NEWS: TODDSTAR’S TOP 50 RELEASES OF 2014

Once again, it is that time of the year where I attempt to rank all of the great releases of the year – not just the rock ones – whether they came my way via promotional copy, label submitted downloads, or, forking out my hard earned cash and buying the disc.  As usual, any disc that received a high rating from me throughout the year winds up on my wish list and I eventually purchase it to have in my personal collection (love having that piece of plastic in my hands, with liner notes, photos, lyrics, etc.).  Here are my choices for the Top 50 Music Releases of 2014.  Hopefully you enjoyed many of these discs this year or at least pushed out of your comfort zone and discovered a new favorite or two.

1. Black Veil Brides – Black Veil Brides

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Interview with Andy Biersack HERE

2. Ace Frehley – Space Invader

Read my CD Review HERE

3. Eric Church – The Outsiders

Read my CD Review HERE

4. Richie Kotzen – The Essential

Read my CD Review HERE

5. Slash – World On Fire

6. Linkin Park – The Hunting Party

Read my CD Review HERE

Read the Press Conference with Chester and Mike HERE

Read my Live Review HERE

See my Live Photos HERE

7. Sixx A.M. – Modern Vintage

Read my CD Review HERE

8. The Pretty Reckless – Going To Hell

Read my CD Review HERE

9. Richard Marx – Beautiful Goodbye

Read my CD Review HERE

10. Ill Nino – Til Death, La Familia

Ill Nino’s Diego Verduzco (guitars) had this to say: “It’s been amazing to be able to share our music after all these years with such a devoted fan base that is still growing. TDLF was written for all of you. It’s been a great 2014 and looking forward to 2015”

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Interview with Cristian Machado HERE

Read my Interview with Laz Pina HERE

See my Live Photos HERE

11. Kiss – Kiss 40

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Live Review HERE

See my Live Photos HERE

12. Sister Sin – Black Lotus

Liv Jagrell, lead vocals, had this to say: “Toddstar & 100% Rock, thank you so much for the support, it’s an honor to be in your Best of 2014! We will keep on crushing the roads in 2015, spreading the sin, and we hope to see you all out there!”

Read my CD Review HERE

13. Buckcherry – F#ck

Stevie D (guitars) had this to say: “I have a soft spot in my heart for Detroit, having grown up so close in Chicago.. Motown, Bob Seger, even The Nuge were all part of my growin’ up. Thank you for all the love this year, Peace & Love through this holiday season and we’ll see you all real soon.. Xx -Stevie D.”

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Live Review HERE

See my Live Photos HERE

14. Brantley Gilbert – Just As I Am

Read my CD Review HERE

15. Jennifer Nettles – That Girl

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Live Review HERE

16. Rated X – Rated X

Read my CD Review HERE

17. Steel Panther – All You Can Eat

Read my CD Review HERE

18. Jeff LaBar – One For The Road

Jeff had this to say: “Wow, that’s amazing! Does that make me a top 40 singer? LOL JK Thank you very much to Toddstar & 100% Rock for spreading the word & helping to make my 1st solo effort a success. Here’s to doin it all over again… Happy Holidays, JL”

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Interview with Jeff HERE

19. Judas Priest – Redeemer Of Souls

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Live Review HERE

See my Live Photos HERE

20. In This Moment – Black Widow

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Live Review HERE

See my Live Photos HERE

21. Nickelback – No Fixed Address

Read my CD Review HERE

22. Red Dragon Cartel – Red Dragon Cartel

Read my CD Review HERE

23. Big & Rich – Gravity

Read my CD Review HERE

24. Within Temptation – Hydra

Read my Live Review HERE

See my Live Photos HERE

25. Rosanne Cash – The River & The Thread

Read my CD Review HERE

26. Anastacia – Resurrection

Read my CD Review HERE

27. Hellion – To Hellion And Back

Ann Boleyn had this to say: “Thanks for making 2014 a magical year for Hellion!  We are so happy with the great response to the “To Hellion & Back” and to everybody who came out to see us on our North American tour!  Thanks for supporting metal!”

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Interview with Ann Boleyn HERE

28. Michael Sweet – I’m Not Your Suicide

Read my CD Review HERE

29. Mary Lambert – Heart On My Sleeve

Read my CD Review HERE

30. Shakra – 33: The Best Of

Thomas Muster (guitars) had this to say: “We’re glad to hear about that kind of news for Xmas! We are working on a new album at the moment. Wasn’t easy to go on with SHAKRA when our singer John left the band last summer, but finally I can tell you that we’ll release a new killer album sometime in 2015! Stay tuned for more news to come soon! We wish you all happy holidays! Cheers Thomas”

Read my CD Review HERE

31. The Turtles – 45 RPM Vinyl Singles Collection

Read my CD Review HERE

32. The Dead Daisies – Face I Love

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Live Review HERE

See my Live Photos HERE

33. Mary Lambert – Welcome To The Age Of My Body

Read my CD Review HERE

34. Rubicon Cross – Rubicon Cross

Drummer Robert Behnke had this to say: “We are really excited to be included in your year end recap and want to thank everyone for making that happen for us! 2015 should be an amazing year!! Happy Holidays!!!”

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Interview with C.J. Snare HERE

35. Battle Beast – Battle Beast

Noora Louhimo, lead vocals, had this to say: “Well that’s awesome I want to thank everyone who supports us and believe in us. Come bang your heads to our shows and Buy our new album on January. Stay Metal! Love you!”

Read my CD Review HERE

36. Toto – 35th Anniversary: Live In Poland

Toto’s Daivd Paich (keyboards and vocals) had this to say: “Inclusion in the Top 40 for 2014 is appreciated.  We look forward to our return to the road across Europe in the Spring, with North American dates to follow.  For those who did not make it out this last year, the Live In Poland set captures Toto well.  Next time, we’ll see you out there.  Happy Holidays to all, and thank you Toddstar.”

Read my CD Review HERE

37. Unbreakable – Knockout

Drummer Alex Ries and guitarist Pascal Alles had this to say: “We are excited to be picked as a top album released in 2014. It´s good to hear that you all like our album KNOCKOUT as much as we do. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a HAPPY & ROLLING NEW YEAR 2015 and hope to see you all on the road !!!! Keep on Rocking and let´s celebrate…..!!! UNBREAKABLE”

Read my CD Review HERE

38. Lordi – Scare Force One

Read my CD Review HERE

39. Mach22 – Sweet Talk Intervention

The band had this to say: “That’s awesome and thanks for the news!! it’s an honor, maybe we’ll get to number 1 soon!!”

Read my CD Review HERE

40. Shaman’s Harvest – Smokin’ Hearts & Broken Guns

Nathan Hunt, lead vocals, had this to say: We’re stoked that anybody would put us on their list. We got us a late start this year. Lets see what we can stir up next year. Gonna be one helluva season for Shaman’s and rock music.

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Interview with Nathan Hunt HERE

41. Tempt – Under My Skin

The band had this to say: “We’re really excited to have made the top 50 and can’t wait for the fans to hear the entire album. Thanks to Toddstar and everyone at 100% Rock for the support this year”

Read my CD Review HERE

42. One – World’s Collide 

Lead guitarist Chris Staniforth had this to say: “It is always an amazing feeling to be recognized for our work. Thanks to Todd and 100% for Supporting ROCK!”

Read my CD Review HERE

43. FLINTface – Hope

FLINTface had this to say: “I’m honored to be recognized by great people, among great people.”

Read my CD Review HERE

44. Jackie Evancho – Awakening

Read my CD Review HERE

45. Sherry Lynn – A Beautiful Life

Read my CD Review HERE

46. Blues Pills – Blues Pills

Read my CD Review HERE

47. Death Penalty – Death Penalty

Read my CD Review HERE

48. Flying Colors – Second Nature

Read my CD Review HERE

49. Shiran – Warm Winter Day

Shiran Avayou had this to say: “We are very thrilled to be on Toddstar’s best 2014 list. The support means everything to us. This year was very critical for ‘SHIRAN’, our first EP is out. Thank you for choosing us.”

Read my CD Review HERE

Read my Interview with Shiran HERE

50. Rhapsody Of Fire – Dark Wings Of Steel

Read my CD Review HERE

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