My Favorite Albums of 2025
It’s February of 2026 as I type this, but I wanted to mention my favorite albums of 2025.
There are still 2025 albums I’ve not yet purchased and listened to, but there were a lot of great ones that came out that year.
My top 3 are:
38 Special Milestone-This is 38 Special’s first studio album since 2004 and boy was it worth the wait. Every song is great and singer/co-guitarist/founding member Don Barnes is as great as ever. Also thanks to the band and TalkShopLive for the signed copy!!
Two-Wolf-This is the debut album from the band Two-Wolf, which features Blackfoot founding member/bassist Greg T. Walker. Such a great album from start to finish. I got Greg to sign my CD booklet when I saw the band in 2025. Check out Two-Wolf.
Peter Criss-This is KISS founding member/drummer Peter Criss’ first solo album since 2007. It’s a masterpiece from start to finish. I love this album sooooooo much. Aside from his 1978 solo album, this is my favorite of his solo albums. It’s so incredible. Check it out.
OK the rest are in no particular order of favorite, so I’ll just list them as they are in the pictures I took of them:
Dream Theater Parasomnia-Another amazing album from DT. Founding member/drummer Mike Portnoy is back!!
Judas Priest/Ozzy Osbourne War Pigs Charity Single-Yes this is a single, but what a great one. Featuring already recorded vocals from Ozzy Osbourne (RIP), this is Judas Priest paying respect to Black Sabbath. Phenomenal version of this classic song.
Styx Circling From Above-Another really good album from Styx. They quit making albums for a long time, but for past roughly decade, they’ve been very consistent with putting out really good albums. Again, this is another really good one.
Michael Schenker Group Don’t Sell Your Soul-Another solid effort from the amazing guitarist Michael Schenker.
The Doobie Brothers Walk This Road-Very good album from one of my favorite bands. Michael McDonald now back in the band!! He, Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons, John McFee and co. are still amazing. I got a signed copy from their website. Thanks guys!!!!
Billy Idol Dream Into It-Solid effort from Billy and his guitarist/collaborator Steve Stevens. My copy is signed by Billy. Thanks Billy and TalkShopLive!!
Biohazard Divided We Fall-Their first album since 2012, Biohazard are as awesome as ever.
Mammoth The End-Another great album from Wolfgang Van Halen. Like his other two albums before this, he sings, writes, and plays everything. Phenomenal talent.
Bryan Adams Roll With The Punches-Another really good album from Bryan Adams. Thanks again to TalkShopLive and Bryan for the signed CD.
Glenn Hughes Chosen-Glenn is one of the greatest singers/bassists ever. He continues that way with this really solid album. Again, thanks TalkShopLive and Glenn for the signed picture that came with the CD.
Cheap Trick All Washed Up-Cheap Trick have really been on a roll since their Bang Zoom Crazy Hello album came out in 2016. One great album after another. This is another really good one. Thanks to the band and TalkShopLive for the signed CD.
LA Guns Leopard Skin-Like Cheap Trick, LA Guns have really been on a roll since releasing their 2017 album The Missing Peace. Every album they’ve released since then (The Missing Peace, The Devil You Know, Checkered Past, Black Diamonds, and now Leopard Skin) are great. Get all of them.
Jimmy Page And The Black Crowes Live At The Greek-This is a re-release of a phenomenal live album originally released in 2000. This version has a lot more songs on it, as well as the ones on the original release. Again, PHENOMENAL.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Celebrating 50 Years Live At The Ryman-This is a double live album and DVD set. This is also sadly founding member/guitarist Gary Rossington’s final show with the band. The show is great, though. Seek it out.
OK I know there are more great 2025 releases, but that’s my list.
Onward to 2026. I’ve already bought 3 awesome albums released in 2026. Check them out in separate reviews and/or my 2026 Album List in 2027.
Until then, Rock On!!
