THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: January 2023 (Page 9 of 11)

AL HARLOW – Now

January 7, 2023 /

I’m sure a lot of you will have heard of the band Prism. They had a US hit with Don’t Let Him Know in ’81, I think. Well, Al is still a member of that occasional gigging band, and this is his solo album released in early 2022. Al also released an album under the Harlow name back in ’77, so it’s not his venture out on his own.

So, what does Mr Harlow sound like out on his own? Well it’s mostly songs written in the pop/rock vein. There is one track on the album co-written with Brian Adams and Jim Vallance called Way Of The World, which is what you would expect, a big ballad. Lots of early sixties vibes through a lot of the album, and I Believe, which was mixed by Mike Fraser, is a perfect example of this. My favourite track is He Don’t Live Here No More which has a really cool bluesy vibe, and I love the guitars on this one. I great little record and you just don’t hear tunes being made like this anymore.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

BLACK STONE CHERRY – s/t

January 7, 2023 /

This is a reissue of the band’s 2006 debut album, on the great Music On Vinyl label. Black Stone Cherry are one of the earliest retro vibe bands, and one of the best.

The album opens up with Rain Wizard , a ripping track with a monster riff and groove with just a hint of Soundgarden in there. Blackwoods Grove follows with another fat huge riff, and this track really swings. Lonely Train starts with a real busy groove and that main riff sounds so simple but sooo cool. The hook and chorus are huge! Maybe Someday has a serious 70’s groove going down, especially the main riff. Epic stuff! When The Weight Comes Down follows and the main chords are very punk rock in feel, I’m really loving Chris Robertson’s vocals. Crosstown Woman is bringing the heavy with the drums and guitar at the intro. Killer vocal and I love the whole groove of the song. Shooting Star closes out Side 1, and I love the phased guitar opening, the guitars sound huge on this one.

Hell And High Water opens up Side 2 and this is the most commercial radio-friendly tune so far. Great track! A cover of the Yardbirds’ Shapes Of Things follows and it’s almost unrecognizable from the original, it’s played with a lot more energy and is a great dirty rock groove. Violator Girl is next and it’s also my favourite track. It’s all about the riff and groove. I play this tune a lot! Tired Of The Rain is the most chill track on the album, with added B3 by Reece Wynn’s. Big riffs and chords announce the arrival of Drive with a full blast vocal from Chris. The album closes out with Rollin’ On, another very commercial sounding track, again with Reece’s B3 for flavour. A great album and would be a worthy addition to anyones collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

HONEYMOON SUITE – Racing After Midnight

January 6, 2023 /

This is the third album from Niagara Falls’ finest. After the huge success of The Big Prize, the pressure was on with this release and the record company gambled by not using Bruce Fairbairn, and going for Ted Templeman instead. As with everything Ted is involved in, this sounds superb with an awesome production.

This album was aimed straight at the US radio market with four huge singles being released from it. The biggest being Love Changes Everything, which is such a cool song, and Looking Out For Number 1, both very slick tracks. For some reason Cold Look was only released in Europe, I thought that would have been a hit in the US.

They still know how to rock with tracks like Love Fever, but with a more commercial vibe and groove. My favourite track is Other Side Of Midnight, a great uptempo rocker with a superb hook and chorus.

This is what a great producer does and Ted is one of the best. Sure, the songs are awesome but that sprinkle of awesome makes a good album a great album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

LONDON – Non Stop Rock

January 6, 2023 /

London are probably more well known for who has played with them than the music they put out. The ex members list reads like a who’s who of the LA glam scene, Nikki Sixx, Blacky Lawless, Izzy Stradlin, Slash, and Lizzie Grey to name just a few. The band have been around since ’78 but their debut wasn’t released until ’85 when most of the above names were doing bigger and better things.

First song Dirty City sets things up for the rest of the album with a full on glam anthem. The production was done by the band themselves and at times the treble is too much, it takes away from the overall vibe. Non Stop Rock is just more of the same fun party rock. Werewolves Of London tries to be a little different with a more adventurous subject matter and vibe. It’s Rock & Roll is straight out of the New York Dolls handbook, a total sleaze fest. Stand Back closes out Side 1, an uptempo sleaze stomper with Lizzie Grey’s guitar way up in the mix.

No Tell Motel opens up Side 2 and, if I’m pushed, its my favourite track on the album as I really like the riff. Party In Hollywood follows and is a close second in the favourite track department with a really cool riff and groove. Masters Of The Airwaves has a really cool opening, and the guitar sound is huge. The last track Radio Stars is ironically the most commercial sounding track on the album, it should have opened the record. Producers don’t only get the best sounding record they can, but they help with the arrangements and that’s what this album is crying out for. I’m sure there is a great record hiding in there  somewhere.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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