THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: February 16, 2021

JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND – High Roller

February 16, 2021 /

Ahh Capricorn Records, everyone’s favourite Southern Rock label. Just about every one involved with the genre has passed through their doors at some point. I am attracted to most bands on this label, as guitars were always high on the list of priorities for them. So when I found this in a sale bin and saw the label, I took a punt. Unfortunately for me, this is one that maybe passed the label quality department.

It’s not bad, it’s just average country/rock with dabs of funk thrown in for variety. Listen to opener Shot Down Love and Love Is A Thing on Side 1 to see what I mean. Schoolin’ Them Dice with its standard blues shuffle is an ok tune, done way better by The Allmans. Turning the beast over does not improve things that much as the songs are just not strong enough. The playing is fine, you can only work with what you have. The best song is saved to last with the boogie of Ten Page Letter, which is a fun tune. This is one of those bands that if you saw them in a roadhouse deep down south on a Saturday night when your smashed on JD, you would probably love them.

5/10 from The Grooveman.

STEVEN WILSON – Hand Cannot Erase

February 16, 2021 /

!WARNING! This is in my top ten records EVER!!! Prepare for a gushing review.

This is SW’s 7,000,000th release across a myriad of projects, but technically it’s his 4th studio release as a solo artist. The concept and idea behind this album is pretty amazing. There was a lady called Joyce Carol Vincent whose body was found in her apartment badly decomposed. She had been laying there for over two years. I know what your thinking, she was an old lady that was alone, but no, she was a 35 year old women with family and friends. The album uses this as inspiration and is told from the female perspective.

There is not one second on this album that I do not love. Everything from the writing, production, playing and the art is just amazing. The songs have so much depth and emotion put into them. This was also the best line up he had with him. Guthrie Govan, Marco Minneman, Nick Beggs and Adam Holzman is a killer line up of muso’s, and they give everything to the songs. Guthrie’s contribution on Home Invasion/Regret#9 is worth buying the album alone. Incredible playing! Marco brought so much to the table here. Each song was given that little something extra that I’m not sure your average drummer could have done.

Listen to the whole piece from the beginning and I can guarantee that when you get to Happy Returns you will be in tears. Such a beautiful piece. I know there have been 2 albums released after this masterpiece, and they are both good in their own way, but put them along side this, and they have big shoes to fill. The surround sound version of this is incredible, and if you are lucky enough to have the deluxe box set, the artwork and detail is incredible. If you are somewhat unsure of where to dive into SW’s vast catalogue then you should jump in here. I guarantee you will be blown away by the sheer quality of this album.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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