5. Hardline - Human NatureTo be honest, I wasn't expecting a Hardline album to be this good! Only Johnny Gioeli remains from the original line up, and with Ramos and the Italian contingent in the fold, it made for their finest release since their superb debut. The first four songs are some of the finest they have produced and its like a Nitrous boost to the lug 'oles.
Does what it says on the tin. Dante Fox have plugged along for God only knows how long and seem to eclipse the previous album releases. This is no exception, its pure quality from Manford and Willetts. Songs like 'Dynamite' and 'Young Hearts' are two of the best of the year. Highly polished and top drawer melodic rock
In any other world (1985), or any other time (1985), Vega would be huge. To be honest, they still deserve to be. Few bands pen such huge songs like the Brothers Martin. They even do it for other bands. On 'Who We Are', practically every song is an anthem. Now this could prove a bit tiresome, but not when the quality is as high and consistent as this lot. The best British melodic band that wasnt formed in the 80s...or 90s!
The debut album from The Defiants is bloody huge. Thankfully its not just a Perugino project to shift some CDs. And rightly so...as songs like 'Love and Bullets' and 'Waiting On A Heartbreak' are just pure ear pronography. It was a clear runner for my fave album of the year, but because of Brexit, I'm sticking with the Brits, and this.......
'Go Ask The Moon' is a superior release than what was already an excellent debut. Its choc full of huge choruses and sumptuous harmonies. Jackson is in the form of his life, and Tony Bell and Steve Kenny certainly have listened and learned from the best and come up with an album of pure quality. 'Heartbreak Railroad Company' is one of the best songs of the year. Who'd have thought a Brit would have penned a song quite like this....
