THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: March 2024 (Page 3 of 7)

THOSE DAMN CROWS – Inhale/ Exhale

March 18, 2024 /

This is album number three from this Welsh modern rock band who came together in 2014. They occupy the same space as the Florida rockers, Shinedown, especially with the vocals of Shane Greenhall who has that same tone as Brent Smith.

Their first two releases passed me by and big thanks to my friend Russell who put me on to this album. If you’re a fan of rock with melody that packs a punch then this could be for you. The album has got super catchy songs with big hooks and those earworm choruses that get stuck in your head for days.

Favourite songs for me are the opener Fill The Void with a great fast tempo and a beast of a hook and chorus, and the monster that is Find A Way. It has a great, heavy, low end riff that chugs along nicely with the customary earworm chorus.  

A note of warning: this pressing is very noisy with lots of crackle, someone at Earache let this slip through the net. I will have to check out their earlier efforts as they are even better, apparently.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

Priestess – Prior To The Fire

March 18, 2024 /

Sometimes bands just don’t help themselves. For instance, here we have a band that released a double album plus a seven inch single and decided to put no identifiers on any of the labels. Never mind what track it is, but you have no clue as to what side you are playing.  

This is the Quebec retro rockers’ second album released on independent Tee Pee records in 2010. They sound like (on this record at least) a cross between Kyuss and early Mastodon, and maybe the MC5 with a touch of Sabbath. Yeah I know, it’s hard to get a handle on them.

My favourite tune is The Firebird. It’s a heavy punked up rocker with a killer retro solo. The production is very clear and raw, which I think suits the groove they are playing.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MOTLEY CRÜE – Saints Of Los Angeles

March 18, 2024 /

This album actually came out in 2008 and was the last proper studio album they released. Sure, there have been live albums and such but that’s sixteen years between albums. These guys are just milking the audience by retiring and coming back playing the same old songs again and again. The only one of the four I have time for is Mick Mars, the others… not so much.

Anyway, it’s about the music right? Hmmmm…! This album doesn’t really feel like a Crüe record as there are a lot of outside influences, namely DJ Ashba and James Michael who get a credit on nearly every song, so it has a modern vibe to it (well, for sixteen years ago anyway). Face Down In The Dirt and Animal In Me are good songs but it’s all a bit average really and it sounds as though they have forgotten how to be Motley Crue.

I’m interested to see what John 5 brings to the band as he is a great player.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

CHILDS PLAY – Rat Race

March 18, 2024 /

This is for lovers of good old shit kicking rock and roll.

The album’s title is Rat Race but it’s nowhere to be seen on the cover other than the song of the same name. Coming from that hot bed of rock n’ roll Maryland, the band first appeared in ’86 with an EP called Ruff House, and it wasn’t until ’90 that this album was unleashed. Musically, they fit in with all the sleaze glam scene over in LA but they have that little bit more balls and rock harder.

I am a sucker for riff heavy straight up rock and these guys give me just that. The first three tracks Good old Rock And Roll, Day After Night, and Rat Race are all kick ass rockers driven by the almighty riff and a great driving groove all giving me just what I want. It’s a toss up between Knock Me Out and Bang Bang for favourite tune as they both have that killer groove and riff to match. Both fun tunes!

I managed to snag a copy from drummer John Allen, I think there are only 200 available.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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