THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: June 20, 2022

BUDGIE – Never Turn Your Back On A Friend

June 20, 2022 /

The one Budgie album that most people have heard of – well, if you’re a Metallica fan anyway, as they covered Breadfan on their Garage days EP.

This is the band’s third album released in ’73. They were a big deal in the mid seventies in their first reincarnation and were an influence on a lot of heavier bands as the riff was king. They also had a thing for having the most amazing song titles like You’re The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk that starts with a drum solo, and the amazing In The Grip Of A Tyre Fitters Hand which, along with Breadfan, are the best two tracks on the album. I haven’t played this in a while and it does sound dated, but if you love seventies blues rock you will get a blast out it that’s for sure, and they are a killer live band. Sadly Burke Shelley is no longer with us as he passed away last year.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

CHEAP TRICK – Woke Up With A Monster

June 20, 2022 /

Album number 12 sees the US power pop kings in fine form, and let’s be honest they nearly always deliver great tunes. This was the first album for Warners, having been dropped by Epic after previous album Busted. Warners brought in the big guns with Ted Templeman producing.

This album came out in ’94; the supposed lean years for rock bands after the great grunge unpleasantness, but for Cheap Trick they put out one of their best ever albums. My Gang kicks things off with a great power pop groover and trademark sing along chorus. The title track is next, a slow brooding groover with a killer riff and hook very reminiscent in feel to Gonna Raise Hell from the Dream Police album. That jingle jangle Beatles vibe which Cheap Trick do a lot is up next with Your All I Wanna Do. Never Run Out Of Love was the big single from the album, and we have entered ballad city. Didn’t Know I Had It is Cheap Trick 101, they write tunes like this in their sleep and I’m sure the Wilburys stole this one. Great riff and groove to Ride The Pony, which closes out Side 1 – a great little stomper. Girlfriends’ riff is the exact same as Bad Boy Boogie by AC/DC. Let Her Go is as close as the band get to the Stones, especially at the intro. Tell Me Everything sees Robin Zander channeling his inner Roy Orbison, and it’s back to power ballad. Cry Baby is a dirty sleazy blues which I really like. Love Me For A Minute closes out the album and it’s my favourite track. Love the swing and groove to the main riff a killer ending to the album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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