary is Night Ranger's secret weapon, Brad Gillis, a man who could fill Randy Rhoads' shoes, and wore them with reverence, class and grace, yet is always content to play in almost virtual anonymity, overshadowed by the cheesy chrome lettered NR logo above him on the stage.

[Christian]

Slash
Slipknot
Machine Head
In This Moment
In Flames
Steel Panther

No, AC/DC and Judas Priest do not make my list. Nor does Kix, sadly.

[Rockingmark]

#1 Winger - Better Days
#2 H.E.A.T - Tearing down the walls
#3 Steel Panther - All you can Eat
#4 Crazy Lixx - S/T
#5 Sister Sin - Black Lotus

Bring on the new Hardcore Superstar in 2015! They always deliver sleaze greatness.

Full U.S tour soon to be announced, L.A show next month will solidify their Sleaze Kings status!

[fletch]

Much like the cheap seats, I haven't listened to stuff on other people's lists. these are some of the CD's I picked up this past year and really enjoy. The first few are new releases. the last selections have been out for years, but due to info on this site and others, I am experiencing/enjoying them for the first time:

New releases:
Slash
Kix
Steel Panther
AC/DC
Judas Priest (A buddy burned the CD for me and upon giving it to me, he said, "You got to listen to this, I think of you". I totally piqued my interest. I took JP off my bucket list this year and took my 12yo son to see them at the new PPL center in Allentown, PA. After the concert (and trust me by now he has seen a lot) he said JP was his favorite concert, to date. Up until then, his favorite show was Alice Cooper, followed by KISS. Last Christmas/Birthday (yes, his birthday is December 25th, hence he was named "nick" by his biological mom. He's adopted.

Anyway, I got him a guitar for xmas and a year of guitar lessons for his birthday. To date, he has the basics for these songs and can carry 'em pretty well: She, god of thunder, rock n roll all night (kiss), gypsy road (Cinderella), enter sandman (metalicca), bad to the bone (thorogood), Free fallin (Petty), roadhouse blues (doors) daytripper (beatles) doctor feelgood (motley), and mama kin (aerosmith).

Jeff Labar- no strings. Very dark and sometimes, anguishing. Definitely not glam influenced, but not songs to conjure his fury and spew hatred. Instead, I actually heard it as a man who experienced a lot of turbulent times in his life (as we all have) and he reached into those troubled feelings to share with us. I posted on his wall thanking him for outputting an affecting collection and that, truth be told, help me on a couple of depressing days. He ain't singing love ballads.

Older music I bought this year and enjoy immensely:
Jetboy
Heaven's Edge
Station
Wikked
Halford
U2 (um, not. this one was kinds forced upon my ITunes).

Taking nick to see 'get the let out' and 'let it be' tributes in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully, he'll enjoy those shows and I'll be hearing him play Kashmir, stairway, Livin lovin maid soon along with some new beatles tunes.

Have a rock-n-roll Christmas.

[Metalboy!]

Ah, and what about Accept, Christian?, you lovable contrarian, you!

[fletch]

Christian: The magazine "The Contrarian Media" describes itself as "The Toast of Delinquent Intellectuals Everywhere". But, it certainly has its critics, too. As far as acting a certain way, I once quipped (I believe on this blog), that "if david lee roth can act that way on stage, I will modify it and act it in everyday life, as needed." But even before this "epiphany" of sorts, I read in (I believe in Rolling Stone, actually come to think of it, in an Abnormal Psychology text in the Chapter for Psychotic and Mood Disorders), that it is "socially acceptable" for Madonna to strip naked, put a cigarette in her mouth, style on a wig and hitch-hike down a busy highway in spiked heels, but if you or I attempted the same feat, we would probably be taken into custody on a psychiatric hold, be diagnosed with a psychotic or mood disorder and be prescribed psychotropic medication.

I am certainly not comparing myself to roth or Madonna, but I do try to teach my children to be independent critical thinkers and just because something "has always been done this way", doesn't mean it has to continue. Case in point: the war on drugs (marijuana specifically) ( And, NO, I don't teach them that smoking pot is OK and good.) And, moreover, this is not to say that I don't follow conventional wisdom I do so WAY more that not. And, although I am not a "real" rock star, like those mentioned above, I do know many people afflicted with very progressive and very painful emotional health problems and those with little, inconsequential mental health issues, but I have seen some mismanagement of cases throughout the spectrum. Not finger pointing, just explaining. And, the times when I've been very vocal about a person's treatment, and my opinion was (finally) taken into consideration, there has been some positive and successful benefits. They are living proof!

In the end, if my children (biological, adopted, foster, mentees, etc) grow to believe in god. This is fine. If she or he grows to believe that alternative lifestyles and/or choices is their right path [for me] even better. You take your road. I'll take mine. But first and foremost learn to live and be happy. Live a comfortable life. Do right by others. And, above all, cause no harm to yourself or others. The last is probably the hardest to establish, because many of those with whom I have connected have seem much dread, fear, turmoil, uprooting, severe pain and much hurt very early on in life, for long periods of time. But I try to help break their individual-specific cycle and little by little try to gain their trust.

If you fail, you're only human, but keep trying, and...keep proving on.

[Metalboy!]

Ah, and what about Accept, Christian?, you lovable contrarian, you!

[Dj]

Oh my god, how could I forget....
Ronnie James Dio-This Is Your Life Tribute. Damn how could I forget about that album? I bought it when it came out and I was skeptical, because I usually do not like tribute albums. Proved me wrong, I've listened to that record all year long and it is definitely on my list. Scorpions, Halestorm, and Tenacious D have the best covers. The only one I didn't like was Metallica's medley of Rainbow songs. That bummed me out because I love the old rainbow stuff. Halford the MetL God sings Man In The Silver Mountain and it is kick ass!!! I recommend you check it out if you haven't.
Speaking of Metallica and medleys, they did do The King and Mercyful Fate justice with their medley on Garage Inc.
happy holidays all!!!

[JV]

Some of my favorites of 2014.

AC/DC "Rock Or Bust"
Anti-Mortem "New Southern"
Babylon A.D. "Lost Sessions / Fresno Ca 93"
Buckcherry "F#ck"
Crazy Lixx "Crazy Lixx"
Danger "Danger"
KIX "Rock Your Face Off"
Laney's Legion "Laney's Legion"
Red Dragon Cartel "Red Dragon Cartel"
Rockstars on Mars "Ep"
Steel Panther "All You Can Eat"
Texas Hippie Coalition "Ride On"

[JV]

Forgot one.

The Last Vegas "Sweet Salvation"

[bkallday]

Good call on that Anti-Mortem! I forgot completely about that one, as well.

[fletch]

hey chritian: "don't worry about metalboy! and all of her dumb thoughts, no one listens to her or treats her seriously".

- authors are known!

sound familiar to those of you who cast aspersions?

[Metalboy!]

Cool stuff, JT! Can't believe I forgot Texas Hippie Coalition! Thanks!