2024 #20 - #11 Best Stoner Rock Albums

 2024 Top Twenty Stoner Rock Albums (#20-11)

I'm confident that all of these albums in my #20-11 are, deservingly, in someone else's top 10. 

 

#20: Leather Lung: Graveside Grin

This Massachusetts band has great musicians, great songwriting, and "CHARASMA".  I have listened to this album on and off all year long.

#19: Black Elephant: The Fall Of The Gods

Back-to-back Black Elephant albums made my year-end top 20 lists.  More great Italian stoner rock.

#18: Mammoth Volume: Raised Up By Witches

When Mammoth Volume got back together, they didn't try to pick up where they left off.  Rather, they embarked on a mission to explore new ideas and boldly go where few bands have gone before.  Try to see how many different band influences you hear in some of these tunes; it's amazing

#17: Greenleaf: The Head & The Habit

While Mammoth Volume is definitely Swedish stoner rock royalty, Greenleaf is easily in the average person's top 5 Swedish stoner rock bands list.  Greenleaf has not slowed down, and have evolved their songwriting and production games.  As with the other albums in this list, this is top ten worthy.

#16: Mr. Bison: Echoes From The Universe

Three Italian bands in a row.  Mr. Bison leveled up on this album, being heavy and polished simultaneously.  There are Yes comparisons to be made at times.  This album is a ten out of ten 

#15: Free Ride: Acido y Puto

Can a Spanish band sound more like California desert rock than California desert rock itself?

Yes

#14: Monkey3: Welcome To The Machine

Sixth European band in a row, Monkey3 are from Switzerland.  These four words will say more than anything else I could write would:

Best Monkey3 album yet.

#13: Planet of Zeus: Afterlife

Make that seven European bands in a row.  There was a time when calling Planet Of Zeus "Greek Clutch" might have pointed you in the right direction, but Planet of Zeus have evolved so much, other bands should be flattered if they get compared to Planet of Zeus.  I wouldn't argue with you if you picked this one for #1 album of the year.

#12: Delving: All Paths Diverge

Nick DiSalvo lives in Germany now; do we call this the eighth European band in a row on this list, or the second Massachusetts band since that's where he started?  I like this as much as any Elder album.  Again, a number-one-worthy album

#11: Fu Manchu: The Return Of Tomorrow

This is instantly one of Fu Manchu's greatest albums, so it's got to be a special year for an album of this caliber not to be in my top 10.  Spoiler alert:  Bob Balch plays on three of my top 20 album picks

Desert Rock Classic

 

FREE RIDE: ACIDO Y PUTO

It's Old, It's New, It's An Instant Classic:

Ten Out Of Ten

If you play this album for stoner rock fans who are unfamiliar with Free Ride, every one of them will guess this band is from California, and a few may even think you're playing a Fu Manchu or a Nebula album they've never heard of.  This is why I say it's old; it is reminiscent of the early "desert rock" bands.  But this is no rip-off or re-hash of any classic tunes.  Rather, it's a set of nine flawless tracks that pay homage to that old sound while being one hundred percent fresh and new.

I had "hearted" every single track on this album after just the first listen, and still can't get enough.  Easily one of the very best albums of the year for me, but check out a couple of these for yourself:

Here's "Outsider":

And here's the trippy album opener, "Space Nomad":

Free Ride are from Spain, and are:

These are by no means the best tracks on the album; the rest are equally great, and you can order this gem here on Bandcamp.

TWO PLUS ONE

Two New Plus One Ancient Treasure

FREE RIDE

Released ten days before Nebula's latest album 'Holy Shit", this self-titled album from Madrid's "Free Ride" makes me feel like I got two Nebula albums this spring.  With the exception of the first and the last tune (which remind me a bit of Maha Sohona), Free Ride sounds remarkably like late-90's Nebula.    Check out "Nowhere Fast"; I can't get enough of Borja's guitar playing on this one:

Free Ride are:

Carlos Bedmar - drums 
Victor Bedmar - bass 
Borja Fresno - guitar/vocals

VALLEY OF THE SUN: OLD GODS

This Cincinnati band has been putting out great music since 2010, and on May 24th released 11 stoner rock classics, collectively titled "Old Gods."  At times reminiscent of Queens of the Stone Age, Brant Bjork, Stone Temple Pilots, Sonora Ritual and Colossa, among others.  Excellent songwriting and quality of production.  Check out "Dim Vision":

Valley Of The Sun are:

Ryan Ferrier-Guitar/Vocals
Aaron Boyer-Drums
Chris Sweeney-Bass and Keys
Josh Pilot-Guitar

TREASURE UNEARTHED:

When I went looking for the Free Ride self-titled album on Bandcamp, I noticed there was a band called Freeride from Massachusetts.  I gave a quick listen out of curiosity, and discovered a gem that has been lying undisturbed and unknown to the world:

FREERIDE: QUALITY & FRESHNESS

Released almost 20 years ago, on January 1st, 2001, this 'name your price' album sounds like what you would get if you put the bands Skindred, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, King's X and Gangsta Bitch Barbie in a blender and hit 'puree'.  These guys were really good musicians, and every tune on this album is worthy.  It bothered me that nobody had paid for this album so even though I could have downloaded it for free, I paid five bucks and sent the band a note in case they still check their bandcamp account.  It's like putting money into a street musician's guitar case...twenty years later.  Anyhow, try out "Don't Beg":

Lots of variety of music on this one, from reggae to metal to funk, all really well done.
Can't find any information about these folks, but they are listed on Bandcamp as :

TC - Vocals, guitar 
Weltron - Vocals, drums 
Frogs - Bass

I'd love to know if any of the three are still playing music today.  I have been enjoying the whole album though, and hope some of you will appreciate it also.

Stay heavy; catch you soon

-ULTRA