the Top 10 Rock Albums of 2020

I changed things up a bit this year and got rid of the indie rock list though I did create a shoe-gaze / post -rock list , which in years past was what the indie rock list turned into. The rest of the bands got lumped in with post punk, so these are more straight up rock, but not packing enough punch for the hard rock list. Ok now that that is out of the way , much like in years past sort through the genre lists before making the overall top ten of the year list. I know many of you are ready for 2020 to be over with. Hate to break it to you but nothing is getting better next year. As far as 2020 goes there is only a couple new bands on this list. 

 The fact these artists made it on the list speaks to how great these albums are, so it's not a slight that the number 8 album is above the 9th album, there is something that just gives it an edge that makes me want to listen to it more. After all we can try to look cool and pick the hippest bands for a list, but at the end of the day what makes an album the best is that it makes you want more, you look forward to listening to it again. Sure you can bitch and complain about your favorite band not being on the list. However I listen to five new albums a day so yes I heard your favorite album and was not impressed. No I do not care what you think about it .I do hope you can find your next favorite on this list and have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out audio on these guys. Anyways here are the top 10 rock albums of 2020

10-Les Deuxluxes : "Lighter Fluid"

This Canadian band has a stripped down garage rock flavor dipped in the 60 , but not mired down in it's flirtation with yester years. The vocals of their singer add a velvety touch of sex to the affair as she playfully muses. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/09/les-deuxluxes-lighter-fluid.html  

9-Stuck- "Change is Bad" 

A refugee from the post punk list. They have a Gang of Four like skip to their step. Bouncy fun that is for the unnerved yet happy. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/07/stuck-change-is-bad.html

8-Cloud Nothings- "the Black Hole Understands" 

Less punk and more of a happy go lucky Pixies like mood to the songs this time around. This is bolstered by their prowess as song writers to once again find them on this list. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/07/cloud-nothings-black-hole-understands.html

7- The Death Valley Girls - " Under the Spell of Joy" 

They have gone in a different direction, but sounds like they are ingesting larger amounts of drugs. They expanded their sound with synths and sax . The bi polar nature of this album goes from peppy anthems kids could sing along with to droning Velvet Underground like hypnosis. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/12/death-valley-girls-under-spell-of-joy.html

6-En Minor -"When the Cold Truth Has Worn It's Miserable Welcome Out" 

Phil likes other music aside from metal. That is the point he wanted to make with this album. He seems to love Tom Waits and Nick Cave as that is the route he goes with his singing . The reason they beat out the Death Valley Girls for this spot is because this album is darker/ 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/08/en-minor-when-cold-truth-has-worn-its.html

  5-Blunt Razors- "Early Aught" 

The guys from Planes Mistaken For Stars are back. This time it is more stripped down and droning . Not folk, as it is too brooding like a storm that never hits. On the slow core side of rock but rock none the less. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/11/blunt-razors-early-aughts.html

4-Psychedelic Furs- "Made of Rain" 

They have aged better than most of their peers. This album doesn't feel dated or like they are parading the memories of their glory days around. These songs are fresh faced and stand on their own two feet. 

 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-psychedelic-furs-made-of-rain.html

 

3- Black Foxxes - "s/t" 

They remembered to rock out more on this album. I want them moodier and sorting through their issues like they did on "I'm" not well, so they bounced back from a sophomore slump in a big way. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/10/black-foxxes-st.html

 

2- Playa Royale- "Bastards" 

If you miss when  Panic at the Drive in was not getting #meetoo 'ed and rocked out , then this band is for you. They are actually more explosive than Panic was. They have plenty of hooks to an almost pop degree but balance it with good rocking. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/07/palaye-royale-bastards.html

1-Morrissey - " I am Not a Dog On a Chain" 

This is not the most in your face rock record Moz has produced , but he gives less of a fuck now than he did when he released those albums. He takes more chances and his voice sounds great . I mean what bands like Black Foxxes and Playa Royale has in youthful energy, Moz has nuance. He is even more vital sounding now than the Furs. He has something to say about the world today. He is rolling over for anyone's hash tag and is not impressed by virtue signaling. Just what we need in 2020.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/morrissey-i-am-not-dog-on-chain.html

the Top 10 Rock Albums of 2020 ...so far

The year is half way gone. What do we have to show for it ? While you guys have been running scared I have been listening to music , new music. Yes it is still coming out in 2020 despite the music business being dealt a death blow it is not going to recover from. Savor these albums as unless it is released by an artist we are going to see less big releases coming out from this point on,as they are making less investments. If you are a musician you are screwed ,so here are ten artists that are worht your support though  3 of these guys are doing ok on their own and have other sources of income. now let us move onto why you clicked .

By rock here we are talking about anything that is not metal. There was not enough pop to justify making a seperate list and there are not a great deal of glaring pop albums aside from the number 10 album. I have albums coming out in August in my in-box already so I am way ahead of the curve, so this might be more prophetic of the year's best than in years before, considering how  bands can not tour to support releases , many are being delayed . So is this as good as 2020 is going to get ? I think not just in terms of music the answer is yes. Half of you might kill yourselves after what is going to happen in November, If you follow me on social media you know I am getting my transmissions from the aliens which are now even clearer since I am off my meds , but I have been pretty spot on in my predictions so far. It pays to be crazy these days.

10- Poppy- "I Disagree"

 This one grew on me. Makes a solid argument that she is more than a social media star trying to go metal. Head and shoulders over other gimmicks like Babymetal or Ghost. Not made but a pop album with an edge.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/01/poppy-i-disagree.html

9-Ozzy Osbourne - "Ordinary Man"


 It's a miracle he lived to make this album. I can not imagine him being able to do another. It is much better than what I feared given the fact he is using Post Malone's producer. Not a metal album, but rocks enough for his age.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/02/ozzy-osbourne-ordinary-man.html

8-Dool- "Sumerland"


 This band features members of the Devils Blood. They are less retro and more progressive, with a more straight up radio rock vibe. Some of this is thanks to the very accessible nature of the smooth vocals. A mature step forward with songwriting and even darker.



 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/dool-summerland.html

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7-Sound VVitch- "Becoming" 


 interesting blend of dark wave and industrial, though not neatly falling into either sub genre. It is too heavy for dark wave and works of slow slithering pounds rather than a neat dance floor ready groove. If you are into the darkwave or industrial strains of gothic music this album is a must.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/sound-vvitch-becoming.html

6- Mrs. Piss - " Self Surgery"



 Have yet to even load this one into iTunes, just got it last week, which factors into why it is a Chelsea Wolfe album that is not coming in higher. My first impression is I might like this better than "The Birth of Violence". This is only June so I have another 6 months to come to these conclusions.


 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/mrs-piss-self-surgery.html

5-Katatonia- "City Burials"

 Not a metal album, but at least these guys are not just moping around and brought back some balls to their sound. The songs are more fun than anything since "Night is the New Day".


https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/katatonia-city-burials.html

4-Igorrr - "Spirituality and Distortion" 

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<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality=""> Might not pack the punch of the previous album, but is more serious about the exotic groove. If Dead Can Dance was too mellow for you then this is an album to check out. Yes the more aggressive Mr. Bungle like moments are here too. <- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality=""> https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/igorr-spirituality-and-distortion.html 

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3-Pyschedelic Furs- "Made of Rain"
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Not being defined by their 80s hits,  theses guys made and album that will surprise you. It falls some where between their their new wave pop past and a progressive indie rock future. Lyrically it is very asute.
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<- and="" br="" distortion="" pirituality=""> https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-psychedelic-furs-made-of-rain.html

2- Morrissey - " I am Not a Dog on a Chain" 

There are some weird choices. I need to spend more time with this album to digest them. I always enjoy this album when I do play, I have the rest of the year to continue to unpack all my thoughts and feeling on this and it was a close call between Moz and the Furs here, but of course he is going to win out it is my blog. 

 https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/03/morrissey-i-am-not-dog-on-chain.html 

 

1- Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud

When talking to an editor of anohter blog I write for in regards to their list of the same kind, I told this ...if you have not heard that saint cloud album and want to be in a good mood , I implore you to listen to it, thanks to the wonders of the american health care systems I am off my meds and have been given more hoops to jump through than I am able to deal with so instead of my wellbutrin I listen to it when I drink my coffee in the morning.... that is not my blurb , just my endorsement to you lol so that is my blurb about it here.


https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2020/05/waxahatchee-saint-cloud.html