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(Riley’s) L.A. Guns Renegades Album Review
Frist off, I LOVE this album.
Now, long story.
This album was released November 13 of 2020 as L.A. Guns, but since there was a lawsuit between Drummer Steve Riley (of this band) and other members Phil Lewis (vocals) and Tracii Guns (guitarist), Steve ended up changing the name of the band to Riley’s L.A. Guns (hence why I put Riley’s in parenthesis in the title of this review) so Phil and Tracii could be L.A. Guns.
Confusing I know.
Anyway, I did not give this album the time of day at first because even though I love everybody, especially Steve, I was all about Phil and Tracii having the name and they were putting out phenomenal L.A. Guns albums (and still are) without Steve.
And in the last several years, it has unfortunately become a thing of bands splitting but members using the same name for their version of the band.
It’s happened with L.A. Guns, Queensryche, RATT, just to name a few.
I wish everyone could just get along and/or use different names, but that’s not how life works.
Anyway, long story dragged on longer, it took me awhile to give this album a listen.
But once I did, I LOVED it.
Steve, along with classic L.A. Guns bassist and songwriter Kelly Nickels (writer of their biggest hit The Ballad of Jayne) got together with singer/guitarist Kurt Frohlich and guitarist Scott Griffin (who actually was L.A. Guns’ bassist for awhile when Phil and Steve were still in the band together while Tracii was out) and made this AWESOME rock album called Renegades.
I cannot say enough about this album.
Since buying it on CD, I have played it SEVERAL times.
I love it every time.
Great songs.
I am sooooooooooo glad I gave this album a chance.
I’m sorry the lawsuit happened and the band name got split into two bands, but I support both and love both.
So regardless of the band name, I see it as two great bands and I am allowed to love both.
And I do.
Thank you guys for making this AMAZING album.
When I saw them live in 2023 (review here) and was lucky enough to meet them (sadly Kelly was not there), I told them how much I loved this album and they greatly appreciated it and signed it for me.
Thank you so much!!!!
Sadly, a few months after I saw the band, Steve passed away.
They made another PHENOMENAL album before Steve passed called The Dark Horse (review here), and it was released January 22 of 2024 on Steve’s birthday.
Again, I’m sorry that all the bad things happened, most especially Steve passing away, but thank goodness we have the music.
And this music is great!!!
Give it a listen.
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Riley’s L.A. Guns The Dark Horse Album Review
The second album by Riley’s L.A. Guns was released on Monday January 22 of 2024.
Drummer Steve Riley’s (RIP) birthday.
This album was recorded awhile ago while Steve was still with us.
Like their first album called Renegades as this lineup (Steve on drums, bassist Kelly Nickels, singer/guitarist Kurt Frohlich, and guitarist Scott Griffin), the band again made a very ROCKING album.
I preordered the CD but went ahead and bought it on ITunes so I could go ahead and start playing it.
I’m glad I did because I cannot stop listening to it.
All the songs are great.
It’s a perfect album.
Sadly, though, I’m guessing this is the last album as this band, since Steve is now gone, and I’m guessing they are not carrying on without him.
But I am glad they got to be together while they were and made two AMAZING albums and were a great live band too.
Check out this album and Renegades.
You won’t regret it.
Rest In Peace Steve!!!! I love you and thank you for the music and your kindness!!!!
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Jack Russell/Tracii Guns Medusa Album Review
Here is my first album review for 2024.
Jack Russell (Lead Singer of Great White/Jack Russell’s Great White) and Tracii Guns (Guitarist of L.A. Guns) collaborated on an album called Medusa.
It was released on Friday, January 12 of 2024.
If you are a fan of both their work in their other bands, you will love this.
Jack’s great vocals and Tracii’s great playing, backed by very good musicians, make up a very rocking album.
This was released by Frontiers Records, who release a lot of albums, and often put musicians together that usually don’t or have ever worked together in a situation where they do work together.
Check out this album. Every song is very good and the album Rocks!!
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My Favorite Albums of 2023
Happy New Year everyone!!
As I type this on January 1 of 2024, I’m thinking back on the great albums that were released in 2023 and I enjoyed and will continue to.
I still have not heard every album released in 2023 that I want to, but I can definitely say I have heard enough to compile a list of my favorite 2023 albums.
So here they are:
- Dirty Honey Can’t Find The Brakes-Definitely my album of the year. It was tough because a few others I will list were number 1, but this one really blew me away. Dirty Honey are a newer rock band, with one EP and now two full length albums. I sadly missed them in concert in 2023 (Maybe this year I will see them?!), but judging by the clips I have seen, they are amazing live too. Their latest album, Can’t Find The Brakes, is just perfect, from top to bottom. Great rocking songs and some great mellower tunes also. Check this band out.
- The Rolling Stones Hackney Diamonds-This was my number 1 album for a little while, and even though it’s number 2, it’s phenomenal. “The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World” are still putting out great albums and doing great concerts. These guys are in their 80s and 70s and are still better than most could possibly imagine to be. This album is amazing. I want to see these guys still rocking when they’re 100 years old. I think they can do it.
- L.A. Guns Black Diamonds-This album was my number 1 for most of the year. It’s sooooooo great. L.A. Guns have been putting out stellar albums since singer Phil Lewis and guitarist Tracii Guns reunited in 2017. This is their 4th album since their reunion (The band never truly broke up, but these two guys had not worked together in many years.). What can I say? These guys are on a roll and I have read they have another album coming out this year. So I can’t wait for that. And if you get a chance to see them, please do. I will be seeing them again this year so that will be exciting too. Keep on rocking guys!!
- Angel Once Upon A Time-One of my favorite bands of the 70s reunited a few years ago (singer Frank Dimino and guitarist Punky Meadows are the sole original members now, although classic bassist Felix Robinson is playing a couple of shows with them this year) and have been playing a lot of shows and have released two albums since reuniting. This album I think definitely has the most variety of different songs on it, but yet, still sounds like Angel, which is great. I know they worked hard on this album and they should be proud of it and all their other albums. Sadly, this band never got the attention and success it deserves, but I am glad they are still around and doing what they do best. I was lucky enough to see them twice in 2023 and meet them, and I can say they are great people too. Thank you guys for everything.
- Metallica 72 Seasons-I have been a Metallica fan for 25 years, and I have loved almost every album they have made (I do not hate any of them.). This album they initially premiered one night only in limited theaters around the country. I was able to attend one of these listening parties and it was a great experience. I have heard that some people feel this album is a grower. I loved it immediately and I still do. They are one of the biggest bands in the world and I feel they still are putting out awesome music and I think they can go as along as The Rolling Stones have. Rock on guys!!
- Winger Seven-Winger got slagged so much by Beavis and Butt-Head (and Metallica for that matter in one of their videos), but to me, they are just a phenomenal band. Singer/songwriter/bassist/keyboardist/leader Kip Winger is just a musical genius, as far as I am concerned. His voice has always been great and he and guitarist Reb Beach (one of my favorite guitar players) continue to write great rocking, catchy songs. And all the band are just great musicians. Please check out Winger. Their albums are great and they are still playing great concerts too.
- Jethro Tull Rokflote-Singer/songwriter/flutist/leader Ian Anderson is still going strong. Many are not wild about his voice anymore (He talk sings more these days so I understand people’s frustrations) but it does not bother me. I still think he’s great and I really like this album. And I saw them live last year and had fun. I know my Jethro Tull concert review got a lot of attention, and I understand if people do not want to see the band anymore, but I still think the band is great and Ian is still writing great songs. I am not apologizing for liking it.
- Greta Van Fleet Starcatcher-Greta Van Fleet is the biggest newer rock band in the world. They have the big rock show. Their albums seem to actually sell. They have a rabid fan base (especially females). They still get compared a lot to Led Zeppelin, and I understand that, but to me, they just sound like a 70s rock band, period. And that is not a bad thing. They are phenomenal. I have seen them live and trust me, they really are huge. They have worked hard for it and I am glad to see a younger rock band make it!!!! As a rock fan, I want to see more bands like Greta Van Fleet make it. Dirty Honey I hope are on their way. The Struts are doing well but could be even bigger. There is a newer band called Lost Hearts that I have high hopes for. Greta Van Fleet has proven that it still is possible to be a rock band and make it in the music industry. Keep on rocking guys.
- Dokken Heaven Comes Down-Singer Don Dokken is still Rokken!! This is the band’s first album since 2012. If you are a Dokken fan, you should like this. It’s great.
- Uriah Heep Chaos & Colour-This band has been around since the 60s and is still putting out great albums. This is their 25th studio album. I hope I will get to see them this year (they are announcing a U.S. Tour with Saxon January 8th. Fingers crossed!!).
- Lynch Mob Babylon-Former Dokken Guitarist George Lynch has released what I think is maybe his best album he has ever made outside of Dokken. His current lineup of Lynch Mob is maybe his best band since he was in Dokken. This album is phenomenal. Please seek it out!!
- Mike Tramp Songs of White Lion-White Lion singer Mike Tramp released an album of re-recordings of White Lion songs in 2023. The arrangements are a little different, but still sound like White Lion and I really like them. I was lucky enough to see and meet Mike last year. Such a great and talented guy. Keep on rocking sir!!
- Paul Rodgers Midnight Rose-One of the greatest singers ever put out a great album in 2023. Anything this man sings is gold. Check it out.
- Vandenberg Sin-Great album from guitarist Adrian Vandenberg. Sounds very much like Whitesnake (which he was in for several years) which is not a bad thing. I am seeing him in March and cannot wait.
- Alice Cooper Road-Alice has been around since the 60s and still as great or better than he has ever been. This album is another masterpiece in his massive masterpiece of a discography. I could have ranked this much higher, but a lot of great albums came out in 2023. And please go see him live. He’s phenomenal.
- Black Oak Arkansas The Devil’s Jukebox-Singer Jim Dandy is still going strong. He and his band released a mostly covers album in 2023 and it is very good. I am so happy Jim is still around and I soooooooooo want to see him and Black Oak in concert. Please?!?!
- KK’s Priest The Sinner Rides Again-Former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing and former Judas Priest singer Tim “Ripper” Owens have released their second album under the banner of KK’s Priest. Very heavy album. If you are a Heavy Metal or Judas Priest fan, you should really like this one. I cannot wait to see the band in March.
- Ian Hunter Defiance Part 1-Such a great album from Mott The Hoople singer/songwriter Ian Hunter. Lots of guests on this album too. I hope I can see Ian in concert and I truly hope there will be a Part 2.
- Sweet & Lynch-Stryper singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Sweet and guitarist George Lynch released their third album in 2023. If you are a fan of these guys’s work, you need to check out their albums together. They make a great pair and I hope they will make more together.
- Plow Horse Plow Horse II Blood On The Plow-This is my friend Kevin Montavon’s band out of Ohio. He is the singer/songwriter of the band. I was truly blown away by this album. A great hard rock album. All originals except for one cover by John Mellencamp. And wow what a cover it is. You can check out this album on Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Pandora, and Spotify. I have the physical copy, which to me is always the best. Thanks Kevin. This album rules.
- Extreme Six-Great album by singer Gary Cherone, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, bassist Pat Badger, and drummer Kevin Figueiredo.
- Dolly Parton Rockstar-Dolly Parton put out a very good double album of original and classic rock songs in 2023. Lots of guests on it too. She and all the guests did a great job on this.
OK that is my 2023 album list. I am sure there is more and maybe I will add them to this list at a later date.
But until then, be healthy and safe everyone. And I cannot wait for great albums to be released in 2024, along with more great concerts.
Rock on!!
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Dirty Honey Can’t Find The Brakes!! Album Review
Dirty Honey continue to amaze me.
They are a newer rock band that just check all the boxes for me.
They have great songs, the band is tight, great musicians (John Notto on guitar, Justin Smolian on bass, and new drummer Jaydon Bean), and the singer (Marc LaBelle) is amazing.
Their latest album, Can’t Find The Brakes!!, released on November 3rd of 2023, is one of my favorite albums of the year.
It’s perfect from start to finish. No skipping of songs on this album.
They are one of the newer bands that I have high hopes for the future.
The legends are going to eventually be gone, so we rock fans/music fans need newer bands to keep on rocking.
Dirty Honey is one of them, in my opinion.
Great band!!!!!
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Mark Farner Rock ‘N Roll Soul Live 1989 CD/DVD Review
Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad singer/songwriter/guitarist) performed at a show in 1989 celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Woodstock festival.
This was filmed and recorded, but was never released until 2023.
This is the video and audio of Mark’s set.
Mark and his band at the time played several Grand Funk Railroad songs, as well as some of Mark’s solo songs.
Great, rocking, really live show.
Thanks Mark for signing this too.
Keep on rocking sir!!
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Dolly Parton Rockstar Album Review
Superstar Dolly Parton’s new album, Rockstar, was released on November 17, 2023.
This is her first true rock album.
It is a double album that includes 9 new original songs, plus 21 cover songs.
Several other famous singers/musicians are on this album. Some of whom appear on their songs that Dolly covered, as well as some on her new songs.
I really like the whole album.
I love hearing my hero Rob Halford of Judas Priest singing with Dolly on one of her new songs Bygones. And Nikki Sixx and John 5 of Motley Crue are playing bass and guitar, respectively, on it.
Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers and solo fame is on one of her new songs called Bittersweet.
The last of The Beatles (Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr) appear on her cover of Let It Be, along with Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood.
Frampton also appears on her cover of his song Baby I Love Your Way.
I really like her versions of Stairway To Heaven (Led Zeppelin), Purple Rain (Prince), Magic Man (Heart cover with Heart singer Ann Wilson), Night Moves (Bob Seger cover w/Chris Stapleton), Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Elton John cover also featuring Elton), Long As I Can See The Light (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover featuring John Fogerty of CCR), and really everything else.
Her original I Dreamed About Elvis is fun.
Again, I really like this album.
It’s fun. It rocks. It’s emotional. It’s just great songs.
I’m glad Dolly made this album.
Thank you for it.
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KK’s Priest The Sinner Rides Again Album Review
Guitarist K.K. Downing (formerly of Judas Priest) has released his second album with his band KK’s Priest.
It is called The Sinner Rides Again, released on September 29 of 2023.
The band includes singer Tim “Ripper” Owens (also formerly of Judas Priest from 1996 to 2003 when classic singer Rob Halford was not in the band), co-guitarist A.J. Mills, bassist Tony Newton, and drummer Sean Elg.
Honestly, I was not a fan of this album when I first bought it.
I liked the first album, Sermons of the Sinner, but this album I was not into at all.
I thought everything sounded great, sound wise, but I just was not wild about the songs at all for some reason.
But after a few listens, it has grown on me and I’m digging it now.
All of the instrumentation, the vocals, and the production and mix are very good.
Tim has always been an amazing singer and I’m glad he and KK are working together again.
It’s a SUPER Heavy Metal album for sure.
I’m glad K.K. is playing again, has a very good band, and I would like to see them in concert if they play in America someday.
However, I will also say this: I’m TIRED of reading interviews where K.K. is complaining about not being in Judas Priest anymore.
OK I know this happens all the time. A band member is fired or quits a band and they air their grievances in public, on both sides usually.
And I know he’s answering the question(s) he’s being asked by interviewers, which is fair enough, but I am beyond tired of reading about him complaining and wishing he was still in the band.
He QUIT!!!!!
He has a very good band now and should focus on that, in my opinion.
Yes I’m a HUGE Judas Priest fan and KK, along with guitarist Glenn Tipton, will always be my favorite guitar duo of all time.
And I would welcome K.K.’s return to the band, but until then, I wish he would just focus on this band that he has now.
That’s all.
Again, this is a Heavy Metal album and I love Heavy Metal.
Having said that, though, this one had to grow on me.
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The Rolling Stones Hackney Diamonds Album Review
“The Greatest Rock And Roll Band In The World” (true), The Rolling Stones, are back with their first studio album of all new material since 2005.
It is called Hackney Diamonds, released on October 27 of 2023.
They’ve put out a few new songs since 2005, and released a great album of blues covers in 2016, but again, this is the first full on new album since 2005.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood are still rocking better than anyone, in my opinion.
These songs can be put alongside all the other classic Stones songs and fit well with them.
Many guests are on this album too. Sir Paul McCartney plays bass on one song, Lady Gaga sings with Mick on one song and Stevie Wonder plays on that very same song. Sir Elton John plays piano on two songs too.
Classic Members Charlie Watts (RIP) is the drummer on two songs, and classic bassist Bill Wyman plays on one of those same songs!!
I miss Charlie. He’s my favorite drummer, and I honestly thought the guys would call it a day when he passed a few years ago.
But they didn’t and I’m glad they didn’t.
The Rolling Stones have been around since 1962. No band that I’m aware of has been around for that long.
This band never broke up.
People have made fun of their ages for decades (yes they’re old) but guess what? They’re still better than every band on the planet, as far as I’m concerned.
I saw them in 2015 and of all the shows I’ve seen and will see, no show will ever top that night for me.
And again with this new album, Hackney Diamonds, they have certainly carved out several more diamonds, if you will, for us to enjoy.
I’ve loved this band since I was a little kid and I always will.
And I’m sooooooooo glad they’re still here to rock our socks off.
And this is my album of the year for 2023. There have been many great albums released this year, but this is my favorite for sure.
Check it out.
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Lynch Mob Babylon Album Review
Guitarist extraordinaire George Lynch and his band Lynch Mob are back with, dare I say it, their best album and best band lineup ever.
It was released on October 20 of 2023.
George is always making music, putting out albums under different monikers and different people, and has had many lineups of Lynch Mob since starting the band after Dokken’s (the band he was in during the 80s and for the latter part of the 90s for their reunion, and occasionally since then) demise in the 80s.
But I’m telling you this may be the best band lineup he’s ever had outside of Dokken.
Along with George on guitar, the band includes singer Gabriel Colon, bassist Jaron Gulino, and drummer Jimmy D’Anda.
I saw this band earlier this year (with Dokken actually, George played with them too for the last 3 songs of their set) and I can say that on stage and on album, WOW!!!!
Just rocking the entire time.
In fact, the band played two songs from this album at this show, which was not yet released.
They played two songs because one went down sooooo well with the crowd that the band, and especially George, was shocked, and he asked the crowd if they wanted to hear more new stuff, and they applauded.
I did not see people walking out, getting beer and nachos, as I often see people do at shows when a song they don’t know or care about is playing. They stuck around and loved it.
Which I hate by the way when people walk out.
If you don’t like it fine or seriously need to go to the restroom or eat, fine. But when I go to a show, I want to hear the music. Old songs and new songs, if they got them.
I’m not there to drink and eat nachos, hot dogs, etc.
I’m there to ROCK!!!!
Anyway, this band, as is, is AWESOME!!
This album is AWESOME!!
Check it out.
And they will be touring in 2024, so go see them if you can.
