The Top Albums of 2001

by Ed McArdle

3. POKE Absent (4/20) Saginaw's supergroup unveiled this unforgettable

collection that will stand the test of time.  Passion and emotion just pour

out of every song and engage the listener.  Great guitar playing and

layered textures equate a work awesome in all aspects.  A classic that must

be heard.

4. STAIND Break The Cycle 5/22)

One single does not an album make and thankfully Staind augment the radio song

of the year ("It's been awhile") with a full album's worth of equally gripping

material.  A bit on the mild side compared to many other similarly categorized

groups but the pained lyrics pack a very powerful punch.

5. LIVE V (9/18) A departure from the sound of the band's previous four hit

albums but from start to finish this is certainly their most inviting and

diverse offering to date.  A refined collection of stimulating rock songs

with that distinctive Ed Kowalczyk touch that still defines Live.

6. ELTON JOHN Songs From The West Coast (10/2) The comeback of the year.

Not that Elton had ever gone away but he returns to fine form by delivering

an album dripping with emotion.  Short on rockers, but it is hard to stop

listening to this collection of great songs featuring masterful piano

prowess.  Lyricist Bernie Taupin and Elton have rediscovered the magic that

propelled them to prominence in the 70's.

7. SEMISONIC All About Chemistry (3/16) Many pop sensibilities are engaged

to evoke plentiful great music in this worthy follow up to 1998's platinum

"Feeling Strangely Fine".  Why no consumers paid attention to this awesome

album will forever remain a mystery.

8. THE HASKELS Rewind (3/28) The Bay City Rock & Rollers unleash some

homegrown gems.  Watching, listening and learning from their many eclectic

influences it is no wonder this is a great tuneful debut providing

something for everyone.  A bright future awaits.

9. JOURNEY Arrival (4/3) Nothing new here besides the voice but you would

be hard-pressed to tell.  New vocalist Steve Augeri steps in and the band

still rocks like few out there today.  These songs are fueled by the guitar

work of Neil Schon all the way through track 15.  It's been too long.

10. TOOL Lateralus (5/15) What a wonderful rollercoaster ride this is.  A

sonic bomblast.  From start to finish Maynard & Co. take the listener into

their world.  A five-year wait was worth it for this trip only Tool can

provide.

11. W.A.S.P. Unholy Terror (4/3)  Yes the one and only W.A.S.P. The music

speaks loudly on this prototypical slice of the classic heavy metal genre.

Nothing wrong with that.  Especially with the quality this good.

12. OZZY OSBOURNE Down To Earth (10/16) A return to fine form in a

different way.  Madman no longer- the best songs contained here are

ballads.  Good ballads, though.  With Zack Wylde back on guitar there are

also rockers in abundance so don't worry.

13. MOLLY Sexxxsells (2/16) An independent release from this up and coming

Grand Rapids band.  Produced by The Verve Pipe's Brian Vander Ark and

featuring a clever cover of "Walk Like an Egyptian" that will keep you

rocking.  All the songs here are catchy enough to propel this band to

greater heights.

14. CLUTCH Pure Rock Fury (3/13) The title says it all.  A pleasurable

headtrip into the groove that can only be described as Clutch.  No one else

does it like this.  And that is a very good thing for this uniquely

talented bunch that defies categorization.

15. STABBING WESTWARD (5/22) Same band, much different sound.  No longer

riding the "industrial" vibe this is just a straightforward pop rock album.

A very infectious one at that (with a bit of darkness thrown into the mix).

16. MATTHEW GOOD BAND Beautiful Midnight (1/30)- Big in Canada, unknown on

these shores.  Until now.  This work is indeed beautiful and provides

catchy hooks and great songs throughout.

17. MARILLION Anoraknophobia (5/14) 16 years after "Kayleigh" these English

lads continue to produce credible music.  Music that could do very well on

radio but is ignored.  Some catchy stuff here and worth a listen.

18. MEGADETH The World Needs A Hero (5/15) One of the most complete albums

of their nearly 20 year career.  Through 10 albums Dave Mustaine has never

been one to back off or alter his band's heavy stance.  Why change now?

19. BEAUTIFUL CREATURES (8/14) Out of the ashes of Bang Tango (1988's next

big thing, remember?) emerge these darlings of OzzFest 2001.  And they are

worthy of the hype.  Vocalist Joe Leste proves he has always had it and

we're glad he is back.

20. NICKELBACK Silver Side Up (9/11) Still can't believe I saw these guys

perform in front of 200 at Shooters last year.  Now they have conquered the

nation with a pair of platinum albums.  And deservedly so- this rocks from

beginning to end.