THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: March 12, 2024

GARY MOORE – Wild Frontier

March 12, 2024 /

The ever chameleon-like Irish guitarist Gary Moore is trying a Celtic approach with this album. He is forever searching for that formula that gives him success and happiness. Of course, he was accused of bandwagon jumping as that whole Celtic sound was big at the time.

This album feels a bit like a bits and pieces record. I’m not sure if that’s due to the different producers on the album or if that’s what Gary was looking for. Over The Hills (which opens up the album) is Gary at his best. A killer melody and hook, and he rips in when appropriate. Wild Frontier has a hint of Thin Lizzy about it and is a very commercial sounding track, plus the solo is short but soooo good.

Take A Little Time is Gary doing power pop and him making sure to get that Celtic influenced line in there to keep the theme going. The Loner is just WOW! The opening reminds me of his Colosseum days and the rest of the song reminds me of what was yet to come. Killer playing! I could have done without the cover of Friday On My Mind as it does nothing for me. Yeah, the solo is cool but… meh!

Strangers In The Darkness reminds of something else but I can’t put my finger on it. It’s an okay ballad that he sings very well and the guitar tone is killer. Thunder Rising again revisits that Lizzy vibe, and is a nice uptempo rocker with a cool melody. The album closes out with Johnny Boy, a traditional Irish arrangement that brings a tear to the eye.

It’s cool to go back and listen to this record after all this time, Gary is missed greatly.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

THRESHOLD – Dividing Lines

March 12, 2024 /

A band that seemingly have been around forever, banging on that door and not getting the credit their talents deserve. Threshold are just sailing under the radar, apart from the following they already have. They sure are persistent.

This is actually studio album number twelve for them, and their first record came out in ’93. The Prog metal genre is a very crowded space now and perhaps it’s time that Threshold step up to the big leagues. I don’t see why not, as this is a very good album indeed. It mixes very melodic passages with some great heavy guitar riffage and lots of Proggy moments to keep the Prog mafia happy.

There are so many great tracks here I will just highlight the ones that really shake my tree. Hall Of Echoes is such a huge track. Awesome fat guitar sound, and the vocal and melodies by Glynn Morgan are superb. Let It Burn with a great intricate opening riff and a very DT guitar crunch, plus Karl Groom’s solo is beautiful. The barn burner that is The Domino Effect, the big centrepiece song of the record. I love long tracks that weave their way through your brain that you don’t want to end.

My favourite track is Complex. A relatively short song (5:50 minutes) but packs a mean punch with fat riffage and bundles of harmony. The album close out track Defence Condition is another long one, but what a way to close out a record. Those keys just sailing over the top of that fat riff is wonderful.

The band have a great knack for coming up with great melody lines that just stick in your brain. Not many prog metal bands do that and I think that’s what sets Threshold apart from the rest.

A great record that deserves your attention.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

WRATHCHILD – Stakk Attakk

March 12, 2024 /

Straight from the bargain cosmetics counter at Boots comes Wratchild’s initial attempt to bring glam to the masses. It’s hard to believe that this came out in ’84 as I thought it was a lot later. If you take the make up and the clothes away you basically have a second generation NWOBHM band.

The production isn’t great and that was the same for a lot of the Heavy Metal Records releases, but that doesn’t dampen the band’s enthusiasm, because in their minds they are playing at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip. It’s just a fun record that puts a smile on your face. There are a couple of tracks that I really like. The opener Stakk Attakk is everything that these guys are all about, a great uptempo rocker with a buzz saw guitar and a super catchy hook and chorus. Also, my personal favourite,Tonite. With a Gary Glitter-style chorus, handclaps, and all the glam you could want.

Imagine them doing this in a pub with all the flashbombs and glitter. That’s exactly what they did; completely barking mad.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MICK MARS – The Other Side Of Mars

March 12, 2024 /

Now, I like to spend a bit more time with an album before I make a comment about it, and I have only had this one for three days. However, playing by my own rules, here we go.

I was not sure what I was expecting. Mick is a 70’s influenced player and didn’t know if he would go back to those roots or do something way left of centre. Well, I’d say that’s a no to both. The vibe and production are quite modern, that is1 the easiest path to take. It definitely does not sound like Motley Crüe, and that is a good thing.

I really liked the album on the first few listens. It’s very song orientated and even the slower tracks like Alone are really strong, giving extra dimension and groove to what is essentially a power ballad. Killing Breed is a song that would never have existed in his previous ensemble. This is such a deep and heavy song both musically and vocally. I don’t mean in a fast speedy way, but sonically and subject wise.

It’s quite easy for songs like Loyal To The Lie, Right Side Of Wrong, or Ain’t Going Back because they have that heavy riff and catchy groove that immediately hits home, but I find myself drawn to Killing Breed as my favourite as it’s the song that is most full of surprises. Also, I really dig the instrumental track LA Noir as I think it shows the real Mick.

A very enjoyable record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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