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!

Comments

[Kenny Ozz]

The best album I bought this year may have been, suprisingly, the self-titled debut from punk rockers The Luchagors. Check them out.

[Dexian]

Isn't it "The Unattractive Revolution"? ;)

[Allyson]

Dexian,

Yes, you are correct. In the Raw is the first single.

Allyson

[Metal Mark]

Most surprisingly we have four albums in common on our lists.

[Rhodeislandrock, Heavy Metal Addiction]

I just posted my Top 15 (http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/the-top-15-albums-of-2007/) and it looks like we agree on Endeverafter.

You have some solid albums there: Soul Doctor is a great band, as is Hanoi Rocks, but I haven't picked these up yet. I really liked the Shaw/Blades record but I only included studio albums in my list. The Plant/Krauss & Sixx A.M. records will be bought this weekend with my gift cards from Xmas.

What I like is that you have two albums (Ozzy & Sebastian Bach) that made my Worst 5 of 2007 (http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/2007/12/26/the-5-worst-albums-of-2007/). Just goes to show that everyone's opinion is different and that makes a better scene.

Steve
Heavy Metal Addiction
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/

[Rob Rockitt]

Only 3 on your list was on mine (Endeverafter,Crazy Lixx and Sebastian Bach).

You have some interesting choices.

I haven't hard of Empyrios before now.

I picked up the disc by Soul Doctor, but I haven't cracked the seal on it yet. So much rock, so little time! :)

Great List!
Rob Rockitt
Hard Rock Hideout
http://www.hardrockhideout.com

[Bill]

Somewhat unsurprisingly we don't have an album in common on our lists Allyson! Perhaps its the old UK / US differences ;-)

That Ritchie Kotzen one is definitely worth a mention though....

[Sunni]

OMG, I was so happy to see Gypsy Pistoleros on this list. They are by far the most interesting hybrid of sleeze/glam with a flare you won't find anywhere else. It's kinda like hearing "Appetite"(GNR) for the first time, you just knew things would never be the same.

[Layla]

At least we had one in common! Did you know that Nikki donated all the proceeds of his book to an org. that works with homeless/runaway teens?

Ok - because you spoke so highly of it, I will give The Plant/Kraus CD a try :)

[Jason]

Well, we agree on 4 albums that should be on our lists at least! Honestly, I haven't taken the time to listen to a lot of these...they may have made my list as well had I spent time with them. I've posted my picks at http://thewritersjourney.wordpress.com

[Don]

Nikki Sixx did not donate all of the proceeds from his book, it's more like 10% I believe. I need to dig through my cd's but the Scorpions was a really great one.

[Allyson]

Actually, I think it's 25% of proceeds in the first year to Running Wild in the Night (Nikki's charity).

Nikki has called 2007 "the year he gives back."

--Allyson

[Crazynights]

How about Dirty Looks "Gasoline"? This is a great disc! It's got hooks, driving guitars, and the DL sound. I just wish it was a bit more produced, more full sounding like "Cool from the Wire" or "Turn of the Screw"

[Evil]

Dirty Penny's Take it Sleezy is the best CD I have listened to in 20 years. It went into my CD player July 10 on my way to Rocklahoma when I flagged the band over on the the OK turn pike. It played on repeat in my Ipod for the next 3 months. I have listened to Midnight Ride 187 times to date!
Come Join the Dirty Penny Sleezy Street Team and bring them to your town.
www.myspace.com/sleezestreetteam

[Mrlee]

you put avenged sevenfold in the top spot?

Fuck avenged sevenfold, that new album of theres sucks ass!!!! its one hell of a stupid album, the only decent song on there is gunslinger. Plus they cut there hair short recently, and thats just lame.

CRASHDIET and Crazy lixx own that band to hell....Also where is the new hardcore superstar album which is a darn site better and more original than most the albums in that list.

avenged sevenfold make me mad.

[Crazynights]

Allyson what about Funny Money or Hardcore Superstar???

Also, Loverboy put out a great release "Just Getting Started" - granted not completely glam but neither is A. Sevenfold.

[Allyson]

Crazynights,

Remember, I said my list wasn't entirely glam.

Allyson

[crazynights]

Hahahaha, true, and to be honest, I do respect your opinion (you are the reason I got Endeverafter).

[Tim]

Avenged Sevenfold are SHIT. What the fuck happened to the Cinderella's, Motley Crue's, Van Halen's and Poison's wh people know compared to shitty bands nowadays that make no impact like these guys you shuld check out bands lie Snakebite and Knock Out Kaine they sound and look like they are from this genre unlike some.

[Lee (Knock Out Kaine)]

Ello dears, just stumbled across this site and find my band mentioned on it! (which is pretty fuckin kool!) Now then, regarding this matter of Avenged Sevenfold...hmm...i think that their most recent album is an absolute instant classic and fully deserves to be on top!! Though, I don't see how Sixx AM come above Crazy Lixx! And where the fuck are Hardcore Superstar?!?!?

A7X RULE!!