Rank Your Top Albums and Songs - 2024 Edition

[Schulzy]

Do you think that first Art of Anarchy song sounds like Gematria by Slipknot? Idk why it just always makes me want to listen to Gematria instead. Lol

The very last song on the album has a part where a relative of the Vottas is singing Ave Maria which genuinely freaked me out when I first heard it.

"Die Hard" builds up quite a bit in the intro. "Gematria" kicks into gear much quicker for me. I preferred that song - Corey's vocals, guitars, drums. I will give AoA's album another spin today.

[Schulzy]

New stuff I listened to last year, I bolded out the worthwhile ones.

Wheel - Charismatic Leaders
Vanden Plas - The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
Rendezvous Point - Dream Chaser

I listened to Vanden Plas' album a few times over the last three days. I found it strangely relaxing and liked it a lot. I've been listening to Rendezvous Point and love it! Fireflies reminds me of the band Issues. The production on the album is intense! It sounds so huge with good headphones. I was really getting into the grooves and think the vocalist has a unique tone to his voice. Thank you!

[Dolo]

New stuff I listened to last year, I bolded out the worthwhile ones.

Wheel - Charismatic Leaders
Vanden Plas - The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
Rendezvous Point - Dream Chaser

I listened to Vanden Plas' album a few times over the last three days. I found it strangely relaxing and liked it a lot. I've been listening to Rendezvous Point and love it! Fireflies reminds me of the band Issues. The production on the album is intense! It sounds so huge with good headphones. I was really getting into the grooves and think the vocalist has a unique tone to his voice. Thank you!

Cheers mate, I'm glad you liked it. Among a lot of lackluster music released in 2024, those were the records that stood out.

[gbruin]

While I'm waiting for Mr. Tremonti's new album I decided to check out a few albums from Devil Inside You, gbruin, and Dolo's lists. I had already listened to everything on AtP's list and enjoyed them.

First up this morning was Pearl Jam's Dark Matter. I remember listening to the single when it came out but never checked out the album. I have always been a casual fan. My reaction to this album after two full play throughs was - it's definitely Pearl Jam. They have a distinct sound and I could immediately recognize them even if I'd only heard part of a new song. Many of the songs have that bright, snappy, sound. My biggest issue with the band is I feel like I can only ever remember the choruses to their songs. This album was even harder as I'd like maybe one sentence from a song. The only standout song for me was Wreckage which I ended up whistling after I heard it.

Second on the list was Nestor's album. I immediately liked it better - singing and synths. There was one song that sounded very similar to Every Breath You Take from the Police. Their vocalist reminded me so much of another singer. I finally got it - Peter Cetera. I went and listened to The Glory of Love right after.

Third was Art of Anarchy. The very first song threw me off. The drums - SO LOUD and distracting. The following songs were better by I was underwhelmed by their singer. Something was missing for me with his voice. Like there wasn't enough depth and at times it seemed swallowed up by the music. One song in particular made me question if I was listening to a CD or streaming because it sounded like it was skipping - something about The Bridge which repeats three times.

Out of the three I will probably check out Nestor's again.

I have two albums from Dolo on deck.

Thanks guys!

Funny, I was just chatting here recently with another person about Art of Anarchy and he wasn't a fan of the vocals either. Jeff Scott Soto is the singer on this AoA album and he's one of my favorite singers ever. He's been in a ton of different project going all the way back to singing for Yngwie on his first two albums in the mid 80's and just toured with TSO this season. He also fronted Journey for a tour when Steve Augeri's voice finally broke down from recording and touring, and he's been my favorite post Steve Perry singer (but then Neal Schon got weird and booted him before they recorded again and still today tries to deny his existence )

But I get that Jeff's voice is honestly more suited for that kind of arena/melodic Euro metal sound and may not have the pure oomph or grit for a heavier band. His work with W.E.T. is really more in his wheelhouse and his voice fits great for that sound.

I'm really glad you liked Nestor. That's such a fun and easy to listen to album to. I went back to get their first and it's relatively similar, maybe not quite as catchy or refined, but also really good. Sweden is just killing it in music these days.

I feel like I listen to just about as much new music as I can handle each year, and then you and Dolo list like 36 times the number of albums that I got to in a year. I suck lol, but it's good to be surrounded by such prolific and excellent music fans.

[Addicted To Pain]

I feel like I listen to just about as much new music as I can handle each year, and then you and Dolo list like 36 times the number of albums that I got to in a year. I suck lol, but it's good to be surrounded by such prolific and excellent music fans.

Hey, I only listened to four albums and two EPs last year. In 2023, it was four albums and one EP. That is pretty much all that I can handle.

Well, I mean, I will have to listen to five albums this year, but that is because, for the first time in history, all five of my top five bands are releasing new albums this year.

[gbruin]

Anyone who releases multiple singles gets a pass.

[Schulzy]

I'm really glad you liked Nestor. That's such a fun and easy to listen to album to. I went back to get their first and it's relatively similar, maybe not quite as catchy or refined, but also really good. Sweden is just killing it in music these days.

I feel like I listen to just about as much new music as I can handle each year, and then you and Dolo list like 36 times the number of albums that I got to in a year. I suck lol, but it's good to be surrounded by such prolific and excellent music fans.

Thank you for your recommendation! I agree with the Swedish output!

I must say that while I love checking out new music it can be exhausting to a certain extent.

I don't think you suck!

[Schulzy]

I feel like I listen to just about as much new music as I can handle each year, and then you and Dolo list like 36 times the number of albums that I got to in a year. I suck lol, but it's good to be surrounded by such prolific and excellent music fans.

Hey, I only listened to four albums and two EPs last year. In 2023, it was four albums and one EP. That is pretty much all that I can handle.

Well, I mean, I will have to listen to five albums this year, but that is because, for the first time in history, all five of my top five bands are releasing new albums this year.

That's quite all right! It's okay to be very selective! You have pushed me to listen to Volbeat, Pop Evil, Halestorm, and more Plush! I feel like my musical horizons have been expanded.

[Addicted To Pain]

That's quite all right! It's okay to be very selective! You have pushed me to listen to Volbeat, Pop Evil, Halestorm, and more Plush! I feel like my musical horizons have been expanded.

Glad that I could help you with that!

If you are interested, here are my top 30 bands. You might find some that you have not checked out.

1. Volbeat
2. Alter Bridge
3. Halestorm
4. Tremonti
5. Plush
6. YU Grupa
7. Mammoth WVH
8. Metallica
9. A Day To Remember
10. Breaking Benjamin
11. Linkin Park
12. Godsmack
13. Pop Evil
14. Bon Jovi
15. Boston
16. Daughtry
17. Saint Asonia
18. Black Veil Brides
19. Disturbed
20. Downplay
21. Paralandra
22. Starset
23. I Prevail
24. Myles Kennedy
25. Asking Alexandria
26. Charm City Devils
27. The Warning
28. KemikalFire
29. Three Days Grace
30. Sum 41

[Dolo]

I feel like I listen to just about as much new music as I can handle each year, and then you and Dolo list like 36 times the number of albums that I got to in a year. I suck lol, but it's good to be surrounded by such prolific and excellent music fans.

Nothing to be ashamed of man. I've just discovered a shitload of artists over the years and I literally check out each and every new album they put out, I also try to go out of my rock/metal comfort zone and check out stuff I would not normally listen to. I end up hating a lot of it in the end but I least I tried lol.