THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: January 2023 (Page 2 of 11)

DEF LEPPARD – Diamond Star Halos

January 28, 2023 /

This is the twelfth album from Sheffield’s finest purveyors of all things rock, and I would say it’s the closest sounding (influence-wise) to the bands that they have cited as inspiration for them to start a band in the first place. There is a very strong 70’s vibe to the majority of the album, and could this be the closest the band have come to being themselves? Even the album title is a reference to T.Rex. They made millions and sold squillions in their golden Pyromania and Hysteria period, but they were criticized constantly for being a producers plaything.  

All the trademark Leppard sounds are here, the big harmonies, the catchy hooks, and big sing-a-long choruses, but this time it’s just a band being themselves. My favourite track is opener Take What You Want, a kick-ass tune that just gets stuck in your head, as all the best songs do. A close second is U Rok Mi, with the Indian-inspired opening rhythmic groove, to the big arena rock chorus.

This album is an example of a band getting more comfortable with who they really are.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

THE BOOM BAND – s/t

January 28, 2023 /

Now, I’m sure not many of you are familiar with The Boom Band. They are a selection of some of Britain’s finest blues musicians (including an ex-England cricketer). These include Jon Amor, Marcus Bonfanti, Matt Taylor, Paddy Milner, and Mark Butcher.

This self financed album came out in 2014 and contains ten tunes that the band have worked together playing live. My personal favourites are Diamonds In The Rough a great little tune with a killer swing and groove, Under The Skin a Mark Butcher tune with an R’n’B vibe straight out of the Deep South, and the best track on the album The Claptonesque Favour Bank Shuffle.

It’s a shame that bands like this don’t get picked up by labels, but then again they maybe get more money doing it this way.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

THE POLICE – Ghost In The Machine

January 27, 2023 /

The Police are another band that made consistently good records, and they actually only recorded over a five year period from ’78 to ’83. It’s amazing to think that they achieved so much in such a short space of time. Of course there are the huge hits that you expect of The Police namely, Spirits In The Material World, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, and Invisible Sun. But, it’s the less famous songs that are the ones that I play the most.

Other than Demolition Man, which is on Side 1, it’s side 2 that holds the golden nuggets for me. The funk/reggae crossover of Too Much Information is incredible with a killer groove, and Copeland’s drumming is excellent. My favourite track however is One World, which Sting rearranged when he played it live as a solo artist. The fast reggae groove is so infectious.

They were an incredible band that sounded like no one else. I can listen to them over and over, and still get blown away. The production is top drawer and the whole album is sonically awesome.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

WARRANT – Cherry Pie

January 27, 2023 /

So with the release of Warrant’s second album in 1990, the band struck gold mainly due to the title track lighting up the charts and becoming the band’s signature tune. Of course this was also a poison chalice for front man and main songwriter Jani Lane, as he hated the fact that people would recognize him as the “Cherry Pie guy” until the day he died.

Enough of the sadness, let’s celebrate what was probably the last of the great hair rock albums before the grunge bomb hit. Cherry Pie is a killer tune and it opens up the album, but there is so much more goodness hidden in the grooves, like the second track Uncle Toms Cabin, which is my favourite. Great hook and chorus, and Jani’s vocals are superb, what a great song! I Saw Red is the first power ballad on the album, and I have to say I really like it. Mainly due to the vocal and the guitar when the power kicks in. Bed Of Roses has a great hook and melody, and just a hint of what is now known as Americana in the main verse. Sure Feels Good To Me is a kick-ass up tempo rocker that closes out Side 1. A definite feel good Friday night special.

Over to Side 2 we go with Love In Stereo and, boys and girls, I’m pleased to say it’s more of the same. A great sing-a-long hard rockin’ tune with a snappy solo. Blind Faith is the second power ballad and was the fourth single released. Song And Dance Man has its feet in two camps, as its part ballad and part rocker. I love the rocker part as the riff is really cool and the solos are killer. Talking about solos, there were big rumours at the time that the solos were played by hired guns, namely Mike Slamer from Streets.

Next track, You’re The Only Hell Your Mama Ever Raised carries on the sing-a-long party anthem vibe of most of the record. Mr. Rainmaker has a a nice riff but it’s Jani’s voice that drives what is otherwise a stock melodic rock tune. A cover of Blackkfoot’s Train Train follows, I love the original with that deep southern groove, and Warrant gave it the LA treatment. The album finally closes out with Ode To Tipper Gore. I get the freedom of speech thing, but just putting a selection of swear words from live shows together is something a 12 year-old would find cool.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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