REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: June 22, 2022

BLUES PILLS – Holy Moly

This is the band’s third studio album that was released back in 2020. I loved the first album as the vibe was a heavy blues rock, which really floated my boat. This album plows the same path but with more of a late sixties psychedelic groove added to the mix. However, the focal point is still vocalist Ellen Larsson, who possesses a killer set of pipes that is a perfect fit for the grooves that the band lay down.

The songs are short and to the point, except Song From A Mourning Dove, which weighs in at 5.34 and is the showcase tune on the album. It’s a very trippy track with awesome vocals and guitar. This is a kick ass groovy retro beast of an album and the opening trio of Proud Woman, Low Road, and Dreaming My Life Away just groove you into submission. California is all about Ellen Larsson’s vocal as she gives Janis a run for her money with an epic performance. Rhythm In The Blood is my favourite on the album. It’s a superb groovefest that just gets under your skin. Dust closes out Side 1 with a slow blues groove and a stunning vocal.

Kiss My Past Goodbye kicks Side 2 into gear with a very retro riff and groove. I feel as though I should be wearing my tie dye and split knee loons. Wish I’d Known is a return to that slow blues groove with yet another killer vocal. Bye Bye Birdy is pure fuzzed up 60’s psych rock. Longest Lasting Friend closes out the album with yet another killer vocal wrapped around a slow blues ballad. The first album is still my favourite, but this one’s not far behind.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

JOURNEY – Raised On Radio

This was released three years after their last album, Frontiers, and both Neal Schon and Steve Perry had recorded solo albums, of which Perry’s sold really well and there were huge rumours that he might not return to Journey. We all now know that he did, but he had a lot more control over the songs and direction the band took.

This is very much a Steve Perry album as the songs fit more into an RnB format – much more than any other Perry-Journey album. Also of note here, the band are basically a there piece as both Ross Valory and Steve Smith had been asked to leave. In fact, rockin’ moments are in short supply on this record, there’s only Be Good To Yourself (which is killer and Schon finally gets to let rip), and the title track that feel like classic Journey tracks.

However, a rejuvenated Perry sings his ass off all over the record, especially on heartstring pulling tracks like Once You Love Somebody and It Could Have Been You, where the emotion in his voice is incredible. It’s not a classic Journey album, but it’s still a good record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.