What sort of label is ‘classic rock’? Many feel it denotes music made by guitar-toting deities throughout the late ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, and today it provokes conflicting interpretations due to an increasing number of new bands sounding like they were born 40 years ago.
Here's our take. In 2013, classic rock isn't a historical term, but a thriving genre in its own right. So why are we mixing it together with the blues? Well, that would be because “the blues had a baby and they named it rock and roll”. That overlap is as vital as ever, with the vintage sounds of the Mississippi Delta still informing every element of rock music.
This year there have been some outstanding releases in both categories, with blues in particular continuing its healthy resurgence. Full respect to Walter Trout, Marcus Bonfanti, Dana Fuchs and plenty more, whose recent albums would walk into many top 10 lists. Likewise, rock has seen vibrant returns from venerable acts like Deep Purple, FM and David Bowie, as well as quality offerings from newer groups like Heaven's Basement, Free Fall and W.E.T. But there can only be 10, and here are Stereoboard's hottest classic rock and blues offerings of 2013.
1. The Temperance Movement - The Temperance Movement
The finest debut by a British rock band in donkey’s years, blending the grinning, ramshackle stomp of the Black Crowes and the Faces with the acoustic tenderness of Neil Young.
2. Buddy Guy - Rhythm And Blues
The septuagenarian firecracker is at the top of his game on this double album of scorching blues. Why should you buy it? Because it's Buddy motherfuckng Guy, that's why.
Bigger, bolder and with a more rock ‘n' soul dynamic than their debut, this sophomore outing features more wonderful covers of Tina Turner, Etta James, Billie Holiday and company.
Bursting from the speakers like sonic TNT, oozing attitude and sleaze by the truckload, these faultless tracks rip it up with a sneer and old school spirit that's thoroughly infectious.
The guitar hotshot masterfully dispatches a bitchin' brew of blues, rock, soul, funk and hip hop with a jack of all trades, master of all trades swagger.
Virtuoso musicians RichieKotzen, Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan bring their instrumental wizardry to a wonderfully crafted collection of hook-heavy hard rockin' gems.
AC/DC-worshipping rabble-rousers deliver gold plated, rock ‘n' roll thunder on album number three, adding huge commercial choruses without compromising their ferocious intensity.
West storms back from a near death experience with a powerful album bursting with growling riffs, divine soloing, fabulous songs and special guests including Alter Biridge's Mark Tremonti.
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