THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: July 2021 (Page 10 of 14)

MAGNUM – II

July 10, 2021 /

In 1979, when every band was hardening up there sound to take advantage of the burgeoning NWOBHM scene that was exploding in the UK, good old Magnum stuck to their guns and made a super slick pomp rock follow up to Kingdom Of Madness. Considered a bit of a flop at the time, it failed to chart both for the album and the two singles that were released from it: Changes, and Foolish Heart.

I caught them live at the time supporting UFO, and they came across a lot heavier in the live setting. Obviously heavily influenced by the likes of Styx, they were a breath of fresh air at the time as they were different to all around them – they were a welcome change. The stand out tracks on the album are the Prog pomp madness of The Battle, which showcases Bob Catley’s distinct vocal style and Tony Clarkin’s riffs beef up the track, Reborn, which if you closed your eyes you think it was Styx playing in your room, and Firebird, which has that Jethro Tull quality about. Of course the band would have success with the two albums that followed this: Chase The Dragon, and Vigilante. Magnum are a very British band and a bit of a national treasure.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

DAVID LEE ROTH – Eat ‘Em And Smile

July 10, 2021 /

When DLR left Van Halen, I was crushed. How could the best band in the world have so much turmoil to destroy the thing I loved most? There were all sorts of rumours doing the rounds at the time, but the biggest one of them all was that Dave was going to make a movie, and transition from rock star to movie star. When it was announced that Dave was going to release his first solo album, (Crazy From The Heat was an EP), I was intrigued – to say the least – especially when I knew the line up of the band.

Dave was out to kill and prove a point. Steve Val on guitar was an amazing choice because he was the big hotshot guitar slinger of the time. Billy Sheehan on bass was another amazing choice as he was another superb player, and session drummer, Gregg Bissonette, completed the line up. Then I heard the opening track, Yankee Rose, and I knew this was going to be a killer record. It’s so over the top and was a direct FU to the Van Halen guys. Shyboy was Hot For Teacher on acid with some killer playing. I’m Easy showed Dave’s love of crooner show tunes and had the big production to make them pop. Ladies Night In Buffalo was another inspired choice with the change of groove and vibe. Goin’ Crazy, which was the title of the EP, showed how this band could write great pop songs.

Tobacco Road opens up Side 2 and is a killer rendition of this classic by The Nashville Teens, thanks in part to some great guitar from Vai. Elephant Gun is all about Vai, and if there is one track that sums up this new line up best, it’s this. Everything is over the top with Vai, and Sheehan is ripping up a storm. Big Trouble is another step away from the norm for Dave, with a funky groove and a rap lyric. This is the hidden gem on the album with a superb solo from Vai. The funk continues with the riff to Bump And Grind, and it reminds me of VH with the harmony vocals. That’s Life closes out the record and the love for the big show tunes is on show again. You have to admit that Dave does these so well.

Compare this to what Van Halen put out with 5150, and you have to agree that 5150 was a tad underwhelming. Although there was some great playing on the album, it just sounded like another corporate rock record – that edge had gone that made them special. Everyone says Dave can’t sing, and Sam The Sham is a better vocalist, but I can tell you this – no way could Sam sing Dave’s tunes and do them justice. DLR was the best front man in Rock, period. I’m pleased to say I got to witness that a few times.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

TYLER BRYANT & THE SHAKEDOWN – Pressure

July 9, 2021 /

This the fourth album from the Nashville groove rockers and sees them adopt a more harder edged sound. They also drop down to a natural three piece, well, on record anyways. The blues is still deep within the bands soul, but played with a modern youthful twist.

Opening track is the title track and kicks serious ass with a deep crunchy riff and groove to match. I really like TB’s vocals as they suit the music perfectly. Hitchhiker starts with some serious blues slide goodness and is a great dirty sleaze of a tune. Crazy Days is a big Nashville country rock beast with Tyler’s partner (Rebecca Lovell) from Larkin Poe as a guest. Backbone is a change in type and groove, but is one my favourite on the record. The guitar playing on the album is top drawer, it’s not overdone, it’s just the right amount of flash to add that special sauce to the songs. They are a great band that deserves your support, and hopefully I will get a chance to see them soon.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

DREAM THEATER – Falling Into Infinity

July 9, 2021 /

This is the fourth album from the progressive metal titans, and it just so happens to be my favourite. It has the right balance between crunch, melody, and instrumental interplay with great production from Kevin Shirley. Think of this as their Dark Side Of The Moon, or Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, as it’s when the band became of age and anything was possible for them after this album. I know there were a lot of tensions within the band, and certain members were reliant on certain liquids and substances to get them through the day. There were also rumours that La Brie maybe not be around for long. This was also the only album to feature Derek Sherinian, which was a crime as I think he was a lot more inventive and off the wall compared to Jordan Rudess, who is an amazing classically trained keyboard whizz, but he’s not very spur of the moment which I love.

There are some absolute epic tracks on this record and New Millennium is one of them and it opens up the record. There is a great middle section with a heavy riff and groove that will melt your face. There were three singles that were released from the record: Burning My Soul, You Not Me (which has Desmond Child as a co-writer), and Hollow Years which was the one that had most success, but was not what the band was all about and give a somewhat false impression to those that had not heard them before. Lines In The Sand is one of the most iconic songs the band have ever recorded and is still a live staple today. Petrucci’s solo is incredible with so much feel and passion it sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it. The intro to the song Hells Kitchen is what Sherinian is all about with the creative and inventive side of his playing. Now we get to see him and Portnoy in Sons Of Apollo doing the harder edged stuff which DT seem to have forgotten how to play.

Burning My Soul is another classic DT monster track with a super heavy main riff, killer instrumentation, and keys from DS. Just Let Me Breathe again is a killer track with the right balance between melody and heavy. The album closes with Trail Of Tears, a huge track that is in 3 parts and gives the listener the full on Dream Theater experience. I know the record company wanted hits from the band, and in my opinion they delivered a near perfect album. It’s just that Atlantic did not know how to market them as Pull Me Under would become a heavy weight round their necks. As I said, I love this album and would definitely recommend it to anyone.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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