THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: March 2021 (Page 6 of 14)

KING’S X – Out Of The Silent Planet

March 19, 2021 /

King’s X – a band that really defies logic. The critics loved them! Every album got glowing 5 star reviews, and yet other than a hardcore following, they never got the sales they deserved. I tried to it work out myself numerous times, and other than being Christians and some of their songs having Christian elements (it’s not in your face like Stryper for example), and maybe the songs were quite complex in places, but I’m at a loss. They have the classic band set up, a three piece with guitar, bass, and drums – and one of them sings – so the music has a chance to breath. They have one of the best rock singers in Doug Pinnick, an amazing guitarist in Ty Tabor, and a killer drummer in Jerry Gaskill. Everything should have been gold for these guys.

In The New Age is a great opening track, and right from the get go you know these guys are a cut above everyone else. This was ’88, and they were so much better than what was around them. The absolute awesome Goldilocks is next. The ultimate power ballad with so much feel and soul in the vocal. It has an epic solo in the middle, with wonderful melodies and harmonies. It makes a grown man cry!

This is a Metal Blade reissue, so it’s a double heavyweight LP and the tracks are spaced out more. It’s on to Side 2 we go with The Power Of Love, which is a somewhat simple song, but with great harmonies and a killer solo it turns into a whole different uplifting song. Wonder follows and is another epic song. The way it builds and grows is a joy to hear, and again the vocals and harmonies are insane.

Change the disc and to Side 3 we go, and the quality continues with Sometimes. A great riff and more superb harmonies. They really do compliment each other with different tones in their voices. Every song on this album would be a centerpiece song for any other band, but they just keep rolling them out. King is next, and again another great song and more of the same epic writing and delivery. Just when you think they can’t get any better up pops What Is This. I’m running out of superlatives to bestow on this greatness. This is a contender for my desert island song. It has everything!!! A killer vocal with so much soul and feel, and superb guitar playing (not just in the solos) -it sounds so huge.

Over to Side 4 and yet more greatness with Far Far Away. Just take my word for it – another amazing tune. The very commercial sounding Shot Of Love is next, and in a real world it would have made the singles chart. Then we come to the big ending with the track Visions. This was a great tune live as the pace really picks up in the song, and Ty just wails on the guitar.

I know I say this a lot but you really need this album in your life and soul. I find it a very uplifting record. Just a heads up that their first 5 albums are this good.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

BUDGIE – Power Supply

March 19, 2021 /

It’s hard to believe, but Budgie’s first album was recorded back in ’71. This line up is basically the second coming of the band, as the record company had dropped them in ’78. Their founding guitarist, Tony Bourge, had left, and ex-George Hatcher band guitarist, John Thomas, was brought in for a last throw of the dice. A certain thrash band named Metallica had increased the interest of the band by doing a storming cover of their track Breadfan. There was an EP released before this album called If Swallowed Do Not Induce Vomiting, which included a killer track called Panzer Division Destroyed that went down really well with the NWOBHM crowd – so they went ahead and recorded this album. The sound is a lot heavier and raw to capitalize on what was happening in the scene at the time.

The album starts with Forearm Smash, a not-so subtle straight up metal stomper that sets the tone perfectly. Hellbender is next with a simple heavy riff that leads into a typical NWOBHM groove. Heavy Revolution is another basic rock riff that’s beefed up to get the metal sound. Side closer, Gunslinger, is more of an old Budgie vibe with its slow start and heavy twists and turns – with some tasty playing from Thomas. A great tune!

Side 2 opens with the title track, a great stomp along track to bang your head to. Secrets In My Head follows with a cool riff and a great groove – a change up from the four-to-the-floor on most of the album – and more tasty licks from Thomas. The slow paced intro to A Time To Remember is next, and it manages to keep my interest mainly due to a nice solo (ballads usually leave me cold). Album closer, Crime Against The World, is more stomp along metal goodness with an opening riff that is very reminiscent of Saxon.

Not a bad comeback album, and they would capitalize on its relative success by touring intensively. The next two albums would be more melody and song oriented.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

RAINBOW – Down To Earth

March 18, 2021 /

This is the album where Blackmore ditched the dungeons and dragons and went for a more commercial pop sound. With the discovery of vocalist Graham Bonnet ( who was only known for singing in an Aussie band called The Marbles), the new version was ready to go. In Bonnet, Ritchie had found an incredible talent with a strong powerful voice that was perfect for this type of rock.

The opening track, All Night Long, is a great tune and was a hit single all over the world, and showed everyone Bonnet’s talents. If anyone was in any doubt that Blackmore had sold out, a more recognizable vibe was present with the next track Eyes Of The World, which sees a long solo piece to keep the faithful happy. No Time To Lose is next up and is a straight up rock n roller. Side closer, Makin Love, is ballad city with some nice classical guitar from Blacker’s at the intro.

Over to Side 2 we go and the best known track from the band’s history, Since You’ve Been Gone. Unless you have been on a different planet for the past 40 years, you cannot have missed this song – this was as commercial as Blackmore came. DIO could never have sung this. Love’s No Friend is next up, and is pure Deep Purple in vibe – I wonder if this was a left over riff?! Danger Zone has a cool choppy riff and a great vocal from Bonnet. That brings us to the album closer, Lost In Hollywood, a decent rockin’ tune.

Bonnet only lasted this one album before he was gone. He would later join MSG for the great Assault Attack album. Not a bad album and was a success sales wise.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GAMMA – 1

March 18, 2021 /

I assume everyone has heard of Montrose and how they were touted as America’s version of Led Zeppelin. Well, after they imploded in late ’76, Ronnie toured as a solo artist before teaming up with Scottish singer, Davey Pattinson, to form Gamma. In Pattinson, Ronnie had a vocalist in the similar vain as Sam the Sham Hagar, but with a more soulful tinge to his voice. So the hard rockin’ tunes were nailed down, but now they had the option of doing more laid back grooves as well. Add to the that, the embracing of the synthesizer as a lead instrument, and the opportunities were endless for the band. This album sees more of a reliance on the rock element – with synths added for effect, but subsequent albums, especially the 3rd album, the keys would be more upfront.

The album kicks off with the excellent Thunder And Lightning, a great fast paced rocker with a great vocal and killer guitar. I’m Alive is almost a synth pop tune before it became fashionable. Razor King is another killer tune with a great melody and an almost Scottish feel at times – and some superb playing from Ronnie. Close out track on Side 1 is another great pop song, No Tears, with a great vocal from Davey. Awesome tune!

Side 2 starts off with the spacey instrumental Solar Heat. This shows how to use a synth within a rock band to great effect – emphasizing both synth and guitar and showcasing both. A very atmospheric opening piece. Uptempo rocker, Ready For Action, follows and this is what the band were really good at- foot to the floor hard driving tunes. Wish I Was is a killer blues based tune that highlights both Ronnie’s playing and Davey’s vocal range and feel. The synth led, Fight To The Finish, closes out the album in fine style with its dark brooding vibe. Again, more killer guitar from Ronnie – how sadly missed he is.

The verdict is in – it’s another great album and has aged a lot better than others from this era. Remember this was released in ’79 and was ahead of its time with its style and sound.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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