Top 10 CD'S of 2009

10. HEAVEN AND HELL...The Devil You Know
Tony Iommi is just utterly amazing, no matter who his front man might be. In this case it's Ronnie James Dio. This CD just flat out rocks!! Dio still has the ability to belt it out like he did in his 20's. A few highlights: "Bible Black" and "Follow The Tears" You can purchase the vinyl here







9. FOREIGNER...Can't Slow Down
Their first album in 15 years and the first to feature their new lead vocalist Kelly Hansen who sounds uncannily like Lou Gramm! The songs are good, tight arena rock, whether they're fist-pumping anthems like the title track and "Give Me a Sign" or power ballads like "When It Comes to Love" and "As Long as I Live." You can purchase the CD here





8. THE BLACK CROWES...Before The Frost...Until The Freeze
This is a double-album's worth of new material recorded in front of a live audience at Levon Helm's barn in upstate New York. This is a rather remarkable record, a record that has all the easy interplay of a road-tested band but none of the weariness. The Crowes play with muscle, mixing the rustic ramble of "Appaloosa" or the gritty opener "Good Morning Captain". The band sounds alive on this terrific album. You can purchase the vinyl here





7. QUEENSRYCHE...American Soldier
Geoff Tate is a fantastic singer and this concept CD is brilliant. Real soldiers giving their brief stories between tracks adds to the color and the mood of the music. "Home Again" could possibly be one the band's best tracks ever. Other highlights include: "Man Down" and "If I Were King" You can purchase the CD here







6. ERIC CLAPTON AND STEVE WINWOOD...Live From Madison Square Garden
Clapton and Winwood did three concerts together at Madison Square Garden in February 2008, the results spawned this double-disc album and culls 21 highlights. Sequencing so Traffic numbers alternate with selections from Blind Faith, Derek & the Dominos, blues standards, a handful of Clapton hits, and three Hendrix covers - "Them Changes" being the standout. Clapton and Winwood trade vocals and solos almost equally. Clapton and Winwood create sparks such as the '80s hits "Forever Man" and "Split Decision," both which are highlights here. This isn't an album of moments, but rather a sustained whole that finds Clapton and Winwood producing a wholly satisfying reunion. You can purchase the blu-ray here



5. ALICE IN CHAINS...Black Gives Way To Blue
AIC fans that were worried about Layne Staley's replacement had their fears put to rest when this CD came out. William DuVall gives an outstasnding vocal performance on this record. What helps is the tracks are basically the type of rockin' track you'd expect from the band. the 14 year wait was worth it. Highlights: "A Looking In View", "All Secrets Known", "Your Decision" and "Check My Brain" You can purchase the vinyl here





4. CHICKENFOOT...Chickenfoot
What a wild and exciting record this is. Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony (both formerly with Van Halen), Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Pepper's drummer Chad Smith combine for this (you hate to say 'supergroup') outing and the results are great rock 'n'roll, folks!! Nothing fancy, just straight ahead-have fun-in your face-jamming Rock N' Roll. Highlights: "Soap On A Rope", "Oh Yeah" and "Sexy Little Thing" You can purchase the vinyl here





3. PAUL McCARTNEY...Good Evening New York City
One Knight, over two hours of music, from three concerts. Full of the "hits" - but check out "Mrs Vanderbilt" and "Highway". You can pre-order the vinyl here










2. KISS...Sonic Boom
The wait was way too long for some new music from KISS but it finally came and the results were very very good. While the band was recording this CD they would tell the press that Sonic Boom would be very 70's sounding KISS. To this listeners ears it was a little more like 80's KISS but 80's KISS was good. Gene Simmons bass playing is the best it's ever been on a KISS record and Eric Singer is a beast on the drums. Only drawback: it's available only at Walmart. KISS still rocks, folks, don't kid yourself. Highlights: "Say Yeah", "Modern Day Delilah" "I'm An Animal" aand "Russian Roulette" You can purchase the CD here



1. ACE FREHLEY...Anomaly
Ace Frehley is the coolest dude in Rock 'N' Roll. He is a guitar god and an extremely talented songwriter. Anomaly sounds more like what KISS fans would want a new KISS record to sound like. Here on this CD are a collection of great sounding, very well produced, very well crafted straight ahead hard rock. It had been 20 years since Ace put out an album and he definitely got it right, making this our pick for the number one album of 2009. Highlights: "Outer Space", "Fox On The Run", "Genghis Khan", "A Little Below The Angels" and "Fractured Quantum" You can purchase the vinyl here

TOP 10 ROCK CD'S/DOWNLOADS FOR THIS WEEK (12-24-2009)
(1)1. STING...If On A Winter's Night...
(3)2. PAUL McCARTNEY...Good Evening New York City
(2)3. BON JOVI...The Circle
(4)4. ROD STEWART...Soulbook
(7)5. NICKELBACK...Dark Horse
(6)6. DAUGHTRY...Leave This Town
(5)7. BOB DYLAN...Christmas In The Heart
(8)8. FOO FIGHTERS...Greatest Hits
(9)9. CREED...Full Circle
(Re-enter)10. BREAKING BENJAMIN...Dear Agony

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR DECEMBER 24
Lemmy from Motorhead is 64;