THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: February 2025 (Page 5 of 6)

THE AWFUL TRUTH – S/T

February 7, 2025 /

Any KingsX fans here?

So, when KingsX had just launched the mega awesome Out Of The Silent Planet on the world, the band’s producer and mentor Sam Taylor had another band in a studio recording this record. This, my friends, is The Awful Truth.  

Now, before this album was even released, two of the members Monty Colvin and Alan Doss would be back in the studio recording The Galactic Cowboys debut album. So, The Awful Truth were done before they even started.

Most of these songs weren’t written by them however, as 6 of the 8 tracks were compositions by guitarist and vocalist David Von Ohlerkings. Strangely enough my two favourite tracks are both collaborations including Higher, which is just a superb song, and Drowning man. You can hear little things in the music that would become Galactic Cowboys trademarks such as the weird heavy riffing and the vocal melodies. Also, the lead guitar sound is very KingsX, and I guess Sam Taylor was trying to create this whole universe of sound.

This is a new Ltd edition reissue and I would highly recommend getting hold of a copy if you are remotely interested in the whole Adam Taylor sound.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

EUROPE – Out Of This World

February 5, 2025 /

It must have been a daunting task for the band to record the follow up to the insanely successful album, The Final Countdown. They could not have known just a how mega huge that sound would have been, and it would be their meal ticket for the rest of their career. John Norum  the band’s guitarist would also jump ship and not be present for this record so new boy Kee Marcello had a ton of pressure on his shoulders for the recording.

Although, there was no mega hit single on the album I think this is a fantastic record. Lots of great tunes and some killer playing from Mr. Marcello. Superstitious is an awesome tune and to open the album with it is a master stroke. Superb riff and groove that has a great swing and the playing is off the charts. Not a bad song in sight and it’s a bonafide AOR masterpiece and just in case your wondering, it’s a better album than The Final Countdown.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

GREAT WHITE – Hooked

February 4, 2025 /

You can say one thing for Great White, that when the great grunge unpleasantness wiped away all that came before it, they kept plugging away and releasing records all though the nineties. This album was the first released back in ’91.

Although they were never a hair band as such, they certainly rode that wave. This album however, almost pays homage to AC/DC as the vibe and feel are very similar with that heavy blues groove. Although, this is a lot cleaner sounding and dare I say, more traditional.

This is a brand new reissue and remaster on Pias records and it sounds superb. If you love that boogie rock n’ roll vibe then this one is for you. My favourite tune? Well, I’m going for Heartbreaker because it has that Face The Day groove and feel, which just happens to be the Great White tune I like the best.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

BLACKFOOT – Siogo

February 2, 2025 /

Blackfoot had a classic period with a trio of great albums from 79 -81 with Strikes, Tomcattin, and Marauder. Then it all went a bit weird and limp starting with this one.

The first thing you notice on the album is the keyboards, with the introduction of the mighty Ken Hensley. Now, I’m a big Uriah Heep fan and I loved Ken’s big Hammond sound but using that here with Blackfoot’s hard rockin’ southern groove just doesn’t work for me. Not only that, but the songs just aren’t that strong either.

I’m struggling for a favourite song as it’s all a bit meh and mediocre, but We’re Goin Done does kinda live up to the band’s hard rockin’ reputation.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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