Okay then, time to get to the
really good stuff...!
10.
Bruce Springsteen --- Wrecking ball
The boss is back! After three years Springsteen returns with a new album, and it's a changed landscape he's looking out onto now, and writing about. One person who never disappoints, the man from New Jersey again delivers in what must surely rank as his most fiery and angry album since "The rising". If "Nebraska" has a tougher, more worldly-wise big brother, "Wrecking ball" is it. If you're American you surely can't help but nod in anger to so much of the lyrics, and if you're not, like me, well you still know what he's singing about, and it's not confined to the borders of the US of A.
Woo-hoo! Ah, I would list tracks but it's all great.
D'oh! Nothing.
9.
ZZ Top --- La futura
Even longer since we had a record from the tres hombres, nine years in fact, but it's been worth it. Unlike Bruce, ZZ aren't generally that concerned with politics: it's more drinkin' , women and fast cars that are in their line. And here they don't disappoint. From opener to closer it's a joy to listen to. Few people get to the heart of the matter as well or as sincerely as ZZ, and here they do it again.
Woo-hoo! Again, not a bad track so
D'oh! Nothing
8.
Big Big Train --- English Electric (part one)
You'll find this in Anteater's top albums too, and with good reason. One of the finest and most accomplished progressive rock albums of the year, with too many good features to list, but among them the Gabrielesque voice of David Longdon. Takes you back in time, to a safer, better, gentler place.
Woo-hoo! "Winchester from Giles Hill", "Judas unrepentant", "A boy in darkness", "Summoned by bells", "Upton Heath"
D'oh! "Uncle Jack", "Hedgerow"
Some really great albums there, and more to come...