Best of 2010

WAYNE

Albums:

1. Deftones - Diamond Eyes
2. Ghost - Opus Eponymous
3. Kvelertak - self-titled
4. Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier
5. Black Breath - Heavy Breathing
6. High on Fire - Snakes for the Divine

Honorable Mention (alphabetical)
Agalloch - Marrow of the Spirit
Intronaut - Valley of Smoke
Ludicra - The Tenant
Triptykon - Eparistera Daimones



Live Shows:
1. Roger Waters performs the Wall at United Center
2. Iron Maiden at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
3. Black Tusk every damn time they played Chicago (but particularly opening for Weedeater at Reggie's)
4. Rush at Northerly Island
5. American Carnage with Slayer, Megadeth, and Testament
6. Ozzfest with Ozzy, Motley Crue, Halford, Goatwhore, Skeletonwitch, etc.


MARK

Albums:

1. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
2. Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier
3. Y & T - Facemelter
4. Dawnbringer - Nucleus
5. Ben Folds and Nick Hornby - Lonely Avenue
6. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 2- Return of the Ankh

Live Shows:

1. Devin Townsend Lincoln Hall
2. Idina Menzel
3. Iron Maiden
4. Queensryche
5. Suzanne Vega
6. Scorpions


MYCHE

Albums:

1. Richard Thompson – Dream Attic
2. The Sword – Warp Riders
3. Accept – Blood of the Nations
4. Y&T – Facemelter
5. Gil Scott-Heron – I’m New Here
6. Triptykon - Eparistera Daimones

Live Shows:

1. Devin Townsend @ Lincoln Hall
2. High and Lonesome @ The Mill, Iowa City, IA
3. Bob Mould @ Old Town School of Folk Music
4. John Doe @ Schuba’s
5. Greg Brown @ SPACE
6. Texas Tornados @ Old Town School of Folk Music

Honorable Mentions (chronologically): Project/Object @ Martyrs’, Merle Haggard/Kris Kristofferson @ Rosemont Theatre, Rush @ Charter One, Ugly Radio Rebellion @ Reggie’s Music Joint, Loudon Wainwright @ SPACE, Iron Maiden @ First Midwest, Black Cobra/Howl/Struck By Lightning/Hunters @ Empty Bottle, Roger Waters @ United Center, Joe Price @ Buddy Guy’s, Accept/King’s X @ Arcada Theatre, Nevermore @ The Rave, Richard Thompson @ Vic Theatre

51 shows in 2010, hereafter to be referred to as “The Year.” I don’t think this one will ever be topped. It was just incredible. It was very hard to pick my Top 6. #1-5 were nothing short of magical, and I’m not sure I’ve ever smiled, sang out loud and slapped my leg more at a show than #6. Some of the honorable mentions could have topped my list in a normal year. Given the magnitude of the year, I need to make some other special mentions:

Best opening band: Black Tusk (opened on three shows, and kicked ass every time), King’s X (I’ve tried to get into them 2-3 times before to no avail – their live show clinched it)

Best surprise setlist for me, but lots of people bitched: Iron Maiden (play as much off Brave New World as you want – so glad I didn’t peek at setlists before the show!)

Why you don’t miss shows from one of your favorite bands: Y&T at Melodic Rock Fest – tickets were expensive and the rest of the bands were awful, but it turned out to be the last time Mark and I will see Phil Kennemore play live. So long, pal, you will be missed.