Zeal & Ardor
Devil Is Fine
This is a fresh approach to mak-
ing music, something that came
out of nowhere and grabbed
everybody by the horns. For me it was a very pleasant sur-
prise as I had no idea what to expect - I talk more about
this album than any other this year.
| Nominated by Rich Broome.
The Darkness
Pinewood Smile
Some say rock n roll is dying.
If that is the case, then The
Darkness are the ones that are
keeping it alive. Pinewood Smile
is the follow up to 2015’s Last Of
Our Kind and brings with it heavier guitars, thundering
basslines, more guitar solos you could ever want and then
there are the drums… Behind the skins this time is Rufus
Taylor (son of Roger Taylor from Queen) and its a match
made in heaven. Rufus’s sound improves The Darkness’
sound by 1000% and even lends his vocals to two tracks.
His drumming is phenomenal. For those worrying that
they have toned down, don’t worry. The Justin Hawkins
Shriek makes an appearance. Stand out songs are ‘South-
ern Trains’ (so very relatable), ‘All The Pretty Girls’, ‘Why
Don’t the Beautiful Cry’ and ‘Solid Gold’. The Darkness
have never sounded better. Buy it. Listen to it. Love it.
| Nominated by Jules Burnan.
Von Hertzen Brothers
War is Over
War Is Over is a stunning album.
It’s a concept album in the sense
that the theme of anti-war
runs through it. The songs are
amongst the best the VHB
have ever recorded. It’s basically a classic rock album but
tinged with an infusion of prog, especially the tracks ‘War
Is Over’ and ‘Beyond The Storm,’ with meaningful lyrics.
This is the sound of a band who’ve upped their game
and built on the momentum generated with their earlier
albums and who’re now ready to move up towards the big
league.
| Nominated by Laurence Todd.
Thunder
Rip It Up
Thunder are the greatest ‘good time’
rock band and always have been -
this continues the feeling. The mas-
sive box set with an added live show
was superb.
| Nominated by Tom Dixon.
Wars
We Are Islands, After
All
Of all the albums I’ve been for-
tunate enough to review in 2017,
only one has stuck with me
throughout the entire year. It was
an album that, no matter how
many times I listened, resonated with me across a range
of different levels. Musically, lyrically and conceptually
there was always something new that challenged what
I thought I knew of the release. Framed as a challenge
to the idea that ‘no man is an island’, the poem by John
Donne, the album is full of little nods to other works that
provoke suggest further research, to those so inclined,
which help connect more profoundly. Even on the face of
it, it is an album that has something special, and inde-
scribable quality. From the heavier sounds of ‘Hills and
Boulders’, the more melodic ‘Hailing Distance’ to ‘Charcoal
Days’ (complete with outstanding and thought-provoking
spoken word secret track) there is always something to
engage with.
| Nominated by Stephen Stanford.
Nothing more
THE STORIES WE TELL
OURSELVES
Nothing More has been on
my radar since the release of
the highly passionate video
for ‘This is The Time’ in 2014.
Since then a new album has been highly anticipated and
it doesn’t fail to deliver on any level. ‘Don’t Stop’ joins
forces with Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix as a treat on this
album full of hits. Nothing More manages to capture and
maintain the energy of a live show on record, that’s what
makes them special. It’s no surprise that Nothing More
have been nominated for 3 Grammy’s this year! Outpac-
ing Foo Fighters, Metallica, and Mastodon for the most
nominations in the rock categories - that is really saying
something!
| Nominated by Victoria Purcell.
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