With so many very good-to-great releases to consider for a list of favorites, it was not an easy task to nail it all down to a Top Ten list, so I’ll give you around ten releases that really made a large impression on me and my mp3/CD/DVD players, and then a short list of some other releases I liked.
10. Filter - Anthems For The Damned
Not too many people I know heard or talked about this album, but Richard Patrick made one of may favorite rock-out-with-your-headphones-on releases of the year. Whether it’s radio-ready rockers like “Kill The Day” and “Soldiers of Misfortune” or the dreamy soundscapes of “Only You” and its instrumental companion “Can Stop This,” it’s the best album Patrick has done since the career-defining Title of Record (1999).
9. Putumayo Presents - Euro Groove
It was through an e-card that a PR rep sent Blogcritics last year that I got to sample the first three tracks from this awe-inspiring compilation of great music from around the world. But I wasn’t happy with just samples and so went to a local store and tracked down this classy, varied, and strong collection of ten tracks by artists from Italy, England, Lebanon, Germany, France, and elsewhere.
Euro Groove was an eye-opener for me to be sure and more compilations like this will surely redefine what has been described as “world music,” (which would no doubt please David Byrne). The gorgeous strings on the jazzy fusion track “Destins Et Desirs“ by Lebanon’s Toufic Farroukh, the seductive and electronic ambiance of “Nuit Magique” by Jazzamor, the ambient funk of “Superwhirly” by Guateque All Stars and the urban pop of “Check In” by Fiamma Fumana are my favorites, though all are enjoyable.
8. Gigantour 2 by Various Artists CD and DVD
The Megadeth-centered tour of a few years ago (2006) featured some of the best up-and-coming acts in heavy metal, including Lamb of God and Into Eternity as well as veterans like Arch Enemy, Overkill and Opeth. For me, the Opeth contributions made me a bigger fan of the band and inspired me to check out some past albums. For that alone, these releases deserve mention in this list. Both discs contain multiple and equally power-packed Megadeth performances as well, including a live version of Megadeth classic “Peace Sells.” Overall, the Gigantour 2 CD and DVD (sold separately) is one hell of a one-two punch.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
That's an intriguingly eclectic list, Charlie. I'm holding onto my right to make a list until even later, too . . . like you said, last year has invaded this year and I'm not convinced the best has been settled yet.
If you want the whole of Radiohead's In The Basement performance, it can be had on Itunes. It's a video deal, but it'll play back on regular Ipods as audio-only. Fantastic set, too.
2 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
The Jeff Loomis release was pretty damn good. He touches upon a lot of different flavors. Plus, it includes the out-of-this-world,phenomenal Bass work of Michael Manring(but)only on one song*sniff*
[Sorry, I'm dying to hear Mr.Manring release another heavy/fusion type CD]
I thought the new Radiohead was off the charts! Unfortunately, that got considerably overlooked due to the original distribution method...
Yup...We all know how I feel about Metallica's latest release.(*Ugh*)It's definitely not Thrash![see:Kreator] As for And Justice, I don't believe the production was "tinny", It was just missing Newstead's Bass work[if he did any(?)]. There isn't one bass line on the entire album...You think they could've let him do the opening to "One".