Bucky's Best Rock Albums of 2016

Another year is almost over!

While there are still a few albums on my Amazon.com "want" list, here's the favorite new rock albums that I picked up this year, arranged alphabetically by artist:

3 Pill Morning, "Never Look Back"
The latest release by my friends in the Twin Cities-based 3 Pill Morning was a pleasant surprise in the mail, as part of their pledge campaign. Another solid effort with some solid hooks, cool samples, and insightful lyrics.
Recommended tracks: "Electric Chair," "Never Look Back," "Tonight I Wrote a Song for You."

Adelitas Way, "Getaway"
I was lucky enough to hear a few of the new songs live in concert at the Park in Fridley, MN before this album came out. A different musical direction than their last couple of efforts, but well worth a few listens.
Recommended tracks: "Bad Reputation," "Good Die Young," "Deserve This."

Alter Bridge, "The Last Hero"
This much-anticipated Alter Bridge album is very enjoyable. Fortress is still my favorite AB album, but this one still packs a punch - some heavy rockers along with some lighter fare that showcases Myles Kennedy's vocals.
Recommended tracks: "Show Me a Leader," "My Champion," "Crows on a Wire."

American Head Charge, "Tango Umbrella"
Another much-anticipated album, one that was a lot heavier than I thought it would be. I'm glad I got to hear several of these songs live on tour this year. Even if you don't know much about this band, I'd highly recommend that you check it out - you will be headbanging along to the songs in your car, I promise!
Recommended tracks: "Let The World Believe," "I Will Have My Day," A King Among Men."

Cold, "Live"
A delayed double-live album that I pledged for a couple of years ago and almost forgot about came in the mail earlier this year. It's always good to have music with my name on it (my name's in the liner notes' thank you section). A well-produced live album, looking forward to more new music from this band hopefully in 2017.
Recommended tracks: "The Day Seattle Died," "Happens All the Time," "Just Got Wicked."

Failure Anthem, "First World Problems"
A great major label debut album by a new band. I was glad to finally hear them live at the Nonpoint show at Opinion Brewing Co. in Newport, MN this August (and meet the band after the show too). Another enjoyable roadtrip CD.
Recommended tracks: "First World Problems," "Paralyzed," "Leap of Faith."

Gemini Syndrome, "Memento Mori"
Their sophomore album doesn't grab my attention quite the way that Lux did, but there are still some enjoyable songs. It's also interesting to listen to the album concept a few times through. Happy to have heard some of these songs live at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis this fall.
Recommended tracks: "Remember We Die," "Anonymous," "Sorry Not Sorry."

Hellyeah, "Unden!able"
I was more of a Mudvayne fan until I saw Hellyeah play live for the first time at this year's Northern Invasion in Somerset, WI. Despite a glitch-ridden performance, I was impressed by their stage presence, so I made a point to pick up this album. Great vocals, guitars and thundering drums from a rock legend (Vinny Paul).
Recommended tracks: "Human," "Leap of Faith," "I Don't Care Anymore."

Killswitch Engage, "Incarnate"
Another band I saw live for the first time this year, this is one of the most metal of any albums I've picked up this year. Perfect stress reliever for a busy day, or when you just want to rock out with friends. Catch them on tour if you get a chance, too - you will be amazed!
Recommended tracks: "Hate By Design," "Cut Me Loose," "Quiet Distress."

Metallica, "Hardwired...To Self-Destruct"
Their first album in 8 years is also the first album I've put on repeat after the first listen since the black album. Catchy riffs that keep me coming back for more! I bought the triple-disc edition which has additional studio tracks and live songs.
Recommended tracks: "Atlas, Rise," "Moth Into Flame," "Man UNkind."

Nonpoint, "The Poison Red"
Another album that I waited on buying until I heard them live this year, and another pleasant surprise. It's not as heavy as some of the last few albums, but there are some great melodies and lyrics that are surprisingly potent at times. Diehard Nonpoint fans will probably wear out a copy or two of this disc!
Recommended tracks: "Generation Idiot," "Chasing White Rabbits," "My Last Dying Breath."

Seasons After, "Manifesto"
A friend compared this band's third album to Sevendust's third album Animosity, and I have to say that's a fair comparison. This could be the band's breakout album! The entire disc flows smoothly from one song to the next. I'm a little biased because I'm friends with the band (and appeared with other friends in the official music video for the first single "Fighter"), but this is a terrific album that any rock or metal fan simply has to listen to.
Recommended tracks: "Fighter," "Through the Rain," "World Gone Mad."

Sevendust, "Live from Denver"
The only concert DVD on my list, from an April 2014 show at the Gothic Theater in Denver, CO from the Time Travelers & Bonfires tour. The energy is consistent from the first song "Trust" all the way to the closer "Black." Brings back a lot of good memories from that tour, and fans will appreciate the bonus DVD on the making of TT&BF.
Recommended tracks: "Xmas Day," "Come Down," "The Wait."

September Mourning, "Volume II"
The first full-length album from a kind of concept band (there's a story behind the band captured in a couple of comic books). At first I thought they would be a gimmick band, but I liked what I saw in concert this month enough to buy the album. It has a logical flow, and the songs get stuck in your head.
Recommended tracks: "Eye of the Storm," "20 Below," "Stand by Me (cover)."

Through Fire, "Breathe"
Debut album by a new band (formerly known as Emphatic) that has been climbing the rock charts all year. A very solid effort from some hard-working musicians that I saw live twice this year. Check it out for yourself to see what the hype's all about!
Recommended tracks: "Stronger," "Breathe," "Lights."

Tremonti, "Dust"
The third solo album from Alter Bridge lead guitarist Mark Tremonti is one of my favorites. Mark's singing has really grown on me through the years, and he put some of his best lyrics and guitar parts on this album. It'll probably be a while until I hear another Tremonti album as good as this one!
Recommended tracks: "Dust," "My Last Mistake," "Never Wrong."

Well, that's all I have to write for 2016. Be back blogging about more concerts before you know it in 2017 - until then, Happy New Year, everyone!