THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: August 2021 (Page 5 of 13)

QUIET RIOT – Metal Health

August 21, 2021 /

I was amazed to find out that the band were formed back in ’73 by Randy Rhoads, along with Kevin Dubrow and some lunatic called Kelly Garni (who threatened to kill Dubrow). Metal Health was the third release by the band, and was recorded after the departure of Randy to Ozzy’s band. His replacement, Carlos Cavazo, was in place to record this record, and a great addition to the band he was.

The person who decided to record Slade’s Cum On Feel The Noize, was an absolute genius, as this was the perfect song to highlight Dubrow’s voice – and it’s the ultimate party anthem. Of course it was a huge hit, and the band entered the big leagues because of it. They didn’t have to rely on covers, as the original songs on the album hold up well. Slick Black Cadillac was another hit party anthem as they had the whole sing-a-long chorus thing down to a fine art. There is one duff song on the album though, and that’s Don’t Wanna Let You Go. It’s an average attempt at a ballad which is not that good.

In my opinion Side 2 is the better of the two sides, and opens with the gallop that is Breathless. It’s a decent song with a strong hook and melody, and some tasty playing from Cavazo. Next track, Run For Cover, is the best track on the album and rocks hard. It has plenty of guitar from Cavazo, and some nice double kicks from Frankie Banali. This leads into the Carlos Cavazo showcase that is Battle Axe. Back to party city with Let’s Get Crazy, and this type of song is what they do best, big riffs, big stomping drums, sing-a-long chorus, and an incendiary guitar solo. The last song is Dubrow’s tribute to Randy Rhoads’ Thunderbird.

After this album there was Condition Critical, which was ok, and then it was slowly on the downhill trajectory after that. I still find this a fun record to listen to. Is it going to change the world? Err nope. But is it going to put a smile on your face remembering the fun times? Absolutely!!!

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

YES – 90125

August 21, 2021 /

This is the 11th album from perennial British proggers, Yes, but it was a great departure in sound for the band. The music on this album was a lot more radio friendly and commercial. The band had split up in ’81 after the tour cycle for the Drama album. After the break up, Chris Squire and Alan White had formed a band called Cinema, and were joined by original Yes keyboard player, Tony Kaye, and guitarist, Trevor Rabin. Much of this material was taken from demos that Rabin had ready. Jon Anderson was asked to rejoin at the mixing stage, and he recorded all of the lead vocals. The result was this masterpiece that basically saved the band and rescued their career.

The new approach was very American sounding and was perfect for US radio. The lead off single, Owner Of A Lonely Heart, was such a success that the album took off on the back of it – the rest they say is history. Of course, traditionalists hated the new sound, saying it was not Yes, but the master stroke from Squire was asking Anderson to join. His voice is so associated with Yes, that the older fans were won over.

It Can Happen is one of the tracks that has the old Yes DNA, with the layered vocal and keyboard part, but enhanced with Rabin’s guitar. Changes, the last track on Side 1, has all the Yes hallmarks in the intro with the intricate instrumental parts, but the melodic chord sequence and melody vocal from Rabin are all what’s great about the new version of the band.

Cinema, which would have been the title track for the original project, opens up Side 2. It’s a great instrumental in that old Yes style. Trevor Horn is the producer and his signatures are all over this record, the compressed drum sounds, the keyboard segues, and multi layered vocals. It’s very of it’s time, but still sounds fantastic.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

DAVID BOWIE – Aladdin Sane

August 20, 2021 /

This is a very personal album for me, as at the age of thirteen and the week of it’s release, off I went to Fox’s records in Doncaster to purchase this piece of awesomeness with my hard earned paper round money. Looking back after all these years, it’s hard for me to think of another artist from my generation who had such a profound effect on popular music, especially in the UK. Everybody seems to think that his Berlin period was his best, but to me, the Ziggy Stardust character was the best and most creative that he killed off all too quickly.

This album, and the Ziggy album, were all that were great about the glam scene, and his “don’t give a shit” attitude towards putting anything he wanted onto the records with no musical barriers. This was his sixth studio album, and its as near as perfect a Bowie you will hear – and it still holds up today. The singles, Drive In Saturday, and the totally awesome, The Jean Genie, were released prior to the album. When the album came out, it went straight to Number One. My favourite track on this album, and from his whole career, is Cracked Actor. Mick Ronson’s superb riff dragged me in then, and it still does now. It’s one of Bowie’s sleaziest songs and I love it. Just listen to the lyrics on Time, this is Bowie at his best. Add to that a killer rendition of The Stones’ Let’s Spend The Night Together, and this becomes imho the best Bowie album.

This is a straight up 10/10 from The Grooveman.

SAGA – Worlds Apart

August 19, 2021 /

Released in ’81, this is Saga’s 4th studio album, and as soon as the needle hits the grooves you know it’s Saga – they have such a distinctive sound. The album is produced by Rupert, who was flavour of the month at the time, and the sound is spectacular. Rupert was working with lots of synth bands like The Thompson Twins at the time, and that sound mixed with the rock of Saga, works really well.

On The Loose is the big hit from the album and opens us up. Great track with a superb melody and chorus – it’s a typical Saga tune. The following track is Times Up and it’s a very eighties synth pop track, and Hines’ influence is evident. For me, what makes this band special is the interplay with the keyboards and the killer guitar playing from Ian Crichton. On the next track, Wind Him Up, this is delivered to the max – with the added bonus of a superb melody and hook. Amnesia is next, and again, it has that eighties pop feel to it. It doesn’t quite work for me as a song, but the instrumentation is good. Framed closes out Side 1, and it could be part two of the previous track as the feel is very much the same. The vibe is lifted somewhat by some killer playing from Ian Crichton.

The Interview opens up Side 2, and it reminds me of a heavier Styx. This side also sees two of the band’s “Chapters” based songs, namely number 5, No Regrets, and number 8, No Stranger. These songs told the tale of a young Albert Einstein and were spread over the band’s first 4 albums – they keep the band’s Prog credentials intact. Not the best album by the band, but still a good album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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