REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: December 6, 2022

HAREM SCAREM – Thirteen

I recently reviewed Harem Scarem’s first album (and gave away a copy). Let’s move forward nearly 25 years to the release of this, Thirteen. Yup, they are still with us after having a few blips on the way and thankfully they are still making great records. There is no doubt that these guys know how to write killer melodic rock songs, and I’m glad to report this album is full of them. Highlights of which there are many.

Garden Of Eden is a superb track with a killer hook and chorus. Early Warning Signs is a great uptempo groover with a kick ass riff and groove, add to that Harry’s killer vocals and it’s my favourite tune. The superb close out tune Stardust has everything from a ripper of a riff to a superb groove, and I defy anyone not to sing a long to that hook and chorus . Superb tune! If melodic rock is your bag and you have not heard of these guys then where have you been?! This is another great album to add to anyone’s collection.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

KILLING JOKE – What’s This For…!

This is the Killing Joke’s second album, released back in ’81. I remember Sounds magazine giving it a 5 star review at the time and thinking, “what the hell were they were smoking?” Of course, I was in full on metal mode at the time and it wasn’t until a few years later that I discovered what a superb influential band they were.

The grooves and rhythms they used were completely unique at the time and have been much copied since. Listen to Tension, with that pounding tribal drum groove and a simple distorted guitar, so many bands since have used that and still do. Follow The Leaders was the big song from this album, again with that super loud drum blast, distorted guitar, and a pulsing synth that is very reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder. Lots of styles clashing together here. My favourite though is Butcher, which when you listen to it now you wonder if Trent Reznor took this as inspiration. They have released better albums since but this was a very pivotal record for its time.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.