THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: July 2024 (Page 3 of 7)

PINK CREAM 69 – S/T

July 21, 2024 /

This is the first PC69 album that came out way back in ’89, and they have changed so much over the years. Now, they are a killer hard rock band, writing some killer tunes that stick in your brain.

This album is a borderline glam sleaze record with that harder edge, courtesy of the guitar of Alfie Koffler. Apparently they had a reputation of being “dicks” back in the day and there is a Freak Kitchen tune called Jerks which is all about these guys. Anyhoo, what’s the album like, I hear you ask?

Well, it ain’t half bad. It ranges from the awesome Rolling Down A Thunder and Welcome The Night, to the meh with Close Your Eyes (ballad). However, my favourite track is Partymaker, where the band give it their best Van Halen impression. A high speed riff and guitar fest with double kicks all the way. Parasite brings the sleazey vibe that I mentioned earlier, any late 80’s LA band would have been proud of this one.

I do prefer the PC69 with Dave Readman on vocals, but this is a fun album nonetheless.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

BULLETBOYS – From Out Of The Skies

July 19, 2024 /

Ah, the Bulletboys! They started out with so much promise with a killer first album, leaning on the Van Halen image and look, even using Ted Templeman as producer. Then followed two good albums, but not great, and if you put all the best bits from those first three you would have one of the best “hair band” albums ever made.

Then, they dropped off the map for a couple of years only to reappear with one of the worst albums ever: Acid Monkey. That is sort of when I checked out. There was a song called Kiss The Lizard that was good on that record, but it was not till the release of this album that I checked back in to see how they were getting along.

Now, other than the killer opener Apocalypto (favourite track) with a cool, raw, heavy riff and groove, and the hip hop flavoured track Sucker Punch, the Bullet Boys have turned into the Foo Fighters. Well, that’s what my ears are telling me anyway.

Not a bad thing, but is it the Bulletboys?

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

TALISMAN – Life

July 17, 2024 /

Another day and another album with Jeff Scott Soto on vocals. This is Talisman’s fourth album released back in ’95 and this, my friends, is a banger. There is so much groove on this album your groove muscle will be doing overtime just to take it all in.

The opening track is a doozy. Marcel Jacob’s bass playing is insane and the interplay with Fredrick Akesson is just a joy to hear. Add Jeff’s golden voice over the top and it’s one beast of a song. The cover of Seal’s Crazy is wonderful. The band giving it a harder edge and extra groove is genius. Body is such a busy tune, the bass and guitar are laying it down hard with some great added funk to that heavy groove. Love the vocal and harmonies. What a great heavy wah wah opening to Temptation, that bass sound is huge, and we have another massive hook and chorus.

Loveblind is Talisman writing a chart tune. It’s a very commercial sounding song, with some excellent playing from Fredrick. Soul To Soul has an old school R’n’B vibe but with added funk, and that bass is epic it just drives the song along. Killer guitar opening and groove to All That Really Matters. This whole record has such a dirty funky under groove it’s just so cool and works so well on this tune. The hook and chorus are just so freakin’ awesome here, and that solo!

A Life starts as though we are in ballad territory with Jeff delivering a killer vocal, then that heavy funky beast of a groove kicks in for that epic ballad vocal to return for a big power ballad. If only Carlsberg did ballads. Temptation is up next and the busiest of riffs just blows you away with bass and guitar just groovin’ hard. Loveblind closes out the album and that bass…man what a player Marcel was. Favourite track… well, take you pick. I’m going for the opener Tears In The Sky. That song is just Talisman in a nutshell!

Killer band and killer album.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

GLORY – Danger In This Game

July 17, 2024 /

This is the first album from Sweden’s Glory, released way back in ’89 and depending on where in the world you bought it, it had different covers. For those of you who love classy melodic rock/AOR, this is right up your street. As usual with any killer Swedish rock band, they have to possess a killer guitar player and Glory are no exception with the uber talented Jan Grinnick laying down some very tasty licks.

Love him or hate him, there’s no doubt Malmsteen had a huge effect on Swedish rock. Numerous bands appeared after using that blueprint and I would put Glory in that category as tracks like Danger In This Game, Never Stop, and Like An Eagle have the same vibe. Glory however are more melodic, with way more harmony in the vocals and emphasis on the songs. My favourite track however is the last track on the album, Survivor. Love the guitar intro that reminds me of Uli Roth, it’s also got a killer riff and the hook and chorus are superb.

If you see this whilst digging around give it a spin it’s well worth a listen.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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