THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: January 2022 (Page 2 of 12)

LIZZY BORDEN – Give ‘Em The Axe

January 28, 2022 /

Thanks to Metal Blade Records for putting these great early reissues out as the originals are going for ridiculous money.

Other than a demo, this is the band’s first recording, a four track EP. Very influenced by NWOBHM bands of the time, especially Iron Maiden, as you will hear on Kiss Of Death which is a ringer. I remember thinking at the time that all the American bands had taken the whole NWOBHM thing as an inspiration and improved on it.

For a first EP, this is pretty impressive, and No Time To Lose is a really great track with awesome twin guitar leads. I have to say I was surprised (and still am) that they put a cover as the last track on a four track EP, but at least it’s a good one with Rainbow’s Long Live Rock n Roll. Although they never quite made it per say, they had a decent career in the eighties.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

LOUDNESS – Disillusion

January 28, 2022 /

A mind blowing fact to start with is that Loudness have released 26 studio albums and at least 9 live albums. This is album number four (which was also recorded in Japanese) and was released in ’84. Of course the main interest for me in the band is guitarist Akira Takasaki who is the EVH equivalent in Japan.

This album is very NWOBHM in style and sound, with a little bit of thrash thrown in – but with insane guitar breaks on every song. The first two tracks, Crazy Doctor and Esper, blast by with some ripping guitar. The third track, Butterfly, is a bit of a left turn with a funky guitar pattern and choppy riff that seems totally out of place, until the instrumental section where the song almost goes Prog, and then we get a Maiden gallop. A totally weird arrangement! Side 1 ends with a full on metal assault of Revelation.

Side 2 opens with Exploder, which is Akira’s Eruption moment as he entertains us with this little shred fest. Dream Factory is next and is my favourite track on the album. It has killer guitar throughout, and I love the picked chorus effect guitar in the verse. Milky Way has a nice riff with an odd drum pattern to change things up and a killer middle eight. Satisfaction Guaranteed has a stock Judas Priest riff and groove. The album closes out with Ares Lament, which I would describe as a metal ballad…and we all know how I love those. This is my favourite of the early albums.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GOV’T MULE – Heavy Load Blues

January 27, 2022 /

What started out as a little side project from the Allman Brothers Band, has turned into (along with Tedseschi Trucks) one of the biggest jam bands around. The first two albums are classics, and since those early days the band has morphed into this all encompassing behemoth – with the original vision of the band lost somewhat.

I know Warren has mentioned for some time that he wanted to do and old school blues album – and here it is…well not entirely true. There are a couple of tunes that have that modern blues sound namely Make It Rain, which has a killer fuzz tone, Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody, which has that cool funk under groove to the song, I Asked For Water which has a very heavy Hendrix vibe – I really love this track.

All in all, a great selection of blues tunes played with great respect and feel.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

KING’S X – Please Come Home Mr. Bulbous

January 27, 2022 /

I think I have mentioned many times that the first 5 King’s X are albums are untouchable and they are all classics. This is the band’s 8th studio album release from 2000 and sees the band producing themselves in a more experimental vibe. Whereas early grunge bands (like Pearl Jam) were extolling the virtues of King’s X as influences, things seem to have come full circle as the band’s songs on this album have a more grungy feel to them. Listen to Julia, and if you didn’t know who you were listening to, I’m sure you would say it would be some band from Seattle.

The sound is very stripped back and clear – in fact – the production is superb. I would say the Beatles influence in the band has taken a lead role on this album, and the heavy groove that is their trademark takes somewhat of a back seat. My favourite track on the album is the quite laid back vibe of Marsh Mellow Field, and a that is purely down to the superb solo from Ty.

They don’t make bad albums, just less great ones, and this is one of those.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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