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Poll question: "What were your favorite albums of 2007?"

Article: The following article was written for the February 3, 10, 17, & 24th, 2008 issues of "Dr. Music's Weekly Checkup."

Album of the Year

1. Mystery - "Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face"

2. Coheed And Cambria - "No World For Tomorrow"

3. After Forever - "After Forever"

4. Seether - "Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces"

5. Dream Theater - "Systematic Chaos"

6. Maroon 5 - "It Won't Be Soon Before Long"

7. Mountain Of Power - "Mountain Of Power"

8. Lynn Carey Saylor - "You Like It Clean"

9. Alter Bridge - "Blackbird"

10. Kid Rock - "Rock 'N' Roll Jesus"

Honorable mention: "Implications of a Genetic Defense" - Dimension X, "Elect The Dead" - Serj Tankian, "Minutes To Midnight" - Linkin Park, "Black Rain" - Ozzy Osbourne, "United Abominations" - Megadeth, "No More Kings" - No More Kings, "Nothing Means Everything" - The Dykeenies, "Song Of Times" - Starcastle, "The Heart Of Everything" - Within Temptation

Welcome to the Album of the Year article for the year 2007! I really feel that this past year was packed full of great music, and I think a lot of the readers felt the same way. Putting this list together was no easy task. Picking a top 10 list almost seemed unjustified and wrong. I listened to so many of the year's releases track by track, and tediously nitpicked the smallest details to make choosing possible. I really feel like I could insert any of the Honorable mention selections into the #10 spot and still be satisfied with the list, and that's a great feeling.

With the major labels supposedly crumbling at my feet, it's only fitting that my choice for Album of the Year is my first ever by an artist on an independent label. I think the flood gates have opened and we have the opportunity to hear almost anything we like, with sources like MySpace and Garageband.com leading the way. WE, as fans and listeners, are now in control of what we hear, not the corporate giants. For so many years we had talent withheld from our ears, and many bands never got the opportunity to be heard, and that's a crime. The idea that the guys in the garage at the end of the block can record something and get it to people around the world without kneeling at the altar of a major label is something that is really long overdue.

As always, the list is a collection of records that moved ME - records that left an impression on ME. I am a big believer in the fact that music is a personal experience, and we all have different tastes - different likes and dislikes. My only purpose for compiling this list is to, perhaps, point you in the direction of something that might move you, and also to give you a glimpse at what moved my life musically. This is not about debating which albums are "better," this is simply about the music. It's always about the music here at Dr. Music's Weekly Checkup.

1. "Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face" - Mystery

Call it a concept album, call it progressive rock, call it anything you like - but something I called it all year long was "incredible." "Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face" is the first independent release to be awarded Album of the Year honors in the five-year history of Dr. Music's Weekly Checkup. Unicorn Digital (www.unicorndigital.com) is a progressive rock label based in Canada offering a number of talented artists such as Hamadryad, Dimension X, Spaced Out, Kopecky, and Daryl Stuermer. But, Mystery is one band that holds a special place at the heart of the label. Michel St-Pere, founder of the label, is the mastermind behind Mystery and this astonishing disc. Having created the Unicorn label in 1996 primarily to promote and release music from his band Mystery, St-Pere found that he could use Unicorn to market and promote other great artists as well. The label now distributes worldwide and is a highly respected force in the progressive rock world.

Michel St-Pere has solidified himself as a genius in my book. St-Pere wrote almost all of the lyrics and music for this release; he plays guitar, bass, and keyboards; and he is also the album's producer. That sounds impressive even if you haven't heard the album, but once you hear these songs you'll see why the "genius" crown fits St-Pere so well. In a year chock full of impressive music, this Mystery release, "Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face," defies the odds and stands head and shoulders above the rest.

For the full review of "Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face" from Mystery, click here.

2nd Place 3rd Place

2. "No World For Tomorrow" - Coheed And Cambria

Coheed And Cambria's "No World For Tomorrow" is one of those records that makes your ears itch. The band's music acts as a feather grazing across your ear, causing you to shift in your seat a little bit. The unusual arrangements and the crisp, seering vocals make it a little uncomfortable and creepy, but oh so tantalizing at the same time. You put it on and it seems to cast a spell on you. Singer Claudio Sanchez has one of the most unique voices on today's music scene. His ultra-high tenor and eccentric style sends the hard driving melodies of "No World For Tomorrow" to dizzying heights. Coheed has a real knack for striking a perfect balance between pop melodies and edgy modern rock angst, not to mention the lyrics being pretty thought provoking, too. Check these out from the song "Mother Superior":

Mother superior
Come catch the rabbit that runs
My, how you run
You're frightened of living this,
Truly gone fishing amalgam
Go fetch the gun

Your answer is in there
Just stare down the barrel
Their sincerest apologies won't write you out of this one
Tonight, you'll find the right
In the pull of the trigger, now bite
So young fool don't cry anymore

This is an album that is fun to listen to, but it is also a poised and passionate work of art at the same time. There really isn't a band that sounds like Coheed and Cambria. I can see where many a listener might be disturbed by their sound, but I can also see many of you enjoying the challenge of this record. Once you wrap your ears around this and scratch the itch, reaping the rewards is an endless pleasure.

3. "After Forever" - After Forever

Walking in the footsteps of fellow female-fronted bands such as Nightwish and Within Temptation, The Netherlands' After Forever became the soundtrack to much of my life in 2007. On this self-titled release, the music is very similar to the Nightwish brand of goth metal that seems to be gaining in popularity. The songs are filled with soaring soprano vocal acrobatics, a nice touch of keyboards and orchestration, and even a few death metal-style grunts scattered along the way. Their powerful ballad "Cry With A Smile," became one of my favorite songs of the past few years and something that still gives me a chill. With an operatic singer, and songwriting very reminiscent of Nightwish, this album gave me all the things that the current Nightwish record did not. I was slightly disappointed with the 2007 Nightwish release, "Dark Passion Play," and After Forever filled the void perfectly. A guest vocal appearance from one of my old favorites, Doro Pesch (Warlock), is a welcome addition to this set as well. The catchy melodies, the excellent musicianship, and the pristine production make this one a real winner.

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

4. "Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces" - Seether

South Africa's Seether just keeps doing what they do best, and that's putting out great hard rock songs with one hell of a groove. They always seem to find a killer riff or a wicked bass line to drive their tunes straight through your skull. I listen to much of this record with a quickened heart rate and clenched fists, but Seether can also write some excellent melodic rock as well. They have a specific sound that they tap into with every track, but they are hardly one-dimensional. You might find yourself snapping your fingers to a song like "Rise Above This" and find yourself with a concussion after listening to "No Jesus Christ." But there is no doubt in my mind, if you are a fan of hard rock with a heavy groove, listening to Seether tunes like "Fallen" will melt your face.

5. "Systematic Chaos" - Dream Theater

This one is never a surprise. Yep, it's another amazing release from the guys that have this music thing mastered. Having a band made up of five of the finest musicians in the world doesn't always mean that they can write great songs, but these five sure did a beautiful job with this one. Dream Theater brings progressive rock heaven to Earth.

For the full review, click here.

6. "It Won't Be Soon Before Long" - Maroon 5

This stuff is today's answer to the 80's "white soul" of Hall & Oates, and it really is something special. The songwriting is some of the finest in decades, and singer Adam Levine is inspiring and soulful throughout the record. Armed with a barrage of potential radio singles, this album plays like a greatest hits set. With a sound that's something like Smokey Robinson fronting Matchbox 20, Maroon 5 delivers small doses of funk and soul while still remaining true to their pop tendencies. But make no mistake, the strength of this record lies within the hook stuffed songwriting. All of these songs are rich in texture, but they are also fun to listen to. This is perfect radio rock.....I mean pop.......I mean soul........alright, I mean all of the above ...and more.

7. "Mountain Of Power" - Mountain Of Power

Nothing is more of a straight forward, rip your head off, tear your heart out, kick ass guitar record than this. Released on the hottest independent guitar rock label in the world, Grooveyard Records, "Mountain Of Power" is a collection of smoking cover songs by the likes of Montrose, Budgie, Mountain, Moxy, and more. If you want to set your speakers ablaze with guitar fire, this album from Sweden's Mountain Of Power is the one you need to have. For the full review, click here. You can visit the band's MySpace page at this location and experience the guitar power for yourself: http://www.myspace.com/mountainofpower

8. "You Like It Clean" - Lynn Carey Saylor

After looking at this woman, and hearing her sing these excellent songs (that she wrote), I just kept wondering how she hasn't sold millions of records. She's ravishingly beautiful, has a wonderful clean vocal sound, and writes all of her own songs - and they're really good songs, too! And did I mention that she has Queen's Brian May playing guitar on two songs? To find out more about this excellent new artist and hear some of her great songs, you can visit her MySpace page at: www.myspace.com/lynncareysaylor. And, for the full review, click here.

9. "Blackbird" - Alter Bridge

Guitarist Mark Tremonti spent many years writing songs of power and undying spirit with his former band, Creed. When the fallout with Creed singer Scott Stapp took place, Tremonti took the rest of his Creed bandmates and formed Alter Bridge. Their first album, "One Day Remains," kept his signature songwriting style in place, and the addition of singer Myles Kennedy made the whole thing a powerful machine. All of those great elements are still intact with this release. Songs like "Rise Today," "Ties That Bind," and "Buried Alive" are devastatingly strong tunes with both hard rock muscle and heartfelt emotional power. Another excellent release for this band.

10. "Rock 'N' Roll Jesus" - Kid Rock

Here is the guilty pleasure for the year. It may not be anywhere near the caliber of a Dream Theater, and it might quite frequently be lyrically silly, but gosh darn it - it's a lot of fun to listen to. I had the Linkin Park album in this spot for a long time, and it might just deserve it more than this one. I had Within Temptation's album here at one time, also. But when it came down to listening to them back-to-back, this Kid Rock disc had me smiling a little more.

Kid Rock's self-titled disc just previous to this release was very disappointing for me. I felt that he was pushing himself to cut another single that was like "Picture" (the highly successful duet he did with Sheryl Crow from his "Cocky" album). The album seemed to abandon his hard rock roots and the result was a dry, slow moving affair. Rock bounces back with a loud, obnoxious bang here, though. "Rock 'N' Roll Jesus" is a raucous strut down bad attitude street. Songs like "So Hott" and "Lowlife (Living The Highlife)" are completely moronic, really, but they're still a kick to listen to. But it's rockers like the title cut, "All Summer Long," and "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," along with melodic sing-alongs like "Roll On" that launch this one into the #10 spot.

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THE PATIENTS LISTS

"My choice for album of the year might be …..The I Phone."

Vince (U.S.)

I’ll tell you something, my listening habits have changed. I really can’t think of any albums like in the olden days. Everything is now on my I Phone. I just download stuff I like but there isn’t any new albums like in the past where I’m into the whole thing. I guess my model of listening to music has changed to reflect the times. My choice for album of the year might be….. The I Phone. Albums might be dead.

EDITOR NOTE: This perspective represents the exact fear I have of the digital music age. Vince's view is a perfect cross section of the whole entire world's views, I think. And, although the convenience and accessibility of digital is great, the loss of the music as an art form really is unfortunate.

After some coaxing and a really interesting conversation, Vince looked through his iPhone and came up with a winner......

Here’s what I played most frequently: Dan Fogelberg and Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced. I’m surprised there. I didn’t think I listened that much. Clan Destiny - Wishbone Ash, I tried to like it. Best of Chicago. I’ve been on a little "brass in rock" kick lately. Best of ARS [Atlanta Rhythm Section], I love the early stuff. Fillmore East, Allman Bros. ...no surprise there. Believe it or not, the Album of the Year for me is the Ben Granfelt album where he cops all guitar feels from the 70s. I love "The Sum of Memories." I really like the textures that Granfelt gets from his guitar. It really reminds me of Trower or Page. The lyrics are cool too. I like "Check Up from The Neck Up" and "Falling off a Drunken Horse." Those would have been excellent [Wishbone] Ash songs. But, go ahead and put the Phone as #1. It really has changed my music habits. It’s always with me so I always have my music, plus I can download anywhere.

Johan (Belgium)

01. The Shins - Wincing the night away. Golden melodies with an indierock edge to it.

02. Tragically Hip - World Container. After a few disappointing albums, this gem served as our reconfirmation in the strenght of this band and in our belief in guitar rock.

03. Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position. Arty rock with a slice of cabaret - pretentious but never boring.

04. Tom McRae - King of Cards. Best singer-songwriter stuff of the year.

05. Ania - Kilka historii na ten sam temat. The biggest surprise of the year: lighthearted bossa nova, fresh loungy pop en Brazilian vibes, coming from, of all places, .... Poland.

06. Mika - Life in Cartoon Motion. The artist whose debut album provided a lot of good vibes for my family - and his concert in Brussels proved that the man is here to stay.

07. Josh Haden - Devoted. Very subtle late evening record.

08. Krista Detor - Cover their eyes. A disgrace, how little this female singer songwriter is known. She deserves a place, up there with the very best - think Suzanne Vega, Joni Mitchell and Tori

Amos.

09. Jeb Loy Nichols - Days are mighty. That falling leaves feeling, set to music. Folky rootsy stuff - warm music for chilly days.

10. Michel Bisceglia - Inner You: best jazz moment of the year, coming from Belgium. Transparent album, ideal to de-stress.

And besides the top 10, I enjoyed music from Ben Westbeech, Lucky Soul, Steve Earle, Eagles, Annie Lennox, Machine Head, Crowded House, Stephan Eicher, Buffalo Tom, Simply Red, Chaka Khan, Calvin Harris, Warren Zevon ('Preludes - Rare and unreleased recordings') and Ryan Adams. And concerts from Stephan Eicher, Tom McRae, The Datsuns, Joan Armatrading, Tragically Hip, Koop, SundaySoulSquad, Mika, Danny & Dust and The Police.

Colin (England)

Systematic Chaos by Dream Theater

Anonymous (U.S.)

Memory Almost Full - Paul McCartney

(Velvet Revolver, Fountains of Wayne, and Fogerty were all in heavy rotation as well)

Joe (U.S.)

Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face - Mystery

Ed (U.S.)

Album of the year is always a tough one for me. There is a lot of good stuff that has come out, yet I always seemed to get engulfed into something that happened a few years back. (i.e. Nickelback, Kotton Mouth Kings, My Chemical Romance)

Two albums that came out in 2007 that I really liked were Nonpoint's Vengeance, or the new Kanye West ("Graduation"). The Justin Timberlake album arrived in 2006, but survived all the way through 2007. I still can't believe that he had 4 huge songs on that release and another 4 that could still be huge.

Brian (U.S.)

I would have to say that the album I enjoyed the most from 2007 was "Raising Sand" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. It's a great collaboration between the two and something of a departure for Plant. Great vocals, great musicianship and great tunes.

Tom Schulte (U.S.) http://www.outsight.mu or http://www.myspace.com/outsightradiohours

Each year, I review the playlists generated by my broadcasting activity and discern the most played artists of the year. Often, there is somewhat a surprise to find what documentation shows I was most eager to play during the few hours of airtime I have. This list is my commentary on those results in no particular order. Note, not all releases are 2007 releases.

Click here to view Tom's list: http://www.new-sounds.com/tommies/2007.htm

Mark (U.S.)

1. Les Paul with Mary Ford, The Best Of The Capitol Masters, 2005 release
2. Jeff Beck, Who Else!, 1999 release
3. Eric Clapton, Eric Clapton; Deluxe Edition, 2006 release
4. Cream, Those Were The Days; Box Set, 1997 release
5. Jars Of Clay, The Essential Jars OF Clay, 2007 release
6. Jars Of Clay, Good Monsters, 2006 release
7. Bob Dylan, Modern Times, 2006 release
8. The Derek Trucks Band, Joyful Noise, 2002 release

9. Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Raising Sand, 2007 release

MetalHead Dave (U.S.)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium

Reijo (Finland)

01. Heli Ruotsalainen - Tuulen Suuntaan

02. Megadeth - That One Night - Live in Buenos Aires

03. Anna Eriksson - Ihode

04. The Donnas - Bitchin'

05. Megadeth - United Abominations

06. September - Dancing Shoes

07. Stryper - Live in Puerto Rico

08. Johanna Pakonen - Kosketus Jää

09. Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing

10. LeAnn Rimes - Family

11. Sonata Arctica - Unia

12. Britney Spears - Blackout

______________________________________________________________

Here are a few lists from some of the best selling music magazines:

ROLLING STONE

50 Britney Spears - Blackout
49 Dropkick Murphys - The Meanest of Times
48 Mavis Staples - We'll Never Turn Back
47 Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
46 Fall Out Boy - Infinity on High
45 Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
44 Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's Block
43 Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist
42 Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
41 of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

40 Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
39 Dr. Dog - We All Belong
38 Imperial Teen - The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band
37 Down - Over the Under
36 Alicia Keys - As I Am
35 Feist - The Reminder
34 Chris Brown - Exclusive
33 Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ray Price - Last of the Breed
32 Maroon 5 - It Won't Be Soon Before Long
31 Kings of Leon - Because of the Times
30 Youssou N'Dour - Rokku Mi Rokka
29 Mary J. Blige - Growing Pains
28 The Apples in Stereo - New Magnetic Wonder
27 Lil Wayne - Da Drought 3
26 Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
25 Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight
24 Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
23 1990s - Cookies
22 Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
21 Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero
20 Melissa Etheridge - The Awakening
19 Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon
18 Lucinda Williams - West
17 The White Stripes - Icky Thump
16 Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends
15 Common - Finding Forever
14 Gogol Bordello - Super Taranta!
13 Lily Allen - Alright, Still
12 Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
11 John Fogerty - Revival
10 Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
09 Against Me! - New Wave
08 Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight
07 LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
06 Radiohead - In Rainbows
05 Kanye West - Graduation
04 Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
03 Jay-Z - American Gangster
02 Bruce Springsteen - Magic
01 M.I.A. - Kala

ROLLING STONE READER'S POLL

1. Radiohead – In Rainbows
2. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible
3. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
4. White Stripes – Icky Thump
5. Bruce Springsteen – Magic
6. Nine Inch Nails – Year Zero
7. The Shins – Wincing The Night Away
8. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
9. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times
10. Kanye West – Graduation

11. Queens of the Stone Age – Era Vulgaris
12. Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
13. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
14. Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger
15. Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare
16. The National – Boxer
17. M.I.A. - Kala
18. Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
19. Smashing Pumpkins – Zeitgeist
20. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
21. Eddie Vedder – Into the Wild Soundtrack
22. Rilo Kiley – Under the Blacklight
23. Bright Eyes – Cassadaga
24. Robert Plant/Alison Krauss – Raising Sand
25. Paul McCartney – Memory Almost Full

SPIN

1. Against Me! - New Wave
2. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
3. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
4. kanYe West - Graduation
5. MIA - Kala
6. Radiohead - In Rainbows
7. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
8. Jay-Z - American Gangster
9. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
10. White Stripes - Icky Thump
11. Lil Wayne - Da Drought 3
12. Prince - Planet Earth
13. Hives - Black & White Album
14. Bruce Springsteen - Magic
15. Justice - †
16. Lily Allen - Alright, Still
17. National - Boxer
18. Feist - Reminder
19. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
20. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
21. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
22. Elliott Smith - New Moon
23. Peter, Bjorn & John - Writer’s Block
24. Shins - Wincing the Night Away
25. Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris
26. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
27. Band of Horses - Cease To Begin
28. Iron & Wine - Shepherd’s Dog
29. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
30. Brother Ali - Undisputed Truth
31. Handsome Furs - Plague Park
32. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81
33. Wildhearts - Wildhearts
34. Bat for Lashes - Fur & Gold
35. Say Anything - In Defense of the Genre
36. Bonde do Rolê - With Lasers
37. Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - Living with the Living
38. Dizzee Rascal - Maths & English
39. Turbonegro - Retox
40. Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight

BLENDER

25. Rihanna, Good Girl Gone Bad
24. Bright Eyes, Cassadaga
23. Lily Allen, Alright, Still...
22. Band Of Horses, Cease To Begin
21. Okkervil River, The Stage Names
20. Brad Paisley, 5th Gear
19. Modest Mouse, We Were Dead Before The Ship Sank
18. Justice, †
17. Bruce Springsteen, Magic
16. Jay-Z, American Gangster
15. Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Raising Sand
14. The White Stripes, Icky Thump
13. Feist, The Reminder
12. Spoon, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
11. LCD Soundsystem, Sound Of Silver
10. Rilo Kiley, Under The Blacklight
9. Miranda Lambert, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
8. Amy Winehouse, Back To Black
7. The Dream, Lovehate
6. Radiohead, In Rainbows
5. Against Me!, New Wave
4. Kanye West, Graduation
3. Lil Wayne, The Carter 3 Sessions
2. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
1. M.I.A., Kala

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

10. Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's The Cool
9. Bettye Lavette - The Scene Of The Crime
8. Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
7. LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver
6. M.I.A. - Kala
5. Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
4. Radiohead - In Rainbows
3. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
2. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
1. Bruce Springsteen - Magic

CLASSIC ROCK

10. MACHINE HEAD - The Blackening
9. SAXON - The Inner Sanctum
8. EAGLES - Long Road Out Of Eden
7. JOE BONAMASSA - Sloe Gin
6. STATUS QUO - In Search Of The Fourth Chord
5. IAN HUNTER - Shrunken Heads
4. PORCUPINE TREE - Fear Of A Blank Planet
3. DOWN - Down III: Over The Under
2. RUSH - Snakes And Arrows
1. GUNS N’ ROSES - Chinese Democracy (Not officially released – obviously

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Poll question: "What were your favorite albums of 2006?"

Article: The following article was written for the February 13, 20 & 27th, 2007 issues of "Dr. Music's Weekly Checkup."

This is it. This is the issue that I work toward each and every year. This is my chance to share with all of you, the music that shaped the days of the past year. This is not a list to tell you what the best albums were, but it is more of a portal into my mind as a listener and fan of music. Some of these selections may not be the most accomplished records of the past year, but this is what touched me. That's all I wish to do with this list - share my thoughts and feelings about the music that touched my life. Thanks for listening.

Album of the Year

"The Black Parade" - My Chemical Romance
"A Sleeper's Awakening" - Pictorial Wand
"Wolfmother" - Wolfmother
"IV" - Godsmack
"A Matter Of Life And Death" - Iron Maiden
"Black Stone Cherry" - Black Stone Cherry
"Marty Casey & Lovehammers" - Marty Casey & Lovehammers
"Livin' It Up" - Sammy Hagar & The Wabos
"The Great Burrito Extortion Case" - Bowling For Soup
"High & Mighty" - Gov't Mule

Honorable mention: "Fingerprints" - Peter Frampton, "Enne" - HB, "Blood" - Kopecky, "2 of 5" - Mike Martin, "15" - Buckcherry, "Southern Born Killers" - Stuck Mojo

This year was an unusually shocking year for me. I was introduced to Gov't Mule's music for the first time, and loved it. I enjoyed Marty Casey's Lovehammers release even more than I enjoyed the J.D. Fortune fronted INXS release from 2005, which is odd because I preferred J.D. over Marty on the Rock Star INXS television show. And I've never had a liking for 70's boy toy Peter Frampton, but his "Fingerprints" album was really something impressive. Okay, I guess I shouldn't rule out The Village People or K.C. & The Sunshine Band quite yet.

1. "The Black Parade" - My Chemical Romance"

Having a newer, more modern sounding band like My Chemical Romance topping my list was something that never struck me as realistic when the year started. I had heard the band on both of their previous efforts and I thought they were impressive in many ways, but I never thought they could piece together a modern day masterpiece like "The Black Parade."

This is a record that amazes me each and every time I listen to it. Sure, it's appealing to the 15-year old goth crowd. And yes, the album has moments that might even fit into the latest "emo" genre of two chord punk pop. But the beauty of this record lies in the flow and arrangement of all that sound. MCR hired on the hottest production team working today to twist the knobs on this bad fella, and what they came up with is nothing short of classic. Producer Rob Cavallo and the same team of experts that gave us Green Day's "American Idiot," Chris Lord-Alge (mixing) and Doug McKean (engineer), have now given us something to really sink our teeth into. Besides being arranged perfectly, the album boasts influences of classic rock lumanaries such as Queen, Cheap Trick and Pink Floyd. And possibly the best part of having all of these diverse influences oozing out is the fact that the band never sacrifices their true direction. Behind all of this big production and "The Wall"- type conceptual feel, the raging heart of My Chemical Romance is still beating strongly. They are an angst riddled alternative punk band, and that still lives in the soul of this record.

They cast dark shadows over this robust and grandiose production with lyrics of death and disease, courtesy of singer/lyricist Gerard Way. The lyrics are cathartic and sincere, while the music just compliments the mood with uncompromising precision. Songs like the dark and foreboding "Cancer" and the gritty and eclectic "Mama" are reliant on singer Gerard Way and his approach to the powerful lyrics. When he delivers these lines from "Cancer," "Call my aunt Marie / Help her gather all my things / And bury me in all my favorite colors / My sisters and my brothers still / I will not kiss you," there's a certain chill that crawls up my spine. And the job he does turning a phrase with the following verse from "Mama" is complete and utter brilliance.

"Well mother what the war did to me legs and to my tongue

You should have raised a baby girl

I should have been a better son

If you could coddle the infection

They could amputate at once

You should have been

I should have been a better son"

I think this is an album that has it all. It has excellent instrumentation, highlighted by memorable guitar work from guitarist Ray Toro; it has deep and meaningful lyrics and amazing emotional flow from song to song, courtesy of Gerard Way's outstanding vocal performance and writing style; and of course, the razor sharp production qualities, courtesy of Cavallo and his crew. And did I mention that it also has a vocal cameo by Liza Minelli!

Frontman Gerard Way has stated that the three albums which are most similar to this album, and influenced this record, are Queen's A Night at the Opera, The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Pink Floyd's The Wall. He has also said that The Smashing Pumpkins album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness influenced this record and that he wishes the new album to "echo the aesthetics of Mellon Collie." Well Gerard, you've done a wonderful job because "The Black Parade" is a perfect blend of those four albums. Listening to this band modernize those four great albums by crafting this work of art was something that grabbed me hard, and I still have not felt it loosen its grip.

RUNNER - UP Third Place

2. "A Sleeper's Awakening" - Pictorial Wand 3. "Wolfmother" - Wolfmother

You can read full reviews for each of the above selections in the Review Archives section of this website.

4. "IV" - Godsmack

This is the usual Godsmack fare - inspiring riffs, hearty hard rock vocals, and some great songwriting. After Godsmack put out their EP, "The Other Side," I felt cheated by the band. I've liked every other album from these guys, and while this one was nothing groundbreaking, it was a complete return to form for Godsmack. This is a very solid hard rock/metal album.

5. "A Matter Of Life And Death" - Iron Maiden

This was another one that wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it was one of the best Maiden albums in years. This is a band that is in a class by themselves, and this album is near the head of that class. You can read my full review of the album on the Are You On Something.com website (www.areuonsomething.com).

6. "Black Stone Cherry" - Black Stone Cherry

Oh yeah, baby! Strap yourself in for this one! This is a rip roarin' good time album that really opens up that proverbial "can of whoop ass." A Southern fried riff fest that takes hard rock back to a 70's style guitar rock frenzy. I found this late in the year and immediately fell in love with it.

7. "Marty Casey & Lovehammers" - Marty Casey & Lovehammers

This is Marty Casey's band - you know, the guy who lost the Rock Star INXS television competition. Now here's a great example of what a large budget and a big time production team can do for you. I had the Lovehammers self-produced indie album "Murder On My Mind" before I heard a lot of those same songs re-done here. I didn't even like the songs on the "Murder" disc, but I love what they've done with them on this major label debut. The production highlights the writing here, and it turns out a real winner.

8. "Livin' It Up" - Sammy Hagar & The Wabos

Maybe only the die hard Sammy fans can appreciate this one, but I had great fun with this one. If a hard rock version of Jimmy Buffett sounds appealing, this is the disc for you. This is just a hang loose, good time rock & roll, fun-in-the-sun record.

9. "The Great Burrito Extortion Case - Bowling For Soup

Alright, I just can't help myself. This is my guilty pleasure pick of the year. This one's not as great as their 2004 release, "A Hangover You Don't Deserve" (my Album of the Year for that year), but it is still some of the best power pop to be found. Songs like "I'm Gay," "Val Kilmer," and "99 Biker Friends" are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to tightly played sing alongs.

10. "High & Mighty" - Gov't Mule

Warren Haynes is wicked good, ladies and gentlemen. This guy is not only one of the premier guitar players in the world, but his vocals are soulful and passionate as well. This thing is packed with great guitar harmonies and solos, along with a great classic rock song formula. I've always heard so much about Haynes and Mule, but for some reason I just took my time getting to them. It seems that I really was missing out on one of the hottest acts in the world.

You know, I went back over my Album of the Year lists for the past three years, and it seems that I made some pretty good choices. Now, let me clarify that statement. I think a "good choice" is when I can put the given album on today and still feel strongly about it. For example, in 2003, my choice for Album of the Year was Evanescence's "Fallen." As I listened to that just a few days ago, I was still moved by the powerful force of the music. That tells me that I made a good choice. Some of the other albums that I still have in regular rotation from the past couple of years are The Flyin' Ryan Brothers' "Blue Marble," Disturbed's “Ten Thousand Fists,” The Corrs' "Borrowed Heaven," and Alter Bridge's "One Day Remains." There is one particular disc from last year that I had on my Honorable Mention list that I feel got overlooked. James Blunt's "Back To Bedlam" is a disc that I only got around to at the end of last year, but it is a disc that has set up an apartment in my disc player. Yes, it lives there. "Back To Bedlam" should have been near the top of the list last year, if not at the very top. It is one of the finest pieces of music that I own. But, that's the way these things go, right? Hindsight is 20/20, as they say.

Some of the disappointing things from this past year were Evanescence's "The Open Door," which should've been much stronger considering the wait we had to endure. Audioslave's "Revelations" was another disappointment, as was Los Lonely Boys' "Sacred" and Pearl Jam's self-titled return. I was also a little disappointed by songwriting genius Butch Walker's solo record, "The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let's-go-out-tonites." Walker has consistently written great songs and produced quality recordings for so many artists, but this album was just not the same caliber that I've come to expect. But the biggest disappointment of the past year was Queensryche's "Operation: Mindcrime II." This thing, with a guest appearance by Ronnie James Dio as Dr. X, was almost guaranteed to be my list topper before it even came out. The first "Mindcrime" is one of my favorite records of all time, Geoff Tate and Ronnie James Dio are two of my favorite singers. So this had everything going for it, right?. What happened?!! Well, it's obscenely apparent that Tate needs former guitarist and songwriter Chris DeGarmo's help writing songs, because "Operation: Mindcrime II" is fresh out of good songs.

There are so many releases that I wish I would've had more time for, but there just aren't enough hours in the day. Here is a list of records that very well could've made the list this year, but I just didn't get to them: Slayer - "Christ Illusion," Blackmore's Night - "Village Lanterne," The Sword - "Age Of Winters," Tool - "10,000 Days," Al DiMeola - "Consequence of Chaos," Cheap Trick - "Rockford," Larry Carlton - "Fire Wire," UFO - "The Monkey Puzzle," Cactus - "Cactus V," and many many more.

And finally, I'd like to mention some of the fabulous talent that I discovered on the MySpace pages. By doing the MySpace Discovery Zone column, I have been in contact with a great many artists who possess some very special gifts. Miss Crazy, the exciting, self-promoting L.A. act that's trying to put 80's metal back on the musical map, is really an act to watch closely. Sheena Morris, the Tori Amos-like pianist/guitarist/singer, is one of the finest talents I've come across in a very long time. Guitarist Mike Martin actually gained an Honorable mention with his 2006 instrumental disc, "2 of 5." Pop/Rock acts The Pinder Brothers and The Goondocks blew me away with their amazing songwriting skills. Guitarist Kevin M. Buck, rocker Matt Beal, and Xu are all very worthy of mention as well. I like to think I've helped these bands reach out to more people and spread their sound to a wider audience. It is so rewarding for me to be able to help, and I thank each of the artists for inviting me into their world.

I just want to say that it has been the ride of a lifetime over the past four years. Doing the Checkup each week can take time that I might not have, and I don't always feel up to writing some of the material, but it's YOU that pushes me onward. I know there are a lot of you that enjoy what I'm doing, and that touches me deeply. Thank you.

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THE PATIENTS LISTS

Bill Berends of Mastermind (www.mastermindband.com)

"If I tell you what I listen to it might scare people off! LOL... I don't think any of it is from the 21st century!!," Berends tells me. His Mastermind project is on hold at the moment and he is keeping busy in a trio that covers Cream songs. He continues, "I do get on 'tangents' and my listening will change as I research certain things. For example, doing the Cream trio shows (www.myspace.com/berendswilsontrio), I may listen to Cream bootlegs for weeks on end then suddenly need to hear Shostakovitch, John Lee Hooker, or Tangerine Dream!" Here is a list of what he's been listening to, starting with the most recent:

Masters of Reality - Sunrise on the Sufferbus
PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her
Jack Bruce - More Jack than God
Cream - The Remasters bootleg set
Ten Years After - Stonehenge / Watt
John Lee Hooker - Early Years 1948-1951
John Mayall - Bluesbreakers w/ Eric Clapton (Beano)
Tangerine Dream - Mars Polaris
Sarah McLachlan - Afterglow
Dimitri Shostakovitch - String Quartets #11 thru #15
Henryk Gorecki - Symphony No.3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs)
Jens Johansson - Ten Seasons
The Beatles - White Album

William Kopecky of Kopecky/Far Corner/Yeti Rain/Michael Angelo Batio/Flyin' Ryan Brothers (www.williamkopecky.com)

1. Univers Zero, Live

2. Kopecky, Blood

3. Yeti Rain, Discarnate

4. Ornette Coleman - Sound Grammar

5. Ayelet Rose Gottlieb - Mayim Rabim

6. Kayo Dot - Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue

7. Unexpect - In a Flesh Aquarium

Outsight Radio Hours DJ Tom Schulte (www.new-sounds.com)

You can view Tom's eclectic list of favorites for the year on his website, at http://www.new-sounds.com/2006.asp

As I have always known, I have an extremely diversified group of readers that are enthused by both new and old music. One of my readers told me that he could be found listening to Love's "Love Forever Changes" followed by Nightwish's "Once." These are two selections from two differing time periods and genres, but yet they were found in full rotation for this reader in 2006. And talking about diversity....try this one on for size. One of my readers has chosen Rob Zombie's "Educated Horses" and Weird Al Yankovic's "Straight Outta Lynwood" as his Albums of the Year.

But, lo and behold, I think I have the most diverse list yet from one of my most devoted readers I have, out in Finland. Check out this explosion of sound preferences:

1. HB - Enne

2. The Pipettes - We Are the Pipettes

3. PMMP - Leskiäidin tyttäret

4. Elina Vettenranta - Sydänten yö

5. Agnes - When the Night Falls

6. Jessica Simpson - A Public Affair

7. Kim Wilde - Never Say Never

8. LeAnn Rimes - Whatever We Wanna

9. Kikka Laitinen - Suomalaisia rakkaustarinoita

10. Juliette & The Licks - Four on the Floor

Another of my most distant and devoted readers from Belgium submitted this sweetheart of a list:

            01. Paul Simon - Surprise    "A feast of subtility, with brilliant, highly imaginative lyrics and intruiging soundscapes by Brian Eno."
            02. Muse - Black Holes and Revelations     "Over the top sonic adventures."
            03. Donavon Frankenreiter - Move By Yourself      "Crossroad between Southern rock and laidback soul."
            04. Jhelisa - A Primitive Guide to Being There      "An example of all kinds of soul music, with the flexible voice of Jhelisa as common denominator."
            05. John Mayer - Continuum       "A flawless blending of rock, blues, soul and pop."
            06. Wolfmother - Wolfmother      "Young daredevils and their take on old school hard rock."
            07. Josh Rouse - Subtitulo      "Rouse is never disappointing. This time he brings his American singer-songwriter stuff from a sleepy, Spanish, one horse town."
            08. Killers - Sam's Town       "First the hype, now the confirmation."
            09. Krista Detor - Mudshow       "Romantic piano ballads for those who wish to go further than Tori Amos."
            10. Ed Harcourt - The Beautiful Lie      "Sweeping melancholics from the British younger version of Tom Waits."

            Just fell off the Top 10: The Feeling - Twelve Stops and Home      "Pop bliss with a seventies feel to it."
            The "I couldn't care less Record of the Year": "Information" from Beck

Another reader tells me, "I'm sad to say that I've become one of those people that doesn't keep up with the new albums each year." She continues, "I did go to Napster to check out some of the Top 100 songs, and I can see that I didn't miss a thing." She goes on to recall a few of the discs that she purchased over the past year, and here's what she had on the list:

Fergie - "The Duchess" - IS awful! I like her singing with the Black Eyed Peas... but the kindergarten lyrics and ridiculous rap repetitions make the CD unbearable.
Justin Timberlake - "FutureSex / LoveSounds" - Justin is one talented guy... I really enjoy this CD.
Beyonce' - "B'day" - There are some really good songs on this CD, and more repetitious rap stuff.. Overall it's ok...
Gwen Stefani - "Sweet Escape" - Jury is still out on this one. I think she may be trying to hard to make all her songs sound like "Holla Back Girl."
Evanescence - "The Open Door" - I really like this CD; however, I still like their first CD better. Some of the songs on this CD seem to imitate the first CD.

I seemed to have quite a few readers this year that reverted back to the old stand-bys. One reader had The Allman Brothers "Live at the Fillmore East" and Jeff Beck's "Blow By Blow" in regular rotation, as well as The Beatles' "Revolver," and the more recent "Bonafide" from Wishbone Ash. He says of the latter, "'Bonafide' stands as one of Ash's best albums to me." This same person, who is quite an accomplished guitar player, also told me he has found interest in the Country music genre. As he put it, "I love Brad Paisley. That guy shreds on guitar."

Then we had the reader that stumbled upon something that they ended up spending a lot of time with over the course of the year. "When I went searching for Dion's 2006 album, 'Bronx In Blue,' I discovered a CD he did two years ago called 'New Masters' (where he re-did all his all hits with today's technology. I ended up loving both CD's)" The same reader went on to tell me that they "loved" Bob Dylan's 2006 release "Modern Times" and also Van Morrison's release from '06 "Pay The Devil." There was also the influence of television and a concert experience that gave this person some new musical interests. After seeing The Pogues live for the first time, The Best of The Pogues got quite a few spins. And, the VH1 documentary that shows the making of Motorhead's "Ace Of Spades" made this reader stand up and take notice of a classic. Some of the other discs that this reader enjoyed were "Stadium Arcadium" from The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gretchen Wilson's second release from 2005, "All Jacked Up."

I got a vote for Iron Maiden's "A Matter Of Life And Death" for Album of the Year from someone that was even more electrified by a DVD that he saw. It was the 1998 Rammstein DVD release, "Rammstein Live Aus Berlin," and he calls it "one of the coolest live DVDs I've EVER seen."

And then of course there were the folks that found that 2006 gave us nothing to really rave about. I got responses such as this: The only disc I can think of that was okay was the Paul Stanley solo album ("Live To Win"). And one reader said, "I wasn't overly impressed with rock music in 2006. Pop music actually had some intriguing stuff (Gnarls Barkely, for one), but - to me - rock seems stuck in the grunge-lite mold." He went on to give me his Top 5 for the year though, and here it is:

1) Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers. "I think this was the best rock album of the year. I don't even think it's RHCP's best, but good enough for #1 in 2006."
2) A Bigger Bang - Rolling Stones. "They're well past their prime, but they put out a better than average disc in 2006. Seeing them at Churchill Downs helped push this up the list, that's for sure!"
3) Sam's Town - The Killers. "Nowhere near as good as their last one, but it does rock. Enjoyable, if not a masterpiece."
4) How To Save A Life - The Fray. "Nice, inoffensive pop-rock. Their singles were excellent. The rest of the disc is rather generic, but not horrible."
5) St. Elsewhere - Gnarls Barkley. "I think "Crazy" was the song of the year. Unusual and fun. Best pop album of the year, too."

He adds, "Liked some of the latest from Nelly Furtado, Snow Patrol, Mary J. Blige, Bob Seger and others, but didn't like the entire disc enough to rank 'em."

Another discouraged reader wrote, "I have mixed emotions for 2006. There were a few good albums that I listened to over and over again, but I also found myself digging up a bunch of old stuff that I have not listened to in a long time. Maybe this is showing that I am getting older, but there is not a lot of the new stuff out there that I like." Some of the newer releases that he did find interesting:

Trivium - The Crusade
My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
Nonpoint - Live and Kicking
The entire Nickelback library - "Where the hell was I over the last 6 years?"
James Blunt - Back To Bedlam "Still in pretty regular rotation."

He goes on to tell us which of his favorite tunes from the past got a "2nd Tour" in 2006:

Decadence Dance - Extreme - "Nuno rips it in this one."
Miracle Man - Ozzy "Intro is the best guitar riff ever written in my humble opinion."
Milennium - Fear Factory "Awesome cover - so fat and heavy"
Poem - Taproot

This reader also supplied us with his Top 3 singles for the year:

#1 - There's Going To Be A War - Nonpoint
#2 - Goodbye My Lover - James Blunt

#3 - Follow You Home - Nickelback

He also wanted to give top honors to the Pussycat Dolls as well. As he put it, "I honestly believe 'Buttons' will be played in strip clubs for the next 30 years. It is officially the catchiest stripper pop song I have ever heard. I still turn this up on full blast every single time it comes over the airwaves."

Is this a diverse group of readers, or what?! I feel very privileged to be able to communicate with all of you. I think almost all of you have a deep love for the music in your lives, and I totally respect and appreciate that. No matter if you're enjoying Slayer or The Pussycat Dolls (or both, if that is really possible), the idea is to have fun with music and let it enhance your life. Let it capture the time, like a photograph would for you.

Thanks to all of those that submitted responses for the article, and thanks to each and every one of you for reading each week. You are, collectively, the heart that keeps Dr. Music alive - and I thank you.

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Here are a few lists from some of the best selling music magazines:

ROLLING STONE

Modern Times - Bob Dylan
Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rather Ripped - Sonic Youth
Return to Cookie Mountain - TV on the Radio
Fishscale - Ghostface Killah
The Greatest - Cat Power
Hell Hath No Fury - Clipse
Boys and Girls in America - The Hold Steady
Blood Mountain - Mastodon
Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards - Tom Waits
Continuum - John Mayer
One Day It Will Please Us To Remeber Even This - The New York Dolls
Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam
American V: A Hundred Highways - Johnny Cash
Wolfmother - Wolfmother
Food & Liquor - Lupe Fiasco
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not - Arctic Monkeys
Game Theory - The Roots
Taking The Long Way - Dixie Chicks
The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

St. Elsewhere - Gnarls Barkley
Return To Cookie Mountain - TV on the Radio
The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
Future Sex/Love Sounds - Justin Timberlake
Hell Hath No Fury - Clipse
Taking The Long Way - Dixie Chicks
Modern Times - Bob Dylan
Alright, Still - Lily Allen
The Greatest - Cat Power
Post-War - M. Ward

SPIN

TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain
Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere
Arctic Monkeys, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Ghostface Killah, Fishscale
My Chemical Romance, The Black Parade
Joanna Newsom, Ys
Cat Power, The Greatest
My Morning Jacket, Okonokos
Clipse, Hell Hath No Fury
Beck, The Information
The Decemberists, The Crane Wife
Hot Chip, The Warning
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, Rabbit Fur Coat
T.I., King
Lady Sovereign, Public Warning
Editors, The Back Room
Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
The Streets, The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living
The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers
Lupe Fiasco, Food & Liquor

CLASSIC ROCK (This is Dr. Music's personal favorite music magazine. One of the few that is still dominated by music, not politics and fashion)

A Matter Of Life And Death - Iron Maiden
Wolfmother - Wolfmother
Rise - The Answer
Grand Hotel - Roadstar
Blood Mountain - Mastodon
Age Of Winters - The Sword
Out Here All Night - Damone
One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This - The New York Dolls
Riot City Blues - Primal Scream
Black Holes And Revelations - Muse
You And Me - Joe Bonamassa
Rockford - Cheap Trick
Valor Del Corazon - Ginger
The Crusade - Trivium
15 - Buckcherry
Modern Times - Bob Dylan
Christ Illusion - Slayer
Rev