THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: February 2024 (Page 1 of 7)

BARONESS – Blue Record

February 29, 2024 /

Baroness operate in a musical universe that I just dip my toe into occasionally, because I am not fully familiar with the whole “sludge-stoner” thing. This is the band’s second album, released back in 2009.

I always wonder what was ground zero for this whole genre. I would hazard a guess at Children Of The Grave-era Sabbath, because that tone and sound are all over this record. Couple that with vibes from the residents of Sky Valley and we are not far away from the Baroness sound.

This is actually a very cool record. Mixed in with those sludgy riffs and grooves are some really delicate trippy interludes. My favourite tune is A Horse Called Golgotha. It’s got a wonderful riffy gallop with hints of their label mates, Mastodon’s early efforts. The one thing Baroness do have is amazing artwork, all of their albums have killer covers.

I really like this album and I may dip my toe in a little further.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

FOCUS – At The Rainbow

February 28, 2024 /

I was quite happy when I saw that Music On Vinyl were remastering this live album, albeit with a different cover to the original copy that I already had. It’s quite hard to believe now, but back in the distant past Focus appeared on Top Of The Pops with the singles Hocus Pocus and Sylvia. I know it feels like being in a parallel universe because now there is seemingly no decent music played by humans that inhabit popular music at all. Not that Focus were ever a pop band, they were a Prog band and sat perfectly alongside Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson but with a niche sound all of their own.

The wonderful Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers! Is a sprawling meandering beast of a tune that feels as though the band are just jamming with some great playing, especially from Jan Ackerman. The supercharged and seemingly speeding out of control version of Hocus Pocus is just a riot, and highly enjoyable.

Focus are a wonderful nostalgic part of my musical discovery and I will forever remember them fondly.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SKID ROW – The Gang’s All Here

February 26, 2024 /

I have not really given Skid Row any attention after the Subhuman Race album, because it all seemed too much drama and just playing the hits. But, when Eric Gronwall was announced as their new singer I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the album he did with H.E.A.T and I thought he may be what Skid Row was looking for.

Well, first thing I noticed was that Eric had zero input in songwriting on this album. There are a couple of outside writing collaborators and even two songs with their previous vocalist ZP Theart as a co-writer. And before I get into the music, I have to say that this is a very noisy pressing. This is the third copy I’ve owned and basically I just gave up and accepted it.

Anyway, musically the album has got that raw edge which I really liked on Subhuman Race, it was killer. Now, it’s not as heavy as that but it’s still a damn fine album. Songs like The Gangs All Here, Not Dead Yet, Nowhere Fast, Resurrected, and World On Fire are all ripping tunes and if that’s the way forward I’m happy. My favourite track is Not Dead Yet. It’s a full on kick ass rocker with a message that could be from the band or even from Eric with his cancer battle.

Yeah, welcome back Skid Row.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

STEELHEART – Tangled In Reins

February 26, 2024 /

Album number two for these Connecticut rockers. The album was originally released back in ’92 and I guess the record company had high hopes for it as their debut album was certified gold, but with this album being released in ’92 it was never going to be easy. The band basically carried on where their first album ended, and they delivered another great hard rockin’ record.

There are plenty of tracks to get you up and moving. Like opener Loaded Mutha, which doesn’t disappoint. It’s got a great uptempo groove with a nice riff and a cool hook and chorus. Sticky Side Up is more of the same with a bit more swing. Electric Love Child slows the groove right down to a glam sleaze fest. Late For The Party is a typical weekend party song with a huge sing-a- long hook and chorus.

Love ‘Em And I’m Gone carries on that vibe and they really do have the knack of writing super catchy choruses. A great opening to Take Me Back Home, with lots of guitar. The band’s namesake tune Steelheart is the heaviest thing on this record and romps along at a fair old lick. Dancing In The Fire ends the record how we started it, with a great uptempo rocker with their trademark gang-sung hook and chorus. After that, we’ve got two ballads and that’s the album.

Steelheart are still out there playing live and released their last album in 2017. Overall, this is a fun album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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