THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: January 27, 2024

FATES WARNING – FWX

January 27, 2024 /

This is the Prog metal pioneers’ tenth album and was released back in 2004. Never happy with creating the same album twice, this album sees the band going with a more simple straightforward style. All the usual FWisms are there, they have just been dialled back somewhat.

I love Ray Adler’s voice and the way he interprets the lyrics, he is the highlight of this album. There are virtually no guitar solos on the album and that’s not a bad thing as you concentrate more on the moody vibe of the record. Having said that the fat huge guitar-driven riffs of Simple Human make it my favourite tune. Along with a that huge guitar, Mark Zonder is laying down the beats with just little pulse’s of the industrial vibes from previous efforts.

I read a few reviews of this album and it seems the FW faithful did not rate this too highly upon its release, but I don’t see why as it’s a great record and a further step in the progression in one of Prog Metal’s finest bands.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

OZRIC TENTACLES – At The Pongmasters Ball

January 27, 2024 /

This is a reissue of the 2002 live performance at Shepherds Bush Empire in London on Marillion’s Madfish label. This does seem odd, as you would expect to see them perform in some tent or outside at some hippy fest. It’s one thing to hear the Ozrics in the tranquility of your own home, but live is a whole different thing.

I guess they are the UK’s original Jam band, as they do go off in these psychedelic moments and come back seemingly on cue. I’m a huge fan of Ed Wynne’s guitar playing and there is lots of it to enjoy here. He does use a lot of effects to create these wonderful soundscapes and a beautiful wall of sound.

There are lots of cool things to delight your ears, one of which is how much they remind me of The Police. Yeah, I know that sounds a bit nuts but listen to Erpland with the groove and guitar sound and tell me that’s not the Police on exotic substances. The Ozrics’ whole vibe is all about the trippy keyboards and the groove as much as Ed’s guitar, which is featured to the extreme on The Throbbe, the close out piece which is my favourite.

It’s cool to see they are still making great music and I hope to catch them live again.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

ROUGH CUTT – Wants You

January 27, 2024 /

This was the second and last album from LA’s nearly guys. They seemed to play swap the member with Ratt in the early days. Ironically, Ratt would achieve success whereas Rough Cutt didn’t. I think that’s down to the fact that their songs were not that commercial.

That doesn’t make them bad, on the contrary, they did what they did very well. Bad Reputation for instance is a ripping tune and coincidentally my favourite. Any band would have given their right nut for that song, it’s just not mid eighties top 40 material. I think the closest they got to commerciality on this record is Don’t Settle For Less. It’s got a great in your face production with a massive guitar sound, coupled with a very infectious hook and chorus – this should have been released as a single.

The other song that really does it for me is Let ‘Em Talk. It has a pounding groove but with a really cool vocal melody in the main verse that no other band were doing at the time, this made Rough Cutt quite unique in how they approached their songs.

I really like this album and remember being blown away with guitarist Amir Derakh at the time as he had that little something that set him apart from the crowd. Cool record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

VANDENBERG’S MOONKINGS – S/T

January 27, 2024 /

Before joining Whitesnake, Adrian released a string of really good melodic rock albums. But, if you were thinking that this project is more of the same, you would be very wrong. The tunes on offer here go way back with their influences. Think Zeppelin crossed with early Whitesnake, add quite a raw fee,l and we have hit the jackpot.

This album first came out in 2014, and other than Adrian all the band members are unknown (to me) Dutch musicians. Mixing that earthy blues rock groove with Vandenberg’s era for a good tune and melody really works well here. My favourite tunes are List And Lies, Close To You, Steal Away, and Leeches. They all have that same great blueprint: a killer groove with a a great swing and a very catchy hook and chorus.

I think this the best thing Adrian has done and long may he continue with this project.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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