The Numbers of the Beast...

To date, I've rated:

• 626 bands
• 2,059 albums
• 20,657 songs

If you have a question about ratings for a particular band, album or song, post a comment and I'll get back to you.

Top Ten - 2003

I rated 61 albums from 2003. This was an interesting year that featured two old NWOBHM bands at or near the top of the list and some of the worst-rated CDs overall at the bottom of the list. Overall, 2003 was an very strong year, with many good to excellent Classic Rock and Prog/Power Metal releases.



2003 Top Ten:

90.82 -- Elixir - The Idol
89.64 -- Dark Moor - Dark Moor
89.17 -- Jaguar - Run Ragged
88.49 -- Seven Witches - Passage to the Other Side
88.14 -- Helloween - Rabbit Don't Come Easy
87.44 -- Firewind - Burning Earth
87.28 -- Burning Point - Feeding the Flames
87.19 -- Dream Theater - Train of Thought
86.62 -- Dark Moor - Between Light & Darkness
86.58 -- Shaman - Ritual

Other 2003 releases:
86.47 -- Aria - Baptism by Fire
86.32 -- Circle II Circle - Watching In Silence
86.10 -- Brainstorm - Soul Temptation
85.84 -- Rage - Soundchaser
85.63 -- Mägo de Oz - Gaia
85.19 -- Stratovarius - Elements Pt. 2
85.04 -- Lost Horizon - A Flame from the Ground Beneath
85.04 -- Labyrinth - Labyrinth
84.29 -- Nostradameus - The Third Prophecy
84.28 -- The Yardbirds - Birdland
84.03 -- Michael Schenker Group - Arachnophobiac
83.92 -- Tierra Santa - Indomable
83.74 -- Rob Rock - Eyes of Eternity
83.44 -- Stratovarius - Elements Pt. 1
83.17 -- Red Wine - Sueños Y Locura
82.25 -- Joe Stump - Armed and Ready
82.11 -- Gun Barrel - Battle-Tested
81.86 -- David Shankle Group - Ashes to Ashes
81.79 -- Cage - Darker than Black
80.80 -- Masterplan - Masterplan
80.63 -- Alkemyst - Meeting In the Mist
80.43 -- Iron Maiden - Dance of Death
80.40 -- Sonata Arctica - Winterheart's Guild
79.94 -- Cryonic Temple - Blood, Guts & Glory
79.93 -- Galloglass - Legends from Now and Nevermore
79.45 -- The Lizards - The Lizards Rule
78.68 -- Mystic Prophecy - Regressus
78.63 -- Kamelot - Epica
77.08 -- Alice Cooper - The Eyes of Alice Cooper
76.88 -- Saracen - Red Sky
76.79 -- Dario Mollo / Tony Martin - Cage 2
76.25 -- Platitude - Secrets of Life
74.86 -- Derek Sherinian - Black Utopia
74.66 -- Nemesis - Goddess of Revenge
74.46 -- Taraxacum - Rainmaker
74.21 -- Krokus - Rock the Block
73.87 -- Exhibition - The Sign of Tomorrow
73.09 -- Deep Purple - Bananas
73.07 -- Zebra - Zebra IV
73.00 -- Blackmore's Night - Ghost of A Rose
71.73 -- Twilight - Born Undivine
71.67 -- Styx - Cyclorama
71.61 -- Arachnes - Primary Fear
71.31 -- Chinchilla - Madtropolis
70.60 -- Wizard - Odin
66.53 -- ZZ Top - Mescalero
63.88 -- Praying Mantis - The Journey Goes On
62.78 -- Jethro Tull - The Christmas Album
57.29 -- Queensrÿche - Tribe
37.04 -- Metallica - St. Anger
32.26 -- Seventh Seal - The Black Dragon's Eyes

Top Albums by Year

Here's a list of the top song by year, starting in 1963. Some years may change as I add more ratings. If enough of them do, I'll post this list again.

Update: Some years did in fact change, some as a result of new albums being rated, others a result of updated ratings. Previously there were five bands listed twice: The Beatles, The Yardbirds, Deep Purple, Queensrÿche and Gamma Ray. Now there are eight, with Anthem, Gillan and Megadeth joining that group. (As before, if you discount Queensrÿche because they released an EP in 1983 and not a full album, then Black Sabbath would replace them as the top band that year, making them the ninth band to be listed twice.) The list is still dominated by hard rock and heavy metal bands, which I suppose isn't a surprise as that's the music I like best.

One final note of interest. All the repeating bands had top albums either in back-to-back years or one year apart, except Queensrÿche, who repeated five years apart. And if you do discount the Queensrÿche EP, then Black Sabbath would be the band with the greatest difference in the top spot, at eight years.

Top Albums by Year (1963 - 2009)
1963 - The Beatles - Please Please Me (U.K.) (62.62)
1964 - The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night (68.54)
1965 - The Yardbirds - Having A Rave Up (76.48)
1966 - The Yardbirds - Roger the Engineer (82.08)
1967 - Doors - The Doors (87.77)
1968 - Blue Cheer - Vincebus Eruptum (88.24)
1969 - Led Zeppelin - I (86.69)
1970 - Deep Purple - In Rock (98.14)
1971 - Jethro Tull - Aqualung (90.86)
1972 - Deep Purple - Machine Head (95.70)
1973 - Buffalo - Volcanic Rock (91.16)
1974 - Sweet - Desolation Boulevard (US) (91.00)
1975 - Black Sabbath - Sabotage (89.92)
1976 - Rainbow - Rising (97.98)
1977 - AC/DC - Let There Be Rock (90.80)
1978 - Bow Wow - Charge (87.67)
1979 - Scorpions - Lovedrive (92.75)
1980 - Gillan - Glory Road (91.11)
1981 - Gillan - Future Shock (90.64)
1982 - Michael Schenker Group - Assault Attack (91.79)
1983 - Queensrÿche - Queensrÿche (EP) (96.37)
1984 - Iron Maiden - Powerslave (94.86)
1985 - Fates Warning - The Spectre Within (89.56)
1986 - Sword - Metalized (88.47)
1987 - Angus - Warrior of the World (88.82)
1988 - Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime (93.02)
1989 - Metal Church - Blessing In Disguise (91.76)
1990 - Megadeth - Rust In Peace (93.55)
1991 - Armored Saint - Symbol of Salvation (91.18)
1992 - Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction (89.83)
1993 - Rage - The Missing Link (90.28)
1994 - Running Wild - Black Hand Inn (89.52)
1995 - Savatage - Dead Winter Dead (88.57)
1996 - Stratovarius - Episode (87.13)
1997 - Tierra Santa - Medieval (88.23)
1998 - Iced Earth - Something Wicked this Way Comes (91.18)
1999 - October 31 - Meet Thy Maker (91.04)
2000 - Anthem - Heavy Metal Anthem (91.67)
2001 - Anthem - Seven Hills (89.83)
2002 - W.A.S.P. - Dying for the World (90.49)
2003 - Elixir - The Idol (90.82)
2004 - Twisted Sister - Still Hungry (91.22)
2005 - Gamma Ray - Majestic (90.51)
2006 - Aria - Armageddon (90.97)
2007 - Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II (90.25)
2008 - Uriah Heep - Wake the Sleeper (91.45)
2009 - Slough Feg - Ape Uprising (90.64)

Top Ten - 2004

I rated 48 albums from 2004. I did something unusual here and removed the highest rated album. Let me explain... Twisted Sister's re-recording of Stay Hungry (entitled Still Hungry) slightly edged out Overlorde (receiving a 91.22 rating, same as the original), but because it will be recognized in the 1984 Top Ten list, I removed it from here. Now I won't have to list the same album twice, 20 years apart.



2004 Top Ten:

90.23 -- Overlorde - Return of the Snow Giant
90.11 -- Feinstein - Third Wish
89.91 -- Megadeth - The System has Failed
89.76 -- Cornerstone - Once Upon Our Yesterdays
89.53 -- Mob Rules - Among the Gods
89.24 -- Messiah's Kiss - Metal
88.78 -- W.A.S.P. - The Neon God, Pt. 2: The Demise
88.56 -- Tad Morose - Modus Vivendi
88.25 -- Nightwish - Once
87.09 -- Iron Savior - Battering Ram

Other 2004 releases:
86.67 -- W.A.S.P. - The Neon God, Pt. 1: The Rise
86.41 -- Edguy - Hellfire Club
85.67 -- Silent Force - Worlds Apart
85.62 -- Anthem - Eternal Warrior
85.33 -- Ten Years After - Now
84.50 -- Threshold - Subsurface
84.47 -- Persuader - Evolution Purgatory
84.06 -- Saxon - Lionheart
83.91 -- Sonata Arctica - Reckoning Night
83.88 -- Iced Earth - The Glorious Burden
83.85 -- Force of Evil - Force of Evil
83.11 -- October 31 - No Survivors
82.30 -- Tarot - Suffer Our Pleasures
81.86 -- Irish Coffee - Irish Coffee
81.62 -- Seven Witches - Year of the Witch
81.57 -- Metal Church - The Weight of the World
81.50 -- Nostradameus - Hellbound
81.43 -- Cans - Beyond the Gates
80.65 -- Heavenly - Dust to Dust
80.26 -- Dream Evil - Book of Heavy Metal
79.15 -- Fates Warning - FWX
79.04 -- UFO - You are Here
78.54 -- Axel Rudi Pell - Kings and Queens
78.34 -- Dio - Master of the Moon
77.48 -- Motörhead - Inferno
77.03 -- Statetrooper - The Calling
76.89 -- Chinchilla - Take No Prisoners
76.77 -- Scorpions - Unbreakable
71.87 -- Rottweiller - Rage of War
69.61 -- Dokken - Hell to Pay
69.54 -- Bang - The Maze
66.50 -- Jørn - Out to Every Nation
63.90 -- Angtoria - God Has A Plan for Us All
62.02 -- Winterhawk - Wind from the Sun
57.86 -- The Zombies - As Far As I Can See
57.52 -- Anvil - Back to Basics
48.73 -- Anubis Gate - Purification

Is There Anybody Out There?

"Hello...
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?"*

If you've stumbled across this blog and are reading it, please post a comment and let me know. It can be about anything: whether you like it, hate it, agree with my ratings, or disagree with them. It doesn't really matter. If you want to talk music, that'd be great. And if you have any requests about specific band or album ratings, or you'd like to see a certain top ten list, I may be able to help with that as well. So c'mon...  be the first to comment. I'll even give you credit in a future post!

*I know these are the lyrics to Comfortably Numb. Please allow me a little blogging leeway here.

Top Ten - 2005

I rated 45 albums from 2005. Some big names made it to the top of the list that year. Other efforts were decent to good, but fell short of the top spots.

2005 Top Ten:
90.51 -- Gamma Ray - Majestic
90.41 -- Bow Wow - Era
89.72 -- Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy
89.26 -- Axehammer - Windrider
88.59 -- Hibria - Defying the Rules
87.57 -- Bruce Dickinson - Tyranny of Souls
87.09 -- Kamelot - The Black Halo
86.36 -- Thy Majestie - Jeanne d’Arc
85.74 -- Diamond Head - All Will Be Revealed
84.33 -- Shaman - Reason

Other 2005 releases:
83.72 -- Astral Doors - Evil Is Forever
83.07 -- Nocturnal Rites - Grand Illusion
82.99 -- Stratovarius - Stratovarius
82.79 -- Jon Oliva's Pain - 'Tage Mahal
82.38 -- Wolfmother - Wolfmother
81.91 -- Presto Ballet - Peace Among the Ruins
81.77 -- Circle II Circle - The Middle Of Nowhere
81.29 -- Jørn - The Duke
81.17 -- Yngwie Malmsteen - Unleash the Fury
80.61 -- Tony Martin - Scream
80.58 -- Tierra Santa - Apocalipsis
80.35 -- 35007 - Phase V
79.85 -- Judas Priest - Angel of Retribution
79.77 -- Brainstorm - Liquid Monster
78.96 -- Molly Hatchet - Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge
78.93 -- Slough Feg - Atavism
78.34 -- Blitzkrieg - Sins and Greed
78.10 -- Dark Moor - Beyond the Sea
77.87 -- Running Wild - Rogues En Vogue
77.04 -- Dream Theater - Octavarium
75.99 -- Morgana Lefay - Grand Materia
75.55 -- Angra - Temple of Shadows
75.23 -- Mägo de Oz - Gaia II - La Voz Dormida
75.14 -- Allen / Lande - The Battle
74.92 -- Platitude - Silence Speaks
73.92 -- Wizard - Magic Circle
73.78 -- Demons & Wizards - Touched by the Crimson King
72.01 -- Alice Cooper - Dirty Diamonds
71.77 -- Anubis Gate - A Perfect Forever
71.57 -- Labyrinth - Freeman
70.07 -- Demon - Better the Devil You Know
69.06 -- Axenstar - The Inquisition
62.67 -- Seven Witches - Amped
54.22 -- Manilla Road - Gates of Fire

Top Ten - 2006

I rated 46 albums released in 2006. Quite a few classic rock artists returned with new efforts and mixed results. Once again, some lesser-known bands cracked the top ten, and you should probably get to know them. (Note: Due to some recent reviews, the Top Ten changed with the addition of both an Anthem and Wolf album).

2006 Top Ten:
90.97 -- Aria - Armageddon
90.85 -- Metal Church - Light In the Dark
89.30 -- Heavenly - Virus
88.88 -- Anthem - Immortal
88.63 -- Elixir - Mindcreeper
88.14 -- Wolf - The Black Flame
87.70 -- Iron Maiden - A Matter of Life and Death
86.92 -- Pretty Maids - Wake Up to the Real World
85.93 -- Benedictum - Uncreation
85.81 -- Axxis - Paradise in Flames

Other 2006 releases:
85.80 -- Rage - Speak of the Dead
85.47 -- Blind Guardian - A Twist in the Myth
85.30 -- Firewind - Allegiance
84.96 -- Krokus - Hellraiser
84.81 -- Sir Lord Baltimore - III Raw
83.77 -- Bloodbound - Nosferatu
83.55 -- Astral Doors - Astralism
83.25 -- Hammerfall - Threshold
83.11 -- Manticora - The Black Circus, Pt. 1: Letters
82.55 -- Twisted Sister - A Twisted Christmas
82.48 -- Mob Rules - Ethnolution A.D.
82.06 -- Riot - Army of One
81.66 -- Tierra Santa - Mejor Morir En Pie
81.17 -- Edguy - Rocket Ride
79.76 -- Iron Fire - Revenge
79.52 -- Cactus - V
79.46 -- Beyond Fear - Beyond Fear
76.80 -- Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime II
76.47 -- Circle II Circle - Burden of Truth
76.39 -- Eddie Ojeda - Axes 2 Axes
75.83 -- Persuader - When Eden Burns
75.74 -- Axel Rudi Pell - Mystica
75.22 -- Budgie - You're All Living in Cuckooland
74.37 -- Andy Timmons - Resolution
74.36 -- Blackmore's Night - The Village Lanterne
73.96 -- Angra - Aurora Consurgens
73.95 -- Jon Oliva's Pain - Maniacal Renderings
73.16 -- UFO - The Monkey Puzzle
72.28 -- Motörhead - Kiss of Death
70.68 -- Empire - Raven Ride
69.30 -- Dominus Praelii - Bastards and Killers
65.72 -- Wizard's Hymn - Hymnal
65.21 -- Felony - First Works
62.64 -- Blackmore's Night - Winter Carols
61.98 -- Deep Purple - Rapture of the Deep
60.96 -- The Who - Endless Wire

Top Ten (+15) - Albums by German Bands

So far, I've rated 225 albums by German bands. The amount of rock and metal talent there is pretty impressive. Eight different bands made it into my Top Ten list, and all ten albums have a rating of 90 or better (if you round up).

Top 25 Albums:
92.75 -- Scorpions - Lovedrive (1979)
91.79 -- Michael Schenker Group - Assault Attack (1982)
90.73 -- Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2 (1988)
90.54 -- Scorpions - Love at First Sting (1984)
90.51 -- Gamma Ray - Majestic (2005)
90.28 -- Rage - The Missing Link (1993)
90.25 -- Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II (2007)
90.04 -- Blind Guardian - Tales from the Twilight World (1990)
89.75 -- Rage - Carved In Stone (2008)
89.74 -- Helloween - Better than Raw (1998)
89.72 -- Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy (2005)
89.53 -- Mob Rules - Among the Gods (2004)
89.52 -- Running Wild - Black Hand Inn (1994)
89.46 -- Messiah's Kiss - Prayer for the Dying (2002)
89.35 -- Virus - Thoughts (1971)
89.24 -- Messiah's Kiss - Metal (2004)
88.92 -- Wizard - Goochan (2007)
88.40 -- Running Wild - Blazon Stone (1991)
88.28 -- Twenty Sixty Six and Then - Reflections On the Future (1972)
88.23 -- Lucifer's Friend - Lucifer's Friend (1970)
88.14 -- Helloween - Rabbit Don't Come Easy (2003)
88.04 -- Gamma Ray - Land of the Free (1995)
87.94 -- Helloween - The Dark Ride (2000)
87.90 -- Kingdom Come - Kingdom Come (1988)
87.77 -- Gamma Ray - No World Order (1990)

Top Ten - 2007

I rated 65 albums released in 2007. As in 2008, some well-known artists released some very good albums that still fell outside the top ten. I think that's more a testimony to how good the other artists are, and is a definite endorsement to check them out if you don't know them.

2007 Top Ten:
90.25 -- Gamma Ray - Land of the Free II
89.47 -- Dominici - O3 - A Trilogy Part 2
88.92 -- Wizard - Goochan
88.66 -- Manticora - The Black Circus Part 2
88.38 -- Cornerstone - Two Tales Of One Tomorrow
88.31 -- David Shankle Group - Hellborn
88.30 -- Kotipelto - Serenity
87.35 -- W.A.S.P. - Dominator
87.00 -- Iron Savior - Megatropolis
86.67 -- Saxon - The Inner Sanctum

Other 2007 releases:
86.66 -- Pink Cream 69 - In10sity
86.34 -- Diamond Head - What's In Your Head
86.12 -- Ted Nugent - Love Grenade
85.81 -- Messiah's Kiss - Dragonheart
85.08 -- Megadeth - United Abominations
84.84 -- Leaf Hound - Unleashed
84.78 -- Dark Moor - Tarot
83.81 -- Empire - Chasing Shadows
83.79 -- Masterplan - MK II
83.67 -- Helloween - Gambling with the Devil
83.54 -- Iron Fire - Blade of Triumph
83.26 -- Symphony X - Paradise Lost
83.11 -- Kamelot - Ghost Opera
82.76 -- Silent Force - Walk the Earth
82.46 -- Intense - As Our Army Grows
82.39 -- Blitzkrieg - Theatre of the Damned
82.29 -- Annihilator - Metal
82.10 -- Iced Earth - Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part 1
82.09 -- Excalion - Waterlines
81.72 -- Rob Rock - Garden of Chaos
81.70 -- Sarcofagus - Core Values
81.65 -- Nightwish - Dark Passion Play
81.50 -- Ozzy Osbourne - Black Rain
81.32 -- Sonata Arctica - Unia
80.83 -- Blue Cheer - What Doesn't Kill You
80.53 -- Nostradameus - Pathways
80.03 -- Ride the Sky - New Protection
79.95 -- Pride Tiger - The Lucky Ones
79.60 -- Great Sorrow - New Day Comes
79.07 -- Domine - Ancient Spirit Rising
78.62 -- Threshold - Dead Reckoning
77.81 -- Seven Witches - Deadly Sins
77.76 -- Scorpions - Humanity - Hour 1
77.33 -- Nocturnal Rites - The 8th Sin
77.19 -- Allen / Lande - The Revenge
76.11 -- Morgana Lefay - Aberrations of the Mind
76.10 -- Shaman - Immortal
75.91 -- Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos
75.82 -- Prophesia - Eye of the Storm
74.53 -- Barbarian - Heavy Metal Resurrección
74.05 -- Jikuu Kaizoku Seven Seas - Confusion
73.86 -- Bloodbound - Book of the Dead
73.39 -- Mägo de Oz - La Ciudad De Los Árboles
72.60 -- Evile - Enter the Grave
72.10 -- Anvil - This is Thirteen
71.35 -- Symphorce - Become Death
70.14 -- Double Dealer - Desert Of Lost Souls
69.94 -- Ken Hensley - Blood On the Highway
69.26 -- Circus Maximus - Isolate
67.31 -- Labyrinth - 6 Days to Nowhere
66.85 -- Edu Falaschi - Almah
65.57 -- Icy Steel - Icy Steel
64.78 -- Dawn of Destiny - Begins
61.38 -- Manowar - Gods of War
53.48 -- Civilization One - Revolution Rising

It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock & Roll)...

Every album is a sum of its parts. And consistency is key to a high rating.

To determine the album rating, I analyze and rate each song. The Desert Island Disc* concept drives my opinions. If I love the song (i.e., I'd put it on a Desert Island Disc), it gets the highest rating (100%). If I hate the song, it gets the lowest rating (0%). In between, there are four additional ratings. Think of them this way:

• Hate It - I never want to hear the song again
• Dislike It - I'll skip the song on the CD
• Ok - A mediocre song, neither good nor bad
• Like It - A good song, but not a favorite
• Like It A Lot - Good enough to include on a band's "Best Of" CD
• Love It - Desert Island Disc material

*The concept is based on a BBC Radio show that began in 1942. The idea is that you imagine yourself cast away on a desert island, and you only have a certain number of songs to listen to forever after.

I use a spreadsheet to convert the ratings to numerical values, multiply them by the length of the song, and apply a few more simple calculations to determine the album rating. (That's why you'll see odd numbers such as 89.06.) And I expand to two decimal places to determine overall rankings. You can simply round up or down to keep the numbers to two digits.

So, the more I like each individual song, the higher the album rating. One bad song or a few mediocre songs may have a big impact on the overall score, especially if those songs are lengthy.

Top Ten - 2008

I rated 61 albums released in 2008. There were some pretty big releases last year, and while I like a lot of them, not many of the big names made my top ten. (Note: There was a recent change to the Top Ten as Anthem knocked out Ross the Boss).



2008 Top Ten:
91.45 -- Uriah Heep - Wake the Sleeper
89.75 -- Rage - Carved In Stone
89.57 -- Blood Ceremony - Blood Ceremony
89.36 -- Grand Magus - Iron Will
89.26 -- Anthem - Black Empire
89.21 -- Billy Lee Janey - Soul Driver
88.19 -- Order of Nine - A Means To Know End
87.36 -- Overdrive - Let the Metal Do the Talking
87.15 -- Metal Church - This Present Wasteland
87.03 -- Avantasia - The Scarecrow

Other 2008 releases:
86.97 -- Ross the Boss - New Metal Leader
86.64 -- Blaze Bayley - The Man Who Would Not Die
86.55 -- Circle II Circle - Delusions of Grandeur
86.25 -- Firewind - The Premonition
86.06 -- Motörhead - Motorizer
85.90 -- Thy Majestie - Dawn
85.75 -- Metallica - Death Magnetic
85.58 -- Warrior Soul - Chinese Democracy
85.46 -- Crystallion - Hattin
85.42 -- Brainstorm - Downburst
85.33 -- Black Tide - Light from Above
84.35 -- Graveyard - Graveyard
84.29 -- Dominici - O3 - A Trilogy Part 3
84.17 -- Mötley Crüe - Saints of Los Angeles
83.88 -- Crystal Eyes - Chained
83.35 -- Benedictum - Seasons of Tragedy
82.77 -- Robin Trower - Seven Moons
82.62 -- Hibria - The Skull Collectors
81.81 -- Whitesnake - Good to Be Bad
81.53 -- Pyramaze - Immortal
81.30 -- Michael Schenker Group - In the Midst of Beauty
80.84 -- Iced Earth - The Crucible of Man - Something Wicked Part II
80.74 -- Ten Years After - Evolution
79.94 -- Edguy - Tinnitus Sanctus
79.32 -- Judas Priest - Nostradamus
79.12 -- Sabaton - The Art of War
79.11 -- Helstar - The King of Hell
78.57 -- Yngwie Malmsteen - Perpetual Flame
78.50 -- Lääz Rockit - Left for Dead
77.17 -- Jørn - Lonely are the Brave
76.58 -- Revolution Renaissance - New Era
76.30 -- Royal Hunt - Collision Course: Paradox II
76.00 -- Bassinvaders - Hellbassbeaters
74.84 -- Dragonforce - Ultra Beatdown
74.53 -- Hydrogyn - Deadly Passions
74.13 -- Alice Cooper - Along Came A Spider
72.91 -- Queen - The Cosmos Rocks
71.60 -- Jon Oliva's Pain - Global Warning
71.37 -- Dokken - Lightning Strikes Again
69.47 -- Blackmore's Night - Secret Voyage
68.72 -- Guns 'n' Roses - Chinese Democracy
68.32 -- Bob Catley - Immortal
67.33 -- AC/DC - Black Ice
65.95 -- Def Leppard - Songs from the Sparkle Lounge
65.50 -- Lauren Harris - Calm Before the Storm
65.17 -- Axel Rudi Pell - Tales of the Crown
64.31 -- Chris Caffery - House of Insanity
63.54 -- Manilla Road - Voyager
61.78 -- Presto Ballet - The Lost Art of Time Travel
60.05 -- Haggard - Tales of Ithiria
29.90 -- Vigilante - IV

A Quick One...

So far I've rated 2,036 albums, from 1963 to the present. I used the British Invasion (and specifically The Beatles) as a benchmark for modern-era rock and roll, and therefore won't rate anything prior to 1963.

A breakdown of albums rated by decade looks like this:
1960s - 136
1970s - 565
1980s - 528
1990s - 346
2000s - 461

I'm looking for more 60s albums, but will probably never approach the numbers of the 70s and 80s. I'm also working on more from the 90s, but with Grunge and Alternative Metal so popular during that decade, it may always lag behind a bit in number of reviews.

Deep Purple discography

For my first discography ratings, I have to list my favorite band, Deep Purple. But as you'll see, I'm definitely critical of some of their releases.

Deep Purple In Rock (1970) - 98.14

The first studio album to feature Ian Gillan and Roger Glover, recorded after Jon Lord's project Concerto with Group and Orchestra. Ritchie Blackmore pushed for a change in direction, reminding everyone throughout the recording that "if it's not dramatic or exciting, it has no place on this album." The result was a hard rock masterpiece that remained on the charts for over a year. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Speed King, Child In Time, Flight of the Rat, Hard Lovin' Man

Machine Head (1972) - 95.70

Although In Rock was a masterpiece, Machine Head received all the attention and accolades. The songs are more accessible and radio friendly, but not any less dramatic or exciting as those on In Rock. Smoke On the Water will always be the band's signature song, which is both a blessing and a curse. While its simple riff is impossible to ignore and has spawned generations of would-be guitar heroes, it has also overshadowed some of the better songs on the album. Recommendation: Buy immediately!

Favorite tracks: Highway Star, Smoke On the Water, Pictures of Home, Space Truckin'

Fireball (1971) - 90.71 (US version); 88.70 (UK version)
A minor disappointment following In Rock. Constant touring conflicted with studio and writing time, but overall it's a very good album with some excellent songs. The difference in ratings is reflected in my thoughts on Strange Kind of Woman (on the US version) versus Demon's Eye (on the UK version). Note: the 25th anniversary release includes tracks that should have made it onto the original album. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Fireball, No One Came

Perfect Strangers (1984) - 88.51

After 11 years, Deep Purple Mark II (Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord, Paice) had reunited. I remember holding the new album in my hands, anxious to hear the new songs. From the opening notes of Knocking at Your Back Door, it was clear that this album would enhance their legacy. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Knocking at Your Back Door, Perfect Strangers

Who Do We Think We Are (1973) - 86.88

Internal conflicts were tearing the band apart. There are some quality tracks, but the strain of working together was evident (especially in the song Smooth Dancer -- check out the lyrics). Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Woman from Tokyo, Rat Bat Blue

Burn (1974) - 84.57

Exit Ian Gillan and Roger Glover. Enter David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes. The two new members changed the dynamic of the band, but opening track Burn proved to even the most skeptical fan that the band wasn't done rocking yet. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: Burn, Sail Away, You Fool No One

Slaves and Masters (1990) - 82.23

This surprised me, being rated so high. With Joe Lynn Turner on vocals it sometimes sounds like Rainbow, but it does contain some excellent tracks. It would be rated even higher if not for its one crap song. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: King of Dreams, The Cut Runs Deep

Crap track: Love Conquers All

The House of Blue Light (1987) - 80.39

The internal struggles between Blackmore and Gillan begin to resurface, but the album is still pretty good overall. If you buy the album, make sure you buy the original as the remastered version edited some tracks. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: The Spanish Archer, Strangeways

Purpendicular (1996) - 79.58

Talk about a new dynamic. Steve Morse replaces Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, completely changing the signature guitar sound of the band. But this initial effort is actually very good, mixing new sounds with some nods to early 70s Purple. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite track: Soon Forgotten

The Battle Rages On (1993) - 75.66

The title could easily refer to Blackmore vs. Gillan. The conflict was at an all-time high, and while most of the songs are mediocre, a few really stand out. Recommendation: Worth buying.

Favorite tracks: The Battle Rages On, Anya

Shades of Deep Purple (1968) - 74.72

The first album. Pre-Gillan and Glover, it was more pop/psychedelic oriented, which overshadowed the standout tracks. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite tracks: And the Address, Hush, Mandrake Root

Crap track: Help (a Beatles cover... it's not the song that's bad, but the interpretation)

The Book Of Taliesyn (1968) - 73.80

The second album, with a bit less pop and a bit more psychedelia. Pretty good, if you're into 60s psychedelic music. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite track: Kentucky Woman

Deep Purple (1969) - 73.79

Some experimentation into hard rock possibly foreshadowed what was to come on the next LP, In Rock. It contains some excellent songs, but also a crap track and a rather lengthy, mostly boring number that really bring down the rating. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite tracks: Chasing Shadows, Fault Line/The Painter, Bird has Flown

Crap track: Lalena

Bananas (2003) - 73.09

The third album featuring Steve Morse contained some decent songs with one standout track. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite track: Sun Goes Down

Come Taste the Band (1975) - 68.21

The only album to feature Tommy Bolin (RIP) on guitar. The sound is not what you would expect from Deep Purple, but it does contain a few very good hard rock songs. Recommendation: Listen before you buy.

Favorite track: This Time Around - Owed to G

Rapture of the Deep (2006) - 61.98

A Morse era album. There's nothing terrible about it, but there's nothing really good either. Yawn. Recommendation: For completists only.

Favorite tracks: none

Abandon (1998) - 60.93

Do you hear that sound? It's the fans, abandoning ship. Recommendation: For completists only.

Favorite tracks: none

Stormbringer (1974) - 53.44

Blackmore's influence over the band was greatly diminished due to personal issues, allowing Glenn Hughes' soul influences to surface. That's great if you like rock with soul, but terrible if you like Deep Purple (although the title track did kick some serious ass). Recommendation: For completists only.

Favorite track: Stormbringer