Sick

Former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan, who now holds that position in Velvet Revolver, also maintains a lower-profile career with this Seattle-based band. "Sick" is McKagan and Loaded's first album in eight years, so introductions may be in order: The lineup includes drummer Geoff Reading from Green Apple Quickstep and Alien Crime Syndicate guitarist Mike Squires and bassist Jeff Rouse. McKagan succeeds as a singer on these songs with simple, straightforward, honest and infectious hooks. He understands what people want from these tunes, which are lyrics they can sing along with and bop their heads to. He's particularly effective on "Translucent," which will have you instantly singing the words that you never heard before. Rock warrior McKagan even sounds comfortable on "Mother's Day" which could be described as soft punk.—Patrea L. Patterson

via Billboard