REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: July 21, 2023

OZZY OSBOURNE – Bark At The Moon

I’m sure we are all familiar with this: The Great Ozberts third album and what catastrophe had gone before. The big thing for me however was how would Jake compare to Randy. Before this, Ozzy finished touring Diary Of A Madmen with Brad Gillis on guitar. I saw that tour and Brad was a total revelation. Incredible player and I was hoping he would become Ozzy’s new axeman. Obviously that never happened and Jake was the man.

The main difference between them is how they construct riffs, and Randy’s style was a lot more dark and fit perfectly with what Ozzy was aiming for. Jake’s riffs however, are more lighter and happier (if that’s the right word) and this album on the whole reflects that. Bark At The Moon and Rock N’ Roll Rebel are great songs, but it’s Centre Of Eternity that is the best track on the album as it’s one of Jakes finest riffs.

It was near impossible to follow Diary Of A Madman anyway as it’s such an iconic record. This isn’t a bad album it just has a different feel and Jake is still a killer player.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

ALIEN – Cosmic Fantasy

This is not the Swedish AOR band of the same name, this Alien are from the east coast of the US and are a much more interesting proposition. They only released this EP however and would disappear into the ether not long after.

They obviously have a huge KISS fetish and they get maximum points for their names especially Damien The Beast Bardot. I think this was released in ’83 and the sound is raw, kick ass, and fit perfectly with the sound of NWOBHM. I know I shouldn’t, but I do love this EP. This is FUN with a capital F! All these years later and it still puts a smile on my face. It’s all here, the big gang sing a long choruses, the wild guitars, crazy names, crazy outfits and make up. As I said, I love it all but I’m going for Headbangin’ as my favourite track.

Totally over the top and just perfect!

9/10 from The Grooveman.