THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: November 1, 2021

JAMES LABRIE – Impermanent Resonance

November 1, 2021 /

I am always amazed that Labrie has virtually no input for the vocal content in Dream Theater, especially as he is such a prominent member in the band. So I guess that’s why he has so much material to do his solo projects. Ably assisted by his long time friend Matt Guillery who is on guitars and growl vocals, as well as producing the whole thing.

This album is a lot heavier and has a more European sound than DT for sure. His voice is so dominant that comparisons have to be made, but the album does have its own identity. The guitars are a lot heavier, and the keyboards are more of a background soundscape than DT. Some of the tracks like Slight Of Hand have a big djent influence with the palm muting. I would have liked to see more of this on the record as this a killer track. James’ voice does lend itself to quieter songs and passages. His voice sounds incredible on Back On The Ground, I Got You, and Lost In The Fire. There is lots of modern keyboard sounds that a lot of screamo bands use like on Letting Go, which has a killer riff and groove and is my favourite track on the album.

So I think if DT ended tomorrow, Labrie would be ok – as long as his voice holds up.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

KICK AXE – Vices

November 1, 2021 /

One of Canada’s hidden gems. I thought this band would be huge as this is a killer album, but I guess a mixture of poor management and terrible record company choices got in their way. It’s amazing how fans can see the potential in a band, but for whatever reason the suits at the record companies are clueless sometimes. They had a great vocalist in George Criston, and a twin guitar attack of Larry Gillsttom and Raymond Harvey. The focus was definitely on catchy sing along melodies and fat huge riffs, so the blueprint was definitely there.

The opening track and the lead off single, Heavy Metal Shuffle, is a killer track and got the band plenty of attention. Vices comes in with it’s great hook and melody. Stay On Top is more of straightforward rocker but done well. Dreamin’ About You is a power ballad with the emphasis on power, with a great vocal from Criston and a killer middle eight with a nice guitar solo. Side 1 closes out with Maneater, with a great stomp beat and a simple huge fat riff – a typical rock night dance floor filler. I think you’ll agree that’s a pretty awesome Side 1.

Over we flip with On The Road To Rock, which I think was a single – it’s a definite crowd pleaser with a big chorus and hook. Cause For Alarm is up next and the speed goes up a notch – its the most metal track on the album. Great tune! Alive & Kickin’ is a trademark hair rock stomp along track, as is All The Right Moves, which reminds me of Y&T. I can’t exactly put my finger on which track, but it’s a ringer for sure. We close out the record with Just Passin’ Through, and we are back to the big hook and melody. Great album by a great band.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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