THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: October 2021 (Page 1 of 13)

GENESIS – Selling England By The Pound

October 30, 2021 /

Over the years I have come to the conclusion that Genesis (after Gabriel and Steve Hackett had left the band) should have changed their name. The difference in sound and structure of the songs were so markedly different, that they were a different band. This version that recorded this album were an integral part of the seventies Prog scene – in fact – they were flag bearers as they painted pictures with their sonic warblings.

Fast forward to the Collins fronted band, and the line between his solo career and Genesis was very blurred indeed. They had become a pop band and all forms of experimental and progressive music had gone. I feel the same about Van Halen as well, as their sound changed some much when Hagar joined and became a different outfit.

Anyway back to the album. This is one of my favourite Genesis records and contains Live favourites such as I Know What I Like, Firth Of Fifth and the epic Battle Of Epping Forest. They were so good at this time and it was only ’73. I don’t think there will ever again be a period when there was so much musical creativity seeping out of every record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

GODSTICKS – Emergence

October 30, 2021 /

Hailing from Wales, Godsticks’ blend of progressive metal is a breath of fresh in what was becoming a very familiar landscape. ecade), and it spawned a squillion bands trying to do the same. However, Godsticks chose to try and be original in this very cluttered musical area, and to me, they are just superb.

This is the band’s third full length album and was released in 2015 – IMHO is a killer record. I’m not sure if anyone is familiar with the Norwegian band, Jack In The Box, but Darren Charles vocal delivery and tone is a nailed on bomb ringer for their vocalist. The riffs and grooves here also give a nod to that band. I love this record bunches as the riffs, grooves, and melodies are their own and it’s a great kick to still be surprised by a band and their music. Trust me, this is a freakin’ great record. One of my favourite tracks over the last couple of years is Exit Stage Right. The vocal delivery and melody are sublime, and add to that the wonderful groove and choppy riff – it’s a track that I return to often.

I can’t recommend this highly enough and it’s a big 10/10 from The Grooveman.

BONHAM – The Disregard Of Timekeeping

October 29, 2021 /

Long before Jason Bonham became a gun for hire and played with anyone who would have him, he had his own little band that actually released four albums – this being the first. I’m not sure I would have gone the same route, but I guess if you are the son of one of the most famous drummers ever then making your band a soundalike maybe seems a good idea. Daniel Macmaster’s vocal tones are a ringer for Mr. Plant – well at least on this album anyway.

Now you maybe getting the impression that I’m not to keen in this album, well that is definitely not the case. I really like it as the songs are very interesting and not the normal fodder of the day – they are a kick ass rock band. My favourite tracks? Well, I really like Bringing Me Down which has a funky under groove and a nice solo. Guilty, which is very un-Zeppelin and I really like the riff and groove. Room For Us All closes out the record and is a great tune.

I guess coming out in ’89 they were going to struggle as the musical landscape was about to shift, and basically the band became a project.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

TESSERACT – Polaris

October 29, 2021 /

This is the third studio album by British tech metallers, Tesseract. This album saw the return of their original vocalist, Daniel Tompkins, who left the band after the first album. Although they started with all the djent bands, they have refined their sound which has made them quite a unique band. The low end is still a big feature, but now there are a lot more ambient and melodic sounds to the music. They are masters of odd time signatures (often multiple times within songs), this makes them a fantastic band to listen as the groove changes constantly.

The opening track, Dystopia, has a deliciously evil choppy groove with some serious low end riffing. Those time changes and off beat grooves will have your brain scrambling. Hexes starts with a very ambient intro, until the song builds with an epic choppy bass groove and a great vocal from Tompkins. Survival carries on where the previous song finished with that choppy bass pattern carrying the tune along. I bet the band were glad to have Dan back in the band as the light tones to his vocal style really make the music pop.

Over to Side 2 with Tourniquet, and this is a beautiful light (almost) ambient piece with a very delicate vocal, until the end of the song where the heavy low end returns. If I had to describe Tesseract’s sound, I would point everyone in the direction of the next track, Utopia. Everything about the band is here in this one song, the choppy bass heavy groove, the odd time beat with D-tuned guitars. and sprinklings of ambient keys. Phoenix closes out Side 2 and its all about the melody and harmonies for me. Great track!

Side 3 leads off with the lead off single from the album, Messenger, and it’s the heaviest piece so far and a nod to the style of their previous albums. Cages is the next to last track and the ambient soundscapes return, before the odd time meter kicks in with a superb bass line. Seven Names closes out the album as Side 4 is a dreaded etched side. The change to a more lighter shade to the band’s music serves them well as this a really good album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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