The only thing good about 2020 was the music. The soundtrack to such a shit year shouldn’t be this good, but once again, it’s rock ’n’ roll that has saved our souls. As Massive Wagons guitarist Adam Thistlethwaite told me for Web Is Jericho back in August, “People still need music, even when they can’t go to gigs. Sometimes they need it even more.”
Did we ever.
Here are my 10 favorites from 2020. What are yours? Shoot me your own best-of lists on Twitter: @BLiskoREP
10. Harem Scarem – “Change the World”
Practically melodic rock royalty in Canada, Harem Scarem is probably most well known for their classic 1993 album, “Mood Swings.” Since reforming in earnest in 2017, the band has released two excellent efforts in “United” (2017) and “Change the World.” Hard driving, catchy-as-hell hard rock/AOR, “Change the World” won’t necessarily live up to its title in the musical sense, but it sure is a good time.
Choice cuts: “The Death of Me,” “Change the World,” “Searching for Meaning”
9. Ozzy Osbourne – “Ordinary Man”
Ozzy might be 72, but “Ordinary Man” proves that Osbourne is anything but. An inspired effort from the Ozzman and aided by GNR bassist Duff McKagen, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and producer Andrew Watt, “Ordinary Man” sees Ozzy rocking as hard as ever but also reflecting on his life and mortality. Elton John even makes a touching appearance on the title track.
Choice cuts: “Straight to Hell,” “All My Life,” “Ordinary Man,” “Under the Graveyard”
8. Palace – “Rock and Roll Radio”
As far as I can tell, Palace is one dude from Sweden, Michael Palace, who just happens to know ’80s-inspired tunes like the back of his hand. The song “Way Up Here” sounds like it could have been the hard-rock television theme for “Full House” or “Growing Pains.” Is it cheesy? Sure is. And it’s fucking awesome.
Choice cuts: “Way Up Here,” “Castaway,” “Eleonora,” “Origin of Love”
7. Armored Saint – “Punching the Sky”
Armored Saint is one of those bands that really never got the recognition they deserved, but people are finally starting to discover what they’ve been missing. Classic sounding, hard and heavy metal fronted by the lions-roar of John Bush (also a longtime singer for Anthrax), “Punching the Sky” is the Saint’s most inspired effort since their 2000 masterpiece, “Revelation.” Also, many props to bassist Joey Vera, whose tone and playing here is absolutely monstrous.
Choice cuts: “End of the Attention Span,” “Lone Wolf,” “Missle to Gun.”
6. H.e.a.t. – “II”
Sadly, H.e.a.t.’s “II” is the swan song for the longtime vocalist, Erik Gronwall, but what a way to go out. The pride of Sweden since 2007, H.e.a.t. added a lot more attitude to their melodic rock sound with Gronwall’s arrival in 2010 and with their subsequent records. “II” is perhaps the hardest rock of all but doesn’t sacrifice melody in the process. Original vocalist Kenny Leckremo is back in the fold now, and while his voice is certainly spot-on for AOR, it remains to be seen if H.e.a.t. can keep up such a strong outfit post-Gronwall.
Choice cuts: “Dangerous Ground,” “Come Clean,” “Victory”
5. Thundermother – “Heat Wave”
These four badass femme fatales from Sweden are equal parts AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Motorhead, and Girlschool, and they bring together the best parts of each for “Heat Wave.” What’s even more impressive is there isn’t one mastermind in the lineup, there’s four.
Choice cuts: “Loud and Alive,” “Dog From Hell,” “Heat Wave,” “Sleep”
4. AC/DC – “Power Up”
A tribute to the late, great Malcolm Young, AC/DC returned with “Power Up” and showed they’ve still got plenty in the tank. Brian Johnson, back in his rightful place behind the mic, sounds stronger than he has in years. Drummer Phil Rudd stopped threatening to kill people, bassist Cliff Williams rethought retirement, and Angus Young pieced together enough old ideas from jam sessions with Malcolm to make people forget just how shitty 2020 has been. A solid record and a most welcome return from the undisputed kings of rock ’n’ roll.
Choice cuts: “Realize,” “Shot in the Dark,” “Through the Mists of Time,” “Demon Fire,”
3. Tokyo Motor Fist – “Lions”
Guitarist Steve Brown can shred, sure, but as the brainchild for Tokyo Motor Fist, he again proves what a stellar songwriter he is with “Lions.” With gargantuan riffs and anthemic choruses galore, “Lions” is the feel-good album of 1989. And yeah, it’s not 1989, but fucking hell, do we all wish it was.
Choice Cuts: “Youngblood,” “Monster In Me,” “Mean It,” “Blow Your Mind”
2. Revolution Saints – “Rise”
Before the world went to hell, just under the wire in fact, melodic rock supergroup Revolution Saints put out the absolutely outstanding “Rise.” On their third record, the band proves why they’re the cream of the Frontiers Records crop. And when you’ve got Deen Castronovo, Jack Blades, and Doug Aldrich in the same band, it’s no wonder. Positively inspirational.
Choice cuts: “When The Heartache Has Gone,” “Higher,” “Million Miles,” “Win Or Lose”
1. Massive Wagons – “House of Noise”
For the past decade, Massive Wagons have carved out quite the niche in their native England and abroad with a series of solid albums, but “House of Noise” is the band’s declarative statement as rock ’n’ roll saviors. A giant slab of fist-pumping, head-banging rock ’n’’ roll with punk attitude, Massive Wagons throw up a middle finger to the establishment, put an arm around their mate and raise their glasses to everything wonderful that is rock. What a fucking great band.
Choice cuts: “In It Together,” “House of Noise, “Freak City,” “ Pressure,” “Hallescrewya,” “Sad Sad Song”
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