2023 should go down as revenge of the aging musicians.
A LOT of new albums released this year from seasoned and well-seasoned bands who attempt to defy father time in an effort to continue doing what they love. Time stands still for the fans, too, when bands that emerged on the musical landscape 30, 40 and in one case, 60 years ago, work their magic and drop new albums filled with fresh music.
Enjoy while it lasts. These bands tend to make headlines not only because of their longevity but also for their continued effort in making music worth listening to. Perhaps one reason why so-called “classic rock” transcends generations and endures decades later. Oh, don’t look now but all those bands from the 90s seem to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity. That’s not to say the up and comers fail to impress. It’s just that those who helped shape rock music often do it so much better.
This year I reviewed 18 new albums of which 13 qualify for the Top 10 Best Albums of 2023 list. Rethinking past songs – now popularly embraced by bands (perhaps a creative stop gap?) – EPs or reissues don’t make the cut, though admittedly I was leaning towards including one of these albums simply by virtue of the nature and inclusion of new songs.
Choosing the best album of 2023 was easy. Choosing the second and third best albums was pretty easy but the rest required some extra listening time and then the records quickly fell into place.
Best Albums of 2023
10. Andy Taylor – Man’s a Wolf to Man
Part of the original Duran Duran Fab 5, guitarist Andy Taylor went a really long time in between solo albums to write this record. Ideally, he would have stayed with his former band but as you can tell he’s way more a rocker at heart and it shows on this album.
Grade: B+
From the review: Let’s hope because Man’s A Wolf to Man shows Taylor in rather astute form sounding at times like David Bowie while letting his guitar do a lot of the talking rather than the occasional outbursts he got in on past chart topping hits.
Read the review: Andy Taylor – Man’s a Wolf to Man
9. Mammoth WVH – Mammoth II
The son and prodigy of the late Eddie Van Halen, Wolfgang Van Halen writes all his own music and plays all the instruments on his sophom*ore album, just as he did his debut. And it totally works. Kind of like a music review blogger who really has no oversight or editor, the only difference being Van Halen doesn’t need anyone because he’s really good at what he does. Well, I’m sure he has someone saying yea or nay.
Grade: B+
From the review: For Mammoth II, Van Halen pushes himself vocally, while including a lot of upbeat rock songs with varying degrees of melodic complexity in the guitar playing and solos.
Read the review: Mammoth WVH – Mammoth II
8. The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds
Don’t be surprised if the Rolling Stones release another album. And maybe even another. But until then, enjoy this one not only for the music but because it comes nearly 60 years after they hit the music scene sounding more or less like an album from 2023.
Grade: B
From the review: Hackney Diamonds offers plenty of meat with a couple songs that defy time and could have appeared on any of their albums since 1964, save for the advancement in recording technology of course, while other tracks send an updated sound to bring these aging musicians into the modern era.
Read the review: The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds
7. Extreme – Six
Most people who listened to local rock radio in 1991 probably know the lyrics to “More than Words” but have no idea singer Gary Cherone later fronted Van Halen for a while or that Extreme released their sixth album this year called Six. Unlikely any of the songs on the album hit the airwaves but nearly all prove a worthy listen.
Grade: B
From the review: Some of Extreme’s best songs reside on Sixshowing their ability to adapt and keep current in between the long breaks perhaps proving the notion that patience is a virtue but maybe the band can tap into the 90s a little more at least in terms of pacing their album releases.
Read the review: Extreme – Six
6. Athey Music – New and Living Way
A last minute edition. Portland based Athey Music released their sophom*ore album in physical form a month early so fans could, I presume, enjoy and/or give for Christmas. The dreaded second release that plagues many bands after a smash debut didn’t affect the charm and character of New and Living Way. Hardly more of the same either as the Athey Music collective brought in two new members and expanded their sound and scope…just a bit.
Grade: B+
From the review: With so much of the same proliferating Christian radio, Athey Music doesn’t necessarily offer a novel approach to the Christian music genre but a more distinct flavor. The lyrics will inspire the believer, give hope to the weary and maybe flicker a shimmer of light to those succumbed in darkness.
Read the review: Athey Music – New and Living Way
5. The Alarm – Forwards
An album that gets better and better with each listen. The Alarm gave us “Strength” both song (still on radio) and album nearly 40 years ago but this year gave us Forwards a testament to singer Mike Peters’ strength in moving forward after a significant health scare.
Grade: B+
From the review: If Peters’ recent health battles sounded the alarm on the brevity of life or at least how we all are on borrowed breath, he makes the most of it on Forwards, an album carefully crafted for today but one that heralds the band’s past efforts in a current time capsule.
Read the review: The Alarm – Forwards
4. Colony House – The Cannonballers
Colony House almost bested Metallica for a Top 3. Oops, I just told you #3 on this list. A new band (to me) I immediately took to whose concert I missed. A fun album by a bunch of guys I don’t think take themselves all that seriously but who know how to harness all that creative energy.
Grade: B
From the review: Colony House describes themselves as a no frills no gimmicks kind of band, but The Cannonballers makes a splash and they are far from ordinary.
Read the review: Colony House – Cannonballers
3. Metallica – 72 Seasons
In a rare revision, I revised my original grade of A- for 72 Seasons to B+. It’s a long album with some definite winners and even arguably, some of their best, but also those long, slower headbangers that people complain about. However, every one of those long, slower headbangers that people complain about included some interesting direction and variations that prevented them from becoming sad, but true Metallica songs that didn’t bog down, too much.
Grade: B+
From the review: Hardly a dreary album nor is it angry, in fact, lots going on in this full metal record that mostly pleases even if various dynamic melodies get interrupted by sometimes accompanying sluggish tempos.
Read the review: Metallica – 72 Season
2. Semisonic – Little Bit of Sun
When you keep coming back to an album something special exists. Semisonic went quasi dormant for more than 20 years releasing just their fourth album 22 years after their last and 25 years after their smash “Closing Time” made them a household name. This gem of a record didn’t top the charts, but Little Bit of Sun is a lotta fun and Semisonic’s best.
Grade: B+
From the review: If such a thing exists as a second debut album, Semisonic has discovered it in Little Bit of Sun. No, no need for another “Closing Time” either as most of the tracks on this record uphold what most of us have been asking for years: Where have you been?
Read the review: Semisonic – Little Bit of Sun
Best Album of 2023
1. Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
Foo Fighters cemented this pick months ago. In the aftermath of drummer Taylor Hawkins’ death Dave Grohl created a masterpiece. But Here We Are is the best Foo Fighters album by far, the best of 2023 and one of the best albums I’ve heard in years. If you have not heard “The Teacher” go listen.
Grade: A
From the review: But Here We Are shows off a more graceful, mature and focused Foo Fighters that easily bests the previous 10 albums. Tragedy grounds us all and if channeled correctly makes us better.
Read the review: Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
2023 Best Album Honorable Mention
Alice Cooper – Road
Unfortunately got kicked off the Top 10 list at the last minute. Alice Cooper goes on the Road for his, say what!?, 29th album. He sounds pretty much the same as he rolls in on 60 years in the music business. A live take that’s not a live take. Extra, extra, read all about it…below.
Grade: B
From the review: Road sounds like a hard rock album that came out decades ago still resonating today with purists. Songs average around three and a half minutes, little to no fluff, just plugged in and played
Read the review: Alice Cooper – Road
