Picks posted for the HH Best of 2010!

[TIM (2)]

A bit baffled by the ridiculous debate about modern music. Surely a Top 5 of 2010 is always going to include albums that were actually released in 2010, therefore are modern...? Unless we just stick to continuously posting Top 5's from the 80's, going right through to 1989 before starting back at 1980 again? I know some 2010 albums sound like exactly like they were recorded in 1985 (i.e, Pretty Maids, Vega, etc) but a lot of others had modern touches - like the Treat and Unruly Child discs - and balancing the 80's-influenced sound and a modern production is tough to get right. Glad to see Treat get the recognition they deserve from a genuinely top-class disc, though am amazed the Unruly Child didn't make anyones list...

[Blue Charvel]

3) Speaking of 2010, I saw one of the guys had a picture of Revelution Renaissance - New Era on their list, I think that one actually came out in 2008. But maybe it was re-issued with bonus material as many releases are doing so.

Just had the wrong pic in there, the album listed was the latest (and sadly final) release, "Trinity". Ironically "New Era" was my least favorite of the bunch, even I also love that one!

[Blue Charvel]

3) Speaking of 2010, I saw one of the guys had Revelution Renaissance - Era on their list, I think that one actuanlly came out in 2008. But maybe it was re-issued with bonus material as many releases are doing so.

 

Let's hope for another excellent vintage year for 2011.

Yes the New era disc was acually released 2008.

 

The album cover pic was of 'New Era' but the pic I think was for 'Infinity'.

"Trinity"

[Blue Charvel]

Not that I really care whether my tastes are called into question... I've been married for 14+ years, I'm used to it...

 

But just to clarify here, I LOVE 80's music, and the modern bands I put on my list from time to time (yeah I was the one giving high marks to Daughtry and Papa Roach), have gigantic hooks, lots of guitars, big productions, etc., etc., etc.... my list is also pretty varied because I don't only listen to sleaze, or only listen to AOR, etc. so I'm kind of all over the place, and I've always been that way. Bottom line it's opinion, so put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

 

Why no Crashdiet or Crazy Lixx way up in my ranking? Simple, I think CD's best release was "Rest in Sleaze", the new one is okay but it's missing something for me. Crazy Lixx I think they're average at best. Good musicians, decent hooks, abysmal lyrics and amateur songwriting. I wouldn't turn 'em off if they came on but even back in the day they would have been on my B list. Hardcore Superstar kills it for me in the sleaze department, plain and simple.

 

As far as My Darkest Days... personally I hate them, ESPECIALLY "Porn Star Dancing", to me it's completely contrived although I do like to watch the vid with the sound off just for the um... scenery... it's definitely modern in many senses, but it also hearkens back to the glory days of the 80's with lots of chicks, gang chorus and fucking Zakk Wylde on guitar... if you're that much of a purist that it doesn't make the cut... seriously, you just turned into your parents... I'm waiting for some of you to say "when are you kids gonna start listening to good music?"

 

Or to keep it short (oops too late! ), what TIM (2) said... and what Geoff said, especially about Hinder and why they're modern, 100% agreed!

 

Some stuff didn't make my list because hey, I'm not made of money I'd buy fucking everything if I could, and nobody sends an amateur muso like me any CD's... hint hint to all you labels out there...

 

Bottom line it's all opinion, why do some people get so uppity about it? It's only rock'n'roll, and I continue to like it... after all this site is called "Heavy Harmonies", not "Only 80's".

[JamesEagle]

Just to add my tuppence worth; we all have different tastes and will never agree, so I don't care whether modern rock bands are included in other people's lists or not. Personally, I don't like the modern rock sound at all and hate the sound of bands like Anberlin and Delain, but that's my choice and I avoid those bands. I still enjoy discussing other bands I like on HH. I do like Taking Dawn though, but then they don't sound very 'modern' to me.

 

BTW, it does get a bit hard to swallow when people start singing the praises of Bullet For My Valentine, Disturbed, etc.

[zacharyamelie]

3) Speaking of 2010, I saw one of the guys had Revelution Renaissance - Era on their list, I think that one actuanlly came out in 2008. But maybe it was re-issued with bonus material as many releases are doing so.

 

Let's hope for another excellent vintage year for 2011.

Yes the New era disc was acually released 2008.

 

The album cover pic was of 'New Era' but the pic I think was for 'Infinity'.

"Trinity"

 

 

Damn Stratovarius one word titles. I think they had one called Infinity or was Destiny or maybe Odyssey or wait it was Reality...no, no, no it was Divinity.

[Blue Charvel]

3) Speaking of 2010, I saw one of the guys had Revelution Renaissance - Era on their list, I think that one actuanlly came out in 2008. But maybe it was re-issued with bonus material as many releases are doing so.

 

Let's hope for another excellent vintage year for 2011.

Yes the New era disc was acually released 2008.

 

The album cover pic was of 'New Era' but the pic I think was for 'Infinity'.

"Trinity"

 

 

Damn Stratovarius one word titles. I think they had one called Infinity or was Destiny or maybe Odyssey or wait it was Reality...no, no, no it was Divinity.

With Timo, they should call it "Insanity"...

[Geoff]

Not that I really care whether my tastes are called into question... I've been married for 14+ years, I'm used to it...

 

But just to clarify here, I LOVE 80's music, and the modern bands I put on my list from time to time (yeah I was the one giving high marks to Daughtry and Papa Roach), have gigantic hooks, lots of guitars, big productions, etc., etc., etc.... my list is also pretty varied because I don't only listen to sleaze, or only listen to AOR, etc. so I'm kind of all over the place, and I've always been that way. Bottom line it's opinion, so put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

 

Why no Crashdiet or Crazy Lixx way up in my ranking? Simple, I think CD's best release was "Rest in Sleaze", the new one is okay but it's missing something for me. Crazy Lixx I think they're average at best. Good musicians, decent hooks, abysmal lyrics and amateur songwriting. I wouldn't turn 'em off if they came on but even back in the day they would have been on my B list. Hardcore Superstar kills it for me in the sleaze department, plain and simple.

 

As far as My Darkest Days... personally I hate them, ESPECIALLY "Porn Star Dancing", to me it's completely contrived although I do like to watch the vid with the sound off just for the um... scenery... it's definitely modern in many senses, but it also hearkens back to the glory days of the 80's with lots of chicks, gang chorus and fucking Zakk Wylde on guitar... if you're that much of a purist that it doesn't make the cut... seriously, you just turned into your parents... I'm waiting for some of you to say "when are you kids gonna start listening to good music?"

 

Or to keep it short (oops too late! ), what TIM (2) said... and what Geoff said, especially about Hinder and why they're modern, 100% agreed!

 

Some stuff didn't make my list because hey, I'm not made of money I'd buy fucking everything if I could, and nobody sends an amateur muso like me any CD's... hint hint to all you labels out there...

 

Bottom line it's all opinion, why do some people get so uppity about it? It's only rock'n'roll, and I continue to like it... after all this site is called "Heavy Harmonies", not "Only 80's".

Not only handsome, but you nailed it.

 

At the end of the day, why do people actually care if there are modern CDs in other people's lists? I just don't get that.

 

It's no different to a fan of sleaze complaining about an AOR CD in someone's list, or an AOR fan complaining about an Iron Maiden CD in someone else's list. Clowns, I tell ya, clowns!

 

And I do always wonder just how much these people have actually heard of the music they supposedly hate so much as they seem to have a pretty incorrect and warped impression of what's actually going on on those CDs.

[Socratic Methodist]

Please don't mistake my low posting numbers as evidence that I don't know about this music.

 

I'll give you MY top 5:

 

Crazy Lixx

Brian Howe

Bangalore Choir

Michael Bormann

Keel

 

Honorable Mentions:

 

Krokus

Scorpions

Pretty Maids

Robin Beck

Y&T

Nelson

[Captain Howdy]

And going on that list, I would say that the new Bangalore Choir isnt that far removed from a band like Taking Dawn, which was my point earlier that many of these new or 'modern' bands have adopted an 80s vibe to their up to date sound, while a lot of 80s bands have taken on board a destinct modern flavour with their newer releases, making them all about equal in the 80s vs modern sound battle.

 

I can fully understand why some bands make it here and others dont, and sometimes I dont agree on decisions (usually its on whats not included rather than what is), but to pick apart someone elses list of what they thought the top rock and metal albums of 2010 were is certainly not my place.

 

Hell, if last years Kid Rock album had been as good as his previous one, that would have made my list easily, despite the fact a lot of people here probably hate him.

[Geoff]

Just out of curiosity, Socratic, do you hate all modern bands, even if they do play the style of music most featured on this site? I couldn't help but notice that apart from Crazy Lixx, all those CDs are from bands/artists that were active in the 80's (well Bormann was at the tail end of it anyway).

[Socratic Methodist]

Just out of curiosity, Socratic, do you hate all modern bands, even if they do play the style of music most featured on this site? I couldn't help but notice that apart from Crazy Lixx, all those CDs are from bands/artists that were active in the 80's (well Bormann was at the tail end of it anyway).

 

 

To answer your question, Geoff, I just like that 80s sound. Honestly, I've been pretty vocal on other boards, with a friend, and in my own mind in the past criticizing modern bands for NOT having guitar solos in the songs. But that doesn't neccesarily mean that all is well if they DO decide to include a token solo....so I need to come to some definitive opinion on things. One of my friends happens to like some modern stuff and is constantly trying to get me to like it. I have sampled some stuff like Hinder(2nd album), Shinedown(whom I like), Distorted Wonderland(I like ONE song)...the others, like Taking Dawn, My Darkest Days, Nickelback, Papa Roach(i think I like a couple of songs from an album a few years ago) I just can't get into. I know right away if I like a song/group. VERY rarely is anything a grower for me. I think the term grower is a euphemism for liking it for the sake of liking it, or I have to like this because i like the group

 

I hope I don't come across as elitist, or holier than thou...those 'modern' bands above that I like - I like them, but wouldn't neccesarily include them on this site. But again, that's just me....a personal choice that doesn't amount to jack. Not my site. And at the end of the day not a big enough deal to get into a scrape about....lol.

[heavyharmonies]

Just out of curiosity, Socratic, do you hate all modern bands, even if they do play the style of music most featured on this site? I couldn't help but notice that apart from Crazy Lixx, all those CDs are from bands/artists that were active in the 80's (well Bormann was at the tail end of it anyway).

 

 

To answer your question, Geoff, I just like that 80s sound. Honestly, I've been pretty vocal on other boards, with a friend, and in my own mind in the past criticizing modern bands for NOT having guitar solos in the songs. But that doesn't neccesarily mean that all is well if they DO decide to include a token solo....so I need to come to some definitive opinion on things. One of my friends happens to like some modern stuff and is constantly trying to get me to like it. I have sampled some stuff like Hinder(2nd album), Shinedown(whom I like), Distorted Wonderland(I like ONE song)...the others, like Taking Dawn, My Darkest Days, Nickelback, Papa Roach(i think I like a couple of songs from an album a few years ago) I just can't get into. I know right away if I like a song/group. VERY rarely is anything a grower for me. I think the term grower is a euphemism for liking it for the sake of liking it, or I have to like this because i like the group

 

I hope I don't come across as elitist, or holier than thou...those 'modern' bands above that I like - I like them, but wouldn't neccesarily include them on this site. But again, that's just me....a personal choice that doesn't amount to jack. Not my site. And at the end of the day not a big enough deal to get into a scrape about....lol.

 

One thing I'm a wee bit confused about.... you lament the lack of guitarwork and talk about "modern" sounding... which tells me you haven't listened to Taking Dawn at all. That album is straight out of the 80s/early 90s, just with current production.

 

You're certainly entitled to your opinion... no matter how wrong it is.

[Socratic Methodist]

Just out of curiosity, Socratic, do you hate all modern bands, even if they do play the style of music most featured on this site? I couldn't help but notice that apart from Crazy Lixx, all those CDs are from bands/artists that were active in the 80's (well Bormann was at the tail end of it anyway).

 

 

To answer your question, Geoff, I just like that 80s sound. Honestly, I've been pretty vocal on other boards, with a friend, and in my own mind in the past criticizing modern bands for NOT having guitar solos in the songs. But that doesn't neccesarily mean that all is well if they DO decide to include a token solo....so I need to come to some definitive opinion on things. One of my friends happens to like some modern stuff and is constantly trying to get me to like it. I have sampled some stuff like Hinder(2nd album), Shinedown(whom I like), Distorted Wonderland(I like ONE song)...the others, like Taking Dawn, My Darkest Days, Nickelback, Papa Roach(i think I like a couple of songs from an album a few years ago) I just can't get into. I know right away if I like a song/group. VERY rarely is anything a grower for me. I think the term grower is a euphemism for liking it for the sake of liking it, or I have to like this because i like the group

 

I hope I don't come across as elitist, or holier than thou...those 'modern' bands above that I like - I like them, but wouldn't neccesarily include them on this site. But again, that's just me....a personal choice that doesn't amount to jack. Not my site. And at the end of the day not a big enough deal to get into a scrape about....lol.

 

One thing I'm a wee bit confused about.... you lament the lack of guitarwork and talk about "modern" sounding... which tells me you haven't listened to Taking Dawn at all. That album is straight out of the 80s/early 90s, just with current production.

 

You're certainly entitled to your opinion... no matter how wrong it is.

 

 

Actually, Dan....I listened to a bunch of the songs at that friend's house I mentioned. We went track by track during the Bruins-Kings game. As a Fleetwood Mac fan i was curious about The Chain. Not bad. But its a cover. Doesn't count. I didn't mind Never Enough. People were praising Endlessly, I(we) found it boring. The rest of the stuff was forgettable for ME. As always your mileage may vary....

[Studboy]

Did nobody give the Dirty Skirty CD a listen? If not I'd add that one to your to-do list!

[Jeff]

Would it be a good idea to consider breaking the Best Of lists into their sub-genres? Maybe something like the Best if Modern (whatever the definition of that is), Best of Sleaze, Best of Hard Rock, Best of AOR?

 

Maybe that is too much work or too much gray area between genres? Just a thought. I would be willing to offer up some Sleaze suggestions on a yearly basis, my list would never be as long as what you guys have though.

 

And remember, these are just opinions of the people doing the reviews and those of us reading them. I cannot fault Dan, Pete or Ty for any of their picks whether I agree or not. Obviously my tastes in favorite style of music is different. I also cannot fault Socratic from getting after them about the picks...after all, Dan's opening post invited any sort of agreement, flaming, etc. And the debate that follows is good...that is part of this board.

[Blue Charvel]

Would it be a good idea to consider breaking the Best Of lists into their sub-genres? Maybe something like the Best if Modern (whatever the definition of that is), Best of Sleaze, Best of Hard Rock, Best of AOR?

 

Maybe that is too much work or too much gray area between genres? Just a thought. I would be willing to offer up some Sleaze suggestions on a yearly basis, my list would never be as long as what you guys have though.

 

And remember, these are just opinions of the people doing the reviews and those of us reading them. I cannot fault Dan, Pete or Ty for any of their picks whether I agree or not. Obviously my tastes in favorite style of music is different. I also cannot fault Socratic from getting after them about the picks...after all, Dan's opening post invited any sort of agreement, flaming, etc. And the debate that follows is good...that is part of this board.

In addition to being more work, my #'s 3-5 in each sub-genre would be reaching into the "decent, but not great" area in many cases. But the real reason I would think that would be a bit more challenging is that no one can ever seem to agree on specifically which genre everything is... I do not miss the neverending discussions about which band is AOR vs. hard rock vs. metal vs. sleaze, vs. modern and all the arguments and dissenting opinions... for me the top 5 are the top 5 rock albums that rocked my world in the prior year, plain and simple. Just my $0.02

[T-BONE]

Agreed

[whiplash1972]

I cannot fault Dan, Pete or Ty for any of their picks whether I agree or not.

 

Oh no... does that mean I'm faulted?

[Jeff]

I cannot fault Dan, Pete or Ty for any of their picks whether I agree or not.

 

Oh no... does that mean I'm faulted?

 

HA! YES, because YOU should have had Parasite City as #1, in fact now that I look at it none of you did, so you are all GUILTY !!!!!

J/K of course!

I like the Best Of lists for sure, it is a good place to refer to for stuff that I might want to check out.

[JC_AOR]

I like the 'HH Best Of' section just the way it is. I don't think genres should come into it at all. I just want to know what CD's these guys saw as their favourites throughout the year and hopefully I'll get some ideas from them about albums that I missed. It's great to have debate about why a particular band didn't make it into anyones top 5 etc. but I think the debate about whether this band or that band "belongs" on someones list because of its genre should be left alone. As someone else pointed out, given that this is a best of 2010 list, you can exect exactly that...the best albums of 2010 which is invariably going to mean there are a lot of modern sounding bands on the list. There are plenty of "best of 1989" lists floating around the place, this is the "best of 2010".

[JC_AOR]

I'm keen to check out one of Pete's honorable mentions 'Black Rose - Cure for Your Disease'. Anyone else heard this?

 

Oh and Socratic, I'm glad to see the Brian Howe disc on your list. It's fairly soft AOR but I though it was very under rated.

[Geoff]

I'm keen to check out one of Pete's honorable mentions 'Black Rose - Cure for Your Disease'. Anyone else heard this?

 

Oh and Socratic, I'm glad to see the Brian Howe disc on your list. It's fairly soft AOR but I though it was very under rated.

Yeah, the Black Rose one stood out for me too. I'm interested.

 

Totally agreed on the Brian Howe disc, too. Very nice. Funny thing is I thought it was loaded with "modern" elements.

[Blue Charvel]

Black Rose on ReverbNation

[Captain Howdy]

Would it be a good idea to consider breaking the Best Of lists into their sub-genres? Maybe something like the Best if Modern (whatever the definition of that is), Best of Sleaze, Best of Hard Rock, Best of AOR?

 

Maybe that is too much work or too much gray area between genres? Just a thought. I would be willing to offer up some Sleaze suggestions on a yearly basis, my list would never be as long as what you guys have though.

 

And remember, these are just opinions of the people doing the reviews and those of us reading them. I cannot fault Dan, Pete or Ty for any of their picks whether I agree or not. Obviously my tastes in favorite style of music is different. I also cannot fault Socratic from getting after them about the picks...after all, Dan's opening post invited any sort of agreement, flaming, etc. And the debate that follows is good...that is part of this board.

Theres already enough arguments on the main site about genres, so I can imagine it would just create more arguments by trying to be genre specific with top 5's or 10's.

On top of that, how mant categories do you go with? (Glam, sleaze glam, AOR, west coast, thrash, heavy metal, modern rock, nu-breed, trad metal, speed metal, prog, symphonic, funk rock etc etc etc)