Dads Who Rock

It would appear that GNR will not be playing.  Rumor has it that Velvet Revolver might do some of their tunes and Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony would be accepting on their behalf.  Wait, I may be mixing up my stories.

You may have heard that Van Halen has a new album out.  Yes, we need to call it an album as it is a beautiful time warp that many of never truly expected to occur.  The reviews are all over the net so rather than try to say what's already been said I'm giving my review via a couple of parables.

The night, to that point, had been the best of my life.  I saw her from across the bar and never thought she'd notice me.  Well, she did and after hours of drinking and flirting, we were back in my apartment.  This wasn't just lust.  As she readied herself, I had thoughts of not only a night of ecstasy but a life together, children, white picket fence, the works.  I had never clicked with anyone like this before and I knew it was mutual.  She approached me as I was lying on the side on the bed and slowly started to pull the blanket down.  Her excitement was apparent as she slowly lowered the blanket.  I knew that my years in the gym were now adding the extra payoff after hours of perfect conversation.  Then it happened.  She saw the "Mommy" tattoo that I proudly display on my lower left hip and was gone sooner than a bullethead would reach outer space.  How can I be judged by, perhaps, an ill advised tattoo?

It started as a sad day.  My parents could no longer manage an entire house.  Cleaning up quickly became exercise in nostalgia.  My closet still contained the same clothes I had worn thirty years prior but not since.  One outfit quickly caught my eye.  I was immediately brought back to a time where nights were filled with smoky clubs, loud music, and beautiful girls.  I couldn't resist so I quickly switched out of my current outfit and, to my amazement, it all fit perfectly.  Not only that, in this outfit, the idea that 'you can't go home again' has quickly melted away.  After years of living under the radar, near depression, and absolute ordinariness I have somehow been transformed.  

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-cult-return-with-intense-new-album-20120130

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jack-white-to-release-solo-debut-blunderbuss-in-april-20120130

I am not a musician, nor do I claim that my top ten is of the best women rockers. As a matter of fact, I am probably not the most qualified of the Dads to post this entry.   These are simply my favorites throughout the years. 

10. Patty Smythe - Lead singer of Scandal.  Ho hum...but "The Warrior" is classic and not just because it is a tribute to my favorite Yankee.  Could have been the lead singer of VH after Diamond Dave...look it up! 

9. Melissa Auf der Maur - Bass guitarist for two great bands, Hole, and the Pumpkins for a flash.

8.  Laurie Partridge (Susan Dey) - Never missed a Partridge Family re-run in the late 70s.  Banged on the tambourine in the tight bell-bottoms like no other.  "C'Mon Get Happy" is one of the greater titles for a song ever.

7.  Joan Jett - Found absolutely nothing attractive about her, but wore out one of the last vinyls I bought, "I Love Rock and Roll", like no other song of my youth.  The jet black hair and the leather added to her rock goddessness.

6. Kim Deal - A friend of mine dragged my to a Pixies show in the late 80s/early 90s.  Music was just ok, but I was mesmerized by a hot dark-haired bassist in a short black dress.  Oh yeah, she sang too.  Fronted a darn good album with The Breeders as well.  I would imagine that she is probably the most talented of this group.

5. Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups)/D'Arcy Wretzky (Smashing Pumpkins)- Have to lump these two together.  Way too many similarities...love both bands though and when you love a band and a chick plays bass....

4.  Meg White - Once again, I have really no idea how good a drummer she is from an artistic perspective, but I love the music so she has to be doing something right.  Strange backstory with Jack also adds to the mystique.

3.  Stevie Nicks - Long blond hair, creamy white dress, rumors that she was a witch and boy could she sing.  Landslide always gives me chills when I hear it. Although my favorite cut was Stop Draggin' My Heart Around with my boy Tom Petty.

2. Nancy Wilson - Blond lead guitarist of a band that rocked in the 70s is way high on my list.  Introduced me to the greatness of cleavage on MTV in the early 80s.

1. Courtney Love - Say what you want about her, but Live Through This is a tremendous album and she was it.  The off the stage drama (drugs, Kobain, role in People Vs. Larry Flynt) only adds to her rock aura. 

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/preview-van-halens-new-single-blood-and-fire-20120125

I have been thinking about doing this post for quite a while. . . it finally came to a head over beers at the Asgard with Mike and Dave pre-Radio Moscow/Graveyard. . . off the top of my head were a quality 8 albums or so. . . and I am sure I was forgetting a few. After giving it some more thought and a weekend of listens I came up with this personal Top 10. After a good tongue lashing from the accountant Natan, I have no choice but to number them 1-10. Damn numbers guys. . .

10. Yuck - Yuck - A great throwback to the alternative bands of the 90's that I liked. . . probably sound more like good Dinosaur Jr. than anything else. Solid and catchy as hell. . .

9. The Kills - Blood Pressures - It is tough sometimes when one of your favorite bands comes out with a new album and your personal expectations are so high. . . I love the rawness and garage sound of the first two albums so much I just don't like the last two as much. . . Baby Ruthless still rocks harder than just about anybody else. Period.

8. Radio Moscow - The Great Escape of Radio Magnafuzz - What a great end of the year find (along with the next on the list) thanks to Natan. If you are a fan at all of heavy psychadelic rock you will love this.

7. Graveyard - Hisingen Blues - I love Scandinavia. First my trip to Norway where I was blown away by hearing the new Fu Manchu in a college bar and then partaking in the Air Guitar World Championship. Now Graveyard and Sweden. And Natan's boy Stefan Edberg. Heavy and bluesy with great shifts in tempo. . . I can't wait to explore Finland!

6. The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar - Not many albums grab you like this one from the first listen. An impressive debut, that I can not wait to see where this band goes from here. There is a reason Grohl wanted them opening for Foo on their arena tour. . . they are the real deal.

5. Puscifer - Conditions of My Parole - Not sure what I expected from Maynard's side project, but definitely not this. . . what a great groove and I love the alternating vocals. It took a little while, but then you just want to hear the whole thing and all the different styles on this album. You do not have to be a Tool head to appreciate this tremendous album.

4. Foo Fighters - Wasted Light - You know it is a great year when this is #4 on the year. Classic Grohl and the boys with some heavy Rush-like cuts and cameos from Bob Mould and Kris Novoselic.

3. Wild Flag - Wild Flag - When two thirds of one my favorite bands of all time (Sleater-Kinney) have a new band the bar is set pretty high. They did not disappoint. I love how they seem to get heavier and stay fresh. Almost came in at #2 but. . .

2. Sleeper Agent - Celebrasion - I can not believe how much I enjoyed this album from Day 1. These youngsters know how to craft catchy songs that you can not get out of your head and you just want to hum along with almost every song. Bonus! If you have kids they will love this album! Trust me.

1. . . . and you will know us by the trail of dead - Tao of the Dead - There is nothing like one of your favorite bands coming out with a new double album (one concept and the other just awesome). Living up to and ultimately exceeding expectations actually. . . Some amazing songwriting and riffs. They have evolved into a great rock band from a raw, alternative band. . .

Honorable Mentions:

Girl In A Coma - Exits & All The Rest

The Strokes - Angles

Arctic Monkeys - Suck It & See

Mastodon - The Hunter

The Black Keys - El Camino

Chevelle - Hats Off to the Bull