THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 105 of 492)

THE BITES – SQUEEZE

February 6, 2024 /

I’ve mentioned quite a lot that sometimes music is just meant to entertain and not change the world. Well, this is just one of those albums and The Bites are one of those bands.

They are equal parts AC/DC, Sunset Strip Glam, and a huge injection of rock ‘n roll attitude. The Bites are here to inject some fun back into a jaded music scene. Well, if the idea of this album was to transport you back with a wave of nostalgia then they have succeeded big time.

I love this album because it reminds of those Friday nights where it was time to head out have a good time with some good tunes. It’s just a great, fun listen. My favourite track is the opener Knockin’ On The Door as it just sets the tone for the whole album. It’s a fun, kick ass rock n’ roll tune which is basically what the whole album is.

If you are missing those late eighties vibes then you need to get The Bites in your life.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

DEREK SHERINIAN – The Phoenix

February 6, 2024 /

I love Derek’s solo albums because they are always loaded up with killer guitar players to compliment and dual with his keyboard virtuosity. This album is no exception as we have spanking the plank, Zakk Wylde, Bumblefoot, Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, and Kiko Loureiro. If you love heavy instrumental music with a hint of Prog and a dose of fusion, then you should be all over this release.

The title track opens up the record with Derek doing his best EVH impression on the keys and Zakk giving it the beans on geetar. Empyrean Sky has an evil low end grunt and groove that sounds killer. The vibe is very 70’s fusion. Clouds Of Ganymede let’s Steve Vai loose with a slowed down groove and feel that only he can do. Dragonfly is a cool fusion piano piece with a killer drum and bass accompaniment from Simon Phillips and Ernest Tibbs.

Side 2 blows open with Temple Of Helios. Again, a fusion groove with a cool keyboard riff and Bumblefoot trading licks. Them Changes sees Derek joined by his BCC bandmate Joe Bo on the axe with some heavy R’n’B vocals. Octopus Pedigree again has Bumblefoot on guitar and it’s a return for the deep low end groove. The album ends with Pesadelo, the heaviest tune on the record and my favourite. It has a killer off time groove with Kiko really flying, with some awesome playing.

As usual, Derek does not disappoint and delivers a top notch release.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SVEN GALI – Bombs And Battlescars

February 1, 2024 /

Seeing as all the eighties rock bands have resurrected themselves from years of slumber I guess it was only a matter of time that their nineties counterparts did the same. Sven Gali had a brief glow in the spotlight with their harder edged approach to hard rock.

This is their second release from their re-activation and it has a very heavy modern sound, it is a mix of new tunes and demo’s. Coming Home is my favourite tune with that nice and heavy riff. There is a great cover of Triumph’s Spellbound adding some serious beef and crunch to what is a great song. The bass guitar is very prominent on most of the record and none more so than on the brilliant Life Inside, where the vocal has a hint of Nirvana. The best of the demos is the delightfully groovy Hogs, with a monster riff and a groove that really swings.

This is not bad for a bits and pieces record and I hope they keep releasing new material.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

ROMEO’S DAUGHTER – s/t

February 1, 2024 /

When you look at Mutt Lange’s production credits leading up to this recording, you have to wonder why he chose to do this one as the band were totally unknown. But when you see that the band’s manager was Olga Lange, it totally makes sense.

Obviously this is an amazingly well produced album, as you would expect, and it is a very slick pop/rock gem. Although the album and the singles from it had minor success, the people who covered some of the songs, Bonnie Tyler, Eddy Money, and Heart did fair better. My favourite of the bunch is Heaven In The Back Seat, a great tune that has single written all over it and is a definite earworm tune.

They would make one more album and that was it. Although, I do believe they are back recording again.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

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