The top five albums from classic rock musicians who have no business releasing more music in 2011
5
Journey - ECL1P53
While it's not Steve Perry on vocals, it's hard to deny that Journey's latest album isn't enjoyable. It's disappointing that arena rock this pure is almost a dead art form, so it's refreshing to hear a band unafraid to write rock pieces over three minutes in length and bust out the unnecessarily wanky guitar lines. I certainly can't compare it in good faith to ESC4P3, but I can say that this album made me smile from ear to fucking ear.
4
Chickenfoot - Chickenfoot III
Chickenfoot is one of the rare supergroup success stories, and their flippantly named sophomore album Chickenfoot III proves that there is still room for the likes of Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, and Joe Satriani in today's music scene. Rounded out with RHCP drummer Chad Smith, the quartet have created another record of unabashedly enjoyable hard rock. While Satriani's trademarked guitar playing is much more muted with this release, the Van Halen influence is absolutely abundant; with Hagar on vocals, it's almost the new Van Halen album wish we had. You know, anything that isn't Van Halen III.
3
R.E.M. - Collapse into Now
Nobody expected that Collapse into Now would be alternarock giants R.E.M.'s farewell album, but no one is denying that it was a satisfying end. Granted, it's somewhat toned-down from their more popular works like Murmur or Automatic for the People, but Collapse into Now had an undeniable level of maturity to it that can only come from years and years in the business. It definitely is a fitting resolution to one of the better careers in rock music.
2
Yes - Fly From Here
With a new vocalist in tow, Yes returned to the studio this year to record their latest effort, Fly From Here. Everyone knew the band wasn't about to record another album on par with Close to the Edge or Fragile, but no one expected the album to turn out quite as good as it did, either. While it still shows signs of a band in their age, Fly From Here is still full of unusually bright, fresh ideas from a band that's aggressively out of style in the modern music scene. What's more, most of the album still holds up favourably to their canonically 'best' works. Definitely a welcome surprise.
1
The Cars - Move Like This
Way back in 1997, it was said The Cars were finished forever. Apparently forever is much longer than I thought, because The Cars, down one member, reunited to release the excellent Move Like This. What's most surprising about this album is that, unlike most other bands that are relics from the 1970s, The Cars have managed to stay in pretty good shape. Maybe it's because we've had some time off, but Move Like This is a surprisingly enjoyable album. It's full of new ideas, yes, but it still maintains The Cars' familiar glossy sheen. Definitely one of the better pop rock albums of the year, and proof that classic rock acts can still remain relevant today.
Words: Matthew Sarah
