THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: October 2023 (Page 3 of 8)

HEAVY PETTIN – s/t

October 20, 2023 /

This is the band’s self-titled album released back in ’83, it was produced by Brain May and Mack. Polydor sure put their money where their collective mouths were on this release. A lot of bands around this time complained about lack of support from their record companies, but Heavy Pettin could not say that. I think it’s obvious Polydor thought they had scored another Def Leppard.

I like this album as it still has that rawness and energy, as well as killer songs. In And Out Of Love opens up the album and if that song is not a statement of intent then I don’t know what it is. Killer hook and chorus and Hammie’s vocals are top drawer, if you’re not singing along with this you need to see a doctor. Love On The Run is as good as anything that Leppard were doing at the time. Love Times Love is a just a simple four four rock song, but the vocal drives this baby along. Great song! There are still hints of NWOBHM hanging around as Victims Of The Night is straight from the NWOBHM songbook. Those early Leppard comparisons are all on show with Shout It Out, even the guitar sound is the same. Great song though! In And Out Of Love is my favourite song, I mean how can it not be.

These guys should have been huge and they are right at the top of the page headed “What The Hell Happened?”.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

VOYAGER – Fearless In Love

October 19, 2023 /

I’m not sure when Australia were a part of Europe, but Voyager entered the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Promise” and finished ninth.

This is the band’s eighth album and is nothing like Promise. There is still tons of melody for the listener to enjoy, but be prepared for the drop tuned heavy riffs on tracks like Prince Of Fire. One of my favourite tracks I have heard this year is Ultraviolet. I think Rob from @vinyl_ragazzo mentioned this was like if Duran Duran had gone Prog. I can’t argue with that. It’s a super fun tune with killer guitar mixed with the complex rhythms and killer vocals. Epic tune!

In fact, Dreamer is even more poptastic. Superb electronic grooves to kick the tune into gear with killer low end guitar riffs and superb vocals. This band are so good at this type of song. It’s tough to pick a favourite tune but I’m going with Submarine. It’s a cool uptempo groover with some nice fat guitars, a driving beat, great keys, and a superb vocal. They are like a modern day It Bites.

Killer band and killer album!

10/10 from The Grooveman.

FM – Tough It Out

October 18, 2023 /

This is album number two for the UK’s leading  AOR maestro’s and we’re treading the same path as Bon Jovi. Though, they were more well known in the UK and Europe as they were headlining shows and selling out.

Fronted by the vocal talents of Steve Overland, there was a point after the release of this album when I thought they would be huge. They had it all really, the big melodies, huge songs, and a strong label behind them. Shoulda, coulda, woulda!

Tough It Out , Don’t Stop, Someday, and Can You Hear Me Calling are all songs that would have been perfect for American radio, and who knows why that never happened. This was ’89 and just before doomsday arrived, I guess the A&R for the band dropped the ball. This is an AOR fan’s wet dream.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

JASON BIELER & The Baron Avon Bielski Orchestra – Postcards From The Asylum

October 17, 2023 /

This is the fourth solo album, but only the second using the Baron Von Bielski Orchestra title. I loved the first album and if anything, this is even better. It has massive sounding songs with multi layered vocals, weird interludes, heavy guitars, and superb vocal melodies. If anyone has heard the Saigon Kick albums that he sang on and wrote, you will know what to expect, even though he takes that a lot further here.

Bombay opens up the album and man, what a killer opening tune. Super heavy riffing with a hook and melody to die for. Numb takes that heavy guitar mixed with a native beat and groove into something that sounds familiar but feels brand new, and the vocals are something else. Superb tune and my favourite! The riff to Heathens is so good and that hook and chorus is just superb. Mexico feels like a McCartney tune, especially with the piano and vocal. Birds Of Prey follows and the vocals will floor you. The layers and harmonies are stunning. Flying Monkeys has Marco Minneman on the pots and pans, this is a s close you will get to a Zappa song. The guitar, bass, and vocal are playing the same part until you get to the main hook and chorus. I would love to see this played live.

Sic Riff is indeed just that, a down deep and low riff with matching groove. A great sounding acoustic opens up The Depths. The Baron shows what a great and unique sounding voice he possesses. Beautiful song! Awesome multi layered vocals to open up Beneath The Waves over what is basically a simple chord pattern, but it works so well. Sweet Eliza follows and I guess you would describe this as a ballad. This one is all about the vocals. Great song! A psychedelic intro to 9981 Darkness that seems to carry that vibe all the way through the tune. T

he heavy guitar returns with Feels Just Like Love. This song feels like an old rock n’ roll tune in the verse, but when we get to the hook and chorus it’s more like being in a church choir. I know that sounds odd, but this song is a delight. Bear Sedatives is next, and what a name for a tune. This has a twisted lullaby feel to it. Deep Blue follows and Yes circa 90125 springs to mind, I’m in awe of how Mr. Bieler has the ability to weave the most amazing vocal melodies into all his music. We close out the album with Human Head. Another super clear acoustic piece with matching vocal.

There are so many different vibes and grooves on this record, it is a total joy to play. If there was any justice in the world Jason Bieler would be playing sell out tours and his music would be selling in its millions. A wonderful album that everyone should own.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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