Top Rock Albums of 2024 with a twist

I didn't post my usual top 10 albums of the year for 2024 in time for Christmas.  First of all, I thought it was a down year for rock after a few strong years.  Second, life has been difficult lately and I have been focusing on other things.  I spent a lot of entertainment hours listening to music still, but also on listening to podcasts and other YouTube channels.  I've recently been learning more about AI and I used it to help me make this post about top rock albums of 2024 in my voice.  See if you notice anything fishy or if you like it.  LMK.

1. Judas Priest - Invincible Shield

Priest delivered exactly what I hoped for with "Invincible Shield." At 72, Rob Halford's vocals are still powerful, and the dual guitar attack of Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap brings that classic Priest sound into 2024. This album feels like a natural follow-up to "Firepower" with tracks like "Panic Attack" and "Crown of Horns" that could stand alongside their classics from the 80s. They've managed to maintain their heaviness while incorporating just enough modern production to keep things fresh. This is how legacy bands should age - by refusing to mellow out.

Best tracks: Panic Attack, Crown of Horns, Invincible Shield

2. Alkaline Trio - Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs

It's been six years since their last album, but Alkaline Trio hasn't missed a beat. "Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs" delivers that perfect mix of punk energy and gothic sensibilities that's made them unique for over 20 years. Matt Skiba's return after his stint with Blink-182 seems to have reinvigorated the band. The album balances their trademark dark lyrics with surprisingly catchy hooks. This is easily their strongest material since "Crimson."

Best tracks: Bad Time, Break, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs

Static-X - Project Regeneration Vol. 2

After seeing them live at Starland Ballroom back in February 2024, I was hyped for this release. Wayne Static's legacy lives on with the band expertly weaving his recorded vocals and synth work with new material. The combination of industrial metal grooves and Xer0's faithful vocal delivery has produced a viable version of the band that seems as popular as ever and with more buzz about them than I can recall since "Wisconsin Death Trip." Tracks like "Z0mbie" absolutely crush live, but deeper cuts like "Electrical Pulse" and "Terminator Oscillator" show they're not just relying on nostalgia. This album bridges the gap between their classic sound and modern production in a way that honors Wayne while still moving forward.  Their stage show is better than ever.  Click here for a look back at my previous post.

Best tracks: Z0mbie, Electrical Pulse, Terminator Oscillator

Sum 41 - Heaven :x: Hell

Sum 41 are calling it quits after releasing a double album.  The first is supposed to be more pop-punk akin to their early days and the second more metal influenced, but it is all power-pop and some of the best material Sum 41 has released.  If you are a fan of the genre, you don't want to miss this epic farewell release.

Best tracks:

Spiritbox - Tsunami Sea

Spiritbox has absolutely exploded with their first full-length follow-up to 2021's Eternal Blue. Courtney LaPlante continues to showcase her incredible range, effortlessly switching between devastating screams and ethereal clean vocals. The band's unique blend of djent, metalcore, and atmospheric elements feels more refined than ever. Mike Stringer's guitar work is both technical and emotive, creating intricate soundscapes that perfectly complement the vocal performance. This album cement's Spiritbox's place as one of modern metal's most exciting acts that some consider to be the future of hard rock.

Best tracks: Black Rainbow, Soft Spine, No Loss No Love

Smashing Pumpkins, Aghori Mhori Mei

Rather than release any singles ahead of time, the album came at once. I didn't honestly expect to like more than a song or two, but it was a good album front to back. After some questionable divergence from their signature sound, Smashing Pumpkins rock again and I'm here for it.

Green Day - Saviors

Green Day's return to form surprised me as much as anyone. After a few albums that felt like they were chasing trends, "Saviors" brings back the snotty punk energy that made them great while incorporating the maturity they've gained over the years. Billie Joe sounds rejuvenated, Mike Dirnt's bass lines are prominent in the mix again, and Tré Cool's drumming propels these songs with an urgency I haven't heard from them in a long time. Songs like "The American Dream Is Killing Me" show they still have something to say.

Best tracks: The American Dream Is Killing Me, Look Ma, No Brains!, Dilemma

Mick Mars - The Other Side of Mars

After parting ways with Mötley Crüe, Mars has delivered a surprisingly heavy and vital solo debut. Free from the constraints of his former band, he's created a record that showcases his distinctive guitar work while exploring new territory. His collaboration with vocalist Jacob Bunton (formerly of Adler) brings a fresh energy to his bluesy, hard rock sound. At 73, Mars proves he's still got plenty of gas in the tank and wasn't the one holding Mötley back.

Best tracks: Loyal to the Lie, Undone, Right Side of Wrong

What albums did I miss? Let me know in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for concert footage and more music discussion.

Note: This post was created with writing assistance from Claude, an AI assistant by Anthropic. All opinions and musical assessments reflect my personal taste and style.

RRHOF Snubs and 2025 nominees

Last month the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced a list of 14 Performer Nominees to be considered for 2025 Induction. Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, Maná, Oasis, Outkast, Phish, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes.  Artists or bands become eligible for nomination 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording. Below, parentheses indicate previous year of nominations.  Among this year’s 14 Nominees, eight are appearing on the ballot for the first time: Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, Outkast, and Phish.

Here's who I think are glaring omissions from the RRHOF (listed alphabetically):

Alice in Chains - Alice in Chains defined the Seattle sound alongside their grunge peers, but with darker, heavier elements and Layne Staley's unmistakable vocals creating a haunting atmosphere no one has replicated since.  Their albums "Dirt" and "Facelift" went multi-platinum, with "Dirt" selling over 5 million copies in the US. Their metal undertones with harmony vocals made them a standout that continues with a new lead singer.

Ronnie James Dio - Dio remains one of the most inexplicable omissions from the Rock Hall, period. His powerful voice literally defined what metal vocalists should sound like, and his career spanned several legendary bands. With Rainbow, he helped bridge the gap between hard rock and heavy metal on classics like "Man on the Silver Mountain." Then he rescued Black Sabbath from obscurity after Ozzy's departure, delivering two of their strongest albums with "Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules." His solo career produced anthems like "Holy Diver," "Rainbow in the Dark," and "The Last in Line" that still pack concert floors whenever they're played. The man popularized the metal horns hand gesture that's become universal at rock shows! Dio sold over 20 million records across his various projects, influenced everyone from Bruce Dickinson to James Hetfield, and maintained his vocal prowess until his final days. The fact that he isn't already enshrined while pop acts with minimal rock credentials get fast-tracked shows everything wrong with the Hall's selection process.

Iron Maiden (2021, 2023) - since 1975 they've released 17 studio albums and sold 130 million albums worldwide and over 200 million counting singles, compilations, and videos. They are one of the most popular metal bands in the world and are hailed as one of the best live acts. They have an iconic mascot, frontman, and catalogue that has influenced hundreds of bands. They should have been in the RRHOF long ago.

J Geils Band (2005, 2006, 2011, 2017, 2018) - Their 1981 album "Freeze Frame" went quadruple platinum and produced their biggest hit "Centerfold," which dominated MTV and topped the Billboard charts for six weeks.  They are known for being one of the most electrifying live acts of the 70s and early 80s.

Lenny Kravitz (2024) - He won Best Male Rock Vocal Performance four consecutive times from 1999 to 2002, and has massive crossover appeal and influence spanning rock, funk, soul, and R&B

Cyndi Lauper (2023) Her debut album She's So Unusual is past its 40th anniversary and since then she has put out 10 more albums and won Grammys, Emmys, Tonys, AMAs, Billboard awards, and VMAs. Today she is an activist, still writing songs, and still performing without much lost of her powerful four octave range.

Megadeth - Megadeth pioneered technical thrash metal with Dave Mustaine's complex arrangements and scorching leads that influenced countless guitarists.  They're not as popular as Metallica, but are known as one of the "Big 4" thrash bands and are still creating and selling out tours today.  They've moved more than 38 million records worldwide across their career. 

Motörhead (2020) - Lemmy mixed punk, thrash, and metal and drummer Mikkey Dee was one of the first to use a double bass kick drum.  They influenced countless bands, including Metallica, fueling a new wave of British rock, speed metal, and thrash metal.  Motörhead released 23 studio albums and have sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Lemmy is an icon and he and his band should be enshrined as such.

New York Dolls (2001, 2021, 2022) - influence on punk, glam, and hard rock is immeasurable.  Kiss, Guns N' Roses, and The Smiths have all cited them as major influences. While sales numbers don't match their impact (they never even had a hit single), their status as rock revolutionaries who bridged the gap between the Stooges and the punk movement makes their exclusion from the Hall particularly shortsighted.  They tell us that influence is a major criteria.

Oasis (2024) - defined Britpop in the 90s and brought guitar rock back to prominence when grunge was fading. Their 1995 album "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" sold over 22 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. "Wonderwall" transcended rock radio to become a cultural touchstone for the past three decades. Eight UK number-one singles and eight UK number-one albums demonstrate their commercial dominance.   

Pantera - Pantera revolutionized metal in the 90s, with Dimebag Darrell's groundbreaking riffs creating a blueprint for groove metal that bands still follow today.  "Far Beyond Driven" made history by debuting at #1 on the Billboard charts in 1994 - proving extreme metal could achieve commercial dominance without compromising its heaviness.

Soundgarden (2020, 2023)  Their sales are similar to Rage, they likewise are synonymous with a subgenre (grunge; alternative metal), and have spawned successful spinoff bands. They had more longevity and two more studio albums. They were one of the first Seattle grunge bands to sign to a major label and their middle albums were their peak with songs like "Jesus Christ Pose," "Outshined," "Spoonman," and "Blackhole Sun." I am probably biased as a fan, but they have been praised for their technical abilities as well as their dynamic song structures. Chris Cornell is also one of the best rock vocalists of all time. They should have made it in 2023.

Sting (2015) - With The Police, he helped pioneer the post-punk and new wave movements that bridged the gap between punk's rawness and more accessible rock styles. The Police sold over 75 million records worldwide, with five platinum albums and massive hits like "Roxanne," "Message in a Bottle," and "Every Breath You Take" - the latter being one of the most played songs in radio history.  What's often overlooked is Sting's musicianship - the guy is a seriously accomplished bassist who incorporated jazz influences into rock well before it was trendy. His solo career has shown remarkable longevity and versatility, selling another 100 million records while exploring everything from jazz to world music and classical. "Fields of Gold" and "Desert Rose" demonstrated his ability to evolve while maintaining his distinctive voice.

Thin Lizzy (2020) - Thin Lizzy's twin-guitar attack and Phil Lynott's poetic storytelling transcended hard rock, influencing everyone from Metallica to Mastodon. Timeless anthems like "The Boys Are Back in Town," "Jailbreak," and "Whiskey in the Jar" still in regular rotation on rock radio nearly 50 years later. Their "Live and Dangerous" album is consistently ranked among the greatest live albums ever recorded. 

White Stripes (2023) They were nominated in their first year of eligibility. Their music has sold millions and won multiple Grammys including three for Best Alternative Album. Songs like "Seven Nation Army" can be heard in stadiums around the country. Songs like "Blue Orchid," "My Doorbell," and "The Hardest Button to Button" are unique and so catchy. In late 2007 they went on hiatus and never really reunited, but Jack has gone on to have a successful solo career and is regarded for his technical knowledge, musical knowledge, and guitar playing talent. This one could take time if they ever make it.

The Hall's credibility as a true representation of rock history remains questionable as long as these innovative, influential acts remain unenshrined while other genres are being overly represented.

Fan voting does not count for much, but has influenced the Hall to induct artists such as Judas Priest and Dolly Parton in recent years.  You can vote for up to seven nominees once per day until April 21st at https://vote.rockhall.com/ by signing in with Google or another email address.

Other considerations: Bad Company (2025) Beck (2022), Chubby Checker (2025), Devo (2019, 2021, 2022), Jane's Addiction (2017, 2024), Joy Division (2023, 2025), Mariah Carey (2024, 2025), Motley Crüe, Sade (2024), Scorpions, Smiths (2015, 2016), Steppenwolf (2017), Steve Winwood (2003), Warren Zevon (2023)