REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: September 1, 2021

APRIL WINE – Harder Faster

Now this might come as a surprise to none-Canadians, but this was the band’s 8th album released in ’79. This was the first time I had paid attention to the band, as previous efforts were a tad poppy and a bit weak for my tastes.

It was the lead off track, I Like To Rock, that got my attention and they were even asked to play the very first Monsters Of Rock festival in the UK. They were 4th on the bill after Saxon and before the Scorpions. The very radio friendly, Say Hello, was the second single from the album and did a lot better in North America than it did in the UK. There is a brief section in Tonite that rocks, and Ladies Man does rock harder as well, but other than I Like To Rock, it’s a very AOR record. There is a very strange choice of a cover that closes out the record, with King Crimson’s 20th Century Schizoid Man. It’s an ok rendition, but I would be interested in finding how they chose that one.

I don’t think this album has aged that well and the production is a bit flat, but it’s still an enjoyable album.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

OPETH – Morningrise

Old Opeth don’t bare much resemblance to the band you see today. Their sound has developed way beyond the death metal band they set out to be. This is the bands’ second release from ’96, and the only surviving member from this release today is Mikael himself. It’s not a total growl fest, as there are still the lighter moments with clean vocals. There are also some acoustic and progressive elements to the music as we get more of today. After the release and tour for their previous album Orchid, the band were rehearsing and writing constantly and went quickly back into the studio to record this beast. There is a definite progression between the two records and the progressive elements are more focused here, but the riffs are still dark and aggressive. Mikael’s deep screams are amazing, and how he switches to cleans in a second is unreal.

My two favourite tracks are Nektar, and Black Rose Immortal, both taking up a side each. The riffs and the dynamics of these two songs is a step above the rest of the album IMHO. I’m a big fan of Opeth, and when you go back and listen to the older records, it’s great to see how they have evolved and progressed. This is the RSD release in shiny blue vinyl and it sounds crystal clear. A fantastic pressing.

9/10 from The Grooveman.