THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: June 2024 (Page 3 of 6)

JON BUTCHER – Wishes

June 19, 2024 /

It’s quite hard to keep track of the releases Jon has appeared on, both as part of someone else’s project or various things under his own name. As far as I can tell, Wishes was the most successful album he had and was certified gold. The album came out in ’87 and musically, it’s where the blues meets aor. Jon’s guitar style and tone are definitely blues based, it has a very clean sound with a hint of Jimi, and his vocal style is very similar in tone to Joe Bonamassa if you need a modern reference.

There is a great groove to most of the record with that added funk spice. Living For Tomorrow is such a great song with a killer groove and a superb hook and chorus, it’s my favourite track. Holy War has a middle eastern vibe with a funk groove, sounds odd but it works so well. Long Way Home is another killer track this time with a latin vibe mixed with a killer funky bass line, and some great guitar. The production is top drawer from Spencer Proffer, it’s crystal clear and super clean.  

This album is always super cheap and it’s definitely worth a punt.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

TT QUICK – Metal Of Honor

June 17, 2024 /

After signing with Megaforce, TT Quick put out an EP that got quite a bit of attention, but it was not until the release of this album (their debut album) in ’86 that people began to take notice. Driven along by the guitar skills of Dave Dipietro and the vocals of future Accept frontman Mark Tornillo, they play that classic metal sound unlike anyone else Jon Zazula was signing at the time. You can see why Wolf Hoffman went for Tornillo as a replacement for UDO as their styles are very similar, as is the music both their bands play.

Musically, this album hits the spot for me as I’m a lover of that riff heavy power chord crunch that ruled the metal scene in the early to mid eighties. They even delve into Van Halen territory with tracks like Come Beat The Band. Of course, Dipietro pulls this off with ease as he is one kick ass player. Front Burner is a sure fire winner with a four to the floor groove and an Accept-style riff that will have the head a bobbin’.

Hell To Pay is my favourite as it just builds and builds, starting slow and ballad like then transforming into the big showpiece tune. Glad All Over is a cover of the Dave Clark Five classic, and you wonder what they were smoking when choosing that one, but they do a decent job by changing it just enough making it their own.

So this is definitely one of those gems that may have passed you by and they should have been a whole lot bigger, that’s for sure. Great record!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

ROYAL HUNT – Dystopia 2

June 17, 2024 /

This is the latest release from Royal Hunt that came out in 2022. It’s also studio album number 17. For a band to be going for 17 albums is remarkable, especially when most of that has been off the radar for most of the world.

I was a lover of early Royal Hunt, especially Moving Target and Paradox, two classic DC Cooper albums. I’m pleased he is back in the band, although that was a few albums ago. The additional vocalists on this record is confusing as Mark Boals, Matt’s Leven, and Henrick Brockman take leads on different tracks, although it’s hard to tell which ones.

Yes, it’s a concept record. It concludes here with part 2, and I think I read somewhere that it’s based on Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. It’s the usual Royal Hunt fare: lots of symphonic moments with keyboards being the main carrier of the song melodies, although this album feels a tad heavier with the guitars being quite prominent.

There are a couple of instrumental pieces that just about steal favourite track status, namely The Purge and Hit and Run with duelling keys and guitars, but I love the interplay and melody of The Key Of Insanity. A great track with the band at their symphonic best. Sometimes when they keep it simple like on One More Shot, you can see another career for them as a melodic rock band.

Lots to keep the listener entertained for many many spins.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

LA CHINGA – Primal Forces

June 17, 2024 /

This is Vancouver’s La Chinga’s latest release, their fourth album, that popped out last year in 2023. There is something so pure and powerful about a three piece that you have to wonder, if adding more just becomes a distraction.

Five years have elapsed since the release of their previous album which included a break for COVID, and they don’t seem to have mellowed any. They are still this big, dirty, retro, rockin’ groove machine, although it doesn’t quite match the awesome that was Beyond The Sky.

Highlights for me are opener Light It Up which is La Chinga at their grooving best. A big and fat nasty riff with that drivin’ groove. Also, Stars Fall with a surprise hint of melody, and of course Motorboogie which is my favourite. A psych/stoner hard rockin beast of a tune.

So, it’s not as good as Beyond The Sky, but they still have the hunger to keep it dirty and rockin’.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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