THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: March 2021 (Page 13 of 14)

REO SPEEDWAGON – Nine Lives

March 3, 2021 /

For me, this was the beginning of the end for the band, because after this they released Hi Infidelity, and any ounce of credibility went out of the window. They just became a Ballad cash cow for the record company, until it all ended, and hello chicken-in-a-basket circuit. If you want to know what REO really sound like, then give this a spin.

Heavy On Your Love kicks off in great style with a killer rockin’ tune complete with monster solo from Gary Richrath, who sadly is no longer with us. Drop It follows, and is a typical mid-west rock song with a big chorus and everything. Only The Strong Survive could have been a Cheap Trick song as it has that power pop feel. Easy Money is a standard rock and roll tune, and to close things out there is a cover of a Chuck Berry classic – Rock & Roll music, which is a decent enough cover but why not an original song? These type of covers should be left for encores only.

Anyhoo, Side 2 kicks in with Take Me, which has a cool funky groove which you do not expect. I Need You Tonight starts with an almost country feel and is the worst song here. Definitely a filler track. Meet Me On The Mountain is a soft rock standard tune with a great chorus. Which brings us to the album closer, Back On The Road Again, and in my opinion is the best track the band recorded. Funnily enough, it’s the only song that Cronin doesn’t sing on. Bruce Hall the bass player does. I’m a sucker for a great riff, even though this is a simple one.

So that’s it, the ninth album with nine tracks and it’s called Nine Lives. Superstitious anyone? Oh and not a ballad in sight!

8/10 from The Grooveman.

THE CULT – Love

March 3, 2021 /

What was once Southern Death Cult, and basically an indie goth band, transformed into what has now become a big rock behemoth (with a little stop off at Death Cult in between). This is the second album as The Cult, and the indie stylings and sounds are still evident. This is my favourite period of the band as it’s quite a unique sound. Lots of echo and chorus on the guitar, and lots of echo on the vocals. This was the album that broke them big as the singles, She Sells Sanctuary, and Rain, were big songs.

The two opening tracks, Nirvana, and Big Neon Glitter, have a big goth/pop vibe to them and are two great songs. Love is next, and has a very retro-rock vibe and a killer vocal from Astbury. Brother Wolf Sister Moon is up next, and is a slow haunting song – until the end where it cranks up the volume. However, it is the weakest song so far. Rain is next, and the quality goes up considerably – what a great choice for a single!

Over to Side 2 we go and the big gothic opening of Phoenix – with wah-wah peddle a go-go and a very late 60’s vibe. Great tune! Hollow Man follows, and the trademark echo/chorus picked opening. This could only be The Cult. Revolution is next and is, apart from the chorus, another filler song that could have been left off the album. Probably the best known Cult song, She Sells Sanctuary graces us with its presence next, and is just a great tune. With the picked riff intro, and simplistic beat – plus an ear worm of a chorus – you can’t go wrong. It’s kept them in beer and smokes for a few years that’s for sure. Close out track, Black Angel, is almost Zeppelin at the intro, and frankly speaking, is a bit of a weak ending to the album.

Could they be Bradford’s finest musical export?

8/10 from The Grooveman.

DUANE ALLMAN – An Anthology

March 2, 2021 /

This album is basically a tribute to Skydog, who died tragically at the age of 25 after being involved in an accident while riding his motorcycle. Unbelievably, he was only recording for just over 3 years, and during that time a legend was born. This compilation takes from the session days at the legendary Fame studios in Muscle Shoals, to the final recordings with the Allman Brothers on the Eat A Peach album. Not only was he a great slide and lead player, but he could play for the song.

The R&B tracks recorded at Fame that are here are just fantastic. The Clarence Carter track, The Road Of Love, is dirty old school soul with some great playing from Duane. There is a BB King medley, and Goin Down Slow by Jack Dupree, that Duane recorded under his own name at Fame in ’68, which are included. The more famous collaborations are also included with Livin’ On The Open Road by Delaney/Bonnie, and Friends and Layla from Derek and the Dominoes, which I’m sure everyone will know. The last side of the album are all Allman Brothers tracks, which highlight Duane’s amazing six string talents.

As compilations go, this is a good representation of what Duane was all about as a player, and is a fitting tribute to iconic character.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

TANGERINE DREAM – Force Majeure

March 2, 2021 /

This is the last of album of the classic line up, it’s also the last from their most creative mid-seventies Virgin period. They were at the forefront of German progressive music from there inception in 1970. They were also considered pioneers of electronic music – even though they were not exclusively electronic as conventional weapons were also used. A very prolific band, as they have released over 100 albums so far, and this is album number 11. Although only a single LP, there are only 3 tracks.

The whole of Side 1 is taken up by the title track. I have a love/hate relationship with electronic music, I am not so enamored with electro/pop, but I really like progressive/experimental music. They are perfect albums to relax and wind down to. This is no exception, the 18 minutes of Side 1 lets you immerse yourself completely into the whole experience.

The two tracks on Side 2, Cloudburst Flight, and Thru Metamorphic Rocks, are basically more of the same. Cloudburst does have a very Pink Floyd beginning and is a really good track. The last track starts quite conventionally, before the true depth of exploration of the band comes to the fore. This is considered to be one of the band’s more melodic outings as there is more of a song structure to the pieces. In 2015, band leader and founder, Edgar Froese, died and the band still exist with his blessing.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2025 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑