REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: January 13, 2022

LYNCH MOB – Wicked Sensation

When the arguing and falling out all became too much between Don Dokken and George Lynch, George packed his bags and formed his own band – taking drummer Mad Mick Brown with him. This is the first album that they recorded with the addition of vocalist Oni Logan and bassist Anthony Esposito.

There are three guitar players that define this generation of rock for me, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhodes, and George Lynch. They all came out of the same back yard party circuit around Pasadena and LA. I’m a big big George fan, and this album is a bonafide classic in my opinion, and I’m pleased to finally see this reissued on vinyl.

The opening and title track is killer, and the funky breakdown in the middle section is just sublime. The following track, River Of Love, is one of the best hard rock tracks recorded. A great groove and riff with a superb chorus and melody. All I Want is a killer slower groove, a great chorus and melody, plus lots of George. The very Zeppelin, Dance Of The Dogs, has a great riff and hook. The bluesy slowed down opening to Rain is very good, and has lots more George to tickle your delight. I love the choppy riff to No Bed Of Roses and the track just bounces along. The album closes with the superb Street Fightin’ Man which has a great riff with an awesome vocal.

If you’re a hard rock fan you know how good this album is, but if you’re not, why not give it a try?

10/10 from The Grooveman.

THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND – Next

This is the second album released by Glasgow’s favourite sons way back in ’73. This was also my introduction to the band whilst at school, by a kid named Barry Leaf. If you’re still around Barry, thanks a plenty, as I never tire of hearing this band. They were vaudeville and burlesque all mixed up with rock and roll – a truly superb live experience.

As usual with any SAHB album, the music varies greatly. From the pure obscurity of Jacques Brel’s Next, to the pure 50’s rock and roll of Giddy Up A Ding Dong, and to the heavy rock of Faith Healer and Vambo Marble Eye. Faith Healer has been covered by a wide variety of bands, but you will never beat the original with that pulsating bass throb opening. This album is chock full of SAHB classics that would always lift the live set like Swampsnake, which is a great up-tempo opening track that really sends the album on its way. The comic book story hero, Vambo, first makes its appearance on this album and it’s the stuff of legend amongst SAHB fans (will Zal ever release his Vibrania book?). The album closes out with Last Of The Teenage Idols, one of my favourite SAHB tracks, it really rocks along.

This album has been a part of a huge chunk of my life, and it still gives me goosebumps listening to it today.

10/10 from The Grooveman.