Frank's Top 10 Albums of 2014


Whew! Where has 2014 gone already? This was a great year in music. There were lot's of great releases and a couple flops for me.These are the best of the year 2014. I'm already looking towards 2015. Rock On everyone.....

1 Kix - Rock Your Face Off - The first new album by Kix in 19 years didn't disappoint me in any way. As good as their debut album.

2 AC/DC - Rock Or Bust - This one could have made number one had it come out early in the year. Every bit as good as Back In Black.

3 Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators - World On Fire- Albums that are normally 17 songs are filled with throw away boring songs. Not this one...kick ass Rock n Roll all the way through.

4 American Dog - Neanderthal - The best band in america that nobody's heard of comes out with yet another solid kick ass album.

5 Night Ranger - High Road - Great album by the Night Ranger crew

6 Tesla - Simplicity - Anybody that say's Jeff Kieth's voice is shot is full of shit.

7 The Pretty Reckless -Going To Hell- I don't care for most new bands but this band I love. Great vocals, great song writing.

8 California Breed - California Breed - Great old school Deep Purple/ Led Zeppelin music. Lead by the fantastic Glenn Hughes.

9 Accept - Blind Rage - These German metal heads knocked Judas Priest out of my Top 10.

10 The Last Vegas - Sweet Salvation- Great old school sleazy Rock n Roll

Kix
Rock Your Face Off
Loud N Proud Records

I have to admit that I was nervous about Rock Your Face Off. I have been a huge Kix fan since 1981. This was not only their first new album in 19 years. But also their first without main song writer Donnie Purnell. New bassist Mark Schenker takes over the song writing department and co-writes all 13 songs. And he keeps the Kix machine rolling in 2014. Wheels In Motion kicks things off & right away I said to myself things were just fine. And Wheels should be a Kix show opener. You're Gone is classic Kix. Rollin' In Honey is a classic barn burner & would fit nicely into the Kix live show. Hopefully the song Inside Outside Inn makes it into Kix's acoustic set. Mean Miss Adventure & Love Me With Your Top Down are both kick butt old school Kix songs. Rock Your Face Off does just what the title suggest and does just that, Rock Your Face Off. I can proudly say the Goddamn Kix Band is indeed back!


5 Stars out of 5

Skid Row
Rise Of The Damnation Army - United World Rebellion: Chapter Two
MRi Entertainment

This is the second of a three part trilogy. And it kicks major ass. Right from the start of We Are The Damned you know that your listening to some kick butt heavy metal. Give It The Gun is up next & proves to be one of my all time favorite Skid Row songs. Catch Your Fall, Damnation Army & Zero Day complete the trilogy.Up next are the two bonus tracks. And their both covers. First up is an awesome version of Queen's Sheer Heart Attack. And last but not least is a killer version of Aerosmith's classic Rats In The Cellar. It features some amazing fret board work. I realize that this in only an E.P. But it certainly has me wanting Part Three to get here sooner than later.

5 Stars out of 5

Judas Priest
Redeemer of Souls
Epic Records
Deluxe Edition

A band such as Judas Priest has had a fabled career. They released some classic heavy metal albums, Including, British Steel & Screaming For Vengeance. But in 2014 they may have topped that. This is definitely a bold statement. Put Redeemer of Souls on and be prepared to find out why this band are the true heavy metal kings. No one does it better, no one. Right from the start of Dragonaught you know your getting what the meaning of what real heavy metal is. And not that crap that Five Finger Death Punch puts out. Rob Halford shows why he's the one & only Metal God. His voice is still in fine form after all these years. There's no cookie monster crappy here. Just the Metal God doing what does best, and that's sing his ass off. Redeemer of Souls is one of those albums that hits you between the eyes like a pitchfork. Guitarist Richie Faulkner takes over for the departed K.K Downing. He brings a breath of fresh air to the music that has definitely been lacking. I bought the Deluxe Edition that includes five bonus tracks. Including the kick ass song Snakebite & the moody Never Forget. This is a true return to form for Judas Priest. And possibly their best album ever.


5 Stars out of 5

Ted Nugent
Shut Up & Jam!
Frontiers Records

Uncle Ted put his money where his mouth is & he Shut Up & Jammed. 13 rocking tunes make up this album. The title track sets this album off & shows Uncle Ted can still play the guitar like no one else. Sammy Hagar even make an appearance on the track She's Gone. A bluesy number that lets both Uncle Ted & Sammy shine. This is a great Ted Nugent album. Worth buying if you like old Uncle Ted. My only complaint about this album is that the great Derek St Holmes only sings lead on one song. And that's Everything Matters. The song sounds like it could fit in Ted's great 70's albums. Uncle Ted is still rocking after all these years. God Bless Uncle Ted.


4 Stars out of 5

American Dog
Neanderthal
Colonial Canine

Have you heard of American Dog? Let me get you up to speed. American Dog use to be a three piece band until this here album. They are now a four piece with the addition of Vinnie Salvatore on guitars & vocals. They hail from Columbus Ohio. With me so far? Good. These guys play down & dirty Rock n Roll. Imagine if you will taking Motorhead, Ted Nugent & Bon Scott era AC/DC & throwing them in a blender. Well then you have a wonderful blended drink called American Dog. Got it? Good. Carnivore & Who's She Killing show you these guys mean ever more business this time around. By the time you catch your breath from those two, Dirty Fun, Sun Won't Shine, Neanderthal & Stuck In The Mud all pin your ears back with some Rock N Roll done doggie style! These guys love their beer & We Ain't Gonna Not Get Drunk Tonight carry's on the theme that has carried on through out their albums & that's drinking beer. Very funny lyrics & some damn fine lead guitar playing by the most underrated lead guitarist around, Mr Steve Theado. Why is this man not on the front cover of Guitar World? Next up is an excellent cover of Ted Nugent's Dog Eat Dog. The tracks Start To Sleep & Devil Inside finish off this ten track collection. I've been listening to American Dog since they were first brought to my attention when I was asked to review their 2005 LP Scars N Bars, by the Rock N Roll Universe website. I was instantly hooked & became a huge fan since. Do yourself a HUGE favor & check out American Dog. You won't be sorry. I promise.


5 Stars out of 5

The Babys
I'll Have Some Of That!
SkyRocket Entertainment

Here's a band that in 1981 just faded away. A string of hits since 1977 that put a good dent on the charts. Keyboard player Jonathan Cain when onto to fame with Journey where he still resides. Bassist Ricky Phillips has had a great career since leaving The Babys & now enjoys the same position in the mighty Styx. And of coarse lead vocalist John Waite has had tremendous success as a solo artist as well as the short lived Bad English All three have given their blessings to this project. That makes this a legit project...so back off! Returning in 2014 are drummer Tony Brock & lead guitarist Wally Stocker. New lead vocalist John Bisaha sounds a tad like John Waite but does not go the clone route. Bisaha is his own man & brings this band forward. Not backwords. Just listen to the track These Days & you'll see what I mean. The Babys even bring back the female background singers making this album a sleeper hit for me this year. If like The Babys of old, well then you'll love the new look version as well.


5 Stars out of 5