THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: October 2023 (Page 6 of 8)

LED ZEPPELIN – Presence

October 6, 2023 /

This is a Wally World (Walmart) exclusive release of the Led Zeppelin’s ’76 album, complete with a repo tour laminate of the period. I’m assuming they are using the most up to date remaster as it sounds super clear and also empty at the same time as the sound is very sparse.

I’m not the biggest Zeppelin fan as they never seemed to flick my switch, but I remember buying this on release day and feeling quite underwhelmed after playing it. From what you read online, this seems to be most people’s least favourite Zeppelin album.

Achilles Last Stand is regarded by many as the album’s stand out tune, and it feels a bit like Zeppelin go Prog to me. However, in my opinion Nobody’s Fault But Mine is the best tune on the record, as it feels like them being themselves. A cool riff and a bit of eastern promise added to the intro, plus that Bonzo and JPJ groove is timeless. It’s cool that they go back to the blues on the close out tune Tea For One, as that’s where it all started.

I’m not sure when this will get played again, but it was cool to listen to it after all this time.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

CATS IN BOOTS – Kicked & Klawed

October 6, 2023 /

There’s one thing about these glam/sleeze bands, you could just about tell what they were going to sound like by the name alone. It’s as though they were all trying to beat each other with how many cat references you could get in your name. Obviously, with the success of Poison they all came out of the wood work, and yes this is another in the category of one and they’re done.

Quite an intriguing band though, half of the members were originally from Japan and relocated to the US to put a band together. They seemed to slip under the radar somewhat as their peers got all the attention. Which is a shame as this album does rock in all the right places.

The single Her Monkey is a bonafide glam classic. A great uptempo reoffend and groove that really swings along. The dual focus of the band is frontman Joel Ellis with that that oh so sleazy gravelly tone and guitarist Takashi O’Hashi who has all the riffs. A lot of the tunes on the album seemed to be a mix of old school rock n’ roll and grooves that you’re sure you’ve heard before. The case in point is the main riff to Coast To Coast which I swear was lifted from a Devo tune. My favourite track is the close out tune Heaven On A Heartbeat. It’s a fun filled, riff heavy, uptempo rocker that just about sums the band up.

Still a fun listen.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

SYMPHONY X – The Odyssey

October 5, 2023 /

Symphony X are a band that seemingly have been around for eons, but they came together in ’94. This is a reissue of the band’s sixth album that originally came out in 2002. It is partly a conceptual album, as the title track is some twenty four minutes long and is inspired by Homer’s Odyssey.

The band follow a path laid down by Dream Theater and Fates Warning before them but with lots more guitar and maybe a heavier sound as well. How can there not be oodles of guitar when you have the king of shredders in your midst, the one Michael Romeo. It’s not all about the guitar though as Russell Allen has a set of pipes that are up there with the best.

There is no doubt that this is a killer album from the get go so I’m just dipping into what I think are the high points. Wicked is my favourite tune. It’s got a ripping riff and groove with sirs Allen and Romeo both ripping up a storm. Next, King Of Terrors with its demonic intro and Metallica riffing is a fun tune. Also, you cannot fail to be in awe of the title tune. From the Broadway horns and orchestra at the intro it feels as though the listener is on a musical journey.

A great band that don’t get the credit they deserve, living in the shadows of those before them.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

ARCH ECHO – s/t

October 5, 2023 /

Arch Echo are a progressive metal/ fusion band from Nashville and this is their first album. It came out in 2017, and they write some killer complex instrumental tunes, but there is always that element of accessibility to the music that doesn’t alienate the listener.

I love this band and they can do no wrong for me. Each tune is an epic adventure with some jaw dropping playing while keeping the groove alive. The grooves range from the absolutely crushing, to veering on classical, and usually all in one tune like Afterburger. My favourite tune is Hip Dipper, as all of the above are played on the track with added EDM, and even flashes of DT and Toto influences. Brilliant tune! A close second is Color Wheel. A song that is veering on Prog dance music at times, with some beautiful guitar and keys melodies.

This  band are so good, and the future is very bright indeed. I urge you to check them out ASAP.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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