The year’s greatest rock releases – and what we said about ’em.
It’s half way through 2009, and already we’re up to our eyes in great albums. Over the next 5 days we’ll post up our 50 favourite albums of the past 6 months so far – which of these will make the final end-of-year polls?

Here, in no particular order, are the first 10…

Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound
When Sweet Sleep Returned (Tee Pee)
“Thanks to warm analogue tones, Byrdsian jangle and thick layers of reverb and fuzz, When Sweet Sleep Returned covers all conceivable nostalgic bases while remaining audibly attached to the snappy, melting pot ethos of more current groove merchants like Howlin’ Rain and Comets On fire. It’s frequently mesmerising stuff, and the perfect soundtrack for the glorious summer that we’re clearly not going to get.” (Dom Lawson)
Get a free sample track here. http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/tee-pee-tuesday-assemble-head-in-surround-sound/

Chickenfoot
Chickenfoot (Edel)
“If putting the names Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Chad Smith and Joe Satriani into the same hat, shaking it up and seeing what comes out, sounds like the ideal recipe for an aristically ego-driven, commercially sexed-up disaster, the reality, as evinced by this more-impressive-with-every-spin collection, is, blissfully, something entirely different. Indeed, for some of the players involved, this may be the best thing they’ve ever put their famous names to.” (Mick Wall)
Hear samples here: http://www.myspace.com/thechickenfoot

Spinnerette
Spinnerette (Hassle/Anthem)
“Brody Dalle is currently the finest female front woman in rock, bar none. With The Distillers she swiped Courtney Love’s mojo and claimed Joan Jett’s crown of thorns with her lacerating, glass-shattering vocals. Now… she returns with Spinnerette…. An eclectic/electric stew underpinned by Dalle’s feisty uncompromising chutzpah that demands your attention.” (Peter Makowski)
Watch the video for Ghetto Love here: http://www.spinnerettemusic.com/ghetto-love-hi

Steel Panther
Feel The Steel (Island)
“Unlike most musical genres, heavy metal is capable of sustaining a few mocking blows. Particularly when the piss-takers are as obviously schooled in the music as Steel Panther… A potent blend of Motley Crue, Poison, W.A.S.P. and Guns N’ Roses, the Steel Panther sound is genuinely heavy and executed with flair; facts that provide monetary distraction from the lyrics’ relentless stream of inspired adolescent filth.” (Dom Lawson)
Listen and watch them here: http://www.steelpantherrocks.com/videosMusic.aspx

Manic Street Preachers
Journal For Plague Lovers (Columbia)
“The fair weather fans who greeted Send Away The Tigers as a return to familiar form are likely to be scared and bewildered by Journal For Plague Lovers. But those who can detach it from the Manics’ legacy might eventually find this challenging, complex album to be the band’s most compelling in at least a decade.” (Jonathan Lewis)
Hear samples here: http://www.manicstreetpreachers.com/global/discography/all/albums/all/journal_for_plague_lovers_1

Saxon
Into The Labyrinth (SPV)
“They are quite simply, one of the greatest heavy metal bands that Britain has ever produced, and this album proves, in flashes, that they’ve still got what it takes.” (Paul Elliott)
Hear songs here: http://www.myspace.com/planetsaxon

The Damned
So, Who’s Paranoid (The English Channel)
“Many fans will prefer to wallow in dewy-eyed nostalgia, but So Who’s Paranoid? Does not sound like the work of a band content to sit on their legendary status and count the ticket stubs. Vibrant, charismatic and brimming with a sense of real joy at the notion of making a right old racket, this is as deliciously contrary to the blkand and sterile spirit of the age as anything that came out in 1976.” (Dom Lawson)
Visit their website: http://www.officialdamned.com/

Logan
Cruel Little World (Guardian Angel)
“Big-sounding melodic rockers from Glasgow, Logan take their cue from the post-grunge movement spearheaded by Creed and Nickelback… In an oft-repeated British tradition, Logan are batting back an American style with interest.” (Hugh Fielder)
Download a free track here: http://www.teamlogan.co.uk/free/

The Answer
Everyday Demons (Albert)
“With songs as good as these The Answer look set to make good on their early promise. Many bands have stumbled on their second album, The Darkness, Bon Jovi and Iron Maiden among them. Wisely, The Answer haven’t tried anything fancy with Everyday Demons. They have just raised their game, on every level. The future of classic rock is in good hands.” (Paul Elliott)
Watch the video to On and On: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYHbGEZjBk8

Hot Leg
Red Light Fever (Barbecue Rock)
“Bugger the credit crunch. If this album doesn’t put a smile on your face, consult your GP immediately. Hot Leg, as common parlance would have it, are the absolute tits. (Justin) Hawkins may never match his earlier triumphs or win over his detractors, but this leg could run and run. Or maybe hop.” (Dom Lawson)
Watch the video for Cocktails: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOLthJnrdEY

Come back tomorrow for the next 10…