2014's Best Rock Albums
Although there were less major rock album releases in 2014 than recent years, here are 10 quality rock albums worth checking out. Despite Kiss' Gene Simmons declaration that "rock is dead" earlier this year, these albums did their best to keep rock music alive.
1. Foo Fighters - 'Sonic Highways'
Dave Grohl took the Foo Fighters to 8 cities to record in 8 different studios. The songs remain the same hook laden, melodic rock the band is known for. The main difference on Sonic Highways is Grohl's lyrical approach which incorporates snippets from interviews and experiences from each Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways HBO television showepisode. For all the ambition Grohl puts forth to shake up the Foo Fighters formula if you listen to the album without watching the HBO show, the Sonic Highwaysalbum is just a solid Foo Fighters album with some great special guests. Their first single "Something From Nothing" (watch the video featuring Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Neilson) cleverly embellishes a guitar riff from Dio's "Holy Diver." Buy from Amazon »
2. Royal Blood - 'Royal Blood'
Royal Blood seemingly came out of nowhere this year to capture the top spot of the British charts and win over fans like Dave Grohl, who nabbed them as his opening act for Foo Fighters current tour. The band creates an amazingly full sound with just frontman Mike Kerr coaxing guitar-like tones from his distorted bass guitar and a hard hitting drummer Ben Thatcher. No two-piece band since The White Stripes have made such an impact on critics and fans alike on both sides of the pond. Royal Blood sounds like a love child of Queens of the Stone Age, Led Zeppelin, and The White Stripes as evidenced on their smash single "Figure It Out" (watch video). Buy from Amazon »
3. Jack White - 'Lazaretto'
Jack White's second solo album was partial inspired by a collection of short stories and plays he wrote when he was 19 and uncovered in his attic. The title track "Lazaretto" combines rock and funk elements with White's swaggering vocals and blistering guitar work. Elsewhere White strikes a more bluesy chord on the piano and guitar laced torch song "Would You Fight For My Love?" (watch video).Buy from Amazon »
4. Linkin Park - 'The Hunting Party'
On their sixth studio album The Hunting Party Linkin Park eschew much of the electronics and power ballads of their recent albums in favor of their most guitar heavy effort to date. Guitarist Brad Delson let's loose with heavy riffs and shredding guitar solos he's been holding back for years on opening track "Keys To The Kingdom." Drum machines have been curtailed on the album as well which let's Rob Bourdon's drumming shine. For The Hunting Party co-frontman Mike Shinoda said Linkin Park simply set out to make "a rock record." Mission accomplished! Buy from Amazon »
5. Weezer - 'Everything Will Be Alright In The End'
On Weezer's ninth studio album, their first album produced by The Cars' Ric Ocasek since 2001's self-titled "Green Album", finds them returning to their four-piece, catchy guitar-based songs with introspective lyrics that's their bread and butter. After experimenting with rappers and frontman Rivers Cuomo letting his bandmates sing lead on the last few albums it's good to hear Weezer "rock out like it's '94" as Cuomo sings on first single "Back To The Shack" (watch video). The album doesn't deviate much from the formula that made Weezer famous but if it's not broke... Buy from Amazon »
6. Seether - 'Isolate and Medicate'
On their sixth studio album Seether continue to separate themselves from the generic post-grunge pack. While it's not a huge departure from their previous albums, Isolate and Medicate rocks in all the right places such as the raucous opener "See You at the Bottom". First single "Words As Weapons" (watch video) nicks part of its verse vocal melody from Tears For Fears "Mad World", which show that Seether's musical influences extended well beyond Nirvana. Buy from Amazon »
7. The Smashing Pumpkins - 'Monuments to an Elegy'
On The Smashing Pumpkins ninth studio album Billy Corgan set out to follow up the nebulous Oceania album with a more straightforward rock album. EnlistingMotley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and collaborating with guitarist of seven years Mike Schroeder, Corgan brings the epic. heavy guitar rock he is best known for with occasional keyboard flourishes Corgan seems to be on a mission to keep guitar rock alive and viable into the 21st century with epic songs like "Tiberius" and "Being Beige". Buy from Amazon »
8. Beck - 'Morning Phase'
Beck's twelfth studio album returns to the mellow, atmospheric singer-songwriter style of his acclaimed 2002 Sea Changealbum. Beck's core band from Sea Change returns along with lush string arrangements by his father, David Campbell. On the song "Wave" (watchSaturday Night Live video) Beck sets a melancholy mood accompanied only by a string section. With it's acoustic styling and introspective lyrics Morning Phase showcases Beck's serious side. The album has recently been nominated for the Grammy's Album of the Year award. Buy from Amazon »
9. The Black Keys - 'Turn Blue'
The Black Keys 6th album was co-produced by Danger Mouse and features lyrics inspired by frontman Dan Auerbach's recent divorce. The album expands the band's sound to include more expansive instrumentation distancing themselves from the raw blues sound of earlier albums. Lead single "Fever" (watch video) combines a Motown-esque dance beat, a kitschy keyboard line, and sing-along lyrics. It sounds like an instant classic. Buy from Amazon »
10. ††† (Crosses)
Deftones frontman Chino Moreno's new side project channels Depeche Mode-style electronica in his most visceral departure from his main gig's sound to date. ††† (Crosses) explores uncharted territory with songs like "Bitches Brew" (watch video) which combines moody electro verses with guitar power chord choruses. Chino's new project is his most diverse, fully realized side project to date and has apparently started a new musical subgenre: "witch house." The project also forces meticulous music writers to cut and paste a symbol for the first time since Prince's brief 90's name change.
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