#17 - Top of 2011

Hugh Laurie - Let Them Talk (Warner Bros)

Everybody that has watched any show that Hugh Laurie has performed in (with many examples in episodes of the series House) knows that he is a great musician and really into the New Orleans bluesy music genre, but still Let Them Talk is a pleasant and interesting surprise from an amazing artist! This album is the exception to the rule that albums made by actors should be avoided, as it is full of an R&B vibe with great songs like the "St James Infirmary", the "John Henry" (featuring Irma Thomas) and "You Don't Know My Mind". The "Battle of Jericho" and "The Whale Has Swallowed Me" are two of the peak moments of the album, succeeding in being both true to the genre they represent (and Laurie is passionate about), while at the same time adding something new!
Everything is wrapped up with the song that gave its name to the album, "Let Them Talk", perfectly serving as a closing song and as a comment to those who were quick to dismiss this daring attempt.
Although the album is far from being described as either metal or prog, it still is one of the most interesting releases of 2011 and worth checking out even for those that are not fans of the genre!



93/100


Below is the music video for "Swanee River"

#5 - Top of 2012

Rival Sons - Head Down (Earache Records)

Moving on to the top 5, Head Down is the third and arguably the best studio album by 70's blues-rock band from California, Rival Sons. It starts strongly with the groovy "Keep on Swinging" that introduces the listener to the powerful and confident vocals by Jay Buchanan, catchy bluesy guitar riffs by Scott Holiday and great drums by Mike Miley. The songs "You Want To", "Jordan" and "Three Fingers" also showcase the range of Buchanan's vocals who is not afraid to show of, setting the vibe for the album and maintaining a balance without overpowering the other members."Wild Animal" sticks to the rock elements while "Until the Sun Comes" and "All the Way" add a more quirky note and "Nava" turn to a more peaceful tone. The record doesn't lack the bluesy vibe with songs like "Run from Revelation" as well as a more epic atmosphere in both parts of "Manifest Destiny"! Overall, this is an excellent album demonstrating the true heart of the Southern spirit!


95/100

Below is the music video for the groovy "Keep on Swinging".

#15 - Top of 2012

GravelRoad -Psychedelta (Knick Knack Records)

Psychedelta is a the third album of the Seattle-based trio: guitarist Stefan Zillouxs, drummer Marty Reinsel, and bassist Jon "Kirby" Newman who make up GravelRoad. The record starts of by setting up the mood with a dirty and  alt-bluesy vibe with "Devil Eyes", "Keep on Movin" (introducing a psychedelic blues rock element) and "In the Woods" (with its southern country-like guitar riffs). Throughout the album a familiar feeling is created without repeating but by enhancing known tunes. "Caves" (with its "crying" guitars and prog-rock sound) and "Deep Blues Theme" are excellent examples of the blues, while "Nobody Gets Me Down" is a funky cover to the original song by T-Model Ford and "Furry" is closer to the traditional deep blues feel. The final song "I Was Alone" is a classic bluesy song and a perfect track to wrap up a disc that blends perfectly new and old sounds taking the listener into a trip to the Deep South!


94/100

This is the music video for the album track "Keep On Movin"

#1 - Top of 2014

Casualties of Cool - Casualties of Cool (HevyDevy Records)

 And on top of the best albums of 2014, ... another Devin Townsend record! But this is not a mere record by Mr. Townsend, this is an awesome disc of pure inspiration! The record is very low key and initially might not seem like much, but it keeps dragging you back for more, time after time after time until you can practically hum all of it yourself and you still cannot stop yourself from going back and listening to it all over again. It is a testament to its real value that despite its taking number 1 spot in this list, I would not classify it as prog, nor metal, perhaps not even rock. It is a quiet type of music that transcends genres and speaks directly into your soul. Perhaps one of the most important reasons for that is the incredible ethereal voice of Ché Aimee Dorval. She brings a strange, otherworldly feeling to the music and at the same time a feeling of longing and a need to pick up your shoes and lazily start driving around the town to peek at old men relaxing at their porches (as weird as that sounds). If I had to choose a couple of songs as the best moments of the album, those would be "Flight"and "Bones", but there are no weak moments in the album as it flows in a very organic way.

100/100

Below is the official promo track with which, we finish up a very cool and interesting year in music.
We will be back very soon with the top 21 albums of 2013!

#2- Top of 2014

Blues Pills- Blues Pills (Nuclear Blast Records)

 Blues Pills' first album is very impressive record that makes it hard to believe that it is the band's debut! The album brings a 70's retro vibe with a blues-rock groove into the present that starts with the album's opening song, the amazing "High Class Woman". The psychedelic and southern rhythms are present throughout the album with songs such as the "Ain't No Change" and "Jupiter" blending perfectly with the strong vocals by Elin Larsson."Black Smoke"while starting off slowly, changes into some of the best riffs of the album! "River" and "No Hope Left For Me" add a more "bluesy" feeling to the experience, while also leaving room for Larsson's stunning voice to be heard. In "Devilman", a song that had been previously released as an EP, the band rocks-out again, before moving to the interesting "Astralplane" and the fast-paced "Gypsy" and wrapping-up the album with the catchy ballad "Little Sun"! 
Overall, the band manages to be reminiscent of the 70's blues rock without just coping&pasting the genre, but approaching it with a new nostalgic way that makes us look forward for their new material that will be released during the summer of 2016!


99/100

Below is the official video for the songs "High Class Woman" and "Gypsy".

#18 - Top of 2014

Rival Sons - Great Western Valkyrie (Earache)

Released in June 2014, this is the fourth work from Rival Sons and their most well-rounded work to date. Rival Sons are a southern rock/ hard rock band from California. They became well known with their second work, Pressure and time (2009) and were further propeled into fame by their third album and the single "Keep on Swinging". With this, their fourth full-length release, they reached the top of the US Heat Charts as well as a very respectable no 14 on the UK charts. This is well-deserved for this release as it strays from the southern sound of their predecessors and veers towards a more pure blooded hard rock record who is bound to appeal to a more broad audience while at the same time keeping true to their southern influences.


93/100


Below is the music video from "Electric Man", the opening track of the album.