It’s now January 3 of 2025 as I type this (Happy Birthday John Paul Jones and Stephen Stills!!), so it’s time for me to give a listing of my favorite albums released in 2024.

Many great ones were released and there’s still many I have not bought and listened to (hopefully someday I will), but until then, here it goes:

1.  Riley’s L.A. Guns “The Dark Horse”-This album was initially released digitally early in 2024 but eventually was released physically later in the year.  I bought it on digital and preordered the CD.  Let me tell you:  I love what Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns of L.A. Guns have been doing since they started working together again.  They’ve released 4 awesome albums since 2017 and have another coming this April.  Having said that, I also like Riley’s L.A. Guns.  Their album Renegades is amazing, as is The Dark Horse.  Just a great, raw, rock and roll album.  I cannot recommend this album enough.  Sadly, drummer Steven Riley passed away so I’m guessing this particular version of the band is no more, but either way, they made two awesome rock and roll albums.  The Dark Horse is by far my favorite album of 2024.

2.  Ace Frehley “10,000 Volts”-I’ve been an Ace fan since I was 15 years old (I’m 42 as I type this.).  I love his work in KISS and his solo work.  This is another solid album by the one and only Space Ace.  I think it’s his most catchiest album, too.  Every song is quite good, and if you are a fan of Ace or of good hard but catchy rock and roll, this album is for you.  Rock on Ace!!

3.  Sebastian Bach “Child Within The Man”-Wow what an album!! Baz is still making awesome rock albums.  This is one of his best ever.  I love every single song and loved hearing a lot of these songs when I last saw Baz in concert (review here).  Do yourself a favor and check out Child Within The Man.  Incredible rock album.

4.  Burton Cummings “A Few Good Moments”-The singer of The Guess Who put out a phenomenal solo album in 2024.  Called A Few Good Moments, it contains 17 awesome songs.  Burton is still a great singer/songwriter and I love these songs so much.  Thank you sir for this great album.

5.  Deep Purple “=1”-Deep Purple are still making phenomenal albums.  =1, to me, is one of their best albums ever.  I wish that more bands/artists that have been around for decades would still make albums.  Especially albums as great as this one.  Get this album.  You won’t regret it.

6.  Judas Priest “Invincible Shield”-The second “Heavy Metal” band is still making phenomenal albums also.  Invincible Shield is another awesome album in a long and awesome discography.  Priest rules!!

7.  Saxon “Hell, Fire And Damnation”-Saxon is another band that’s been around for decades and keeps making arguably their best work.  This album is another one of their best.

8.  Mark Farner “Closer To My Home”-I had looking forward to this album for a long time.  The singer/songwriter/guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad has still got it!!  Such a great new album.  Thank you sir for making this album.

9.  Russell/Guns “Medusa”-Great White singer Jack Russell and L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns recorded a very good album in 2023 and released it in early 2024.  If you are a fan of Jack and Tracii, this is the album for you.  Sadly, Jack passed away later in 2024, but he was still singing great all the way to the end.  Godspeed Jack!!  Thank you for your music, and your kindness!!  And I’ll always miss you.

10.  Bon Jovi “Forever”-This album is kind of a miracle because singer/songwriter Jon Bon Jovi has had vocal issues for the past few years.  I’m a fan of all of their albums, some more than others, but I like/love all of them, and this is no different.  Lots of very good songs on here, great lyrics, and Jon is singing good.  I’m glad that Jon and the band were able to make this album.  Bon Jovi Forever indeed!!

That is my top 10 albums of 2024.  Here are some honorable mentions:

Mr. Big “Ten”-Solid album from this great band.

Black Country Communion “V”-Another very good album from Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian.

Motley Crue “Cancelled”-Not an album, but a 3 song EP.  I wish it was a full album because Motley is one of my favorite bands ever, but I’ll take what I can get.  I’ve played these songs a bunch and I’m glad that the band is still making new music.  I wish guitarist Mick Mars was still there (He put out a solid solo album in 2024 too, listed below.) but nevertheless, Motley still rock and I still love the band no matter what.

Mick Mars “The Other Side Of Mars”-I’m glad Mick was FINALLY able to release his debut solo album.  It’s very heavy.  Thank you Mick for this!!

The Black Crowes “Happiness Bastards”-Welcome return to Chris and Rich Robinson.  Rocking album!!

Punky Meadows “Wrap Me Up”-Not an album, but a phenomenal Christmas original.  It should be a future classic.

Like I said earlier in this post, there is so many more albums that were released in 2024 I have not yet bought and heard, but having said that, this is my definitive 2024 list of albums.

Hopefully 2025 will be another great year for new music!!