THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: May 2022 (Page 12 of 13)

ANTHRAX – Worship Music

May 5, 2022 /

There is something about Anthrax and the way they write tunes. They never forget that fans have to connect with the music, and that they should make them move – Anthrax always have that swing and groove to their music.

This album was released 8 years after its predecessor, and saw the return of Joey Belladonna on vocals. I do like the John Bush albums, but Anthrax with Joey is where it’s at for me. This was also the final album to feature Rob Caggiano on guitar before jumping ship to join Volbeat. You could be a cynic a say this was done only for money and for the profile lift of doing the Big 4 events.

I think this is a great comeback album for Joey, and there isn’t a bad tune on the whole album. Standout tracks are The Devil You Know, which has a superb hook and chorus and it riffs hard. Fight Em Till You Can’t which is pure old school Anthrax, where the thrash is still alive and well mixed with a killer riff and groove. In The End has to be one of the best things they have done, it has an epic build up and the middle is just huge! I defy you not to bounce to this one, and I love the way the song titles have been merged into the lyrics of Judas Priest.

This album sits loud and proud with classic Anthrax albums, and if you’re a fan, why don’t you own this already?

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BILLION DOLLAR BABIES – Battle Axe

May 5, 2022 /

When Alice Cooper went from being Alice Cooper the Band to Alice Cooper the person, the band was jettisoned at the same time. So the members, well Dennis Dunaway, Neil Smith, and Michael Bruce, formed their own band called Billion Dollar Babies after Alice Cooper’s successful album of the same name. No confusion there then! They recruited vocalist Mike Marconi who actually sounds like Vincent (sorry Alice).

You would think when the putting all their eggs in one basket like this, that the album would be killer? Apart from one song, Ego Mania (which is a great track), the album sounds very dated, and it’s like what Alice Cooper were doing five years earlier. It’s not a bad album, it’s just ok. Other than the aforementioned track, nothing jumps out and grabs you.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BANG TANGO – Psycho Cafe

May 4, 2022 /

At the end of the eighties, rock bands had basically forgotten what music was all about, and image had become more important than content. Hence the oncoming of Grunge with a return to the basics, as kids could not identify with what was being fed to them.

Hidden in amongst all the glam with no substance, were a bunch of bands that were doing great rock n roll and trying things a little differently. Bang Tango’s follow up to this album, Dancing On Coals, is a killer record where they pushed the envelope. So what about this album? How does it stack up? Well sure, they have the image (although not as overtly over the top as others), but the tunes are where it’s at.

Attack Of Life has an almost Zeppelin vibe to the sleazed out grooves. Someone Like You shows that the band could write a catchy hook and chorus – with an added bonus of some great guitar. Wrap My Wings is a sleazed and grooved up Tom Waits style barroom rocker. I love the bass line to the intro of Breaking Up A Heart Of Stone, and the vocal is very Billy Idol. Side 1 closes out with Shotgun Man, and whereas I like the riff, I’m not too keen of the vocal on this one.

Side 2 opens up with Don’t Stop Now, which has a nice descending chord pattern – this track is very Hollywood. Love Injection mixes the sleaze with the funk, and it works really well. It’s “let’s please the record company” time next with the ballad, Just For You. The best track on the album is next with  Do What You’re Told, which starts with a killer funky bass and guitar groove. If any of you have heard the Electric Boys, you’ll know where this song is going. The album closes out with Sweet Little Razor and sees the band doing their best Guns N Roses impression.

It’s a decent enough record, but if I were to buy only on Bang Tango album it would be Dancing On Coals.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

PAT TRAVERS – Putting It Straight

May 4, 2022 /

This is Pat’s third album recorded in London after his relocation from Canada. It’s also the last to feature the classic three piece line up. After this album cycle, Pat would relocate to the US and Nicko McBrain would depart and be replaced by Tommy Aldridge, and a second guitar would be also added with Pat Thrall.

Pat hit his stride on this album as the songs are killer and all self penned – apart form the superb Gettin’ Betta, which he co-wrote with Mars Cowling. His tone is superb, and I love the groovy middle eights in each song where the groove changes and Pat lets fly. There is one notable guest appearance, Scott Gorham, who plays the call and repeat solo with Pat on the fast boogie shuffle, Speakeasy. Pat usually throws in a really cool instrumental, and this album is no exception with the killer funky vibes of Off Beat Ride. My favourite track is the album closer, Dedication, which is in two parts. A superb old school beast of a tune – complete with Hammond supplied by Tony Carey.

The mid seventies was a great period for rock albums, and this is a welcome addition to anyone’s collection.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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