THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: September 2021 (Page 12 of 13)

GODSTICKS – Inescapable

September 4, 2021 /

This is the Welsh Prog metaller’s 5th full length release, and sees the band expanding their sound as well as the line up – with the addition of drummer Tom Price, and guitarist Gavin Bushell. Darren Charles has an amazing and unique vocal style, that I would say sounds like a cross between Layne Stanley and Tom Yorke.

This is a superb record from start to finish. There are some very heavy and djenty moments that appear throughout the record, but it’s the quieter more angelic, ambient moments that really give the album that something special. I don’t know if any of you have heard of a Norwegian band called Jack In the Box, but listen to Relief and it’s an absolute ringer for that band. I love this track, as the off time groove and vocal are brilliant. An almost post rock vibe drives Surrender Maidstone, an amazing vocal from Darren and there is also a short but killer solo towards the end. Tracks like Breathe and Resist are really special, but Numb is the one that gets me every time. An amazing groove and the weird drop note in the main riff is pure genius.

Superb band, that I highly recommend.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

TED NUGENT – Double Live Gonzo!

September 4, 2021 /

This is another Live record that doesn’t often get a mention when people talk about best Live albums. Recorded over various nights across the US in ’76 and ’77, it was pieced together as a whole live concert. Ted Nugent was a big drawer back in the mid-to-late seventies, and sold tons of records right across the States.

Playing the most un-metal guitar with his Gibson Byrdland, boy did he make that thing squeal. I used to love old school Nuge – he always put on a great show. I lost interest when he went bat shit crazy, but there is no denying that this album is a barn burner. His mantra was always “if it’s too loud. you’re too old”, and believe me, his gigs were deafening. It’s bitten old Teddy in the ass, as he is totally deaf in one ear and has partial hearing in the other.

What you see here is what you get, good old loud and proud shit kicking rock and roll. All tracks are originals, apart from a very over the top Baby Please Don’t Go, there is no let up right from the get go. It’s all killer and no filler, and my favourite tracks are Great White Buffalo, and Wang Dang Sweet Poontang, where it’s all about the guitar and Ted gives his all.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

UFO – No Place To Run

September 3, 2021 /

This album was a problem for the band at the time, as it was the first album since the departure of Michael Schenker. He was replaced by ex-Lone Star guitarist, Paul ‘Tonka’ Chapman. There was also an addition of Paul Raymond on keys and guitar. A lot of fans did not like this Schenker-less record, as he was a hero to a lot of them, but if truth be told, the songs were a lot stronger without him in the long run. UFO recorded 22 full length studio albums (not including Live albums) before they called it a day, and that’s not a bad run for a rock band.

Lettin’ Go is a great opening tune and I would say is a typical sounding UFO track – with some nice playing by Tonka. The old blues standard, Mystery Train, follows and is given the full treatment. It again shows that Tonka is more than capable of replacing the crazy German. This is one of the best sounding UFO albums, and I think it’s no coincidence that this album was produced by George Martin. It’s also a UFO tradition to put in a track that is there to just fill space, and here that falls to This Fire Burns Tonight.

Young Blood was the single that was released before the album, and it didn’t do a whole bunch, apart from announcing that there was a new album about to drop. I actually liked it, as to me, this is the real UFO. This is definitely a more mature sound for the band, and I guess that’s what George Martin was trying to do as the track, No Place To Run, feels as though the band are expanding their sound. Money Money is my favourite track on the record as I love the lyrics and the gallop of the tune.

I think the cover photo is hilarious here, as a very cheap attempt to disguise the fact that they are standing in an Esso garage has been made by placing electrical tape covering the logo.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

AUTOGRAPH – That’s The Stuff

September 3, 2021 /

How the hell do Pasadena’s second greatest export to the musical landscape, follow up their multi squillion selling debut and try and improve on it? Well, the short answer is they don’t. The two singles that were released, That’s The Stuff and Blondes In Black Cars, were great songs but they never quite had the big hook to make them mega hits. That’s basically the difference between the first album and this one. The first album had all big hooks, sing-a-long choruses, and was unstoppable.

I’m getting a bit down on this record, and that’s a tad unfair. Steve Lynch plays his ass off all over this record. It’s one hell of a great party record in its own right, and that stomp beat, which goes throughout the record makes it perfect for that. Six String Fever and Built For Speed are highlights for me, as well as the instrumental Hammerhead, where Lynch goes full on EVH. The best track is the close out track Paint This Town.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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