THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: May 2023 (Page 1 of 11)

CHICKENFOOT – s/t

May 31, 2023 /

I know I have mentioned before my total dislike for Sam The Sham and his incessant internet ramblings and constant bashing of DLR, before Eddie’s death he would lash out the VH brothers periodically. Chickenfoot however, intrigued me and I was wondering what they would cook up. I also went to see them live and I know this may sound like me digging at Sham, but he was by far the weak link in this band. If you’ve seen them live you will know what I mean.

For instance, on tracks like Get It Up and Turnin’ Left the band will go off into a jam towards the end and cook up some real epic moments musically, and instead of walking off while they were in the groove he would just stand there flailing like some newbie at a fitness class. It’s the groovier tunes where this band really shine.

Soap On A Rope is a killer simple groove and so effective you can’t help but sing along. Get It Up is another killer tune with a great riff from Satch and that rhythm section is just so good. The best track however is a Turnin’ Left. Another killer groove from Smith and Anthony, but this track is all about Satriani. It’s good to see and hear Joe in a band environment and he just rules this track, and vocally this whole album is probably the highlight of Sham’s career.

This is a great record and any lovers of hard rock should be snapping this one up.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

CRIMSON GLORY – Transcendence

May 30, 2023 /

This is album number two for one of America’s pioneers of the infant progressive metal movement. They are often called Queensryche clones which is very unfair as they definitely have their own sound and this is the their finest hour. Yup, Midnight does sing in that high register and has a hint of the operatic, as does Geoff Tate, but the music is going in a much different path. Queensryche gave up the metal in favour of epic statement but as you can hear here, Crimson Glory most definitely did not.

Opener and my favourite track Lady Of Winter is one of the better opening tracks you will hear anywhere. Killer riff and groove, and that hook and chorus for a metal band is top drawer. A more speed metal vibe to Red Sharks, and dare I say a hint of a Maiden gallop. That middle and ending is killer! Painted Skies is the one track where they do sound like Queensryche and it’s all down to the vocals. Back to the metal with Masque Of The Red Death, and this is where the band really shine for me. Side 1 closes out with In Dark Places, a big evil sounding dramatic piece with a very familiar riff 😉.

Side 2 opens up with Where Dragons Rule. A huge sounding, epic intro with awesome twin harmony guitars with a big Holy Diver vibe. Lonely follows and Midnight’s voice is the centre piece to this track, right from the slow intro to the end and it’s as close as this band get to a single. Cool riff! Burning Bridges is up next and a very similar intro and vibe to Lonely, but when that main riff kicks in… killer. Eternal World has the most epic of intros with a cool time change into the main tune. Heaviest track on the album? I would say so. The title track closes out the album with a huge sounding intro that flows into a somewhat medieval vibe.

Great record that sounds huge with a top production and mix.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

VICIOUS RUMORS – Soldiers Of The Night

May 29, 2023 /

These are another band from the world of early eighties US metal that I thought would have done a lot more and been further on up the ladder. This is their debut album released on Shrapnel back in ’85, and I think it was the first appearance on record of guitarist Vinnie Moore. Other than a production that sounds as though it was recorded next door, this is a kick ass record and one of the first speed metal albums.

The album opens up with a short instrumental titled Premonition, before the album kicks in proper with Ride (Into The Sun). A full on power metal romp with some killer solos from Vinnie. Geoff Thorpe (who I think is still the only original member in the band today) is the other axman in the band. Medusa is a more traditional metal groove with a great riff, and the solos are top drawer. The title track is up next and the groove and vibe are anthemic chest thumping metal. Murder starts with a killer eerie guitar pattern then its double kicks a go go with a hint of Iron Maiden thrown in. March Or Die closes out Side 1 and this is my favourite tune. A slower groove and vibe with some great guitar, but it’s those cheesy eighties “death to false metal” style lyrics that really bring a smile.

Blitz The World blasts into life to kick off Side 2 . Double kicks pounding with a fast chugga riff and wailing guitars. Happy days! Invader is Vinnie just wailing, shredding, and showing off his chops; he would get his own solo release a year after this. In Fire is next up and I love the twin guitar intro before the main groove kicks in, and the speed on those kick drums…! No triggers here! A completely different vibe to Domestic Bliss; an early Sabbath feel with a much slower groove. Blistering Winds closes out the album and you can guess it’s not a ballad.

It’s amazing they are still going with all the trials that they have had.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

FISHBONE – In Your Face

May 27, 2023 /

There were a lot of cool things happening within the rock sphere towards the end of the eighties. A lot of mixing up of styles, and Fishbone were at the forefront of it all. The band originally formed way back in ’79 while they were still at school and this is their first album that was released in ’86, although there as an EP issued a year earlier.

The album opens up with When Problems Arise a track that contains a myriad of styles, although leaning more to the rock/funk vibe. A Selection follows and is heavily influenced by the English early eighties Mod Ska boom, and could have appeared on any album by The Beat. Over to Cholly and its reggae a go go, Caribbean style with a hint of The Police in the middle section. I Wish I Had A Date is still in reggae town but we have an added funk element. Movement In The Night is a super slick smooth jazz funk groove, and sounds killer.

Side 2 opens up with Give It Up; my favourite track. An uptempo, Police-style groover with a killer beat and a little soul added for your delight. In The Air is pure eighties funk pop. Another killer sounding track, I would have released this as a single. Turn The Other Way sounds like something out of modern a New Orleans jazz combo. The funkiest track on the album is Knock It, a monster old school groove. The album closes out with two short pieces: Simon Says The Kingpin and Post Cold War Politics. The first is a fast paced punk rockabilly blast, and the second is oompah with the band giggling over the top. Weird? …absolutely!

A fun album from a fun band.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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