THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: May 2021 (Page 12 of 15)

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – Automata I

May 8, 2021 /

I’ll admit to loving this band, as I find them quite refreshing in their approach. They are celebrating their 21st anniversary this year. It’s very hard to pin them down musically as they cover multiple styles and genres within songs, but tech metal seems to fit what they do quite accurately.

This album is Part 1 of a 2 album set that released separately in 2018. The concept behind this masterpiece is “what if you were able to view the dreams of others” like broadcasting them to the world. 6 tracks clocking in at 35 minutes. First track, Condemned To The Gallows, basically introduces the dream scenario with the music, which is all over the map with deep chunky grooves, soaring vocals, and the usual great guitar playing. The relatively short, House Organ, is supremely heavy and leads into the Side 1 showpiece, Yellow Eyes, which takes the listener through a myriad of styles, but the playing from all concerned is stellar.

Millions opens up Side 2 and has a serene opening with an earworm vocal before heaviness returns – it is a real progressive track. The short connecting piece, Gold Distance, ushers in Side 2 showcase track, Blot. There is not a spare second of time that is wasted and not filled with awesome notes that fly forth from all involved. This is one of my favourite BTBAM tracks as it has everything that I love about this band. This is Prog metal heaven. It’s worth the price alone. The only thing is it’s over way too quick. Automata II anyone???

9/10 from The Grooveman.

ROSE TATTOO – Assault & Battery

May 8, 2021 /

Australia seems to hold the copyright to shit kicking barroom rock and roll bands like this. AC/DC seemed to unlock the door for all of them. The difference here is that Rose Tattoo looked the part of the barroom brawlers they sing about. Another comparison with the DC guys is that this album is produced by Vanda and Young, as were DC’s early albums.

This is hard rocking blues from the streets of Melbourne, and they played it like they lived it, so much so that 7 former members have died. The songs are all very similar in format – it’s just varying speeds of the beat that differentiate the tunes. All The Lessons, Assault & Battery, Magnum Maid and Manzil Madness are personal favourites,, as these songs kick hard. That’s when it works the best for me – when Pete Wells’ slide is smoking. As a little side note, singer Angry Anderson was more famous in Britain for singing a wedding ballad that charted and was part of the soap opera Neighbours.

Anyway it’s not a bad record and it does exactly what it says on the tin.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

AUTOGRAPH – Sign In Please

May 7, 2021 /

Pasadena California’s other great musical export, behind the mighty Van Halen. In fact, guitarist Steve Lynch was a good friend of EVH. This is Autograph’s debut album from ’84 and was a massive hit all over the world – it’s easy to see why. Right from the get go the emphasis is on great songs that rock, but melodies and catchy choruses are high on the list of priorities.

First song in, Send Her To Me, is catchy as hell and a great song. If that wasn’t good enough, second track Turn Up The Radio is even better – it’s big radio rock at its best. A monster tune with a huge big sing-a-long chorus, and it rocks with big guitars high in the mix. What’s not to like? No let up in the quality as Nineteen And Non Stop kicks in with an up-tempo groove and another stuck in the brain chorus and hook. Side note: Steve Lynch is a killer guitar player, and often goes unmentioned when talking about hot shot guitar players. He plays his ass off on this record! Cloud 10 has a very eighties keyboard intro and is the poppiest track on the record, but still a killer tune. Side close out track, Deep End, is a great stomper of a rock track. What a killer riff to drive it along, and again, huge chorus and melody. Phew!!! What a great first side.

Side 2 starts exactly where we left off with My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend Isn’t Me. What a killer riff to start with, and is contender for best track on the album. It’s impossible not to sing-a-long to any of these songs. The songs just keep on comin. Thrill Of Love is another great rack, superb harmonies and a great riff with a killer solo. Friday is next up, and has a very VH intro that reminds me a bit of Panama – once again, a superb melody and chorus drive the song into greatness. In The Night takes us to Journey territory, a slower paced track with yet another great hook and chorus. All I’m Gonna Take is the final track, and I have to say, every song on this album could have been a single. It’s that good! Every song has a big chorus and melody that you can’t forget.

It’s easy to see why America went nuts for this band, they were tailor made for the mid-eighties scene there. The songs are so well written and arranged. This album rightly deserves a 10/10 from the Grooveman.

MASTODON – Emperor Of Sand

May 7, 2021 /

Atlanta Georgia’s best gift to the musical community, have released their seventh full length slice of awesomeness upon on the world. Again, it is a concept album and a story about a desert wanderer who has been handed a death sentence. Interwoven into the story are real experiences of band members’ family who had been diagnosed with cancer, and how they were coping with treatments for the disease. Teamed back with producer Brendan O’Brien, who was responsible for Crack The Skye.

Right from the first note to the last, this is the most incredible album. Each song is epic in it’s own right, each is well written and played with fantastic arrangements. There are definitely no shortages of riffs with Mastodon, as riff-meister Bill Kelliher seems to have an endless supply. Also of note, drummer Brain Dailor has more lead vocal turns this time around as he is the most melodic of the three vocalists. Every song is killer and does not disappoint. Highlights for me are the mega-top-tastic, Steambreather, which has to be up there as one of the best tracks the band have done – killer riff, groove, melody, and great lyrics. Roots Remain, which has a beautiful middle breakdown section where the vocals bring goosebumps. Scorpion Breath, which has everything and is the heaviest track on the album. If I was pushed, I would say this and the next track are my favourites on the album. This rocks hard! Last track, Jaguar God…my god…what an epic ending to an album. From the acoustic beginning with Brent’s laid back vocal, till the heaviness arrives and Bran takes over the vocal, this track should be held up as a standard bearer of how to present metal music in a modern age. It doesn’t get better than this kiddies!

Yet again another in the series of every home should have one. Go on then, what are you waiting for?

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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