Opeth "Watershed" - probably one of the best moments in Metal of the last five years. The end of Burden was the first time in God knows how long where I felt the urge to do a psychedelic drug. Roadrunner: please put this out on vinyl.
Children of Bodom "Blood Drunk" - It is fine, but I never listen to it. I still go back to Hate Crew. It sounds like they are settling into a little groove with their sound and the songs rock live, but there is nothing particularly compelling on this record they haven't done already and with more memorable hooks.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!" - note to all rockers over 40, this is the blueprint of how to age gracefully. The album kicks ass but shows maturity at the same time. Nothing avant-garde or mellow or experimental. Just a straight up rocker with amazing lyrics and well developed grooves. My favorite Bad Seeds album by far.
Mudcrutch s/t - Jeff Tweedy and Tom Petty should totally make a record together. Not that this album isn't a great rootsy rock record, but Tweedy and Petty would be freaking sweet.
Def Leppard "Songs from the Sparkle Lounge" - They sound stripped down, but not retro. Love is the best song on the record. Who knew Def Leppard would be their best when blatantly ripping off Queen?
Testament "The Formation of Damnation"- FUCK AND YES! Worth the nine year wait.
Ihsahn "angL" - I made the mistake of trying to work out to this record and it killed the whole vibe. This is some pretty damn dark and depressing shit. But it is also a beautifully constructed prog-black metal masterpiece. The song with the dude from Opeth is killer.
Ashlee Simpson "Bittersweet World" - I was nervous about this record because what I liked about her sound was the guitar based pop. But Rule Breaker has an undeniable riff and the "Blondie on the 00's" sound is still there. Good shit.
Death Angel "Killing Season" - I thought the first reunion album "The Art of Dying" was pretty damn kick ass. I can't even remember one song title from this. Ass suckingly boring. Boo.
Man Man "Rabbit Habits" - If Tom Waits was following Nick Cave's example he would have written this record. Everything from the songwriting to the production is absolutely stellar. The perfect soundtrack to a life as a snake oil salesman in the West.
Spiritualized "Songs in A & E" - Another total winner. Give the man credit for self releasing and still utilizing an orchestra and choir. Death Take Your Fiddle, about his nearly fatal drug overdose is the standout for me. Goodnight, Goodnight also follows in his tradition of amazing album closers. Think Cop Shoot Cop from "Ladies and Gentlemen..."
Torche "Meanderthal" - In the 90s this wouldn't have even been considered Metal. Shoegazer with huge hooks and a ton of riffs. This band rocks hard with sick melodies. I wish they were touring with Swervedriver this summer.
In Flames "A Sense of Purpose" - what in the hot topic happened to this band? I hope they are getting their dicks sucked a lot because they have fallen hard since the Jester Race/Clayman glory days. The lyrics are straight out of a 15 year old goth girl's LiveJournal ("I feel like shit/but at least I feel something." Really guys? Fuck you!) The riffs suck too. Fuck them at this point.
Black Crowes "Warpaint" - Made me a fan again for the first time in 15 years. Daughters of the Revolution, Evergreen, Oh Josephine, so many new classics. Great production as well. Regardless of the process it sounds like 5 dudes in a room.
