THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: May 2023 (Page 6 of 11)

BEGGARS OPERA – Pathfinder

May 15, 2023 /

This is a nice change from the randomizer picking a Prog album. I have a love of Prog and I have quite a few, but for some reason they don’t come out too often.

This is another album from my youth. A friend back then used to play this all the time. It was the cover and the poster that initially got my attention as the artwork of the spaceman on a horse is incredible.

Of course, the big production piece on the album is MacArthur Park. The song was a hit for actor Richard Harris in ’68, but this version is a 70’s Prog masterpiece and is head and shoulders above anything else the band ever did. It’s the instrumental sections of the piece that are fantastic, as the lyrics and melody are set in stone. The other track that stands out is the title track Pathfinder. The twin guitar wah wah groove is really cool, and the harmonies are very reminiscent of Wishbone Ash.

This was recorded in ’72 so it does sound a tad dated with that flat drum sound, but I have very fond memories of this record.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

KILL FOR THRILLS – Dynamite From Nightmareland

May 15, 2023 /

I guess you can call this a mini LA sleaze supergroup. Gilby Clarke on vocals and guitar, Todd Muscat on Bass (Brent’s brother), and Jason Nesmith lead guitar, (Monkees Mike Nesmith’s son). I think not long after this Gilby was picked for the GnR gig. So, this is their only release, up until now any way.

It sounds exactly like what you’d expect. That big sleaze simple rock n’ roll vibe with a huge hint of the Stones thrown in. In fact, in the opener Motorcycle Cowboy someone is channeling their inner Keef, as that rhythm guitar is so close. Brothers Eyes is also stealing from The Cult this time, as that strummed guitar and groove is really cool. My favourite track is Rockets. The production is really huge on this tune courtesy of Vic Maile. A very commercial sounding song that should have been released as a single, with a great hook and chorus. Honourable mention to My Addiction which mixes the sleaze and punk perfectly.

Not a bad album at all as I haven’t heard this for a few years.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

WILD HORSES – s/t

May 13, 2023 /

A band seemingly doomed from the off with the habits of its two main protagonists, and also band members leaving at an alarming rate. It’s tough getting a sound when things are that fluid.

This album was recorded before NWOBHM hit properly and you wonder if the sound and vibe would have changed somewhat with that influencer all around. There are some very obvious Thin Lizzy influences all over, most notably on Face Down where that twin guitar sound is so Lizzy, Blackmail which Robbo sings the lead, and Dealer which was co-written with Scott Gorham and is my favourite track. Robbo was such a great player back then, it’s a joy to listen to how good he was.

Ultimately though, the material doesn’t quite reach the heights everyone was expecting for Bain and Robbo. There was one more album, and then farewell.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

LITTLE ANGELS – Don’t Pray For Me

May 13, 2023 /

For a while Little Angels were the bright new hopes of the UK rock scene, but as with all decent rock bands around this time they were a victim of Seattle and the anti melody brigade. Fronted by the vocal talents of one Toby Jepson, who I think is now in a band called Wayward Sons, and on the drums is Michael Lee who would go on to drum with Robert Plant and who sadly is no longer with us.

This is the band’s first album, it was released upon the world in ’89 and is their finest work. I managed to see them only once and that was when they were supporting Van Halen. Ironically, if this album came out now it would fit in really well with what is relevant in the rock scene right now.

We start with a bang with the kick ass groove of Do You Wanna Riot. A great opening tune with a killer riff and beat. Kick Hard follows and there is a distinct retro vibe to this one. Favourite track time next with Big Bad World. The intro is very Hot For Teacher by VH with some great guitar. The tempo drives along hard and if this doesn’t get you moving, then nothing will. Huge Born In The USA vibes from next track Kicking Up Daisy, a track that feels as though it was written in home town USA instead of Scarborough UK. Those Brucie vibes continue into Side 1 closer and title track Don’t Pray For Me.

Broken Wings Of Angel opens up Side 2 and its power ballad time with the big album showstopper. The switch is flicked and the rock returns with Bitter & Twisted, a track that is straight out of NWOBHM ten years earlier. Great tune! Promises follows and it is straight out of Zeppelin 4. When I Get Out Of Here is a Really cool track with an early seventies, up tempo, glam vibe. The album closes out with No Solution, another track with a distinctive American feel.

Could things have been different if they appeared say five years earlier? I guess I say that about a lot of bands, but these guys had that little bit of something special.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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