2018: Year in Review

           Another year has come and gone. Some albums were released this year. Overall, I find myself liking the albums I purchased this year compared to last year. So here we go: everything this from year reviewed in short.

NEW RELEASES

  

W.A.S.P.

Re-Idolized

Rating: ***

            Delayed one year to the 25^th anniversary of W.A.S.P.’s The Crimson Idol, Re-Idolized is what it sounds like: a re-recorded version of The Crimson Idol. However, Re-Idolized has some new songs attached to it- which were supposedly meant for the original album but weren’t recorded. While Re-Idolized isn’t bad, it isn’t anything special. It looks like there might’ve been an attempt at reissuing the album but for whatever reason, Blackie Lawless couldn’t do so. Also included with the re-recorded album is the new “movie” adaptation of the album- which, again, isn’t anything special: it’s just re-edits all of the footage shot from the Crimson Idol music videos. No disrespect to Blackie and the guys but I’ll stick with the original album.

  

Judas Priest

Firepower

Rating: ****

FAVORITE ALBUM OF THE YEAR

            Despite the news of Glenn Tipton’s live retirement, the guys in Judas Priest have managed to record a worthy follow up to 2014’s Redeemer of Souls. From top to bottom, Firepower is a killer album from the legendary metal band. While Redeemer of Souls is still good, Priest have managed to top themselves here. Guitarist Ritchie Faulkner has really pumped some fresh blood into the band as the riffs for this album are sensational. Even as he approaches his 70s, singer Rob Halford can still belt out those high notes.

Highlights: Lightning Strikes, Spectre, Children of the Sun, Rising from Ruins

 

Riot V

Armor of Light

Rating: ****

            Following 2014’s Unleash the Fire, Armor of Light is a killer follow up from hard rock/metal band. Whereas Unleash the Fire was a nostalgic tribute Mark Reale, the music on Armor of Light is more in the vein of Thundersteel-era Riot- although there are some surprises along the way. Guitarist Mike Flynz and bassist Donnie Van Stavern have continued to wave the Riot flag since Reale’s passing- with Todd Michael Hall serving as the front man. Overall, Armor of Light is another solid installment to the Riot discography.

Highlights: Heart of a Lion, Ready to Shine, Victory, Caught in the Witches Eyes, Messiah

 

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The Residents

I Am a Resident!

Rating: *** ½

            While 2018 has seen the reissues of early Residents album, the group have also released a new album. For this project, the group asked for their fans to send in their covers of the group’s music. Taking from the covers given, the group has remixed it all into a single album. Similar to how the band dissected rock n roll tunes on Third Reich N Roll, the band has now done the same thing except with their own music. While some fans tend to stick with the group’s earlier material, I say that this is worth a listen.

 

Paul McCartney

Egypt Station

Rating: *** ¾ to ****

            While not as consistent as 2013’s New, Paul McCartney’s newest studio effort is still a welcome entry to the former Beatle’s discography. Production wise, it follows where New left off. When it comes to the songs, McCartney has offered a fairly diverse batch of tunes- while following the theme of traveling. While Egypt Station has a little bit of everything on it, the album could’ve easily been shorter. Some songs are just weak (Fuh You) while others drag out. Nevertheless, Egypt Station has more highs than lows- which make for a pleasant listen.

Highlights: Despite Repeated Warning, Come On To Me, Who Cares, Happy With You, Hand in Hand

  

Dream Child

Until Death Do We Meet Again

Rating: *** ¾

            Now eight years after Ronnie James Dio’s passing, the surviving members of the man’s namesake band have reunited to record this album. Guitarist Craig Goldy, bassist Rudy Sarzo and drummer Simon Wright have teamed up with singer Diego Valdez. Together, they are Dream Child. Their debut release, Until Death Do We Meet Again, is a solid release. However, it isn’t without its downsides. While consistent, the album is very long for a debut release. Clocking in at 70 minutes, this might underwhelm some listeners. Valdez's vocals might sound strange on a first listen to some listeners. His pipes are similar to that of Dio’s on several songs here, with some songs sounding like something from Dio’s days in Rainbow. While a lengthy album, all Dio fans should give Dream Child a chance.

  

Uriah Heep

Living the Dream

Rating: ****

            Nearing their 50^th anniversary, Uriah Heep have released their 24^th studio album. While I gave it positive marks upon its release, I was also holding back on 2014’s Outsider: while it did feature some good music, it was lacking on the prog rock element of the band’s sound. This element was very much present on Wake the Sleeper and Into the Wild. With Outsider, the band leaned a little more toward their hard rock element. With Living the Dream, Heep are back in full form with another set of keyboard/organ driven hard rock tunes.

Highlights: Rocks in the Road, Waters Flowin’, Grazed by Heaven, Goodbye to Innocence, Knocking at My Door

  

Yoko Ono

Warzone

Rating: *** ½ to *** ¾

            Now 85 years old, Yoko Ono has released another studio album- her first since 2013’s Take Me To The Land of Hell. Unlike her previous albums from the 21^st century, Ono decided to re-record some of her earlier songs. In doing so, Warzone can be seen as Ono’s message to the world in 2018. Looking down the tracking list, Ono has not only re-recorded but has also re-interpreted these songs- most of them with a minimalistic approach. Almost half of the songs on here were originally from Ono’s 1985 album Starpeace- an album made in response to then President Ronald Regan’s Star Wars Program. While a dated concept for an album, the songs from it are frighteningly relevant to today. While a chaotic collection of tunes, Ono ends the album with a heartfelt cover of her late husband’s signature song “Imagine.” While it isn’t perfect, I wouldn’t mind if this ended up being Ono’s last album.

Highlights: Imagine, Hell in Paradise, Children Power, Teddy Bear

Ranking

1.      Judas Priest- Firepower

2.      Uriah Heep- Living the Dream

3.      Riot V- Armor of Light

4.      Paul McCartney- Egypt Station

5.      Dream Child- Until Death Do We Meet Again

6.      Yoko Ono- Warzone

7.      The Residents- I Am A Resident!

8.      W.A.S.P.- Re-Idolized

REISSUES/REMASTERS

The Residents

Meet the Residents, Third Reich, Fingerprince, Duck Stab

Rating: **** (for all four + extras)

FAVORITE RE-RELEASE OF THE YEAR

            Cherry Red Records have reissued four albums by performance artists the Residents. The group’s first four albums have been newly remastered and each comes with a plethora of bonus tracks.

To read a more in-depth review on these reissues, feel free to read my reviews on them via Pop Culture Beast.

For the reviews on Meet the Residents and Third Reich N Roll, click here.
Fore the reviews on Fingerprince and Duck Stab, click here. 

 

 

 

Paul McCartney & Wings

Wild Life & Red Rose Speedway

Wild Life rating: ***

Red Rose Speedway rating: *** ¾

Bonus tracks: *** for WL, **** for RRS

            Wing’s first two albums were re-released as the two new entries to the Paul McCartney Archive Collection. As always, both albums sound great- even if they aren’t the best albums in McCartney’s career.  However, it’s the reissue of Red Rose Speedway that really stands out- as it boasts all of the unreleased songs from the recording sessions. With Red Rose originally intended as a double album, there’s a nice batch of new Wings tunes for all fans to enjoy.

  

The Beatles

The White Album Remix

Remixed album: *** ½

Bonus disc: *** ¾

            The Beatles’ self-titled album, known lovingly as the White Album, turned 50 this year. Following up last year’s remix of Sgt. Pepper, Giles Martin has created a new remix of the The White Album. While not a bad remix, I have the same feelings as I did with Sgt. Pepper’s remix: it’s nice to have but we really didn’t need this. The bonus disc of the Esther tapes, however, is a nice to see officially released.

ARCHIVAL

 

Riot

The Official Bootleg Box Set Vol. 2
Rating: ****

                             

                              Cherry Red Records followed up last year’s box set of Riot bootlegs with a continuation. This set, consisting of recordings from the band’s career from 1981 to 1990, is a nicely assembled box set. The sound quality hasn’t changed but it’s great to have Riot’s live material released in these two great box sets.       

MOVIES/DVD

For my reviews on the Freddie Mercury/Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, please read it here.

For my review on the John Lennon Imagine/Gimme Some Truth DVD, please read it here.

Both of these links direct to my original articles posted on Pop Culture Beast.

Rest In Peace
Ray Thomas- singer/flutist for the Moody Blues
Fast Eddie Clark- guitarist for Motorhead and Fastway
Dave Holland- drummer for Judas Priest

Danny Kirwan- guitarist for Fleetwood Mac

Vinnie Paul- drummer for Pantera

Marty Balin- singer for Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship