THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: December 2021 (Page 1 of 6)

VOODOO CIRCLE – Locked & Loaded

December 13, 2021 /

This is the last review for a couple of weeks as I am taking a break for the Holidays. Thanks to all of you who have read and interacted with me about the reviews over the last year.I’m heading over to BC to spend some time with the fam. I will be visiting as many record stores as I can visit in the area while I’m there. So keep a look out for Insta and Facebook group posts to see what goodies I can find.

Formed in 2008 by ex-Silent Force, and now Primal Fear, guitar player, Alex Beyrodt, this band really smokes and this album is a killer record. Joined here by his fellow Primal Fear bandmate Matt Sinner on bass, Pink Cream 69 vocalist Dave Readman, and on the pots and pans, Marcus Kullman. A more melodic hard rock sound than the metal that Primal Fear are known for, in fact, I would say a point of reference would be Whitesnake- especially the Doug Aldrich era.

Opening track, Flesh & Bone, is a ripper of a song with an epic riff, superb melody and hook, and a rhythm section that shakes your bones. Wasting Time is a fantastic follow up with a really odd sleazy groove and monster solo from Beyrodt. Magic Woman Chile is a song that Coverdale wishes he could still pull off instead of resting on their laurels. I often wonder how a DJ like Eddie Trunk, who has a syndicated radio show promoting rock and metal music, doesn’t even bother to give bands as good as this a plug on his show. Instead he just keeps repping his mates all the time. Of course you will hear all the usual suspects that have inspired the writing of this album, but the band have made them their own with the writing of one of the best hard rock albums I have heard in a long while. I can honestly say I love all of this record.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

THE DARKNESS – Pinewood Smile

December 13, 2021 /

Who can forget the band’s appearance on Jools Holland’s TV show where Justin stood atop Joel’s piano while playing the solo to I Believe In A Thing Called Love? This was the moment when The Darkness exploded on the scene and have caused division in rock circles ever since. A lot of people hate them, and it’s obvious they have become an acquired taste, but I for one love them and they were a shot in the arm for a flagging rock scene in the UK.

They write some of the simplest songs imaginable and are so catchy and have you hooked in seconds, and then write tracks like Buccaneers Of Hispaniola that are so complex with grooves to shake your hips loose. AC/DC would have been proud of the riff and groove to Solid Gold – an epic hard rock classic with a great sense of humour. Southern Trains is all about their hatred of the local train company, and have turned a boring subject into a freaking awesome up-tempo groover. Why Wont The Beautiful Cry, lyrically, is another track where the sense of humour really is on point.

Japanese Prisoner Of Love opens up Side 2 and has a killer opening riff and groove before settling down into a very Queen-ish tune. Lay Down With Me Barbara reminds me of a seventies Steely Dan tune but with a very modern edge. I Wish I Was In Heaven is pure power pop nirvana, and the album closes out with Stampede Of Love which has a very southern country rock vibe and is somewhat of a surprise ending.

As I said earlier, you either love them or hate them.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

VINNIE MOORE – Time Odyssey

December 11, 2021 /

This was released at a time when there were a ton of guitar instrumental solo albums being released to capitalize on the success of Joe Satriani – and to a lesser extent, Malmsteen. Now, latterly more well known for being the final occupier of the guitar position in UFO, Vinnie was a shredder of some repute. Just like Yngwie, inspiration here is directly from the classical handbook, although I would say Vinnie does have more of a melodic feel to his interpretations. This is his second release on Mercury records – although he was a stock Mascot player.

To highlight the difference between himself and Malmsteen, listen to the track Beyond The Door – this is where his sense of melody and playing to the song comes into its own. It’s always hard to review these type of albums as you either like them or you don’t, and as I have mentioned I am a guitar nerd. My favourite piece on the album is the album close out track, April Sky, where he shows what great control and feel he has to his playing. An honourable mention goes to his cover of George Harrison’s, My Guitar Gently Weeps. It doesn’t sound much like the original but it’s still a great take.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

BILLY IDOL – s/t

December 11, 2021 /

Back in the mists of time when the punk sounds of Generation X had run there course, Billy’s career was at a crossroads until a very fortuitous meeting with guitar whizz Steve Stevens. Whereas the album after this was pure gold, this album is when the seeds of the classic Idol pop rock sound were made. They hit gold instantly with the singles, White Wedding and Dancing With Myself, and they are without doubt the best tracks on the album. Although there are some unusual moments, especially the very Adam Ant sounding, Love Calling, and going back to his roots with inspiration from Siousie and The Banshees with Hole In The Wall, the album is still an enjoyable romp though early eighties pop.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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