Andrea Love’s Favorite Albums of 2015

With 2015 coming to a close, it's time to make the best albums of 2015 list. This year was hard, because it was such a stellar year for new music, so I did my best to pick my top ten favorites. I didn't want to put them in an order, because that's the hard part, but I guess it's lame if I don't. I put my indecisiveness to the side and here are my favorites.

10. AD/DC Rock Or Bust

I will be honest here, I grew up in the 90's, and AC/DC was never one of my favorite bands as a youngster. It wasn't until I got older that I realized that AC/DC's contributions to the rock world paved the way for some of the best party songs of all time. Let's be real here, AC/DC knows how to party through music and their latest album "Rock Or Bust" is another example of old dudes that are still rocking. Even with the loss of guitarist Malcom Young to dementia and the lost of drummer Phil Rudd to legal troubles they still came back strong.

9. Red Sun Rising - Polyester Zeal

There is a considerable amount of new artists in my best of 2015 list, and I think that says a lot about the evolution of rock music. All of our favorite bands were once a new band, but I sometimes feel as though as we get older we become less interested in what's new and find ourselves hanging on to what was cool "in our day". Oldies and classic stations will never die, because the need for nostalgia will never die. The need for new artists will never die either, and I'm totally delighted that Red Sun Rising has surfaced. Polyester Zeal has a soul - a spirit that was needed in the music scene. The first single "The Otherside" is an out of the box, heavy hitter, but keep room on your pallet for songs like "Emotionless" and "My Muse" too. Did I mention they slay live?

8. Papa Roach - Face Everything And Rise

P. Roach warned us that this album would be the "sickest, most illest P. Roach record to date", and apparently they weren't lying. With songs like the title track F.E.A.R, and the second single Gravity (featuring Maria Brink) it was clear from the get go that this album had a chance. Once I had a chance to dive in, this album spent a solid two weeks non stop rotation. "Skeletons", "Broken As Me", and a song that makes me shake my booty called "Warriors" help to round out this album, and it's great to see a new focus from the band as the lead singer Jacoby Shaddix is publicly on #TeamSober.

7. Like A Storm - Awaken The Fire

I liked their music before I got to know them as humans. Their first abum was fun, and their second (which was partially created in Michigan) is another example of why rock is not dead. Like, zero percent dead. I can't resist a good ballad and I suggest you check out the song called "Southern Skies" if you like good ballads too. 2015 rocked my stinkin' socks for badass albums. Dear Gene Simmons, Please wait until the actual rock funeral to pronounce rock to be dead. Thank you. Andrea M Effin Love.

6. Aranda - Not The Same

I once drove to Cincinnati all by my damn self, ON MY BIRTHDAY, to see this band and Sevendust, and it was one of the birth celebrations I've ever had! (I even had time to stop by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on the way home because I was alone.) Gabe and Damien are amazingly talented brothers, and always so incredibly solid live. I sometimes think they think I'm a weirdo-creepo because I enjoy their music so much. Perhaps I am on superfan level, but whatev. I am a superfan. So what? They're awesome. My man-friend, Dan, even got them to wish me a happy birthday. The lead single "Don't Wake Me" and the song "Dead Man Running" have my heart in a chokehold, and that's just the start.

5. Sons Of Texas - Baptized In The Rio Grande

If you're sleeping on Sons Of Texas, you better wake the hell up, friend. Dude, they have been rocking my deck so hard lately, and everytime they come to the Machine Shop they murder the rock faces of many. They've very quickly become one of my favorites, with heavy, yet melodic, high energy songs like "Never Bury The Hatchet", "The Vestryman" and of course the title track and first single "Baptized In The Rio Grande". They make me feel like pulling my own hair, and stomping around in a one person circle pit. Their music make me feel like I'm Hacksaw Jim Duggan or Taz or something. Don't ask questions, just move on to number four and check them out at the SOLD OUT Hinder show in January, please.

4.  Breaking Benjamin - Dark Before Dawn

Breaking Benjamin is not only back, but Ben Burnley is not here for the hell of it. "Dark Before Dawn" gives you Breaking Benjamin. The one that you know. The one before the 'hiatus'. The bonus is you also get the one after the 'hiatus'. The similarity is Ben, and that comfy song composition where that one random sound becomes your favorite part of the song. They didn't try to sound like what they thought 2015 was asking for. The difference is that everything sounds fresh. Fresh and effortless.

3. Halestorm - Into The Wildlife

When this band said they wanted to "bridge the gap between what 'people see on our live shows and then what people hear on all our records' they did exactly that. This album made me feel like I needed to go find the rest of my mind that I had lost while listening, because it was that insanely amazing, that it left me with my jaw on the floor. I love Lzzy (f'n Hale) because she is an unapologetic badass, who has earned her spot, and songs like Bad Girls World, keep me motivated to remember that badasses are badasses no matter the outer layer.  The band has an undeniable talent and raw ear for art that makes me question what planet I live on.  I will never in my life forget the first time I saw them live at The Shop.

2. Saint Asonia - Saint Asonia

Dear Mr. Gauntier,

I feared missing your vocals so much after your departure from 3DG, and am overly delighted to hear them again, especially alongside the monstrous guitar riffs of Mr. Mushok. I feel like I must address you all formally because I feel privileged to hear this particular mix. Mr. Corey Lowrey and Mr. Rich Beddoe I hope you both feel as at home with this lineup as this album makes me feel. I feel like I'm "there" when I hear "Better Place" or "Let Me Live My Life". Just when I thought I couldn't handle anymore...you hit me in the face with the beautiful ballad "Waste My Time" and I feel like I could melt into the universe and be fine there.

1. Sevendust - Kill The Flaw

Sevendust, such a "Thank You" goes out to you. This album gave me that feeling deep down inside that I was listening to five brothers, and best friends, just gettin' the hell down with all of their passions on the front line. Together. Team. Full circle. Family. Life. No worries, just doing the thing they do best which is being Sevendust. Perhaps my favorite part is the fact that I can listen to this album as LaJon, Morgan, John, Clint and Vinnie - individually - or I can listen to it as Sevendust and be equally satisfied. Even the album art kills. Sevendust HAS arrived. In the most Sevendusty way possible.

Dear 2016,

Please bring more amazing music like you did this year, and you will keep one friendly DJ lady in forever in your praise. These are just the favorites I've been spinning. There are so many other fabulous albums that I didn't have room for in one post.

Love,

Andrea Love.