As is traditional at this time of the year - here's my pick of the music released in 2011. A couple of them even surprised me... 1. SIXX AM - THIS IS GONNA HURT
Even though this came out in the summer, it's been a solid part of the year, getting multiple plays a week in the car. A fine, fine example of how to make a rock album that means something to people. Genius.
2. NICKELBACK - HERE & NOW
I don't need to say anything. Stick it in the slot, rock out with your fist in the air, smile… you know the drill by now.
3. CHRIS CORNELL - SONGBOOK
As I have said elsewhere, I knew this was going to be pretty special. In fact, the only reason it's not occupying the top slot is that it's not so great for driving to. In reality, probably the best album of the year… just not the favourite.
4, KELLY CLARKSON - STRONGER
I expected great things and got them. Knock her if you wish, but this is one solid slab of great songs from beginning to end.
5. BEGGARS & THIEVES - WE ARE THE BROKENHEARTED
A surprise, totally under the radar entry. This is one that you'll have to hunt for and if you didn't know it was coming, you stood little chance of ever hearing it. That said, if you remember the glory days or are in the mood for some intelligent rock that doesn't suck, hunt it down.
6. BLACKSTONE CHERRY - BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA
Blackstone Cherry just get better and better with each release - to the point that if they continue with this pattern of bettering their previous album, the songwriting coming out of this camp over the next few years will be looked back on with quite some reverence.
7. JANE'S ADDICTION - THE GREAT ESCAPE ARTIST
The chickens come home to roost in an album that would be just at home and relevant in their early days. Nice to see the old dogs can cut it. Even better to see that Jane's Addiction still have the ability to hold it together when it really counts and in this climate, that means right about now.
8. ELECTRIC BOYS - AND THEM BOYS DONE SWANG
Sure. I'm more than a little pleased to see Conny Bloom back in the saddle with this. He could have kicked back and released some junk, but regardless of the year, this is a full-on authentic Electric Boys album that can hold its own in today's market… if it only had half a chance.
9. TOMMY STINSON - ONE MAN MUTINY
Authentic, one man army, close to the bone rock n roll. The only real rock n roll album to be released this year. Write some songs, record them quickly and get back out on the road. Brilliant.
10. LENNY KRAVITZ - BLACK AND WHITE AMERICA
Lenny does his thing a little more comprehensively than usual here - the last couple of albums have faded out a little around the halfway mark but Black & White America has got a great set of legs on it.