Bring Back Glam! Top 15 Albums of 2007

It's the end of the year, and that inevitably means "best of" lists. Today, here's my vote for the 15 best albums of the past 12 months. Not every album is glam, so don't panic. After all, variety is the spice of life!

15. Soul Doctor – Blood Runs Cold
A German band you've probably never heard of until now. Think Led Zeppelin meets Cheap Trick. Visit them at Soul Doctor on Myspace

14. Richie Kotzen – Return of the Mother Head's Family Reunion
Kotzen can shred and he spent, like, 15 minutes in Poison when C.C. DeVille was getting really high. This album is very mature, signaling a career switch for Kotzen. Watch for my review soon on Metal Express Radio. Richie Kotzen on Myspace

13. Ozzy Osbourne – Black Rain
Um...if you haven't heard this album, I guess you've been living under a rock. One of Ozzy's best, in my opinion. Ozzy on Myspace

12. Shaw/Blades – Influence
Amazing harmonies and great musicianship make this duo a personal favorite. Shaw/Blades on Myspace

11. Gypsy Pistoleros – Wild, Beautiful, Damned
The best flamenco glam band of all time! Seriously, as many times as I mention these guys, I should be on their payroll. Gypsy Pistoleros on Myspace

10. Sebastian Bach – Angel Down
This is one of the most hyped rock albums of the year - and for good reason: Bas can still sing! The only caveat: skip "Back in the Saddle." Aerosmith's version is already perfect, and no one is going to improve upon the classic. Sebastian Bach on Myspace

09. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raising Sand
One of the most beautiful albums I've heard in years. Alison Krauss has an amazing voice and Robert Plant is a legend. Surprisingly great chemistry makes this a must-own release. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss on Myspace

08. Crashdiet – The Unatractive Revolution
I was the first person to bring you both the track listing and cover art for this album. Member - and life - changes also lead to a more mature sound for this Swedish sleaze band. Band members were smart enough to ask for help when needed, and Mick Mars of Motley Crue obliged. The result is a top notch sleaze release. Crashdiet on Myspace

07. Empyrios - …And the Rest Is Silence
Italians know Metal, too! A mix between Queensryche and Symphony X, this band should be headlining stadiums - not wasting time in obscurity. Check them out at Empyrios on Myspace

06. EndeverafteR – Kiss or Kill
I reviewed this album yesterday, so it's pretty easy for you to read my expanded thoughts on this one. 2008 could be a huge year for EndeverafteR. I hope they hit it big. Endeverafter on Myspace

05. Dirty Penny – Take It Sleezy
I first learned of Dirty Penny through the Rocklahoma forum and then saw the band live at the massive glam fest. The songs on Take It Sleezy are upbeat and fun, just like the guys who recorded them. For the life of me, I can't figure out why this band hasn't been picked up by a major label yet. At least time is on their side. Dirty Penny on Myspace

04. Hanoi Rocks – Street Poetry
You can debate all day whether or not Hanoi Rocks is glam, but one thing is for certain: Street Poetry is a damn strong release. There's no melancholy here: just straight up rock n' roll. Michael Monroe's voice hasn't sounded this strong in years. Check it out at Hanoi Rocks on Myspace

03. Crazy Lixx – Loud Minority
There must be something in the water in Sweden, because that country knows how to grow musical talent. If you like glam, you'll love Loud Minority. Crazy Lixx serve up big choruses...and even bigger hair. Thank goodness someone still gets it. Crazy Lixx on Myspace

02. SIXX: AM – The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack
Nikki Sixx is no dummy, and that's the understatement of my life. Who knew that you could die of a heroin overdose...live to tell the story...then make a killing off a book and album deal? In all seriousness, The Heroin Diaries is beautifully dark and the lyrics pure genius. Sixx's best work since recordingDr. Feelgood with his Motley Crue brothers. If we're lucky, we'll hear more from SIXX: AM in the future. SIXX AM on Myspace

01. Avenged Sevenfold – Avenged Sevenfold
The band Metal fans love to hate. Either I didn't get the memo or I just don't care what others think because I love Avenged Sevenfold and their self-titled release is easily the strongest of all their albums. Haters be damned! Avenged Sevenfold on Myspace

Several other websites are also doing this topic today. Check out lists at:
Hair Metal Mansion

Hard Rock Hideout

Heavy Metal Addiction

Heavy Metal Time Machine

Imagine Echoes

Layla's Classic Rock Faves

The Metal Minute

Raise Your Fists

Rock of Ages

Rock and Roll and Meandering Nonsense

I can hardly wait for your comments on this one. Bring it on!

Kiss or Kill

My glam goodness, EndeverafteR sure is good. Their debut effort Kiss or Kill (Razor & Tie) is easily one of the best glam releases of the past five years. This band has it all: big songs, big guitar solos, and big attitudes.

The track listing for Kiss or Kill looks like this:

I Wanna Be Your Man
Baby Baby Baby
Gotta Get Out
Poison
Next Best Thing
Tip Of My Tongue
Road To Destruction
All Night
Slave
From the Ashes Of Sin
Long Way Home

In addition to the fast rockers like “Tip of My Tongue” and “Baby Baby Baby” the album features some slower tunes, such as “Long Way Home,” and “Next Best Thing.” It is on these slower songs that Michael Grant’s voice really shines. When I spoke with Grant on the phone a few days ago (that interview is forthcoming to Bring Back Glam!) he told me he is principal songwriter for the band. I’ll go ahead and assume Grant had his heart broken a few times in the not so distant past. “Next Best Thing” is probably the best song you’ve never heard; an eloquent rock ballad and appropriate for pop radio, too.

A few months ago, I posted the video for “Baby Baby Baby.” A lot of you were excited then, and you should still be excited now. If life was fair, EndeverafteR would be more famous than Nickelback. We all know the world isn’t fair, but EndeverafteR sure have the chops and songs like “All Night” and “Slave” are proof.

My favorite song on Kiss or Kill is "Poison." It’s a little heavier than the other tunes, and features a faster tempo and some nice drum parts and intricate guitar work. Since I love fast guitars, it’s not surprising this is my choice cut. Use some of your holiday money and buy Kiss or Kill. You know you want to.

Oh yes: EndeverafteR is now on board for the Motley Cruise. I’ll be sure to post a concert review from one of the performances!

Endeverafter on Myspace

My Love Affair with Danger Danger

I love Danger Danger and I really hope they land on the bill for Rocklahoma 2008. If you're reading this website, chances are good that you also love the underrated band.

If VH1's Metal Mania didn't suck so bad, I'm sure we'd see more Danger Danger in the rotation. Instead, we get the same videos every weekend, which are usually Whitesnake "Is This Love?" and Dio, "Rainbow in the Dark." Both are great songs...but some variety would be very nice.

Like nearly every glam band, Danger Danger went through some line-up changes from the very beginning to after achieving more than moderate success. Even after the band tried to oust singer Ted Poley in the mid-nineties, there was no denying that he always will be the unmistakable voice of Danger Danger.

Danger Danger's self-titled debut hit store shelves in 1989, and featured the songs "Naughty Naughty," "Bang Bang" and "Don't Walk Away." While Danger Danger's calling card became "Naughty Naughty," I firmly believe "Bang Bang" is a stronger single.

Want controversy? I'll say right here that "Don't Walk Away" is likely the single best power ballad of the entire genre.

You don't have to take my word for that, though. There's an acoustic version of the song on YouTube, and it's posted below. Watch it, listen to it, love it.

All this talk of Danger Danger makes me want to interview the band, so I guess I'll add that to my list of chores for the coming days. I've always thought drummer Steve West to be particularly cute...except for the patch of hair he kept over his eyes. I'm sure he doesn't do that anymore.

Here's "Bang Bang." I love the bass part and I'd like to learn this song. Trouble is, no one seems to have the Danger Danger tab book.

So, I've put my thoughts out there. What do you think of Danger Danger?

Tom Keifer's Blue Christmas

Merry Christmas, glam fans! Hopefully you're spending the holidays with family and friends.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella recently lent his voice to Monster Ballads: Xmas. His version of "Blue Christmas" is basically awesome. Enjoy!

A Twisted Christmas Live

Last year, Twisted Sister gave us a brand new holiday CD called A Twisted Christmas. This year, we get A Twisted Christmas: Live (Razor & Tie, 2007). Filmed at New Jersey's Starland Ballroom, the high energy show is from the band's 2006 Christmas tour.

The track listing looks like this:

 


Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Shoot 'Em Down
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Fire Still Burns
You Can't Stop Rock n' Roll
White Christmas
The Price
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Burn In Hell
Silver Bells
I Wanna Rock
Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days of Christmas)
We're Not Gonna Take It

Many readers know that "Burn In Hell" is my favorite Twisted Sister song and I think it's a great compliment to a holiday performance. After all, retailers might think it's the most wonderful time of the year, but those of us in the real world know the holidays are usually a hassle, so a song called "Burn in Hell" is appropriate. The performance of "Burn In Hell" is definitely a highlight of this disc, but the best part of the show is the band's version of "Heavy Metal Christmas." To the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" Twisted Sister recount the top 12 gifts for any Metal fan, including a tattoo of Ozzy, two pairs of leather pants and four quarts of Jack Daniels, five skull earrings and more!

Other highlights include "I Wanna Rock" and "We're Not Gonna Take It." On the former, Snider gives a little story about seeing Santa and telling him (naturally) "I Wanna Rock!" On the former, the crowd is frenzied and happy to sing along to Twisted Sister's biggest hit. In both instances the crowd and band interaction are top notch, proving the live ability of New York's favorite glam sons.

There are a few problems with this really fun release, namely with editing. If you've ever seen Twisted Sister live, then you know that lead singer Dee Snider likes to swear - a lot. This release has awkward cuts and bleeps that cut out Snider's colorful stage banter. The bleeps aren't nearly as glaring as the edits where entire conversations are noticeably slashed. Multiple cut cameras usually help when trying to edit for lewd content, but perhaps there was a budge or venue issue.  Even with the family-friendly edits, this is a fun DVD that's good for the holiday season.

www.myspace.com/twistedsister

Two Videos...Same Song

What is the deal with bands making two videos for the same song?

I never noticed Firehouse has two videos for their hit "Don't Treat Me Bad" until last night. For Christmas, Heather gave Eric a guitar book filled with music for all the songs we love. One of those songs is "Don't Treat Me Bad." He was having trouble with the rhythm so I popped the song up on YouTube. That's when I saw the two versions of the video.

Metal Mania typically only features the video with the girl going nuts, destroying all of guitarist Bill Leverty's stuff. Here's that version.

The other video reminds me of Whitesnake. It's very dark and takes place in an alley. Things (naturally) catch fire and a beautiful woman (naturally) is the antagonist. Watch for yourself.

So, what's the deal? This was during the time that labels would still spend a little money on signed bands to ensure success, so perhaps Epic executives thought two videos would equal twice the album sales. Whatever the case, it seems a little superfluous to me.

Hanoi Rocks: Street Poetry

Legendary glam rockers Hanoi Rocks are back with Street Poetry. The Hanoi Rocks of today is a lot different the early 1980s incarnation. These days, the only two original members are singer Michael Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy. Despite a tumultuous recording career, Monroe and McCoy are surprisingly able to make some great music together and Street Poetry is a strong release that pays tribute to the past, while still sounding modern.

Monroe’s voice is still glammy and strong. The tongue-in-cheek single “Fashion” features great guitar riffs and interesting percussion. Fans took this song to the top of the Finnish record charts. It seems fitting for flamboyant Monroe to sing about clothes and catwalks. Other high points on Street Poetry include the album’s title track and “Power of Persuasion.” On the latter, Monroe bends his voice, meowing like a cat. Monroe’s amazing range on this song easily makes it the best track on Street Poetry. In fact, it’s pretty clear the band knows this song is so good, because their confidence seems unmatched. Plus, “Power of Persuasion” features female back-up singers and a horn section. Horns are cool.

Even though Hanoi Rocks isn’t reinventing the wheel here, Street Poetry feels fresh. “Walkin’ Away” is great, with an amazing build-up to a chorus that’s sure to get stuck in your head. Yes, it’s just that catchy. In fact, every song on Street Poetry can – and probably will – get stuck in your head. That’s fine. Just whip out the CD and give it another spin.

Talk about an upbeat release. Nearly every song on Street Poetry is a stone cold rocker. “This One’s For Rock n’ Roll” is just what the title suggests: a tribute to great, classic rock. “Highwired” demands everyone to “get up and dance.” The song is so fast, so cheerful, it isn’t hard to resist Monroe’s invitation to cut a rug.

Is Street Poetry better than Two Steps From the Move? In a word, no. Still, Street Poetry is one consistent effort, mostly thanks to the quality songwriting. Someone forgot to tell Hanoi Rocks that glam went out of “Fashion” a few years ago. Lucky for us, Monroe and company are staying true to their musical roots and continue to influence young musicians. After all, Hanoi Rocks is bringing back glam!

For more information, please visit:
HanoiRocks.com