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For those that want some respite from left-over turkey, mince pies and possibly relatives but haven’t over indulged in this year’s Festive Spill and still have an appetite for yet another Best of … list of 2018’s music here’s a playlist of some of the music that’s been tickling my fancy.
The Magpie Salute – High Water I
Formed by ex-Black Crowes members this was a recommended new release on Google Play.
Song – Color Blind
Black Stone Cherry – Family Tree
The 6th studio album from Kentucky rockers Black Stone Cherry, heavy on guitars a ‘classic’ rock quartet.
Song – Southern Fried Saturday
Editors – Violence
Editors debuted in mid-2000’s and have been listening to them ever since. This is their sixth album release also and their lead guitarist features in another band later on!
Song – Hallelujah (So Low)
Tremonti – A Dying Machine
Ex lead guitarist of Creed and current lead guitarist for Alter Bridge this is his fourth album as a ‘side’ project. A concept album that is accompanied by a full-length novel under the same name written by Mark Tremonti and John Shirley, tying together loose ends of the album’s plot.
Song – Bringer of War
Lenny Kravitz – Low
As an artist a not so surprising entry amongst the ‘guitar’ led rock of the majority of this year’s list but this is an acoustic, soft song from Lenny recounting the death of his mother and the support he received as a request from a current love.
Song – Johnny Cash
Greta Van Fleet – Anthem of the Peaceful Army
Another new release recommendation – so influenced by Zep but what the heck – you can’t fault them for that.
Song – When The Curtain Falls
Mastersystem – Dance Music
What can I say this band was formed by Scott Hutchison (Frightened Rabbit), who died this year formed with his brother Grant and Justin and James Lockey (also brothers – Editors / Vaccines). Their sound is very Frabbit!
Song – Bird is Bored of Flying
Temperance Movement – A Deeper Cut
I’ve got a thing for ‘Scottish’ rock bands Frabbit, Biffy, Twilight Sad, though the lead guitarist doesn’t exhibit a strong Glaswegian accent this is top quality traditional blues-rock.
Song – Built-in Forgetter
Disturbed – Evolution
Started listening to Disturbed following their recording of The Sound of Silence and what a discovery!
Song – A Reason To Fight
Snow Patrol – Wildness
Oh they have their detractors but after a 7 year absence (recovering from alcoholism) Gary Lightbody is back with a fabulous album.
Song – Don’t Give In
Other honourable mentions:
Brian Fallon – Sleepwalkers
Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
St. Paul & The Broken Bones – Young Sick Camellia
Joe Bonamassa & Beth Hart – Black Coffee
Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
Myles Kennedy – Year of the Tiger
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – Living the Dream
Clearly not your average Festive Spill contenders – no 18 minutes epics, no Christine & The Queens, Janelle Monae or Mongolian Folk Rock!
Perhaps you can find time to post your favourite albums below ideally up to 10 and preferably in numerical order so that in all good Best of traditions I can allocate points for them and endeavour to provide a poll early in January.