THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 110 of 492)

SHOUT – It Won’t Be Long

January 15, 2024 /

Shout were possibly one of the best aor/melodic rock bands you may never have heard of. This is undoubtedly due to the fact that they wear labelled as a Christian rock band, which they were and didn’t hide it. Now I know this shouldn’t make any difference, as good  music is good music right? But, in rock music if you’re into god then that’s frowned upon.

The music contained in these grooves is grade A all the way, and the production by lead man Ken Tamplin is really loud and in your face. This is no wimp out, this album rocks and yes, there’s ballads (we know how I feel about them) but it’s a very uplifting positive record.

Ken has a great voice and there are numerous videos on YouTube of him doing his vocal coach thing to attest to this. My favourite track well… that’s a tough one as there are a few that shake my tree but I will go for the Side 2 close out tune Without You. It’s a great uptempo rocker with a great hook and melody, plus that guitar sound is massive.

Seriously, if you’re an aor/melodic rock fan and you don’t own this album, then why? A very enjoyable record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Shooting Star – Burning

January 11, 2024 /

This is album number four for Shooting Star. It was released in ’83 and was the last of their albums to hit the charts. They had a somewhat unique sound coming over as a cross between Survivor and Journey. They certainly had everything going for them: a contract with Virgin who were desperate to sign an American melodic rock band, and they were coupled with producer Kevin Elson who had a great track record with aor bands.

This album is a bit hit and miss for me. Tracks like Straight Ahead, Taken Enough, and Go For It from Side 1 and Winner from Side 2 are great songs, but the rest just don’t reach the heights I’m afraid, and the cover of Reach Out is a bit meh.

You could put together a great album of Shooting Start if you took the best tracks from their first four albums.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

PLINI – Handmade Cities

January 11, 2024 /

This is the debut album from the (seemingly) very prolific Plini, released back in 2016. In fact, he has only released two full length albums, most of his physical releases are EPs.

If you are a lover of instrumental progressive guitar music then this is a must. It’s full of amazing playing, killer grooves, and a great production. This is a killer record from needle drop to fade out.

The title track is one big awesome fest right from the get go. Stunning playing without it being a widdle fest, matched with a great groove and beat. My favourite track however is Inhale. There is so much going on here, with a groove that chops and changes from really cool jazz vibes to prog metal low end rumble. The whole album is just a treat for the ears.

There is definitely something in the water (or beer) in Australia, as there is so much amazing music there right now. More please!

10/10 from The Grooveman.

BLUE BLOOD – Universal Language

January 9, 2024 /

For those of you who have never heard of these guys before, they come from London, England and this is their second album released back in ’91. Melodic hard rock with a hint of LA sleaze is the groove that they play.

I like this record. The production is big which this music deserves to make it pop. Universal Language opens up the album with a great groove and that hook and chorus is cool, but it’s the guitar that catches your attention with axeman Mark Sutcliffe laying some tasty notes on those grooves. Cruel World follows and there is a slight funky vibe to the groove, but it’s another cool tune. The funk/sleaze groove comes in full on with She Shakes Me Up, and the middle section is really good. Say A Prayer is a Bon Jovi-style power ballad. Side one closes out with New Toy, a full on glam slam anthem.

Side 2 kicks off with Hit The Deck, a slow riff heavy sleaze fest that speeds up in all the right places. Homebound Train has a super cool slow and sleazy groove with a nice hook and chorus. Share The Night is a rather syrupy ballad. Cool intro to Sun Worshipper, and I think this is my favourite tune. It’s got a great feel good vibe that befits the title. The album closes out with What’s Your Pleasure, which has a riff that sounds a bit like the Cult until the drums blow that away with a great uptempo groove.

A decent enough record by a band that passed a lot of people by.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2026 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑