Bucky's Rock Album Review 2012

Well, another year is almost over. I was fortunate enough to hear over two dozen great local and national bands play live this year, and even chat with a few of the musicians after some of their shows. With that in mind, here's some of the best rock albums I listened to in 2012, listed alphabetically by artist:

Live at Wembley (CD/DVD) by Alter Bridge
I enjoyed hearing Alter Bridge play live at the MN State Fair last year, and this is a full-length concert performance from Wembley Stadium in London during the tour for their 3rd studio album. To some this is just Creed with a different singer, but I'd like to think that having Myles Kennedy on vocals and some guitar takes them in a different direction.
Recommended tracks: "Blackbird," "Isolation," "Rise Today."

Last Parade by Call Me No One
One of Sevendust guitarist/vocalist Clint Lowery's side projects from Sevendust, this turned out to be one of the more interesting albums of the year. Clint and Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose join forces to collaborate on a memorable album that really showcases their versatility. I can recommend this album on the song "World is Dead" alone which has an amazing guitar solo from Clint, one that I was able to hear as I walked past First Avenue in Minneapolis this summer as the band rehearsed before a Sevendust show.
Recommended tracks: "World is Dead," "Soapbox," "Last Parade."

New Tradition by Dark New Day
Clint's other side project released their second album in 2012. Although this seems like a rush job (even the band photo looks like it was PhotoShopped), there are enough good songs for devoted fans to enjoy.
Recommended tracks: "New Tradition," "Fiend," "Straightjacket."

Impact by Eye Empire
This is a double album version of the band's debut. If you think they sound like Sevendust or Dark New Day, it's probably because Clint Lowery's brother Clint and B.C. Kochmit from Dark New Day are in this band, and also because Sevendust members Clint, Morgan Rose and Lajon Witherspoon contributed performances to this album. It's a bargain buy, and even has a few bonus acoustic and live performances as well.
Recommended tracks: "Bull in a China Shop," "Idiot," "Moment."

Live and Inspired by Godsmack
Boston rockers Godsmack released their first live concert album, and included a bonus disc of four cover songs like a non-guitar recording of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" and the first single, a cover of Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way."
Recommended tracks: "Alive," "Realign," "Nothing Else Matters."

Welcome to the Freakshow by Hinder
A circus theme seems to envelop the band in the album artwork and the music, but it's pretty standard pop-rock fare for their fourth album. Nothing outstanding, but well worth a casual listen.
Recommended tracks: "Save Me," "Freakshow," "Talk to Me."

The Crux by Hurt
Not a band on everone's radar, but they still manage to put out an album every few years. This one seems more like a concept album, and I think that even casual fans can appreciate this disc.
Recommended tracks: "Sally Slips," "Caught in the Rain," "How We End Up Alone."

HQ Live by Incubus
A treat for the fans, this is a double-live set of performances that were captured in a small setting, and also broadcast live over the Internet. Definitely worth checking out for anyone who's a fan.
Recommended tracks: "Drive," "Anna Molly," "Are You In/Riders on the Storm."

Celebration Day by Led Zeppelin
The full performance from 2007 at London's O2 arena, this double disc set is considered to be one of Zeppelin's best performances ever. With John Bonham's son Jason filling in for him behind the drum kit, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page don't miss a beat in this uplifting concert experience.
Recommended tracks: "Ramble On," "Kashmir," "Rock and Roll."

Human by Projected
Another Sevendust side project, this one by guitarist/vocalist John Connolly and bassist Vince Hornsby. Scott Phillips of Alter Bridge/Creed joins them on drums to produce a solid effort, one that I'd be glad to hear live in concert some day.
Recommended tracks: "Hello," "Watch It Burn," "Stella."

Bringing Down the Giant by Saving Abel
I was surprised to hear it was time for a new album by this band, and while it's not my favorite, there are still some enjoyable yet predictable tracks on this CD. Worth buying for dedicated fans.
Recommended tracks: "Bringing Down the Giant," "Me and You," "Michael Jackson's Jacket."

Amaryllis by Shinedown
Another solid outing by frontman Brent Smith and company. I'm glad to hear the lineup for this album is unchanged since the last time I saw them on tour in 2009. Not as strong as the Sound of Madness CD, but still with some tracks well worth listening to again and again.
Recommended tracks: "Adrenaline," "Bully," "Enemies."

Apocalyptic Love by Slash
Slash's second official solo record, this one with Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy and the touring band from his first album (now referred to as "The Conspirators") instead of another all-star effort like his debut solo disc. The band delves into softer rock, pop and even jazzy numbers but Slash's guitar still rocks throughout.
Recommended tracks: "Standing In the Sun," "You're a Lie," "No More Heroes."

Delayed Reaction by Soul Asylum
The Minneapolis natives' first album in six years, which takes more of a pop turn than previous efforts. Now that Dan Murphy has since left the band, frontman/guitarist Dave Pirner is the only original member still left on the band, and he carries this album from beginning to end.
Recommended tracks: "Gravity," "The Streets," "I Should've Stayed in Bed."

King Animal by Soundgarden
The Seattle band's first studio album in over 15 years was well worth the wait! While the songs don't sound like their classic albums, the new sound fits in well with their classic tracks and takes them in a new direction that I'd also like to hear live someday (if their concert tickets are more affordable, that is).
Recommended tracks: "Been Away," "Taree," "Worse Dreams."

House of Gold and Bones Part 1 by Stone Sour
Jim Root and Corey Taylor depart Slipknot again for their side project Stone Sour. This album (which has part 2 coming out in 2013) is more of a concept album that tells a story. I enjoyed the disc, but wonder how the tracks associate with the second part.
Recommended tracks: "Absolute Zero," "RU486," "Taciturn."

Avengers Assemble by Various Artists
I don't normally listen to movie soundtracks, but this one was worth picking up on the hype surrounding Soundgarden's first single in fifteen years "Live to Rise." The album also features interesting B-sides by Shinedown, Rise Against, Buckcherry, Evanescence and others. Five Finger Death Punch also contribute a solid cover of Faith No More's "From Out of Nowhere."
Recommended tracks: "Live to Rise" by Soundgarden, "I'm Alive by Shinedown, "From Out of Nowhere" by Five Finger Death Punch.

Well that's all for now. Enjoy the weekend and I'll be back blogging again in 2013!

More Questions Than Answers

So here it is, three days until Christmas, and I've been feeling a little like Charlie Brown in the classic Peanuts animated holiday special. With the snow on the ground and cold temperatures outside, I've been keenly aware of the approaching holiday season, but it's taken me a while to get into the holiday mood.

I think it's partly because the month began on a sour note for most of us in the community. People in Central Minnesota and my hometown are still feeling the after effects of the shocking and senseless murder of a police officer, one that as of now has no suspect and no resolution. For me, my mind went back to the school shooting at my high school in 2003, one of those things that you think will never happen to your community until it does. Everyone I talked to in town the weekend after Officer Decker's death felt like they had been punched in the stomach, even if they didn't know the officer or his family. It's still going to take more time for this community to heal, although the outpouring of support from police officers from across the state and the country during his funeral service was encouraging.

This was soon followed by another tragedy, this time the school shooting in Connecticut. Another senseless act of violence that leaves so many people asking "why?" This also reminded me of the shooting this past summer in Colorado during a showing of the newest Batman movie, as well as the fact that one of my former grade school teachers was repeatedly stabbed and killed by one of her sons this summer.

I don't know any of the answers or solutions to these seemingly increasing acts of savage violence. I know that violence is at times glorified on TV, in movies and video games, among other things. However, I do think that perhaps we need to take a closer look at this, as well as maybe even requiring a psychological background evaluation before a person can buy a firearm. I mean, I have played some of the more violent video games like the Grand Theft Auto and Resident Evil series, but I have no aspirations to go out on a shooting rampage afterwards, because I can seperate make-believe from reality.

Well, I didn't mean to write a downer of an article so close to the holidays, but I felt I had to get this off my chest. Next week I'll have my annual review of the best rock albums I've listened to of 2012. Until then, have a safe and happy holiday week with your friends and family, full of lots of positive lasting memories!