REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Uncategorized

HIGHWAY CHILE – For The Wild And Lonely

These guys describe themselves as Holland’s first hard rock band. I’m sure Golden Earring may have something to say about that.

This six track EP is Highway Chile’s second release and it came out in ’84. If I’m brutally honest here, this EP is not that good. The vocals are terrible in places and really spoil what is a spirited effort. The opening track Power And The Force musically is not bad, with the twin guitars riffing hard. Brand New Star has a raw NWOBHM feel and I would say this is my favourite.

They broke up I think around ’84 and they reformed in the toonies for a live show. These songs frankly should never have left the bedroom and need a lot of work to bring them up to scratch.

5.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BLONZ – s/t

I know I say this quite a lot: “if these guys would have released this five years earlier…” but for these guys, it’s true. They could have given any hair band of the time a run for their money. This album has a killer production courtesy of Kansas Steve Walsh and somebody obviously believed in them, for a short while at least. You won’t find much written about these guys as they just disappeared after this album which came out in ’90.

The first two tracks Miracles and Hands Of Love are absolutely huge melodic gems, and you will struggle to find a better opening than this within the genre. Great hooks and choruses, a huge sound you just have to sing a long. It’s The Same has a different vibe starting with a rockin’ country blues groove, then when the big guitar kicks in that little bit of funk is the cherry on the top. Nice acoustic intro to Troubled Child before we settle down to a four to floor kick ass rocker and this is my favourite song on the record. Great tune! What’s On Your Mind closes out Side 1 and we’ve finally reached the ballad. We’re talking Journey quality ballad with big solo as well.

Over to Side 2 with One And Only, and it’s back to the rock with a killer choppy riff and matching groove with a great swing. The middle eight is superb! Rainbow follows and the Bon Jovi vibes are huge here with this big power ballad. A nice fat riff greets your ears at the intro to Skintight. A definite Friday night party tune with a chorus that will stick in your head for days. Another killer riff opens Sexy Ride. I love the groove and swing to this one, not your normal 4×4. Killer playing as well! The album closes out with Last Call (For Alcohol) a straight up fun time groover.

I can guarantee that they are the best hair band you’ve never heard of, and you should track a copy of this album down.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

BABYLON A.D – American Blitzkrieg

This is album number three for these Southern California rockers, released nearly ten years after their previous effort. The musical landscape had changed somewhat in the years in between, and this album has a lot more of a raw, sleazier sound reflecting the time.

The title track comes bounding in with a great groove and riff, and the inclusion of the verse by War is genius. Magic Mary is textbook LA sleaze. A great riff and groove and that Doors influence in the middle eight is cool. I Wanna Live follows and has a dirty groove and riff with a slight funk undertone. Sinking In The Sand closes out Side 1 and is my favourite track on the album. Superb riff with a great four to floor groove, and that hook and chorus are huge.

The Sky’s Falling kicks off Side 2 and it’s power ballad time. Emphasis on the power, and I love the guitar sound. The Unreal is the band fitting in to the sounds around them. A modern sounding raw groove and a cool simple chugga riff. Normal service is resumed with One Way Ride, a return to that dirty sleazy sound that they do so well. The Glyde is up next and it’s more of the same. A simple sleazy dirty riff and I love the hook and chorus. The album closes out with Superstar, a track that reminds me of Aerosmith at their most dirty.

Not a bad comeback album at all.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.