THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: September 13, 2024 (Page 1 of 2)

NICK JOHNSTON – Child Of Bliss

September 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Talking of guitar instrumental albums that should have structure and meaning and not just endless random noodling…here is the latest album from Canadian instrumentalist, Nick Johnston. For those of you who are unfamiliar with his solo work, this is album number seven.

Obvious comparisons here are Joe Satriani. Nick has that same composition style where what normally would be a vocal melody within a song, the guitar creates that melody and becomes the foundation of the song. Of course, there is soloing and Nick is one hell of a player, but this is not a heavy album with deep and heavy grooves, this is a more laid back affair where you sit and listen and appreciate the intricate melodies. My favourite piece is Side 2 opener, Memento Vivere. I love the swing and groove, and the melody and main hook are just so cool, not to mention the playing is exceptional.

Great record by a killer player.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

ALEX MASI – Attack Of The Neon Shark

September 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

After being in various bands as a guitarist (one of them even called Masi), he went solo for this album released in ’89. This is quite an odd album to listen to. As you would expect on a guitarist’s solo album, there are a few instrumentals and he does have a tendency to ramble with his playing and just shredding with no purpose.

Often sounding off key, it can be quite frustrating for the listener as he is undoubtedly a very gifted player. My favourite tune ironically is the only one with vocals and that’s the opening track, Open Fire. Believe me, I’m all for guitar instrumental albums as I have tons of them, but they need to have direction and structure to give balance and meaning.

You may ask why I bought this in the first place? Well, that was for the Jeff Scott Soto tune, but I actually thought he was on the whole record.

6/10 from The Grooveman.

CHINA – Sign In The Sky

September 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I mentioned recently when writing about a Gotthard album that I was struggling to come up with another Swiss rock band other than them and Krokus. Well, here is another that have been around since ’85 and this is their second album, released in ’89.

The record actually got to #2 in the Swiss charts and was the one that got them up and running. The power ballad single In The Middle Of The Night actually topped the charts. A very radio friendly record, it should have broken America as there is not one song that could have been a single. My favourite track is Don’t Ever Say Goodbye. A kick ass up tempo rocker with a simple cool riff, and what a killer hook and chorus. However, there are sooo many great tracks; The Great Wall, Dead Lights, Animal Victim, and Bitter Cold are all bangin tunes.

You can list this one under “great melodic rock albums that people never talk about”.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS – Evolution

September 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Sometimes even with all the music that surrounds us and the million ways to access it, things still creep under the radar that you should pick up on. Now, I’m embarrassed to say that I only came across these guys earlier this year and they are fellow countrymen of mine, and they have been around since 2009. They fit into the Shinedown-Alterbridge groove, and maybe a tad heavier to boot.

This is their last effort that came out in 2019 and sonically, it’s super crisp and clear and really packs a punch. The focus is all about the stunning vocals of Kobra Paige and the heavy riff groove fest of guitarist Jasio Kulakowski. This is a very modern sounding metal album, but at all times is a very accessible and commercial sounding record.

The track I heard that dragged me in was the title track, Evolution. Great vocal melody with a killer hook and chorus, driven along by a powerful groove and serious low end chunk. That’s not my favourite however, as Side 2 opener Circus has a really cool twisted horror movie vibe, riff and groove to match with Kobra giving it the full beans on vocals.

Great band and great record. I think it’s time to pay a visit to the back catalogue.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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