THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: November 2021 (Page 4 of 13)

DEEP PURPLE – The House Of Blue Light

November 23, 2021 /

This is the second album after the band’s return after their disbandment in ’75. Also, this lineup is what most regard as the classic Purple Mk2 version. Blackmore seemed to be loving this at the time (we all know what transpired later), but he brought with him a more commercial edge to the band after his stint with taking Rainbow in that direction. In fact, the opening track Bad Attitude is a very commercial sounding track and was released as a single – as well as Call Of The Wild.

It’s a good album and it definitely has its moments, but there does seem to be that spark missing from proceedings. Even when we get to speedier songs like Mad Dog, it all seems a bit to polished and the edge has been removed. It’s not until we get to The Spanish Archer when the vibe has that old Purple feel to it, and that’s in the intro. It’s ironic that the best track on the album is the last one, Dead Or Alive, as it does rock quite well and has a light shining to the past.

It’s nowhere near their best effort, but there is still enough here to keep the most discerning rock fan happy.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

RAINBOW – Long Live Rock n Roll

November 23, 2021 /

This is the last of (what I call) the classic Rainbow and Blackmore albums before he went in a more commercial direction. Depending who you believe (Richie or Ronnie), this was Dio’s last involvement with Rainbow. Richie said Ronnie was becoming lazy and disillusioned, and he didn’t like the fact that the band were Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow, so he decided to remove Ronnie and get another singer in. Dio says he left the band because he did not want to go in a commercial direction and wanted to carry on the way things were. ‘m sure the real reason is somewhere between the two, and we will never know for sure.

Even though this is the weakest album with Dio, it still has some kick as moments. The title track is a killer opening and is just classic Blackmore with that trademark simple riff. Gates Of Babylon is just an epic piece of rock and one of my favourite Rainbow tunes. Kill The King, which opens Side 2, is another beast of a song. There is some great playing by Blackmore on this record, in fact, some of his best.

Dio must have loved this record as he was playing Kill The King and Gates of Babylon in his live shows. It’s an end of an era album for sure, as Rainbow were never the same after this as Blackmore wanted to explore different things.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

TY TABOR – Alien Beans

November 22, 2021 /

In his day job, he is one third of one of the greatest bands to draw breath (well the first 5 albums for sure) – and that band is KingsX. I love Ty’s playing, and his tone and groove are like no one else out there.

This is a double album from 2017. The first album is all originals for this release, and the second part is a remix Best Of from his other solo material. It’s quite hard to separate his music from KingsX, as that tone and feel are what drives both projects along. This feels like a KingsX album without Dug and Jerry, but it’s one of Ty’s best efforts as a solo or project outside the X. All the songs are superbly written and played, and I love the tone on his voice. His love of The Beatles and their harmonies is here for all to hear, especially on tracks like So Here’s To You. Back It Down is the track that I would say sounds like something away from his customary sound, and this track has a very modern rock sound to it. My personal favourite is Heavily Twisted as I love the melancholic vibe to the piece.

If you’re a Ty or Kings X fan then you will probably have this, but if you’re not, give it a try as it’s a really enjoyable record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

DAMAGEPLAN – New Found Power

November 22, 2021 /

After the problems the brothers Paul were having with Phil Anselmo’s attitude in Pantera, they disbanded the band they formed together as kids, and set about on a new metallic project. The anger that the brothers felt towards Anslemo was there for all to see, especially on the track Fuck You which obviously was about Phil. This album has some of the finest moments that the Abbot brothers put to wax, namely the opening 1,2,3 of Wake Up, and the crushingly awesome Breathing New Life. If you don’t get up and bounce round your house to that riff and groove, then you are obviously devoid of your groove muscle and you should seek medical attention.

Side 1 is one of the best modern metal sides of music ever recorded. The title track is next, which again is really heavy with a killer riff. The side closes out with Pride, and it’s the most melodic moment on the whole record as it mixes melody with the heavy – a superb song! This album is 10 times better than the last Pantera album, which was quite directionless compared to this gem. The Abbott brothers just ooze groove with their every being, and there is groove by the tin in this record. They knew what they wanted to deliver with this record, and it was a big FU to Phil and Rex – and boy did they do that. Every metal fan should have one!

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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