REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: July 2022 (Page 5 of 8)

DISNEYLAND AFTER DARK – No Fuel Left For The Pilgrims

This is the band’s third album and I think the last to use the full name, as they were threatened with a law suit by Disney if they didn’t change it. I remember a lot of reviewers at the time not knowing how to pigeonhole them as they didn’t quite sit perfectly in those little boxes that music papers love to put bands in. There is a big sleazy LA influence in a lot of what they do, but there is that underlying indie/ Sisters Of Mercy vibe going in as well.

Opening track has that AC/DC riff going on, then that very indie picked guitar part kicks in with a foot firmly in both camps. Jihad is pure sleazy groovin’ rock n’ roll – a great wake up tune. Point Of View reminds me a bit of Oz rockers Midnight Oil. Rim Of Hell starts with the stripped down simple riff that is so infectious and just gets louder and dirtier. ZCMI is peddle to the metal punk rock n ‘roll. True Believer gives Rose Tattoo a run for their money in the barroom rock n’ roll arena. Girl Nation ironically enough reminds a bit of Horse Nation by the Cult. Lords Of The Atlas is my least favourite track on the album as it doesn’t do a whole bunch. Overmuch is a dirty beast of a groover with great riff. Love the riff and groove to Siamese Twin, just a great rock n’ roll tune. Wild Talk has such a simple riff, and I love the hook. The album closes out with Ill Will which is just two minutes of angst and noise. The cover is the version before the law suit so it has the full name. This is just a great fun record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

HOUSE OF LORDS – Saint Of The Lost Souls

So as far as I can make out, James Christian is the only original member left in the House of Lords’ current line up. Gregg Giuffria, who originally set up the band, left way back when and is now involved in Vegas. The band were done and dusted after the Demons Down album back in ’92, but were resurrected again by Christian in 2004.

This album was released back in 2017, and I think since the inclusion of Jimi Bell on guitar the band have put out some really good albums. The majority of this record is a classy and well written melodic rock/aor album with crystal clear production. They do let the beast loose on occasion; in the title track, the best track on the album, the tempo increases and so does the riffage. The other track that that really grabs me is album closer The Other Option, as the double kicks are groovin and Jimi Bell is riffing hard. It’s good to see classy melodic rock albums still being recorded as there is a fanbase that still wants them.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

VIXEN – s/t

You have to wonder sometimes how bands get signed. Now, I’m not knocking Vixen here but did they have any songs written by themselves before they were signed? Or was it just that they could play covers and looked good? There are a few versions of how the band came into being so I’m not sure on that one, all I can say is this album sounds good but it does sound like how sessions guys would sound if they did a rock by numbers album.

Now every song bar two have been written by outside writers and they are some of the best, namely Richard Marx, Jeff Paris, and Fee Waybill. I don’t care too much for the ballads, even though Cryin’ was huge and I do like the chorus. It’s the rockier tunes that float my boat though like Edge Of A Broken Heart, I Want You To Rock Me, and Cruisn’. The best track though is Hell Raisers as it’s the least corporate sounding and it has the most balls with a great vocal from Janet Gardner. All in all there is some great playing on this album and it’s a solid…

8/10 from The Grooveman.

NAZARETH – Malice In Wonderland

This is the only Nazareth album I own and that is purely down to the fact that ex-SAHB guitarist joined the band for the album before this. I was sure the reason he was asked to join the band was just to add balls, and beef up the band’s sound. Couldn’t have been more wrong of course, as he has a co-write on all but one of the songs, and three of them are sole Zal compositions.

Big Boy would first appear on the SAHBWA album, and was one of my favourite tracks on that album. Showdown At The Border has USA written all over it and has a big ear worm chorus. Hearts Grown Cold is a big power ballad, and I think it was released as a single. I always associate Nazareth with being a rough around the edges rock n’ roll band, but this is a very slick and well produced album with an eye on America. My favourite track is Talkin’ To One Of The Boys, as it has a very un-Nazareth vibe to it. A very quirky riff and groove with an almost new wave feel ,and some great guitar.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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