GRADES FOR CLASSIC ARTISTS' NEW RELEASES

[RJhog]

This discussion applies to any classic rock band or artist that have released new music since 2007. Basically, I was scanning my cd's the other day, and I noticed that I have probably 25-30 cd's that were released since 2007 by classic rock bands or solo artists. I started thinking, how does the new music compare to the music that was released early in the band's career? Usually, the musicianship of the band is as good or better than when they started (of course, most bands don't have the same lineup that they started with). The things that really change (in my opinion) are vocal ability and songwriting. For example, Tesla released "Forever More" in 2008. Their first album "Mechanical Resonance" was released in 1986. After listening to the new album, I think Tesla is just as good in every category as they were 23 years ago.
In fact, there are quite a few standout songs from the new album:
So What
Falling Apart (a very good ballad)
Breakin' Free
All Of Me (a kicking rocker)
Pvt. Ledbetter
In A Hole Again

All of the others are good as well. Please share any others that fall into this category and tell how you think the new music compares to the old music.

[Ernie]

The albums from classic rockers that I have bought recently and their ratings (1-10) are:

1) AC/DC "Black Ice" 9 This album is really good and the concert was too. In both cases the sound was mixed very well so that you can hear the guitar and hear Brian Johnson's vocals clearly. Brian has either regained some vocal range or the last couple of albums were just poorly mixed.

2) Loverboy "Just Getting Started" 7 I thought this was surprisingly good. I am a Loverboy fan but not really past "Lovin Every Minute of It". The songs on "JGS" are as strong as most of the 80's stuff and would have been hits back then. For some reason though, as I listened to Mike Reno sing I kept thinking that Miley Cyrus could take some of these cuts and make them her own and take them to the top!

3) Scorpions "Humanity" 9 I think this is an awesome album. The Scorps rock hard and modern on this one yet still sound like themselves. Very catchy tunes and thoughtful lyrics. My kids dug it too.

4) Whitesnake "Good to be Bad" 7 A very good album for a band that was not a particular favorite of mine but always a little better than the average hairband. David Coverdale sounds great and his shredder, Doug Aldrich, is amazing and compliments Coverale and his growling, howling blues voice.

5) Rush "Snakes and Arrows" 10 This is the best Rush album in years. Not a dud on here. This band is the thinkng man's U2.

6) Chickenfoot 5 I want to like this album more and maybe I will eventually. Right now I'm still a little disappointed.

7) Dennis DeYoung :"100 Years From Now" 9 If you want to hear a classic Styx album, look no further than this CD. Dennis gets back to basics and shows he still has the best pipes in the business.

[RJhog]

I really agree with you on the Scorpions cd. The only Scorpions album I've ever owned is "The Best Of Rockers And Ballads" and I bought this for the heck of it. I think it's excellent and a 9 is right on target. I also agree on Chickenfoot. Other than 2 or 3 songs, I just don't get it. I just don't like the songs. I think you are the second person to say the Dennis DeYoung cd is really good, so I think I'll have to pick it up.

[Classic Artists Today (c)]

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[Bob Warren]

Scorpions Humanity Hour : B
Metallica Death Magnetic : A
Judas Priest Touch of Evil : B
Rush Snakes and Arrows : B+
Heaven & Hell Live at Radio City : B+
Heaven & Hell Devil you know : C-
UFO The Visitor : B
Queensryche American Soldier : B

[Scott]

Saga - The Human Condition: A

New singer, great new sound. Stellar production and finely crafted tunes. These guys show why they have been leaders of the progressive rock movement for years!

[Ed Allen]

I always have to wonder what happens to the creative process as the years go by. How come so many great acts lose the ability to creative music with "hooks", that is, music that isn't just mindless jamming.
I also tried hard to like the new Chickenfoot record. I like Sam and Mikey, but Satriani is not Eddie. And where writing is concerned, the CD simply has no hooks. No thanks.
I disagree about Journey still churning out good music. Again, not only did the group lose a great voice in Steve, but also a great writer. Shame. Seems like we didn't get to hear enough.
I bought the Boston LP Corporate America a few years ago and was supremely disappointed. I have a great admiration of Tom Scholz and the continual fighting the man has had to do to preserve his own work. I think Brad Delp was one of the greatest rock vocalists ever--at least in a studio sense. Again, I wish Tom and Brad could have churned out more as we didn't hear enough. The latest idea of Boston without Brad just isn't the same.
Just my two cents.

[Tony]

Tygers Of Pan Tang:Animal Instinct 9/10
Praying Mantis:Sanctuary 9/10
Uriah Heep:Wake The Sleeper 9/10
Whitesnake:Good to be Bad 8/10
Extreme:Saudades de Rock 8/10
UFO:The Visitor 6/10 Maybe their worst record.
Heaven & Hell: Devil you know 7/10
Chickenfoot 7/10 H.S.A.S was better.
Metallica: Death Magnetic 7/10
Megadeth:Endgame 8/10
Judas Priest:Nostradamus 8/10
AC/DC:Black Ice 8/10
Nazareth:Newz 8/10

[RJhog]

Two new ones:

Kiss - Sonic Boom

I try to be objective when talking about a Kiss album because I absolutely love their music. The new album is pretty good. Maybe better than I expected. Song writing is fair. Definitely some cheese and nothing earth shattering, but that's never really been Kiss' strong point. Paul's vocals are slipping a little, but I think they are still pretty good for someone his age. He's always been my favorite voice in rock music and still is. Playing is tight. Eric and Tommy both get a lead vocal and do pretty well, but I like Tommy's song better. Gene's vocals are pretty much where they've always been and his bass playing is back. Overall, I like it more and more with each listen.

Foreigner - Can't Slow Down

This is better than I expected. A little ballad heavy, but Foreigner has always had pretty good power ballads. The band sounds very tight, and Kelly Hansen sounds very good (sometimes maybe a little too much like Lou). I think this was a really good effort.

[Ernie]

I bought the new Sonic Boom album on Friday and was totally surprised at just how good it is. This is coming from a guy who never gave KISS a lot of play time. I liked some of their songs but there wasn't a really strong album in my youth that I could rally around. The album that brought them to my attention was when they took off their makeup for LICK IT UP. Loved the song but never listened to the album. Then they just became another hair band for awhile and like all the good bands, went into hibernation during the dark years of Seattle grunge.

But Sonic Boom rocks! This is the album I wish Chickenfoot had made. Lots of catchy hooks and harmonies and good playing. Maybe its Kiss' best album since sometime back in the 70's! I also dig that the Walmart package throws in the Greatest Hits album and a 6 song concert DVD. For me, this has turned the trick and made me join the KISS army for a while! I love that rock seems to be back for a bit. I hope it catches on again!