A busy week of listening with concert prep (should be there upon this post going live) and the laborious effort of deciding the best albums of 2021.

1. Everclear (various)

Everclear concert tonight! Hopefully better than last time. Refreshed with some of their hits, some deeper cuts like “Portland Rain” which would make complete sense if played, and listened through their last album just in case they played some off it. Not looking forward to the venue or heading downtown, but I got someone else to drive. Woo hoo!

2. Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag and A Little Respect (songs)

So, Wheatus opens tonight. Name sounded familiar but I had no real recollection of them. I listened to their famous song “Teenage Dirtbag” which I had never heard before and their cover “A Little Respect.” That was enough for me. No need to show up on time. But it would be cool if they hit the road with Korn on the Whole Grain Tour. I wouldn’t go but fun name they can use.

3. Rush – Lessons and Countdown (songs)

“Lessons” for a pending post but “Countdown” because my brother asked if I hear the guitar/bass melody at the two minute mark in…

4. Coldplay – Clocks (song)

…the piano melody in “Clocks.” It took a few listens of comparing and contrasting but I can hear it even if subtly.

5. Styx – Crash of the Crown (album)

Styx latest and some might argue near their greatest. A concept album from these classic prog rockers approaching 50 years in the music making business was released in June. Stay tuned to see if it made the Top 10 Best Albums of 2021. You can read my review here.

6. Duran Duran – Future Past (album)

Duran Duran released their latest last month. It was an interesting listen having put this aside for just a few weeks. You can read my review here.

7. Alice Cooper – Detroit Stories – (album)

Another old school rocker who used the pandemic to get some writing done, Alice Cooper released his 21^st solo album in March. A few covers on it might impact its ranking on the Top albums of 2021 list but at 73 years old Alice sounds like Alice and besides, Detroit Stories had 15 songs. You can read my review here.