THOUGHTS ON THE FIRST THIRD OF 2011 MUSICALLY

[RJhog (Admin)]

Do you have any thoughts on the year in music so far for 2011?  If so, what are they?  For me:

 

1.  I have purchased 8 CD's so far that have been released in 2011.  It has been an exceptionally weak year to this point. 

 

2.  My favorite CD from 2011 so far is Foo Fighters' Wasting Light.  And it's not even close.  This album is stocked with exceptional songs, outstanding vocals by Dave Grohl and great 3 guitar work.  One thing that amazes me is the lack of guitar solos on a guitar driven album.  But so far that's the only negative here. 

 

3. My Top 5 so far (don't have enough to make a Top 10):

    1. Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

    2. Eden's Curse - Trinity

    3. Mr. Big - What If

    4. Hurtsmile - Hurtsmile

    5. Brian Robertson - Diamonds & Dirt

 

4. Biggest Disappointment so far is Whitesnake's Forevermore.  Musically, it's outstanding.  But as I've said before, Coverdale sounds awful on the majority of the CD.  He totally ruins it for me. 

[Gordon Williams]

I can just add in that I really like the new Mr. Big, and it's strange, because it did not just "jump out" and impress me right away. It was around the 3rd or 4th listen where I really started to realize just how good it is.

 

And thanks to the new music corner, I have heard enough of the new Whitesnake to add it to my "get" list. I know RJHog is disappointed in the vocals, but like he said, the music, especially the guitar playing, is so good I'll be getting it soon.

[RJhog (Admin)]

To be totally honest, I have problems with some of the vocals on Mr. Big's album as well.  I don't think it's as bad as Whitesnake by a long shot, but the delivery here and there doesn't work for me.  I think he sounds like Mike Reno of Loverboy, but not as good.  But again, the musicianship on the album is very good.   Right now I'm really liking the song Once Upon A Time.  And Billy Sheehan is the second best bassist ever, right?

[Gordon Williams]

You mean, 2nd best behind one Mr. Gene Simmons?

 

I think Gene gets overlooked a lot...I think he is a very accurate player, does not seem to ever make mistakes live. But, no one that I've ever seen plays a bass like Sheehan does. Its incredible what he does.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Yep, I know he's number one on your list...just poking a little fun.  And as much as I love Gene, I'd have to go with Mr. Entwistle.

[Niels (Mod)]

As I've said before, I regretted the "Thumbs even-review" of Wasting Light. I'm with you 100%, RJhog. The album is oustanding. I don't miss the solo's, though. 

I can't really make a top 5-list, mostly because, I've only bought 4 albums so far, but also because I want to be sure, if I like the albums or not. I allmost did the same mistake with Forevermore, when i said, I was dissapointed in it. I think, it's a grower, and there's some pretty good songs on it, but I'll take a few more listenings, before my final verdict. I can look past Coverdale's vocals, because 1. he IS old, and 2. He's got nothing to prove.

The same with Mr. Big. It sounds good to me, but I've only heard it 3 times now, and the first time was in january, but I've just bought it last week.

I've also bought Duff McCagan's Loaded new album, and after 3-4 listening, hmmmm....some songs are good, but some really stinks, but listen for yourself in next weekend's NMC, where I probably also post the new Sixx:am, if I'll get it by then. I've heard 30 sec. of every song on the album, and it sounds okay, but I don't think, we'll have album of the year here either.  

 

Are you going to buy the new Seether-album, RJhog? I have a feeling, it might be good??!!

 

I'm hoping, like last year (even though, "someone" had pointed them out on "another side"), that a "new" band will appear, with an AWESOME record, like Alter Bridge.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm absolutely buying the new Seether.  I have all 3 of theirs and I don't plan on anything changing.  Of course, it comes out the week after my NMC, but I don't think anyone else here plans on buying it. 

 

I have the Duff McKagan's Loaded album (by the way, that's a stupid band name).  I've only listened to part of it, but so far it's a major disappointment.  But I didn't say that because I haven't listened but to a little bit of a few songs.  I'll have a better opinion when you post it.  I'm looking forward to you posting Sixx:Am also.  That one I'm gonna wait and hear it in NMC before I decide whether or not to buy it.

 

And I agree with you wholeheartedly that Coverdale is old and has absolutely nothing to prove.  But when he tries to blast his vocals like he has always done, he sounds to me like he's in pain.  And I personally didn't think they were as strong as in the past on the Good To Be Bad album, but the difference is that he still sounded like David Coverdale.  He sounds different to me on this one.  I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm just being honest.

[Niels (Mod)]

Did'nt he have some "problems" with Joe Lynn Turner, who accused him of play-back or something?

Maybe he tries to prove, that it's his own voice, and not some kind of machine helping him in the studio?

I'll give that Seether-album a listen, and if it's any good, I might buy it.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I do seem to remembert JLT accusing him of using backing tapes.

[TageRyche]

Well I've bought 1 CD from 2011 so far. Whitesnake's Forevermore and unlike our esteemed topic starter, I loved it.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm so aware that I am the voice of dissent around this place.

[TageRyche]

Hey, differing opinions make the world go round.

[Jon]

My top.....3.

 

1. The Pretty Reckless--Light Me Up

I don't know why, but I really, really like this album and I shouldn't. But I do. And that's all that matters. 

 

2. Whitesnake--Forevermore

Sorry, but don't see what the backlash is all about. A slight step down from the previous album but so much better than those two crappy albums that came out in the 90's.

 

Within Temptation--The Unforgiving

It takes a couple listens, but it's growing on me.

 

 

Biggest Disappointment (kind of)

 

Sin-Atra

Didn't think it would be that good, but didn't expect it to be so bad. I mean really bad. So bad that I am going to post it in NMC so you can all revel in it's badness.

 

 

However, with the dearth of new stuff coming out, it did prove good in one way. If there were a ton of new stuff coming out, I wouldn't have taken the time to check out that book I've mentioned a few times and wouldn't have picked up Harem Scarem, The Tea Party, Last Crack and others. So I kind of had "new" music to listen to anyway.

 

It should get a bit better coming up, but not like the last few years just by taking a glance at the stuff that's coming out soon.

 

Note: Have the new Steve Miller album but haven't listened to it yet. Maybe it'll be added to one of the above lists, maybe not.