THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: October 2024 (Page 6 of 7)

TOMMY SHAW – Ambition

October 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

This is Tommy’s third solo album, released in ’87. All the songs were written by Tommy and producer Terry Thomas, except Ever Since The World Began which was written by Survivor’s Jim Peterick and Frankie Sullivan, and was released as a single but only managed to reach #75.

It’s a pleasant enough AOR album with maybe three great tracks: No Such Thing, Love You Too Much, and my favourite Are You Ready For Me. They all have great melodies and earworm choruses, and are great radio tracks. This is what I call a producer’s record. The kitchen sink has been thrown at this record (technically speaking) and it does sound good, but maybe the emphasis should have been more on the songs. The guitar is well down in the mix on a lot of the songs and well, Tommy is known as a guitar player.

It’s a pleasant enough record and maybe I’m being a bit tough here as it does sound super clear.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

SAGA – Generation 13

October 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Album number 11 from Canada’s greatest exponents of Prog rock, Saga. Although I do find it hard to pigeon hole them with a label, because they tend to float around style-wise. Plus, this album is a concept album, and is all over the map. Each song is joined together with strange interludes to carry on the tale that is told. This album came out in ’95, right in the middle of grunge-arama, so to come out with a progressive concept record was about as popular as a fart in a space suit. Thank god for Germany as they seemed to accept it with open arms, but then again the Germans have always had a soft spot for the band.

I’m a sucker for a concept album, especially with lots of weird connecting musical pieces and this fits right into that box. There are some killer songs, as you would expect. The Cross is trademark Saga. It has the killer Ian Crichton guitar, with a quirky groove and matching hook and chorus. The Learning Tree is superb with a great choppy riff and groove, and I love the guitar sound, it’s one of those songs that only Saga could do. My Name Is Sam is a song you could imagine Peter Gabriel doing, as it has that Sledgehammer vibe. My favourite tune is Screw ‘Em, a song that you would expect Saga to do. A very busy guitar riff and melody with suitable Ian Crichton wizardry on the guitar.

I’m not sure if the band ever played this in its entirety live, but if they ever decide to, I would love to see it.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

STRANGEWAYS – S/T

October 1, 2024 /

I remember when this album came out because it sort of sailed against the tide in the UK, as rock and metal were more on the heavy side in ’85. Although the album gained great reviews in the rock press, it disappeared quite quickly. This is the only album to feature Tony Liddell on lead vocals. If you’re from the North East of England you will be very familiar with Tony. He has been in many bands that play their trade in the working men’s clubs of the north of England. Of course, after this album Terry Brock became the singer and the band became a cult band within the aor scene. That sort of insinuates that Tony was a bad fit and his performance on the album wasn’t that great. On the contrary, this is a great record and Tony’s voice suits the songs really well.

The highlight is guitar player Ian Stewart, who can really play and he adds something great to each song. The album was produced by Kevin Elson who gave the record a huge polished sound. Now, you may be thinking that because I labelled this an aor release that there would be ballad overload, but there is not a ballad in sight. All the songs are uptempo each with killer melodies that you can’t help but sing to. My favourite track is the final track of the album which is a kick ass rockin’ tune with some epic guitar and a great hook and chorus.

If you’re looking for a dark horse record then this could be it. Great record and highly enjoyable.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

SLAUGHTER – The Wild Life

October 1, 2024 /

Contrary to popular belief, this type of metal was not down and out in the early nineties. This album was released in ’92 and reached number 8 in the US charts. Considering all the plaid clothes bands that were around, that’s not too shabby. If you would like an OG copy of this album it will set you back well over $100, but if you’re lucky you may still find one of these excellent reissues done by Kiss My Wax, who have done a superb job because this sounds incredible.

Most people seem to like the first album better, but this wipes  the floor with it. Great songs that are well played, with some killer guitar from Tim Kelly who sadly is no longer with us. Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum are a dream team of songwriters who not only write everything on here but have been involved in writing songs for countless others.

Reach For The Sky, Out For love, and The Wild Life…what a 1,2,3 that is to kick off a record, every one is a banger. Two hit singles Days Gone By and Real Love got tons of airplay. They also write a mean album track. Times They Change goes through a few changes and tempos, and is anything but a “hair band” tune. If I’m pushed, my favourite sound is the title track The Wild Life, a monster tune that has everything a killer rock song should have.

Great record!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2024 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑