Another year gone alredy! I know, I know I have posted this year. This blog has lay dorment as life kinda got in the way 2021 has been yet another difficult year for many and I know not many people will care about a silly blogger not making his usual reviews. However, I really do apologise for not keeping up my usual schedule. Especially since this year kicked a whole boat load of ass with releases. Honestly, there was so much good music this year from all corners and from all genres! So much so, that I couldn't, in good concience, just do a traditional ranking of my favourite albums. At the same time, the year just wouldn't feel complete if I didn't acknowledge the amazing year of music that we've had.
So, as a super-special mega blog. I going to do something new! Something, I've never done before. So without further adue allow me to present the first annual 2021 Birchy Awards.
So... what do you say? Shall we get this rocky show on thr road! By the way, I will be including Spotify links so you can check all the albums yourself!
Let start things off with the genre and style of music I know the least about... Rap! Yeah, I know, I usually talk about rock, metal, pop and country here. Believe it or not, I do like rap music or music with rap in it. Maybe because I grew up with nu-metal, so I can get into the flow quite nicely. Because I know so little about the genre, there are only 4 nominees for this catagory. None-the-less, I still feel the need to acknowledge these records. We start as we mean to go on. Here are the nomiees for the...
Bars On Bars Award
Hacktivist - Hyperdialect (Spotify)
I've been aware of Hacktivist for a long time now. Never been my absoulte favourite band but they always give me what I'm looking for. However, their new album this year, Hyperdialect was something quite fun and special. I love the mix of grime and djent, but it goes beyond that. The way this album flows from one song to the next, I just got into the groove and once in, I just stuck with it and it ended up on my playlist from that moment on.
Knox Hill - Blacklist (Spotify)
I first discovered Knox on YouTube with his channel where he breaks down rap lyrics or popular rap music. Then he mentioned he he would be releasing an album of new material. I love the way he thinks about lyrics in his videos so, I thought I'd give him a chance. Low and behold it's really damn good. Like wow, I'm really impressed. The way this album catches your attention is impressive. Knox just kills it with his rhymes though.
Ocean Wisdom - Stay Sane (Spotify)
My friend put me on to Ocean Wisdom and I've been impressed by what I've heard so far. Wisdom just impresses me so much with how much he puts into his music. His lyrics are so creative and his flow is addictive. Stay Sane is something I really needed this year. There have been evenings were I have gone for a walk and just played this album. It really is a calming experience. It's quite different from his other other work but it fits in to his back catalogue quite nicely.
Winner: MC Lars - Blockchain Planet (Spotify)
However, to be honest there was no denying what was going to win this catagory. I've love MC Lars and his music since childhood. Blockchain Planet is the next album on his great journey though music. Bringing in assistance form Wheatus, MC Frontalot and others. This album knocked my sock off. Relatable lyrics and fun beats give this album so much personality. The only way MC Lars knows how. An exceptional example of MC Lars' great musicianship.
For our next award I want to slow things down a little. A genre that has helped my mental health tremendously this year. Lets talk about some music with soul. Some tenderness and passion. Music that, I've needed in this hellish year. No time for the...
Soulful Heart Award
Curse Of Lono - People In Cars (Spotify)
Curse Of Lono had an interesting year. With the vocalist Felix Bechtolsheimer picking up the ball and running with it. All of the press coverage and interview proceeding the release made this one out to be worth the wait. It didn't disappoint. This follow up to their critically acclaimed As I Fell really hit the mark. Filled with beautiful poetry and intense emotion really hit me hard.
Dodie - Build A Problem (Spotify)
As a lot of artists in this blog, I have been aware of Dodie for a hot minute. Hot damn! Her new record Build A Problem is a deeply personal and wonferully put together record. This quiet and subdued album really brings out her strengths. The soft acoustic sounds are really beautiful, and Dodie's vocals are so gorgous. There just something about this album that really stuck with me.
Joanne Shaw Taylor - The Blues Anthem (Spotify)
OK, let me get this straight. One of, if not the best blues artists of our generation covering classic blues tracks of years past, featuring some amazing talent on top of that. Sign me the **** up! This album is terrifc from top to bottom. Not much else to say just super solid.
The Kentucky Headhunters - ...That's A Fact Jack (Spotify)
I grew up listening to The Kentucky Headhunters, they are just one of those bands that has been in my head space for years now. So, yeah there was a fair bet that I was going to be listening to their new album this year and that it was going to end up on this blog. THe guys are legends of southern rock and this is just another great album to add to their discography.
Newton Faulkner - Interference (Of Light) (Spotify)
This album is a genuinely great listen. A brilliant combination of songwriting artistry and creative production to make a brilliant and interesting listening experience. Newton has always
been up there as a musical icon for me. His ideas always pop off the record into in to your mind and take up room rent free. His first album in 4 years which feels like forever and it was so nice to get to know Newton again.
Winner: The Black Keys - Delta Kream (Spotify)
For this award I really had to take into account how much the album made stop and think about how muchI appreciated the heart and sould that was put into this album. The Black Keys stole it for me. Delta Kream is simply an outstading piece of art. The songs were so beautiful and the smooth, easy listening style of this album makes it so easy to replay over and over and it just took me to another place. An exceptional record.
Now let's do a complete one eighty on that genre to something a little, louder. One to the award for the album that made me scream the most. In the nicest respect possible. This award is for the album that I film gives the best screaming, enough to make me scream at the top of my lungs. Here we go.
SCREAM FOR MY LIFE Award
Beartooth - Below (Spotify)
Yes, just yes. One of the few bands on this blog that I've not seen live. But man, I really want to. They are so consistent on record. Album after album, hit after hit. They just don't stop with the heavy hitters. Below is just such a fantstic experience and one I'm really eager to see live. I swear as soon as this covid business is over and we can get in the pit again, I'm getting a ticket to Beartooth and rock the hell out.
Every Time I Die - Radical (Spotify)
Has it really been so long since the last Every Time I Die album? This is their latest album and their follow up to Low Teens from 2016. Radical is every bit of frustration from this pandemic rolled up into one album. Just a cathartic scream of anguish and pain for a solid 51 minutes and 24 seconds are brutal hardcore punk.
Light The Torch - You Will Be the Death of Me (Spotify)
If there's an album that I feel really sums up what it's like to live with anxiety, I would have to say it's this one. Howard Jones just sells this album from start to finish. Be it his powerful singing voice or his well executed screams. Just something that I feel anyone who has being going through a tough time with their mental health needs to hear.
Nemophila - Oiran: Extended Edition (Spotify)
Japanese hardcore band Nemophila shows that it's not how it looks it's how it sounds and feels. They just pack so much of a punch to a 35 min record. I loved this so much, the screaming here just adds that layer of emphisis and packs the exclamation mark on this album. Superb work.
Of Mice and Men - Echo (Spotify)
This was an interesting approach to realsing an album. The album consists of three EP's that the band realsed slowly and then they were put together. The EP's were bound together by theme. Overall called the "Echo Trilogy" which is why the album is called Echo. Fun yeah? Anyway this album rules Of Mice and Men have always been one of those bands for me. Around for sure but I never really took note of. However, I really like this album a lot.
Winner: Urne - Serpent & Spirit (Spotify)
I had to put this as the winner. I've been excited for the debut album from Urne for a little while. They just strike such a chord with me and this album, yeah, it fully lived up to my expectations and more! Soild album from start to finish and when I got to see them live in December, yeah I screamed so much. Well worthy of this award.
Carrying on with the metal portion of this blog. Let's acknowledge the heavy hitters this year. This is my award for my favourite heavy metal album.
Headbanger Award
Bodom After Midnight - Paint the Sky with Blood (Spotify)
First of all. RIP Alexi Laiho. The man was truly a legend of this industry. It was really haunting listening to this EP. The final recorded output from Alexi. A snap shot of what this new project could have been. Bodom After Midnight, really did it right here. I've had this EP on a few times this year and I've loved it each and every time.
Bullet For My Valentine - Bullet For My Valentine (Spotify)
After a few years in what feels like limbo for Bullet For My Valentine, they returned to the spotlight this year with an incredible new album. I'm aware that the last couple of albums have it's fans. But this one felt univerally beloved by the metal communtiy. For the self-titled relese they put everything into this record. It felt special and yeah, I think it's fair to say this is their best record since Scream, Aim, Fire.
Tremonti - Marching In Time (Spotify)
For a time this was going to win this catagory but it just missed out for me. Tremonti came back this year with his new album Marching In Time. It's definitely my favourite album of his by far. Tremonti is on point here. Great vocals, thought provoking and well delivered lyrics and guitar solos for days! A job well done and also, I found that this attracted people that don't really like Alter Bridge or Creed. So if you want something with a little more power to it, then check this out.
Trivium - In The Court of the Dragon (Spotify)
It's weird. I don't know when this happened, but I'm a Trivium fan. I don't know when I became infected but yeah, definitely caguht the bug now. This is just another album in their repertoire they they can lean on. It's really well done and might have won this catagory if I liked it as much as their last few releases.
Winner: Bridear - Bloody Bride (Spotify)
When I had to think about it, there could only be one winner for this award. Bridear really freaking nailed it with their release Bloody Bride. Damn I love this album. The heavy tracks, the riffs, the solos. The brutal verses and the soaring anthemic choruses.
So, I've been on the road a lot this year and I usually pick an album to the office and an album for the drive home. I sometimes replay albums more as they give the "get up and go" I need to actually manage the roads. So, let's take a look at my favourite albums to drive to this year. It showing that the eastern takeover of metal is slowly coming to the UK. With more and more Japanese bands making it big in the west, it's becoming more apparent that the cultural epicentre of metal is changing. Bridear are leading the charge and this album is the key to their success.
The Get-Away Drive Award
Arcane: League of Legends Soundtrack (Spotify)
What more do you want for a driving playlist than a veriety of songs that just have incesent hooks that you can bop to. Arcane is the best show on Netflix this year by a country mile. And the soundtrack is so killer. It even made me do something I thought I'd never do.... enjoy Imagine Dragons. I kid of course. But the show was excellent and so is this soundtrack. Just an ideal pairing.
Black Pistol Fire - Look Alive (Spotify)
I was so happy to hear a new album from Black Pistol Fire was coming this year. They were the soundtrack to my long commutes years ago. Once again, they come back to soundtrack my commutes. Look Alive is a great mix of blues, rock, funk and soul all ravelled up into one excellent sound.
Dropkick Murphys - Turn Up That Dial (Spotify)
The brutal, Irish-American tough guy sound might grate on some, but not for me. Once again, the come back with a loud, abrasive, hard as nails record filled with their usualy folk-punk stylings. If you enjoy folk-punk rock you're more than aware of Dropkick Murphys and you'll have already listened to this album by now.
Iron Maiden - Senjutsu (Spotify)
The legends of heavy metal return with their seventeeth record. It took me a little while to get in to this one. But once I got it, I really enjoyed it. Some might say it's overly long and winding. But you know what for my drive home on the motorway at night, it's a little slice of heaven. I feel sometimes this context on how you listen to something changes your initial feelings.
The Rumjacks - Hestia (Spotify)
One of my favourite bands returns. And returns with a new lead singer. The new and repackaged Rumjacks hit a home run this year with Hestia. An excellent sounding album that blew everyone I knew collective socks off. More folk punk here. But definitely more emphisis on the punk aspect.
Winner: Spyair - Unite (Spotify)
I wish I could have put this in the Karaoke Anthem award catagory. Alas, I don't speak, and certainly don't sing, Japanese. If I did it would be there. There no other album I've played more in the car this year on my commute. This album is downright excellence. Spyair have been a big thing in japan for a while now. Hopefully this album can my a swing for them in the west.
You know how it is, when you get a new album you learn all of the lyrics and sing them at the top of your lungs. So much so that the lyrics are permanently stuck in your head forever from that moment. on and you are linked with those records, living in your head space. Let's take a look at the catagory for my favourite album to sing along to.
Karaoke Anthem Album Award
Ad Infinitum - Chapter II: Legacy (Spotify)
Last year I loved Chapter 1 of this story and we continue it here with Chapter 2: Legacy. Once I picked it up, I listened to it a whole bunch. It's soundtracked many of my study nights and gaming sessions. Yeah, it's anthemic as all hell, once these songs get stuck in your head, good luck getting them out.
Creeper - American Noir (Spotify)
Whoa, this EP did things to me. I discovered Creeper years ago in a dingy basement. Never would I think at that point they would go on to make something this impactful and anthemic. American Noir is a crystal clear example of powerful story-telling using music to get across your themes.
Dark Horse White Horse - Dark Horse White Horse (Spotify)
I was so excited for this EP to drop. Marcela Bovio is genuinely one of my favourite vocalists of all time. Her voice just floats on top of the peoduction. Making it easy to sing along to. With my raspy ass voice. I would really recommend that you check this out asap. An EP made with passion and love that was truly for the fans of the project.
Man With A Mission - Break and Cross the Walls I (Spotify)
Wow, I just Japan on the brain this year. A late entry to the blog as it was only released in December. However, i needed to put it on here, because it replaced Christmas music for me. I always end up walking or driving singing along to Man With A Mission at some point on any given week. Electrifying and fun electro-rock.
Powerwolf - Call Of The Wild (Spotify)
Man, I was so freaking hyped for this album to drop. I certainly didn't disappoint. If there's anything metal head can sing along to it's power metal. I present to you the kings of power metal Powerwolf. yes I will fight you on that. Call Of The Wild is just epic. Unbelievably epic. Powerwolf, just know how to sell music to the masses. The chorus lines hit you like a tonne of bricks. And that's something that I can enjoy time and time again and again.
Winner: Warkings - Revolution (Spotify)
If there was anything that was going to win this award it had to be Warkings. Revolution has been the highlight of my walks. Night or day, I can just sing every chorus to every song at the top of my lungs. Yeah, I don't care you looks at me I love it. It's an absolute standout of a record. Can someone please tell me how I've not heard of this band until now. I immediate downloaded their entire back catalogue, that's how good this one record is.
Let's take a second now to give some love to the independent artists. There were some absolute stand out releases this year that were self released. Yeah this catagory is kinda mixed in terms of genre and style. However, I genuinely didn't have anywhere else to put these releases.
Independant Stars Award
Dave Hause - Blood Harmony (Spotify)
Sometimes, simplicity is key. You don't need any fancy frills or advanced techniques. Sometime you just need yourself and to be present in your songs. If you don't get what I mean then take a listen to this album. This man is a genius when it comes to simple songwriting done well. The new album Blood Harmony gave me exactly what I was looking for... A good old fashioned rock 'n' roll album.
Daybreaker - Sanctuary (Spotify)
I reviewed this EP for Valkyrian Music this year so you can look at my deeper thoughts there. But safe to say, this was a frequent flyer on my playlists this year.
The Outlaw Orchestra - Makin' Tracks (Spotify)
I've been championing The Outlaw Orchestra for years now. I love these guys so much, I can't even describe. They're the sunshine when clouds are in my sky. I can't reaffirm how much I love their music and Makin' Tracks brings them back to the forefront.
Winner: Beans On Toast - Survival Of The Friendliest (Spotify)
There can only be one winner. If you're talking independent artisits, there's the talented, there's the marketable and then there is one of the best artsts the UK has to offer today. Survival Of The Friendliest is the next in the long line up of records from Jay. He has released a new album every year on his birthday for years now. Each time the album is completely different yet has that aura of familiarity to them. He is just a spreader of hope and joy and his music just oozes happiness from every chord.
For our next award I'm acknowledging the genre I've probably spent the most time listening to this year. This year I started listening to Smooth Country radio. Anytime I got in my car (and couldn't be arsed setting up my phone for streaming) I've left this radio station on. I tell you what though, I've found some absolutely amazing country records this year.
I'm Countryfied! Award
Dan + Shay - Good Things (Spotify)
So there's a thing called "Boyfriend Country". Did anyone else just miss the boat on that? Dan + Shay are the progenitors of this. It's essentially music to make women swoon over how romantic the artists are. Let me tell you, Dan + Shay have it down to a science at this point. And I like it! The harmonies are beautiful and it just hits that easy listening vibe that I can really get behind.
Kacey Musgraves - Star-crossed (Spotify)
Kacey is such a pure soul. I've adored her music since her debut. So I was interested when she took her music in a completely different direction. Star-crossed is a really different sound for Kacey. I can understand how it would be succh a different turn that it could put her usual fans off. However, I don't think there's anything wrong in changing your sound to capture a new audience.
Old Dominion - Time, Tequila & Therapy (Spotify)
This band dude, this freaking band. Why aren't they a much bigger deal. These guys just make such damn good music. Music that you can feel in you heart and soul. Music that makes you want to get up and dance, music that makes you want to get in touch with your emotions. This is such a stellar effort and a band I need to see live when they eventually make their way back to the UK.
Winner: Carley Pearce - 29: Written In Stone (Spotify)
Like everything else here. There was only one clear winner in my mind. That would be this album by Carley Pearce. 29: Written In Stone is an exceptional album that tells the story of... well the year she was 29. Country is all about the storytelling and using the music to convey the emotions and passion in that story. Carley does this masterfully. Weaving in and out of the storytelling portions and the emotional heart. I have completely fallen head over heels for this album.
Up next, it's time for my second to last award. Obviously one of he most unignorable things in music is the vocals. Hell, I know some people that listen exclusively for the vocal performances. So, okay, I'll lean in to it. This next award to is for my favourite vocal performance on a record. Vocals that were so stand out that I didn't want to sing over them with my voice. Just albums were you can stand back and appreciate the vocals.
Golden Voice Award
Anette Olzon - Strong (Spotify)
I always end up feeling something after anything that Anette sings on. She has one of the most unique voices in the world of metal. Something calming and intense at the same time. Something that projects power and confidence and also leaves her vulnerable. It's something really interesting. Her new album Strong is a passion project that doesn't feel like it's filled with ego like some of the solo metal albums I've heard.
Carrie Underwood - My Saviour (Spotify)
Okay, so I'm not religeous by any means. However, this album really spoke to me in a way I've never felt before. My Saviour is an album of christian worship music performed by Carrie. I've made no secret of my love for Carrie Underwood. Her voice is like no other. She can just belt for day but doesn't utilise that skill set here. I mean sure there are moments but this is clearly a labour of love.
Jodie Marie - The Answer (Spotify)
Welsh soul singer Jodie Marie caught me off guard this year. I remeber first hearing her when she opened for Jim Adkins and I've kept my ear on her since then. This is a very different entry for this catagory. Instead of her ability to belt and power though, this is a more understated vocal performance. However, the texture in her voice is wonderful it really hits home for me. Something that reminds me why I love soul to start with.
Skarlett Riot - Invicta (Spotify)
Another album that I reviewed for Valkyrian Music. However, I want to add to my original review. Holy cow how much I love this album. By far my favourite Skarlett Riot record. As for the vocal perfomance I love the contrast betweent the clean vocals and the gutteral vocals. The beauty and beast style singing really suits that bad. Adding and sense of command and power to the album that their previous albums lack.
Winner: Charlotte Wessels - Tales From Six Feet Under (Spotify)
When Charlotte and the band Delain parted ways, I couldn't have been the only one wondering where Charlotte was going to go from there. It's been absoultely fascinating where she has gone from there. Making her own album with songs that I don't think would have ever fit the Delain brand. Tales From Six Feet Under is a staggering performance from her and by far my favourite sample of her vocal skills I've ever heard. An album that clearly came from the heart. A gothic, progressive rock masterpiece.
Then there was one catagory. My album of the year award. My favourite album. Everything has been taken into consideration here. Production, lyrics, performances, album art. Everything about the album experience. My god this was really hard. That's why there's seven in this catagory. All I ever want to do with this blog is introduce you to music that you may have not considered before. Seriously, if I can guide you to your new favourite record, I can say that's mission accomplished. So... here we go.
Album of the Year
Evergrey - Escape Of The Phoenix (Spotify)
If you know me personally you will know how much I have not shut up about this album this year. It's fair to say Evergrey, in recent years, have become one of my all time favourite bands. Escape Of The Phoenix is an absolutely astonishing album that makes damn sure you know that they taken up some part of your mind. From the crashing opening of Forever Outsider the album just keep escalating. The production is beyond excellent. If you haven't yet, really take a listen to it.
Monster Magnet - A Better Dystopia (Spotify)
I started trying to review this album so many times. I couldn't find the words. I still can't. It's just too perfect. And this is a cover album. It's an album that takes you on a journey through the underground rock scene of Monster Magnet's teen years. You know what's really weird. Make a playlist of the original songs that they're covering and you'll be shocked how familiar and different Monster Magnet's versions feel. A Better Dystopia is genuinely one of my all time favourite albums.
Need - Norchestrion: A Song For The End (Spotify)
This was my first album purchase this year and it stuck with me throughout the entire year. no matter what has happened this year, this album has been my come down record. An album that walks the tightrope of emotional heart and heavy production and masters that balencing act. The album is very pessimistic but has little glimours of hope here and there. The music is excellently composed, and the lyrics are so well slotted into the music.
Pale Waves - Who Am I? (Spotify)
I looked at my most played albums this year... Weirdly enough this one is the most played album I've listened to. Thinking back, yeah that makes sense. I fell for this album almost immediately on my first listen. The hooks are so catchy and they just get stuck in your head and stay there. What's more, there's no album filler here. Every song is just as good as the last. every song has that immense feeling behind it.
Tantric - The Sum of All Things (Spotify)
Where would my end of year list be if I didn't include my all-time favourite band. I know I sound like a kid saying that, but yeah, I can't help but revert to my teenage self when talking about Tantric. The Sum Of All Things hits differently from any other Tantric release and I think it's because there's no higher harmonising vocals to offset Hugo, barratone. Not a bad change just the most noticable. Also, this is definitely the heaviest Tantric have been since Mind Control and I like it!
White Moth Black Butterfly - The Cost of Dreaming (Spotify)
If you were to tell me that this would have made it here from my original discovery of this record (and subsequently this band) I wouldn't have believed you, like at all. But holy cow is this good. My best description is dark, progressive rock pop synth music.... Errr yeah let's make that a genre. There are so many songs on this reocrd that have just lived in my mind this year. To the point where i found myself humming the melodies out of nowhere. This is a phenomenal. The moody synth overlays and deeply passionate and brooding record.
Winner: Anneke Van Giersbergen - The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest (Spotify)
This had to win it. Yes, my 2021 album of the Year is Anneke Van Giersbergen, The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest. A personal album from an incredible songwriter and performer. Sometimes you listen to an album and find that you may just know the artist better for having listened. This is exactly the case here. Anneke, is one of those songwriters that puts everything into her music. An artist that can pull you into their world and keep your attention just by virture of their charisma and performance. This record just engrossed me and is genuinely the only album that moved me to tears. It absolutely deserves to be here.
And with that, that's it for the year. I hope you enjoyed it and this suffices as a good enough apology for not posting... anything this year. Hopefully, i've served my penence. With 2022 around the corner I hoping to finally get to some more gigs and hopefully the gravy train of new music continues. See you all later folks!
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