REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: July 18, 2022

JOE BONAMASSA – Redemption

I’m amazed at how Joe keeps it fresh, as he seems to churn out albums every week. Whether it be solo records or collaborations, and even side projects, there is so much with JoBo on it out there.

This album was put out in 2018, and has the full ensemble, with female backing singers, and horn section. All original compositions this time, and no covers. Evil Mama has Joe’s patented blues rock groove, and this is a really great track. King Bee Shakedown is more of a traditional fast blues shuffle, and sounds epic with the full band – almost a big band vibe. This sets the tone for the whole record: a mixture of modern blues rock groovers and more traditional sounding pieces, even a jug band sounding tune with Pick Up The Pieces. Joe has a love of country, and that shows through on the Ghost Of Macon Jones. My favourite track is the opening tune, Evil Mama. It’s one of the best things he’s done. From the Zeppelin drum fill at the beginning, this track has such a killer groove. Great album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

CROBOT – Feel This

This is the Grooveman’s 900th Review!!!

Well, it does say on the hype sticker “Dirty Groove Rock”, and you can’t really argue with that. They seem to get better with every release, and this is one hell of a record. Groove has been missing from rock albums of late, and it’s great to see young bands bringing it back.

Electrified gets things under way and boom what a great track, plenty of groove and riffage, with a killer vocal. Dizzy which is my favourite track on the album, it’s a real heavy groover with a monster riff and hook, and chorus to die for. Set You Free starts real slow before the main groove kicks in; a great use of dynamics and power, and the middle eight is awesome. Better Times follows, and this baby really swings with massive riffage and a wicked groove. Golden slows things down somewhat initially, and then we groove again. It has a killer hook and chorus, and Brandon Yeagley sings his ass off. Without Wings closes out Side 1, and starts out slowly but grows into the heaviest sounding track yet, with a beast of a riff.

Living On The Streets really rocks Side 2 into life with a ripping hard rock monster of a tune. Into The Fire is up next, and the retro vibes are strongest on this one, mainly with the riff. Dance With The Dead is the most commercial sounding track so far with a hook and chorus that will stick in your brain. Holy Ghost has an evil riff that will have you bouncing off the walls. Never Break Me has a riff that is the bastard son of My Sharon’s. The album closes out with the epic Staring Straight Into The Sun. And again, a superb use of dynamics with the most beautiful turning; the dirty evil beast that they are. Killer record and they should be the next big break through band.

10/10 from The Grooveman.