THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: July 2023 (Page 1 of 10)

DOKKEN – Back For The Attack

July 31, 2023 /

Back to 1987 and what was the last of the four initial Dokken albums, and quite possibly their best. I’m a huge fan of The George, who is one the most gifted guitarists of his generation. There are lots of George’s solos and riffs to drool over on this album.

Kiss Of Death rips straight in, killer riff and groove to the song and the solo’s are killer. They could also write very good catchy singles and Prisoner is just that, a great hook but it’s that gang chorus that is the cherry on top. Standing In The Shadows is one of the band’s finest tunes. It has a killer George riff, simple groove, with a huge hook and chorus, and lots of George. My favourite track and George’s tour de force: Mr. Scary. It’s an instrumental that is just as iconic to him as Eruption was to EVH.

A great band, with a killer rhythm section, as well as the two main protagonists. It’s good to see Dokken still doing the rounds, but Don’s voice (which was never great) hasn’t aged very well. George however, is more prolific than he ever was. Great record!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Well, summers here and I’m taking a little break until after Labour Day so I can escape my basement. Keep rockin’!!

PROTEST THE HERO – Fortress

July 31, 2023 /

A band that come not to far away from me in Southern Ontario. This album came out in 2008. If you like things on the heavier end of the Prog Metal spectrum then these guys could just be for you.

The album is split into three parts which is cool, but not so cool when the album does not have the track listing for you to follow. The tracks that really shake my tree are as follows, Bone Marrow which reminds a tad of British eccentrics The Cardiacs with lots of lovely changes and grooves to keep your brain engaged. As well, Sequoia Throne has many nods to old school thrash. My favourite track, Palms Read has multiple time and groove changes to keep the most twisted mind happy. And, the totally nuts a go go Wretch.

Great band that consistently put out top quality music.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

FATES WARNING – Parallels

July 29, 2023 /

This is a reissue of the band’s sixth album, originally released in ’91 and was produced by Terry Brown. Is it just a coincidence that the sound reminds me very much of prime time Rush?

Fates Warning were a band very much ahead of their time, and I think a huge influence on Dream Theater who had just recruited James LaBrie at this time. It did quite well commercially, but got patchy reviews from so called critics. This is a very classy, superbly recorded record that should appeal to all.

Highlights for me are Life In Still Water, a track which is trademark Fates, a killer riff with some epic drumming and time changes, I sooo love Ray Alder’s vocals. As well, Eye To Eye which could grace any top ten charts as it’s such a catchy tune. And, my personal favourite the total progtastic Point Of View.

Great band and album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

UNRULY CHILD – s/t

July 29, 2023 /

Another killer melodic rock band that were very late to the table. This album actually only came out in ’92 right in the middle of the anti-melody brigades onslaught. This pressing is a recent reissue through Real Gone Music and it sounds great.

On The Rise opens the album in fine style. A killer Jay Schellen riff, a monster groove, and Mark Free’s vocals are killer. Take Me Down Nasty is a killer feel good uptempo party stomper. Who Cries Now follows and the awesomeness continues. Huge hook and chorus drive this baby along, and try not to sing along to this one. To Be Your Everything is the first ballad of the album. Love the cool riff at the intro to Tunnel Of Love and that hook and chorus is huge! When Love Is Gone would not be out of place on a Journey or Foreigner album. This is top drawer melodic rock at its best.

Lay Down Your Arms reminds me a lot of Autograph. Again, another huge hook and chorus for you to sing a long to and a superb solo as well. Ballad number two is next with Is It Over. Back to the rock with Wind Me Up, and it could just be my favourite track. A nice simple riff and groove that swings just right, and that chorus is massive. I know it’s an AOR album so I guess a third ballad was inevitable and Let’s Talk About Love is just that. Although, there is a lot more power than ballad this time. Criminal is next up and we are back to that simple riff and solid groove format. All you have to do is a hang a big hook and chorus on to it and we have a winner. The album closes out with Long Hair Woman. A very southern rock groove to the intro and this baby just builds into that big chorus. Nice ending to the album.

Another fine addition to your collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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