The Rolling Stones : "Foreign Tongues"

 I've been a fan of these guys for as long as I have listened to music. In my early teen years along with David Bowie they were one of the only non-metal bands I listened to though in hindsight you could include Kiss and Alice Cooper to that list, bands the Stones influenced. They drew the distinction between the Beatles' pop music and their rock music by calling them a rock band with balls. For that reason, I  am always hoping these guys will go out on a high note. This is album 25, what more could they want? I think it's either Mick's or Keith's death that will be the end of this band. Their last album was great, so it's not a matter of quality. This was, in fact, recorded during those sessions. The boys are both 82, well past the age anyone should be making rock n roll

. "In the Stars" is plugged into their classic attitude. The opening track had a more blues-based feeling than the previous album. The fact that an 82-year-old man gets up into his falsetto is crazy. Steve Jordan plays drums for every song but track 8, which has a Charlie Watts take on it. "Mr Charm" stays true to what they do. "Divine Intervention" is not my favorite song so far, but it is a representation of what the band is about and conveys that. They dig into their countryside for 'Ringing Hollow".  It sounds like they haven't aged a day when they go to this place. 

The song I was looking forward to is "Never Want to Lose You' which finds Smith contributing backing vocals and synths. A big compliment to Smith as both Paul McCartney and Bruno Mars are on this labum but not sining with Paul playing bass, and Mars playing cowbell, which shows how seriously they take him. It does not bear any semblance of the Cure but finds Smith blending with what they do. He sits behind Mick in the mix until they do a call and response. 

They dig back into rock with more earnestness on "Hit Me in the Head."  The Amy Winehouse cover is weird but works for what they do. Richard's voice has not aged as well as Jagger's, but he makes it through "Some of Us". "Covered in You" finds them getting back into their strut. This might be the album's best song. "Side Effects" was well produced, and if you pay close attention, you hear how they give Mick's voice some love in post-production. It is the first song that feels like filler. I was expecting "Back in Your Life" to be a ballad, and it is. Despite Mick sounding great, the verses don't really grab me, though the chorus gets the job done. It is loaded down with guitar solos so if that is why you showed up then it is worth it.

The album closes with a Chuck Berry cover. Which makes sense given Richards' friendship with him, but leans all the way into their blues roots. While it's more rooted in their classic sound and the production is marginally more organic, it's on par with "Hackney Diamonds," meaning not their classic work but better than msot of the post-"Steel Wheels" material, so I will give it a 9.5. 

300

the Top 10 Rock Albums of 2023

Rock music continues to be one of the last vestiges of picking up instruments and playing songs the artist has written.  With metal having a more loyal market, it feels like less straight-up rock music is coming out, but then again it's not something I always look for. There is a very specific feel of moodiness, melody, and underlying mental health issues I seek out from rock music, and these albums touch on varied corners of that sound.  After I sort through the top 10 albums of all the respective genres, I use those lists to compile the top 10 albums of the year. 2023. The very fact these bands 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. Perhaps you can find your next favorite on this list; and have included links to reviews of these albums if you want to check out the audio on these guys. Anyway here are the top 10 Rock albums of 2023.

10-Vulture Industries- "Ghosts From the Past"

This Norwegian band strips away some of the darkness and most of the metal to reach a  middle road with their post-COVID comeback.  This allows them to create the space to establish melodies. There is a slight hint of the Northern European folk history of their homeland creeping into

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/05/vulture-industries-ghosts-from-past.html

 

9-Iggy Pop-"Every Loser"

At the ripe age of 75 Iggy Pop released his 20th album.  Duff Mckagan helps him out along with enlisting a who's who of rock royalty to collaborate with, featuring members of Jane's Addiction, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pearl Jam. Pop described this album as geared to beat the shit out of the listener, but employs more of the cool and collected hints of his 80s new wave past. Which still works really well. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/01/iggy-pop-every-loser.html

8-Buckcherry-"VOL 10"

They kick things off with more of a down-home bluesy swagger that they take in more of a party direction that retains the anthemic charm of their previous hits. They have stripped things down to the bare basics, closer to what they did on the first album, with none of the radio aspirations that fueled some albums. Lets fact it those aspirations worked pretty well as there were a couple of songs that did gain a great deal of radio play. Thus making me respect their self-awareness when it comes to where they stand in the bigger picture of the music industry. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/05/buckcherry-vol10.html

7- Twin Temple -"God is Dead"

This Duo from California returns with their "Satanic" doo-wop. The band claimed their debut album dropped back in 2019 was recorded in a day and a half, live with only two or three takes. If that is the case then this album only took half a day. There is a rawer sound to what unfolds here, though more orchestration, and arrangements that recall Phil Spector's "wall of sound". They are true to the era they are paying homage to, The way they nailed the sound this time with the lo-fi production that still allows the vocals to stand out, takes the sting out of the lyrics, as this could fit on a Sirrus radio oldies station and almost go unnoticed. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/10/gothtober-twin-temple-god-is-dead.html

6-Alice Cooper-"Road"

The 29th album from this legend finds the Coop keeping it real and recording this one live in the studio with his touring band. Done with minimal overdubs, Alice sounds great and the opening track  "I'm Alice" makes it clear at 75, his voice remains where he needs it to be. The songs wink heavily at his classic sound from the 70s, sometimes almost recycling the riffs.  Often lyrically self-indulgent abragging about how great his band is live.  If this was done by anyone else it would not work as well. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/08/alice-cooper-road.html

 

5-Tigercub- "The Perfume of Decay"

This trio from England plays a glammed-out style of rock that feels like a darker, more androgynous take on what Muse does. This is displayed on the title track opens the album. A trickle of angle guitar cascades of the groove, as the vocals coo over it all. They work more of tense groove rather than feeling the need to glitter-bomb everything with grandiose choruses. The choruses are highly melodic and hooky enough to draw you in. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/06/tigercub-perfume-of-decay.html

4-LA Guns -"Black Diamonds"

As long as both Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns are on board then I am fine with LA Guns. This album finds them continuing to kick ass while their arena-packing peers are fat floundering fools. If these guys can still do it with dignity then we should be expecting the same from the Motley Crues of the world. They open this album with a more Zeppelin-like groove. At 66 Phil Lewis sounds incredible. They stay true to the era they are from, while not sounding dated. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/04/la-guns-black-diamonds.html

3-The Menzingers-"Some of it Was True"

They set the bar really high for themselves on "Hello Exile", its country leanings carried a convincing twang. This time the slick production has toned down some of the edges with these punk bar anthems. Lyrically it retains the charm of albums past.  They reach a new level of songwriting with tons of conviction poured into the voice of Greg Barnett, which has both the quiver of nervous vibrato and the more punk snarl to punch out the songs' accents.

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-menzingers-some-of-it-was-true.html

2-Rolling Stones -"Hackney Diamonds"

This is the Stones's 26th album. They are arguably the greatest rock band ever.  However, this legacy gets threatened with every album they decide to drag their career out with. Keith is having to adapt his playing around his arthritis. Richards is 79, and Jagger is 80. Supplemented by producer Andrew Watt, who helped write three songs. The Jagger / Richards songwriting machine keeps rolling. Don Was who makes more sense for the band than the pop producer Watt, who has also worked with Iggy Pop and Ozzy. Jagger sounds more youthful than any other 80-year-old could ever dream. I guess that deal with the Devil he made worked out wonderfully. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-rolling-stones-hackney-diamonds.html

1-Queens of the Stoneage - "In New Times Roman..."

This album has a weird vibe that takes multiple listens to wrap your ears around. At casual listen all the key elements are in place, though perhaps due to the almost too pristine production.  Homme's vocals are in his normal cadence, but the highly compressed guitars have odd effects on them.  Though not a huge departure for the band, it perhaps does not rely on grooves as heavily as "Villains". The tripped-out jams are entertaining. 

https://abysmalhymns.blogspot.com/2023/06/queens-of-stone-age-in-new-times-roman.html

The Rolling Stones : "Hackney Diamonds"

 This is the Stones's 26th album. They are arguably the greatest rock band ever.  However, this legacy gets threatened with every album they decide to drag their career out with. Keith is having to adapt his playing around his arthritis. Richards is 79, and Jagger is 80. Supplemented by producer Andrew Watt, who helped write three songs. The Jagger / Richards songwriting machine keeps rolling. Don Was who makes more sense for the band than the pop producer Watt, who has also worked with Iggy Pop and Ozzy. Jagger sounds more youthful than any other 80-year-old could ever dream. I guess that deal with the Devil he made worked out wonderfully. The first two songs are slicker than the Stones in my mind's eye who made 'Sticky Fingers" but growing up I liked "Dirty Work" and "Undercover" which were poppy at the time. "Steel Wheels" was the last album I spent much time with. 

They can invoke the gritty Blues-based dive bar feel with the punchy "Bite My Head Off". Paul McCartney plays bass on this one, which settles the debate since he is now playing for these guys. There is a classic palm-muted shuffle for the more brooding "Whole Wide World". It rocks more convincingly than you could anticipate them doing at this late in the game. They go for a more laid-back honky tonk sound on "Dreamy Skies' and it feels like they are trying a little too hard. It is better than most bands can do, but the bar is high for these guys as we have heard them do this better already. They used a Charlie Watts drum track on "Mess It Up". Is it on the poppier side of what they do? Yes, but it works. There is a touch of disco to it, and truth be told Disco Stones are some of my favorite albums. Jagger can still go into falsetto at 80, I want to hear zero excuses about your favorite aging rock singers. 

"Live By the Sword" is another that uses a Charlie Watts drum track. Elton John also bangs on the ivories in the background to fill in the gaps. Hardly anything that displays his chops but works for the song. It's really well produced, as you would expect from the biggest rock band in the world. "Driving Me to Hard" feels more authentic to who they are. "Tell Me Straight" is a ballad sung by Keith Richards, is also in a pretty good voice for what he does. Though he sounds a little more like Boby Dylan now.  Jagger sounds at his best on "Sweet Sounds of Heaven" which is a gospel-inflected ballad that Lady GaGa lends her voice to. At times I wonder if it's not Ronnie Wood who is pulling off some of these licks. Lyrically this album is far from their strongest, so it's the vocal performances and playing that is selling it. The last song is an ode to blues we heard done more effectively with "Exile on Main St". Overall this exceeded my expectations considering where these guys are in life I will give this a 9.5. 

  

the Top 200 Greatest Rock Singers -80 to 71

Now  past the half way point of our  list of the top 200 greatest rock singers, inspired by the travesty that was Rolling Stone's supposed list. Where they got it wrong, this list hopes to be more effective,  not only focusing on rock singers and those adjacent to the genre. If you have been reading you know the focus is not only on  technical vocal ability, in terms of range and power, as well as their dynamics, phrasing and the overall character of their voice. Can they emote from different places? How well does their voice hold up live? . How they control a crowd or their entertainment value as performers is also not a factor; there are some great front men who are also sub-par singers. There are also not going to be any Bob Dylan like singers, who are better songwriters than vocalists.

Pop singers, are far and few between, with  a few country or jazz singers who crossover just enough to qualify for this list, while having a significant influence on rock music. Don't expect rappers on this list or metal vocalists who just scream or growl, but never actually sing. I am keen on singers who are derivative of other singers. The bulk of these do their own thing, the few paying tribute to other artists made enough of an impact with their music. Having a unique vocal quality is going to be one of the most important factors often trumping technical ability. If they sound too much like Steve Perry from Journey after listening to their vocal coach rather than developing their own style, it is also not going to fly. Some of these might have been ignored by mainstream music media, but by the time we get to the top 10, I am sure it will all make sense, so here are the Top 200 greatest rock singers.

80-Jason Isabell

Breaking the country mold in many ways, he often takes the stage with his rock band the 400 Unit. His warm baritone does not rely on a country twang. He can also belt it out from his chest register as well as any rock singer.

 

 79- Phil Lynott 

Thin Lizzy is another band that if you judged them by their radio singles you would havea skewed idea of what they do. Due to this I used to think Phil just sang like a 70's cab driver in New Jersey, after hearing songs like "Jail Break" and "the Boys are Back In Town". He has a warm soulful voice that balances attitude with a lot of heart. His matter of fact delivery gives their songs an honest feel.

   

 78-Mikel Akerfeldt  

The Opeth mastermind might no longer employ his powerful death metal growl, but that is typically ok as he has perfected his clean singing voice. There is a mix of soul and 70's prog to the cadence of his voice. Light and introspective, he has slowly worked in more command to his singing though never really belts it out preferring a softer touch.

 

77 -Eugene Edwards

His band 16 Horsepower was ahead of their time as they laid the ground work for the current trend of apocalyptic bluegrass.  His voice however matured to his final for with his project Wovenhand, that is sonically heavier, calling him to deliver a more powerful performance.

  

76-Taylor Swift

Before you talk shit about Tay Tay, let me ask you one question... have you heard her "Folklore" album? Chances are you have just lumped her in with other pop singers. She proves she can use her voice as an instrument. Her country beginnings taught her a lot when it comes to having chops. She can throw her voice around how ever she sets her mind to it, and makes the most of studio tricks and stacking vocal tracks rather than relying on them.

 

 75- Simon Le Bon

Of all the big 80s super stars who emerged from the New Romantic movement, I listened to Duran Duran the least. That is not to say I do not respect the hell out of them as I do. Le Bon's vocals are at the center of that respect as his voice is pristine with a tenor that smoothly glides where he wants it. 

 

 75- Madonna 

She really became a powerhouse, once she accepted the fact she is an alto and started singing where her vocal cords were meant to go, gaining a great deal of power. She has some really impressive low notes in her range

.  

73- Mick Jagger

The idea of Jagger would rate higher , but we are talking about what the actually do as singers. His biggest asset is his attitude and always knowing how to put his voice in the right places. His solo work proves he can stand on his own without Richards.

 

72-Eddie Vedder

His growly baritone inspired other singers to try their hand at grunge in the 90s. Often imitated Vedder was an original, who drew from greats before him without trying to be anyone but himself. He is very emotive and uses his voice like an  instruments often making his lyrics obsolete. 

   

71- Paul McCartney

Technically he might be the best singer of the Beatles, might be. This is not a list of favorite singers, if it was Paul would not be on here, he is too sappy for my tastes. I am not going to deny his talent and he has a set of pipes on him that have graced some of the Beatles best work.