THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: January 2023 (Page 1 of 11)

DEEP PURPLE – Perfect Strangers

January 31, 2023 /

After having broken up in ’75 and all members going their separate ways with varying degrees of success, it was a huge surprise when it was announced that Purple were reconvening, and with Ritchie Blackmore on guitar. After all the animosity between members, especially Gillan and Blackmore, I was stunned to say the least. One things for sure, it would have to be a killer record.

While it’s not the band’s best, it certainly is a strong record and the lead off track Knocking At Your Back Door is a great way to open with. A very melodic tune with a great hook and chorus, and Ritchie is on fire playing some great licks. Mean Streak is a throw back to old Purple with that heavy shuffle very similar to Strange Kind Of Woman, and yet the main melody is very US radio-friendly. Listening to the intro of the title track with the unmistakable sound of Jon Lords Hammond brings a tear to the eye, knowing he is no longer with us. My favourite track would have to be Gypsy’s Kiss. An old school uptempo Purple romp with Ritchie and Jon trading licks is pure joy.

I know Purple are still a going concern, but we won’t ever hear this sound again.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS – Core

January 31, 2023 /

Stone Temple Pilots are a band often criticized for gate crashing and riding on the coat tails of the whole grunge movement. They were from San Diego so you could aim that at them I guess, but they were never a grunge band, just as Janes Addiction weren’t either. A lot of the press at the time also called them a one song band because of Sex Type Thing.

Now I agree that is a killer track, and one that I love. It has one of those big guitar riffs and a groove you just can’t ignore, but there are other golden nuggets lurking herein. Wicked Garden is my favourite track, as I love everything about it. The band are playing a serious groove and the that subtle guitar tone is monster. Sin starts like a Rush tune before descending into that hypnotic riff and groove. Then there is that simple, yet so effective simple riff and pounding four four to Crackerman. The hook and chorus is just fantastic on that one.

So there we go, the bands best album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

THE DEAD DAISIES – Radiance

January 30, 2023 /

In The Dead Daisies’ short period of existence, its members have come and gone; it’s been a bit like a revolving door. This is the second album to feature the voice of Glenn Hughes on vocals and bass duties. Of course, with someone as recognizable as Glenn on vocals it’s very hard for the band when they record to not sound like a Hughes solo album. The vibe and sound of the band have changed over the last two albums, and that is solely down to Hughes and guitarist Doug Aldrich.

A very heavy blues vibe is the order of the day with that subtle hint of funk. Don’t get me wrong, I love that heavy groove music and this album doesn’t disappoint. Glenn as usual gives it everything, and Aldrich’s playing is awesome. Let’s get to the meat and potatoes, and the high points (it’s nearly all an high point). Shine On with that simple riff and four to the floor groove hits the spot, as does Born To Fly with that huge guitar sound, but it’s the single Radiance that gets my vote as favourite track. Stunning track with a masterclass from Glenn, I love the rhythm and guitar sound.

This may be the best album they have done.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

CACOPHONY – Go Off

January 30, 2023 /

The band only released two albums, of which this is the second. Widdly diddly diddly dum, shred shred, and more shred. Actually, there is some killer playing but first and foremost, this is a band with a vocalist (Peter Marrino) and song structures.

The band also has two amazing guitar players who have had differing fortunes, to say the least. Marty Friedman has gone on to be one of the genre’s best players with his solo work, as well as being a member of Megadeth. Jason Becker’s story is quite sad as while recording Dave Lee Roth’s A Little Ain’t Enough, he contracted ALS and has been unable to perform since, he is confined to wheelchair and bedridden.

I prefer this style of guitar album to the out and out shred fest albums, as the solos are short, sharp, and to the point. There is some unbelievable playing here and it’s jaw dropping in places from both of them. In terms of songs, my favourite is ESP. A great metal tune with a killer riff and wicked groove, and the playing is insane. Of course there are moments of pure widdlefestarama, like the title track which wears you out by just listening to it.

All hail Shrapnel records for putting albums like these out, and giving guitarists a voice.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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