2021 Top Ten
I suppose it’s that time to start providing some EOY lists.
I’ll start with what I see as my favourite ten albums, EP’s or Singles released for the year. And then there will be another posts on my Spotify listening habits for the year.
So here it goes.
Here is Part 1, which features my go to artists with 2021 releases and it’s not an numerical order.
The Night Flight Orchestra – Aeromantic II
“80’s Miami Vice Pop”.
Two of my favourite Kiss albums are “Dynasty” and “Unmasked” because they brought in other styles of music into the Kiss rock sound and somehow Kiss still made it sound like hard rock.
So I wasn’t surprised to hear that “Dynasty” and “Unmasked” are also the favourite albums for the guys in TNFO and how they see the song “Easy As It Seems” as the blueprint for a TNFO song.
And how can you knock back a song called “How Long” which has been described as “90s Deep Purple on cocaine”.
So if you grew up in the 80’s listening to hard rock and melodic rock, then you need to listen to this.
Evergrey – Escape Of The Phoenix
Tom Englund is the mainstay, the founder, the main writer, the vocalist and also one of the guitarists.
Opener and first pre-release single, “Forever Outsider” showcases the power of the band at its metal best, while the second pre-release single “Eternal Nocturnal” showcases the power of the band at its hard rock best with sing-along Choruses and Henrik Danhage stealing the spotlight with his unbelievable, shredalicious and memorable solo spotlight.
“In Absence Of Sun” is heartfelt, melancholic, mournful and emotive while “You From You” has this Michael Schenker ballad like vibe in the intro.
Check it out.
Dee Snider has a voice for heavy metal.
A simple dare from Jamey Jasta, brought forth “For The Love Of Metal” and it caught a lot of people by surprise.
“Leave A Scar” carries forth the metal torch.
With tracks like “I Gotta Rock (Again)” the intro riff from Bellmore is excellent and the drum groove smashes you awake.
Be a lifer til I’m done
But “Silent Battles” is my favorite track on the album.
The guitar riff to kick off the song reminds me of all the good things I like about the 80’s. I’m hearing George Lynch, EVH, a bit of Vito Bratta and Nuno Bettencourt.
Don’t leave your mark, leave a scar
There aren’t a lot of artists in their mid-60’s producing quality music like this. Dee Snider is doing it and he’s making it look very easy.
The Bellmore brothers are underrated talents as songwriters and instrumetalists, on the guitar and drums.
Check em out.
destroyerofharmony 
Look forward to these lists of yours Pete. 90s Deep Purple on cocaine? Lol I need to check these guys out.
I love this time of year with all the lists. Keep ’em coming.
I’ve never heard Night Flight Orchestra, I’ve seen the name around but never got around to listening to them. Sounds interesting.
I have heard Evergrey before, but that was a lot of years ago. I’m into ten tons of Swedish metal but they were one who I just didn’t take to back then. They’ve been on my list of bands to go back and check out again.
That Dee Snider album was excellent. I was really surprised by it. It was several cuts above what I was expecting.
Yay! Music end of the year lists! I can’t wait for more. Speaking of Dee Snider, do you know why he kept his hair so long after all these years? I know there are some rock artists that still have long hair, but Dee’s hair looks unsettling, like a bad weave.
I think his locks are synonymous with his image.
I guess so. It’s unique and like you said, the long locks make Dee recognizable. I just find it odd that there are people out there that actually want bushy long hair cause I hate my bushy long hair lol.
Long hair is a chore.
I’ve had it once upon a time over many years and it was a chore to keep healthy.
That’s probably why a lot of musicians that had long hair back in the 70s/80s decided to cut it off eventually.
I believe you! I’m still trying to learn all the tips and tricks to keep my long hair healthy. I was so envious of Bruce Dickinson’s long hair back in the day; it looked so straight and shiny.