REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: May 6, 2021

GEDDY LEE – My Favourite Headache

So what would the bass player/vocalist of one of the world’s most iconic and distinct bands actually sound like? Well, would it sound like the singer of Rush being Rush but without the band? Or would you do something complete unexpectedly and left field? Unfortunately, the answer is somewhere in between as there are tracks that could be Rush (around the Signals period) and there are tracks where he is trading to sound anything but Rush. The problem when you have a voice as easily recognizable as Geddy’s, it’s hard to change people’s perception.

Anyway, for most part it’s a really enjoyable album with more simplistic song structures. Using musicians that are not on the radar of most people like Ben Mink on guitars (who I only know from working with KD Lang), and Matt Cameron from Pearl Jam on drums. They are maybe not the people you would expect him to work with. Speaking of Pearl Jam, it does have a slight Seattle feel to the album. Stand out tracks for me are the opening and title track, My Favourite Headache, which is a great heavy sounding track. Moving To Bohemia with it’s weird opening rhythm and groove. Home On The Strange with it’s strange funked up groove – it’s probably the best track on the album. Funnily enough, these three tracks are the the most Rush sounding tracks on the album, and believe me, I’m not the world’s biggest Rush fan. This was recorded over 20 years ago now and he hasn’t done another one, who knows, maybe one day he will try again.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

TYLER BRYANT & THE SHAKEDOWN – Wild Child

There seems to be a ton of these Roots Rock/ Americana Blues type bands coming out of the woodwork at the minute, and it definitely is flavour of the month to have that earthy sound. With that in mind, this album was recorded back in 2013 so maybe they were ahead of the curve. In fact, Tyler had been around for about 15 years when he launched the Tyler Bryant band. Whether it’s pure coincidence or not, there is a strong Aerosmith vibe on some of the tracks, and Brad Whitford’s son Graham plays guitar as part of the group.

Opening track, Fools Gold, is a great opening track and the retro rock vibe is kicking hard. Lipstick Wonder Woman has a country rock vibe with a great guitar sound. Cold Heart has a really dirty sleazy groove – it is a great tune with a big rock ending. Downtown Tonight is pure Nashville country blues with a really cool groove and harmony – with plenty of fuzz guitar. Say A Prayer follows and has one hell of a dirty fuzzed up gospel groove. Great tune! House That Jack Built closes out Side 1 and has a very ZZ Top feel to the intro, before more fuzzed up goodness ensues.

Side 2 opens with Last One Leaving, and it’s Nashville country blues time with the big chant vocals. Still Young (Hey Kids) is next up and could be any power pop band from the eighties – it has single written all over it. You Got Me Baby follows and is another earworm song that just sticks in your head for all the right reasons. House On Fire starts with real punked up attitude, and is raw rock n roll romp. Penultimate track, Where I Want You, again is a killer tune with a deep seventies retro groove that kicks ass. All to soon – the last track, Poor Boys Dream, starts with an acoustic slide intro and is a modern take on a delta blues vibe. A really enjoyable album and a good addition to anyone’s collection.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.