Best of 2024
A bit of a predictability about 2024's winners, however proving exactly why they are the best of the best. Here's Let There Be Rock's eventual winners for Best Album, Single, Breakthrough Artist and Live Act. Click the links to read the full reviews.
Best Album of 2024
Magnum - Here Comes The Rain
Released 12th January 2024
In the music industry there are only a select few who make a career spanning fifty years, and even less that remain consistently at the top of their game. British rock band Magnum formed in 1972, and have released an impressive collection of 23 studio albums throughout their lengthy career. Massively underrated and often overlooked, the band headed by vocalist Bob Catley, and until his untimely passing early in 2024, guitarist/songwriter Tony Clarkin, have been the at the helm of one the greatest ever rock bands. Few bands can be as instantly identifiable by their sound, and Magnum’s twenty third album ‘Here Comes The Rain’ unveiled on the 12th January 2024, via SPV Steamhammer, was no different. Released only 5 days after Tony Clarkin passed away, the album has served as a fitting parting gift from a man who, in my opinion was incapable of ever writing a bad song.
Prior to the album release the first single came in the form of ‘Blue Tango’, a track ever so typical of the Magnum style, radio friendly, feel good, and a perfect rocker to capture the attention. This was followed up by quite possibly one of my favourite tracks on the album, ‘The Seventh Darkness’. There’s no mistaking the fact that the unique combination of Tony and Bob bring that typical Magnum trademark sound to every album, but to the surprise of listeners the second single perfectly incorporates some extra elements in the form a brass section, this is courtesy of guest musicians Chris ‘BeeBe’ Aldridge (saxophone) and Nick Dewhurst (trumpet), who complement Tony’s guitar and add that extra depth to the track, really making it stand out on the album.
(Read full review HERE)
Best Single of 2024
FM - Out Of The Blue
Lifted from Old Habits Die Hard released 3rd May 2024
For those of you who are regular listeners of the Let There Be Rock show, you will have been expecting an appearance in the best of 2024 from the mighty FM, unashamedly my favourite band, if indeed DJs are allowed to be bias. In 2024 the AOR veterans celebrated their 40th anniversary with the release of their 14th studio album ‘Old Habits Die Hard’, and an extensive globe trotting tour with 50 shows in 15 countries. This included the band’s first ever shows in South America.
In 2024, despite it being their 40th year, there was extra motivation for the band to make it a memorable one. The production of ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ the previous year was during some difficult times. Keyboardist Jem Davis received a cancer diagnosis in early 2023, delaying recording, although thankfully he was given the all clear after treatment. Then unexpectedly former FM guitarist and founding member Chris Overland, brother to frontman Steve Overland, suddenly passed away, followed only two days later by close friend and guitar legend Bernie Marsden, hitting the band hard on a personal level. Despite these tough times, the tragedies that plagued them throughout the recording process only reinforced FM’s resolve and desire to make the best album that they could to represent their 40 years in the business. The new album was finally released on Friday 3rd May 2024 via Frontiers Records.
Prior to the albums release we had a taster of what we could expect from the latest instalment, in the form of the single ‘Out Of The Blue’. The track heavily echoing its AOR heritage, with keyboardist Jem Davis once again the source of another fantastically crafted song. Drawing on influences from the likes of Toto and Foreigner, and putting in the those all important old school FM elements, a catchy chorus, an enriching guitar solo, and of course Steve Overland’s ageless and pitch perfect melodic vocals.
(Read full review HERE)
Breakthrough Artist of 2024
Collateral
Album: Should Have Known Better released 24th May 2024
The Let There Be Rock chosen breakthrough artist of 2024 goes to a British rock band who bring all the swagger and energy of a bygone era. Formed in 2018 Collateral have been on the verge of a breakthrough for some time. Ever since hearing their first single ‘Midnight Queen’ taken from their debut EP ‘4 Shots’ I felt there was something special about the band. Channelling their inner 1980s hair metal style, mixed with a modern take on what the genre should look and sound like in current times, they fly the flag for the British, in a resurgence of the old school glam metal.
In a time when rock isn’t as mainstream, and standing out from your peers gets drown out in a sea of social media posts, Collateral have let their live performances do the talking. After all there’s nothing better than standing out against 200,000 other entrants to win a support slot for Jon Bon Jovi on his Runaway to Paradise Mediterranean cruise, which they did back in 2019. One of many achievements of the band that opened up exciting new doors for the Kent-based rockers.
(Read full review HERE)
Live Act Of 2024
Bryan Adams
@ The Piece Hall, Halifax, 23rd June 2024
For the second year running the chosen ‘Best Live Act’ of the year has come from an artist performing in my home town of Halifax, at the historical and increasingly popular temporary summer time music venue that is The Piece Hall. For those of you unfamiliar with it, it is a unique grade I listed former Georgian cloth hall, dating back to 1779, the oldest of its kind in the world.
Over the past three years the large open-air courtyard has played host to an ever increasing number of world renowned performers, from a variety of musical genres. This past year I was very lucky to see The Stranglers, KoRn and Bryan Adams play there. Some big names for a once run down area of a small northern town.
The biggest and best of those was Canadian pop/rock legend Bryan Adams. An artist who’s 1985 album ‘Reckless’ launched him into the stratosphere of popular music. Like many, I was a big fan of his growing up in the late 80s and early 90s. The once multi-platinum number one charting musician, highly in demand on every tour, and more accustom to playing stadiums in cities rather than smaller niche venues, was always going to be a popular choice. As you can imagine, getting hold of tickets was tense to say the least, and the less said about dynamic pricing and ticket touts the better. An experience that left a bitter taste. especially for those that didn’t manage to get tickets in the first wave of pre-sale.
Thankfully my friend had managed to secure tickets, and as it turned out I wasn’t the only one excited to be finally getting the chance to see the Canadian icon live. Despite the fact I had heard mixed reviews about his current performances, and rumours that he tended to favour his more pop-based hits rather than his early 80s rockier numbers, it didn’t dampen the excitement.
(Read full review HERE)
