THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: April 2023 (Page 7 of 7)

TRIUMPH – Just A Game

April 4, 2023 /

Released back in ’79, this is album number three for Toronto’s finest. After Rush, Triumph are probably Canada’s second biggest asset to the world of heavy rock n’ roll. Having built up a head of steam both in Canada and the US with Rock N’ Roll machine, this album was the band’s opportunity to build on that success.

Just A Game contains one of the band’s most endearing tunes in Lay It On The Line. A kick ass tune that builds and builds in dramatic fashion, and it became a staple in Triumph’s live shows. Having two members that can sing was a great advantage to the band as they could swap with whatever mood the song needed. Although, when they played live and Gil Moore sang there was no focal point, and being only a trio that stage was a big place to fill.

Other highlights of the album are the bluesy Young Enough To Cry which features a fiery solo from Rik Emmett, the heavy groove of American Girls, and the epic Hold On. Triumph for sure made their mark on the heavy rock scene and I’m not sure they get the credit they deserve.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

DIAMOND REXX – Rated Rexx

April 3, 2023 /

Diamond Rex are pne of a squillion bands that never quite made it as things didn’t quite fall into place. They fall between metal and glam, and they have actually released six albums of which this is number two. This album is really quite good and very entertaining.

Instant Medication gets the ball rolling with a great riff and guitar sound. Ladies Night is a killer tune with a fat juicy riff, and the groove is superb with a great swing. Easy Kill has a classic killer eighties riff and guitar sound. How Do You Know is the glam portion of the album and sonically it sounds quieter for some reason. Heartbreak City is a power ballad, but doesn’t quite hit the spot for me and is the weakest track. Side 1 closes out with Don’t Let It Get You Down, a sleazy glam rocker and when they play with a more metal attitude they do sound better.

4 Letter Word opens up Side 2. It has a solid riff and the solo is cool, but the vocal is weak in the lyrics. The Colour Red is my favourite track mainly due to the excellent guitar sound and the groove. Other than the excellent Lock It Up, the album sought of fades away ended with the cheesy boogie Bad Attitude.

The first album was on Island, then they were dropped and then they went to indie land, you can sort of see why.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

TUFF – What Comes Around Goes Around

April 1, 2023 /

This is a remastered version of Tuff’s ’91 debut release. The band have been banging around since ’86, and were formed back in Phoenix. This is a fun record with a capital F.

Ruck A Pit Bridge opens up the album in kick ass style. A groovin’ track with a great riff and maximum attitude. I love the deadbeat sleazy funk outro. The All New Generation should have been huge if it had been a single. It’s one of those party anthems that you can’t stop singing. I Hate Kissin’ You Goodbye is Tuff’s Every Rose Has It’s Thorn but with extra balls, and it reached the dizzy heights of #3 on MTV. Lonely Lucy rolls on in next with a monster intro, and that little hint of funk makes that groove just right. Another ripping intro for Side 1 close out tune Ain’t Worth A Dime, which gets my vote as favourite track. There’s a great swing to the groove, and the guitar rules.

So Many Seasons gets Side 2 underway. A song that has that feel good summer feel about it, with a hint of a glam/pop/punk/country vibe. Forever Yours is pure power pop goodness, with added glam of course. It’s ballad time again with Wake Me Up. One of those bottom of the bottle barroom ballads. The glam and groove returns with Spit Like This, a late night sleazy party anthem. Good Guys Wear Black closes out the album. It ends how we started, with a kick ass glam groover.

This is a great reissue that sounds great.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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