THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: July 2021 (Page 13 of 14)

WHITE SPIRIT – s/t

July 3, 2021 /

Formed in Hartlepool way back in ’75, it wasn’t until NWOBHM became a thing that the band would be given a chance. They were more famous for being the band that would give Janick Gers to Gillan (once Bernie Torme departed) and Iron Maiden for a little while. They were touted as the next Deep Purple thanks to the Hammond playing of Malcolm Pearson and Janick’s obvious love of Blackmore (the influences were obvious).

Opening track, Midnight Chaser, is a great track and could have been a DP track. Red Skies is next up, and again, the keys and guitar are high in the mix – although not the finished article at this point. If there were any albums after this things could have been different. High Upon High, by contrast, almost sounds like Genesis and feels a little out of place. Side 1 closes out with Way Of The Kings and a nice riff from Gers starts things off nicely. It’s not a bad song but the vocals are a little weak.

Side 2 starts with No Reprieve and this is my favourite on the album. Lots of nice instrumentation, interplay, and key changes make this a very cool track. Don’t be Fooled follows and the main riff seems to be a rewrite of Smoke On The Water- even the guitar tone is the same! Gers’ obvious love of all things Blackmore is a little too close here. Fool For The Gods closes out the album and is the band’s attempt at the big epic. A very slow and atmospheric opening leads into an almost pomp rock piece – like Angel and early Styx.

So that’s it – one and they’re done. Other than compilation albums and singles, this would be the band’s only release.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

FOGHAT – Fool For The City

July 3, 2021 /

The band were formed when three quarters of the band, Roger Earl, Tony Steven’s and Lonesome Dave Peverett, left British blues based rockers Savoy Brown. They were joined by slide player Rod Price to complete the line up. The band would relocate to the US where success would easily be found. US audiences lapped up heir brand of blues based boogie with that southern edge. Although the band were quite big in the US (nearly every album was certified gold or platinum), the band were virtually unknown back in Britain.

Other than their kick ass live album, Fool For The City is the band’s best loved and it spawned two classic tracks; the title track and Slow Ride, which everyone seems to know. The production on the album is very loud and in your face and adds to that live feel, which they were so good at. This album is a really good mid-seventies rock and roll album and does exactly what it says on the tin. The other stand out track for me is the cover of Robert Johnson’s Terraplane Blues., as it highlights the two contrasting guitar styles of Price and Peverett. Drummer Roger Earl is still touring the band, and if you get a chance go see them, it’s a fun night out.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

FASTER PUSSYCAT – s/t

July 2, 2021 /

Often named as one of the reasons that hair metal disappeared off the face of the earth at the hands of grunge, Faster Pussycat got a bit of a bad rap IMHO. They actually sold quite a lot of records and were successful, whereas a lot of other bands weren’t selling much at all. It was all about the sleezy image with these guys, and the music seemed to take a back seat to all the drink and drugs image. Taime Downe was one hot mess of a front man, with not much of a voice, but I guess that was the point so he was perfect for this band.

Equal parts Rolling Stones, New York Dolls, mixed with an alien from the planet tharg, and you are somewhere close. It’s a fun rock and roll record, no more no less, and if you took away their image you would be left with The Faces. Don’t Change That Song, Bathroom Wall, Cathouse, Shooting You Down, and Ship Rolls In are all good songs. If someone asked me to describe the whole sleaze rock thing I would give them a copy of this record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

JUDAS PRIEST – Stained Class

July 2, 2021 /

For me, this is the album that started and cemented the modern Priest legacy. Before this, all of the albums were a bit patchy, and the full-on Judas Priest Heavy Metal Experience manifested itself fully on this album. There is not one bad second on this album and it is a classic of the genre. All tracks are original compositions, apart from the cover of Better By You Than Me, which was a Spooky Tooth tune.

The album opens with Exciter, and you could say this was the genesis of the whole speed metal movement as the seeds were sown with this gem. All the elements of future classic Priest are here in this one track. Killer tune! White Heat Red Hot follows and Halford’s vocals are incredible, they have the full on range mixed with a great riff – it’s classic British metal. The aforementioned Spooky Tooth cover follows, and it sounds nothing like the original as it’s been given the JP treatment. The title track is next up and it starts with a good old gallop (which Maiden would steal to great effect a couple of years later), mixed with some great guitar dueling from KK and Glenn – we have a winner! Invader closes out Side 1 and the riff has a very seventies feel to it mixed with a super catchy chorus – it has more of a hard rock vibe than metal.

Saints In Hell opens up Side 2 and Halford’s vocals are superb, what a range he had in his prime, I don’t think anyone could touch him back then – plus this song has a great middle section as well. Savage is next up and it has a very Ian Gillan era Deep Purple vibe to the whole thing, which never struck me before. An all time classic Priest tune in Beyond The Realms Of Death is next up, and all of the elements of every great rock song ever are all here. The slow acoustic intro, the big build up, the explosion of power, and the solo section – the template to every great metal epic is right here folks. Heroes End closes out the album and is, what I would call, a stock Judas Priest song, a pretty simple riff elevated by the outlandish vocal.

This would be the beginning of a six album run culminating in Defenders Of The Faith where Priest could do no wrong.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2024 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑