REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: August 16, 2022

ED WYNNE – Tumbling Through The Floativerse

I am a big fan of the Ozrics, and when guitarist Ed Wynne put out his first solo album, Shimmer Into Nature, I was over the moon – it was such a great record. What a great title for an album, Tumbling Through The Floativerse. If you are aware of where Ed comes, from then I think the title describes the music perfectly. Very trippy grooves that fall into space rock at times, with some superb playing from Ed.

Oilyvoice opens the album up in fine style with some great trippy soundscapes overlayed with some superb guitar. Seen The Sun is trance dance grooves mixed with textured keyboard soundscapes and some superb guitar. Magnetophoria closes out Side 1 and has a wicked slow groove and vibe that touches on dub and reggae.

Side 2 opens up with Floating Plates and the dub reggae vibe continues. This is such a chill piece! Infinity Curtains follows, and the initial vibe is very much fusion – Ed is giving it the beans, and the keys have a very Herbie Hancock vibe at times. Starseeds closes out the album and the overall piece feels quite laid back, but rhythmically there is so much going on. My favourite track is Seen The Sun as this is such a fun groovy piece. Another great album from Mr. Wynne and long may he keep arousing my aural senses.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

CHROME MOLLY – Angst

After the initial burst of NWOBHM, there were bands coming out of the woodwork that wanted to attach themselves to (what was then) a successful movement. These bands were second and third wave NWOBHM, and Chrome Molly were part of the third wave. By the time this (their 3rd album) came out, they had a very commercial sound to their heavy grooves.

Opening track, Thanx For The Angst, is a kick ass melodic beast of a tune with a great riff and groove. I’m very confused by the next track, Take Me I’m Yours, which is a cover of the classic Squeeze tune. The Squeeze original is pure genius, and unless you are doing something amazing, it should be left well alone. This version just confuses, as the vibe is all new wave and the sound is far removed from the opening track. Don’t Let Go is a very American sounding pop rock tune with hints of new wave and is lifted somewhat by a great solo. Come Back has a killer opening riff and this is what this band do well – ROCK! I Want To Find Out closes out Side 1 and it’s as though a different band is coming out of the speakers – you would be forgiven for thinking this was a new romantic band playing.

Side 2 opens up with Take It Or Leave It and sees the band doing their best Def Leppard impression. Living A Lie is up next and is not a bad attempt at doing something a tad different. The production, although clear, is very sparse at times which leaves it sounding a bit empty. My favourite track is Thanx For The Angst, which is head and shoulders above any of the other tunes. This is a very confusing record, at times its killer, but I think the overall impression is did the band know what they wanted to be?

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.