Be sure to check out the Decibel Geek website contributor’s collective compilation of the top albums: Best of 2017 Article
After several days of careful consideration and several bottles of bourbon, I have finally narrowed my list down to my top 10 favorite albums of 2017. Here they are:
- Rex Brown – Smoke On This / Album Review
This album is fantastic. I’m not a really big Pantera fan, either. And if you’re expecting a headbanger, this album isn’t it. Rex, on his own, is very different than Pantera. He’s not as heavy. In short, he’s bluesy and southern fried, sorta like a modern day Blackfoot. Easily the best thing I heard all year.
- Rex Brown – Smoke On This / Album Review
See above.
- Klassik ’78 – Side One/Side Two
As the story goes, on the heels of Love Gun, KISS never gave us an album in 1978. They were barely on speaking terms. So, they released a live album (Alive II), a compilation album (Double Platinum), and the solo records. That way, they could still get product out and not have to get together to do it. And in 1979 after their hiatus from each other, they gave that twelve-pound bag of veiny dicks otherwise known as Dynasty. These geniuses, who call themselves KLASSIC ’78, got together and created the 1978 KISS album that never was. They even trained themselves to sing and play like the original KISS. I honestly wouldn’t have known the difference between these guys and the real McCoy. It’s incredible.
- Living Color – Shade / Album Review
I don’t usually like my music to say anything in particular. Just give me the rock. But, for reasons I can’t explain, I listen to Living Color to hear their social statements. Shade is their newest and bluesiest album. Really cool.
- Mark Slaughter – Halfway There / Album Review
One of my favorite singers of all time. If he put out a Rick Astley tribute album, I’d buy it.
- Steelheart – Through Worlds of Stardust / Album Review
Sounds like Steelheart, except heavier and less melodic. Good stuff.
- Riverdogs – California / Album Review
Featuring Vivian Campbell (DIO, Whitesnake, Def Leppard), Riverdogs give you music for those times when you want your hard rock to have some soul. I wrote an article a few months back about how the singer, Rob LaMothe wrote a couple of the songs on RATT’s Out Of The Cellar album. This album showcases his talents, once again.
- Lynch Mob – The Brotherhood
George Lynch and Oni Logan belong together and they proved it once again here.
- Richie Kotzen – Salting Earth / Album Review
I could go on for days gushing about Richie Kotzen…but I won’t do it here. If you’re already a Kotzen fan, you know what you’re getting here. Once Kotzen’s brand of soul-infused rock ‘n roll gets a hold of you, it won’t let you go.
- Revolution Saints – Light in the Dark / Album Review
What could be better than Jack Blades, Doug Aldrich, and Deen Castronovo together?
There you have it.
Merry Christmas,
Jerry Lee Lucifer
