THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: May 2023 (Page 9 of 11)

BON JOVI – s/t

May 5, 2023 /

The album that started it all. Interestingly enough, the song that really drew attention to the band, Runaway wasn’t even recorded by the band other than Jon on vocals. It was recorded by a bunch of session guys a year earlier. I guess the label didn’t have that much faith in the old BJ’s, as I would have at least re-recorded it with the band to get that continuity. How they were wrong ,hey?

Let’s be straight here, this album is chock full of bangers, not a dull moment. I rate this album as high as Slippery, and if the production was better it’s a close run thing. Other than the obvious Runaway, I’m going to pick a track that deserves your attention but doesn’t get the spotlight too much and that’s Roulette. A much heavier sound and groove and yet that commercial vibe and feel isn’t lost.

If you saw Bon Jovi early, say after the first three albums, they could rock it out with the best of them and they put on a great show. Sure, it’s a great album.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

STAGE DOLLS – s/t

May 4, 2023 /

This is this Norwegian band’s third release that came out back in ’88. The album was delayed a year in the US and the single Love Cries did quite well in the Billboard charts, whereas Wings Of Steel did well in Europe. The band occupy that space between pop and rock, a very slick well produced sound that was huge in America about five years earlier and would soon give way to songs with a harder edge.

The first three tracks Still In Love, Wings Of Steel, and Lorraine are superb pop/rock masterpieces. They all have great hooks and have that sing-a-long vibe in the chorus, and they sound huge. Love Cries just feels like you are listening to prime time Journey, well musically any way. My favourite track is Mystery which has a guest appearance from TNT’s Ronnie Le Tekro who lays down some guitar and a perfect solo. A quick mention to Don’t Stop Beleivin’ (no not that one) as it was close for favourite tune. The record company missed a beat here as I would have released this as a single. Its has a super smooth groove with a killer melody, and a hook and chorus to die for.

A great sounding album and if you are anyway in love with that eighties sound, you should own this.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

METAL CHURCH – s/t

May 4, 2023 /

Metal Church were formed way back in 1980, although it wasn’t until ’84 when their debut album saw the light of day. Originally released on independent label Ground Zero, this is a reissue by MOV on 180g. Also, this was Terry Date’s first production job and he would go on to produce many great albums, most notably Pantera’s Cowboys From Hell and A Vulgar Display Of Power.

For ’84 there are some seriously technical grooves on this album, away from the straight up thrash that was growing popularity at the time. The title track is a beast of a tune, with some excellent full on riffing, a slower main groove to add some great dynamics, and an added touch of Maiden thrown in. If you want some good old speed added to the grooves then the instrumental Merciless Onslaught should shake the dandruff away.

My favourite track is Hitman. Some great chugga riffing and there is a definite nod to NWOBHM on this as the similarities are very close. Big shout out to the cover of Deep Purple’s Highway Star. A slightly sped up version but I just find it a great and fun listen.

A very enjoyable romp, and this band were quite important in the whole USA metal scene of the time.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

ACCEPT – Stalingrad

May 3, 2023 /

This is the German metal masters thirteenth studio album, released in 2012 and the second to feature vocalist Mark Tornillo, or new Udo has some fans have labelled him. I have to mention the huge production and sound from Andy Sneap, this is a super clear recording.

The album is a loosely based concept album on the German army around Stalingrad in WW2. Metal music has moved on much from its heyday in the mid to late eighties and sometimes not for the good. A lot of bands just try to be to different and they lose the ability make the music groove, so I’m glad that bands like Accept are still around and realise that a great big fat riff and matching groove are essential to make that toe tap and head bang; this album does just that.

Plenty of fat huge riffs and pounding grooves to keep the most ardent metal fan happy. Pretty hard to choose a favourite as this is a freakin’ awesome record but I will go for Flash To Bang Time. It’s a pounding monster with double kicks driving hard, a ripping riff, and wailing guitars a plenty.

Long live Accept!!!

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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