REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: December 4, 2023 (Page 2 of 2)

FROST – Experiments In Mass Appeal

Is it a band, or is it a project? Definitely a project. Frost only seemingly come together when Jem has a window of opportunity from his day job of writing and producing modern pop songs for many artists. They have released four albums so far, of which this is the second, that came out in 2008. They are described as a “Neo progressive rock supergroup.” All I know is that they make great records that seem to cross all boundaries.

Experiments In Mass Appeal and Welcome To Nowhere open up the album and if they only ever made these two pieces, then they would go down as geniuses of modern progressive music. This is such an epic opening with many twists and turns, but with that emphasis on melody and accessibility always front and centre. Pocket Sun is heavier, mainly due to the drum solo that changes the groove frequently, and again that vocal melody is pure joy.

The double outro of Wonderland and The Secret Song is just epic and pure Prog heaven. I don’t know how one man can have so much music inside him. I bet Jem wakes up in the night with random melodies and vocals flowing through his mind; a very talented man. My only gripe with the whole album is that the drums sound muffled at times. There was a special vinyl master done as well, so I’m not sure what the problem is.

That doesn’t detract away from what a great album this is though.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SASS JORDAN – Rats

This is album number three for another one of Canada’s best kept secrets. If you have heard of Stevie Salas and his Colorcode project, then you will get the vibe of this album as it feels like a Colorcode record with Sass singing. That’s not taking anything away from Sass. She is amazing, it’s just the vibe is so close.

It’s those funkier tracks that really do it for me though. Her voice fits so well, and I am partial to some Stevie Salas. Damaged opens up the album and the groove is so freakin’ groovy, I mean what a way to open a record. However, the best vocal track is undoubtedly Pissin’ Down. It’s a slower mood tune where you get the full force of that incredible voice and some nice guitar from Stevie. High Road Easy was a single. I remember hearing it on the radio and immediately went out to source a copy of the album. Killer tune and groove!

This album came out in ’94 and she is still cranking out great records with last year’s Bitches Blues a case in point.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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