With the international quarantine in full swing, it’s inevitable that those of us who are healthy stay occupied and stimulated while we’re holed up in our respective homes. One of the best ways to do that is get lost in a long, amazing album. It can be very calming, even if the album you’re listening to is heavy as balls. Length and continuity are key in creating an epic, all encompassing record. Here are the top five albums to listen to while holed up.
#5 – Richie Kotzen – 50 for 50
As I said above, length is key. And well, this album is really freakin’ long. Just earlier this year, Richie Kotzen released a true triumph in not just rock, but all popular genres. The unbelievable ’50 for 50.’ A 50 song album to celebrate the mans 50th birthday. It clocks in at almost exactly three hours and twenty-five minutes. That’s a lot of Kotzen to get lost into. No pun intended German readers. The album covers all the facets of Kotzen’s extended career. Starting as an instrumentalist, he quickly found his voice and ability to write strong, killer songs. Through the years he’s covered pretty much every aspect of blues rock. With his insane, unique ability shining on each record. And ’50 for 50′ is clearly the best representation of that. Catchy funk rockers, ballads, driving hard rock classics and insane instrumentals are the order of the day. It’s impossible to even talk about highlights because there are so many. Hopefully the track below will represent most of what the albums about.
#4 – Aerosmith – A Little South of Sanity
This should be an obvious choice. A double disc live album documenting the peak of Aerosmith’s success and live abilities. Covering everything from ‘Get Your Wings’ through ‘Nine Lives.’ With the exception of ‘Draw The Line,’ ‘Night in the Ruts,’ ‘Rock In A Hard Place,’ and ‘Done With Mirrors.’ Some tracks are from the ‘Get a Grip Tour,’ which can be argued as the bands absolute best. The 23 song set list actually went platinum in the United States. Making it their most successful live album. The record contains the best versions of many of Aerosmith’s tracks. The first disc contains ‘Eat the Rich,’ ‘Same Ol Song and Dance,’ ‘Monkey On My Back’ and ‘Livin’ On The Edge.’ All of which get a serious upgrade. And the final jam on ‘Love In An Elevator’ is some of Joe Perry’s best playing. The ‘Pump’ and ‘Get a Grip’ ballads are fine, but don’t eclipse the studio versions. Although ‘Rag Doll’ gets a really nice kick in the ass. The second disc focuses more on the 70’s material. And that’s where the live versions really shine. The 70’s studio material gets a huge, heavy boost. ‘Last Child’ and ‘Walk This Way’ are the prime examples. Both are without question the best versions recorded. But the second disc also contains excellent versions of ‘Dude, Looks Like A Lady’ and the full, heavy version of ‘Sweet Emotion.’ Which closes out the album. The think, full sound of the live versions gives the album it’s true charm. Not to mention how perfect Aerosmith plays the songs. Crank it and get lost in it!!
#3 – Iron Maiden – The Book of Souls
Iron Maiden’s epic ass triumph ‘Book Of Souls’ absolutely needs to be on this list. The 92 minute, double disc masterpiece is the absolute best to just sink yourself into. Starting with the prolific ‘If Eternity Should Fail’ and ending with the unbelievably progressive ‘Empire Of The Clouds.’ It’s got it all, while also maintaining a fun, yet serious vibe. The lead single, ‘Speed Of Light,’ is the strongest since their 80’s heyday. And songs that clock in at over ten minutes like ‘The Red And The Black’ and the title track maintain their intensity and interest. If there is a Maiden album post Dickenson reunion that justifies the trifecta of guitarists it’s this one. Each player meticulously puts their own pieces together. Creating a trio of different metal styles that work perfectly together. It doesn’t always work, but this time around it truly does. What really makes this album a triumph is frontman Bruce Dickenson overcoming throat cancer while recording the vocals for the album.
#2 – Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn of Events
It’s clear that Dream Theater deserves a coveted spot on this list. But the challenge is figuring out which album to put on this list. They’re all lengthy, progressive masterpieces. After much deliberation I decided that ‘A Dramatic Turn of Events’ was the strongest choice. It’s truly the album that represents everything Dream Theater does. From the traditional ‘On the Backs Of Angels’ to the more Dream Theater than Dream Theater ‘Lost Not Forgotten.’ There’s also excellent ten ton heavy moments like ‘Bridges In The Sky.’ One of the bands finest moments. But it doesn’t just stop there. Dream Theater also inject a healthy dose of sensitive balladry with tracks like ‘This Is The Life,’ ‘Far From Heaven’ and ‘Beneath the Surface.’ The latter tackling the subject of founding member Mike Portnoy leaving the band. But there’s two insanely excellent centerpieces on the record: ‘Outcry’ and ‘Breaking All Illusions.’ Both of which have become fan favorites and concert staples. And they are true masterpieces, like the rest of the album.
#1 – Queen – Live At Wembley/Budapest
Queen recorded two live albums during their massive European tour supporting ‘A Kind Of Magic.’ One was their final night of the tour at Wembley. The other a recording from the Budapest concert. The set is the same. Which is why I included both. Some fans may like the live versions on the Budapest show more than the Wembley and vice versa. Personally, I like the Wembley concert. It’s so raw and intense. All the way through. The one, two punch of ‘One Vision’ and “Tie Your Mother Down’ is one of the best openings on any live album. But they’re just getting warmed up. ‘Seven Seas of Rye’ which goes into ‘Tear It Up.’ Pure excellence. But the best part of the whole set is the following ‘A Kind Of Magic.’ It is inarguably the best version of the song. The passion oozes out of the band. And Brian May’s guitar solo is filled with feeling and very strong decisions. It really sounds like they’re playing their last show. Little did they know that it would be. But that’s just the first six songs or so. The set continues strongly with ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ and ‘Who Wants To Live Forever.’ The latter is truly moving, knowing what’s to come for frontman Freddie Mercury. The first disc closes with ‘Here I Am.’ A majorly huge version of the song. And the audience is there all the way. The second half of the set isn’t quite as strong as the first. It does contain ‘Hammer To Fall’ and other signatures like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Radio Gaga.’ But much of the second disc is dedicated to ballads and the influences of Queen. ‘Tutti Frutti,’ ‘Hello Mary Lou,’ ‘Gimme Some Lovin” and ‘Big Spender’ are all prominent choices in the set. But they don’t dominate the classics. Just add a little more old school flavor, which is exactly what the original ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ comes from. The album closes with ‘We Will Rock You,’ ‘Friends Will Be Friends,’ and of course ‘We Are the Champions.’ ‘God Save the Queen’ plays while the band takes their final bows. All in all, it’s what many consider to be the greatest live album of all time.
