You can find the Collective List as well as all our Best of 2021 content including contributors’ individual lists, podcasts and radio DJ shows here: CGCM’s Best of 2021 (Year in Review)
BEST OF 2021
CARLA SHIELDS 🇺🇸
(Writer/Photographer/Contributor)
It seems many bands took full advantage of the time off from touring to work on new albums and as a result, it was an incredible year for new music. Before I dive into my top ten let me introduce myself. My name is Carla Shields and I am an avid music lover and concert photographer from Louisville, KY. As you will see from my top ten list below, my love for music covers a wide range of styles and this list only scratches the surface. With so many great new releases this year it was difficult to narrow this down to just ten! Below are my top ten new albums of 2021.
***Editor’s Note: due to time constraints Carla was unable to complete her write-up for each album, but most do appear below and all of her picks were factored into the Collective Best from CGCM pool.***
VOLBEAT 🇩🇰
Servant of the Mind
I have been a Volbeat fan since I first heard their music and this album is no exception.
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snItFJlBtTc[/embedyt]
MASTODON 🇺🇸
Hushed & Grim
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx1L2XW1N0c[/embedyt]
SMITH/KOTZEN
Smith/Kotzen
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG1I7UTPl9o[/embedyt]
GOJIRA 🇨🇵
Fortitude
I love the heavy, melodic sound that Gojira has on this album.
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p85-KtgDSs[/embedyt]
THE DEAD DAISIES 🇺🇸
Holy Ground
The Dead Daisies are a powerhouse rock band. Glenn Hughes is a phenomenal singer and bass player and when he hits those high notes it makes the hair on your arms stand on end. Doug Aldrich and David Lowy make an outstanding guitar duo with exceptionally well-written riffs and solos and drummer Tommy Clufetos brings the thunder. My favourite songs on this album are “Holy Ground” and “Unspoken”.
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmBnz2bm5KE[/embedyt]
ALICE COOPER 🇺🇸
Detroit Stories
This is the classic Alice Cooper sound and feel. I really like that he reunited the original band
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U0QhxO2kjQ[/embedyt]
SUNBOMB 🇺🇸
Evil & Divine
L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns has joined forces with Stryper frontman Michael Sweet to create Sunbomb. This album has a darker, almost doom metal feel compared to both L.A. Guns and Stryper. The guitar riffs and lyrics are well-written and meaningful. I especially like the song “Take Me Away”. It has a slow melodic vibe and a nice groove.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5czBRkWmF3E[/embedyt]
MAMMOTH WVH 🇺🇸
Mammoth WVH
Mammoth WVH is following in his dad’s footsteps while still forging his own way and sound. This is a great debut album with catchy guitar riffs, strong bass lines, and a driving groove. One of the most unique elements of this album, compared to others on my list, is the fact that Wolfgang Van Halen played all of the instruments as well as sang all the vocals on this album. My favourite tracks on this album are “Mr. Ed” and “Don’t Back Down”.
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMDoj8VVzh8[/embedyt]
SHOTGUN REVOLUTION 🇩🇰
IV
This band caught my attention on a Spotify playlist and I was immediately a fan. Shotgun Revolution is from Copenhagen, Denmark, and this album, IV is their fourth studio album. The song “Black Angel” has a dark, driving bass line throughout the song, paired with great guitar riffs and a well-written breakdown. There is not a bad song on this album and definitely a band worth listening to. Other great tracks include “Wormwood” and “Cafe of the Damned”.
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwd55Hcq9rw[/embedyt]
DIRTY HONEY 🇺🇸
Dirty Honey
Dirty Honey‘s album Dirty Honey is an incredible album from start to finish. The opening track “California Dreamin'” sets the tone of the album with well-written lyrics and guitar riffs with that classic rock sound that makes Dirty Honey stand out from the crowd. Other great songs on this album include “Tied Up”, “Gypsy” and “No Warning“. The whole album is upbeat and makes you want to get out of your chair and dance.
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiD_Dycn7Ck[/embedyt]
CARLA SHIELDS
Don’t forget to take a look at all our Best of 2021 content including the COLLECTIVE BEST ALBUMS LIST (culminated via the ratings in the individual lists), all our contributors’ individual best lists, podcast episodes and Radio DJ shows CGCM’s Best of 2021 (Year in Review)
