THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 143 of 492)

NO SWEAT – s/t

September 29, 2023 /

This is the only album from Ireland’s hard rockin’ band, and also a favourite of one Joe Elliot who produced the single Heart And Soul. I think they were also managed by none other than Louis Walsh, the famed British Pop Idol judge. They came together in ’86, the single was released in ’89, and the album followed in ’90. It was produced by Keith Olsen, who gave the album a super slick production. Super commercial sounding and should have done way better than it did. I have to say, I really like this album. If it wasn’t for that guitar sound, this album could easily been a pop record.

Heart And Soul opens up the album with a band. A killer pop rock groover with massive hook and chorus. The seriously infectious Shake follows with a killer uptempo polished groove that will definitely get you moving. The huge power ballad that is Stay is up next, and Paul Quinn’s gravelly tones make this pop. On The Edge is straight out of early 80’s US pop rock. All built around that massive hook and chorus, and where have you heard that outro riff before?

Waters Flow feels like a Zeppelin re-write until those multi-layered vocals hit you. Tear Down The Walls has a huge Def Leppard feel to it, especially in the chorus. It’s favourite tune time next with Generation. Such a slick groovy rocker with killer bv’s and harmonies. A close second in the favourite tunes department is Lean On Me. It has a great snappy groove and massive hook and chorus. Mr. Olsen sure knows how to record vocals. Stranger keeps the vibe going with yet another pop rock crossover gem. We close out the record with Mover. A nice blues intro slides right into another slick pop rock masterpiece.

It’s a crying shame that these guys appeared when they did, as this is such a good record that would have been massive a few years earlier. I know I keep mentioning that, but there are so many great records that just fell between the cracks.

9/10  from The Grooveman.

LIVING COLOUR – Shade

September 28, 2023 /

Although Living Colour have technically never split up, they have taken huge gaps in between releases and we had to wait eight years before album number six surfaced after The Chair In The Doorway came out.

There is a big heavy blues vibe right from the get go with Freedom Of Expression’s groovy and heavy 70’s riff. Preaching Blues is an old Robert Johnson tune given the Living Colour treatment. Come On mixes traditional sounds with some hip hop elements, and a hint of gospel in the vocal. Program feels like an older LC tune with a great funky groove and riff from Vernon, and a very poignant rap in the middle. The Hip Hop vibe is strong in Who Shot Ya, which contains some very startling facts indeed. Always Wrong is a more laid back groove showcasing the amazing voice of Corey Glover. Black Out closes out Side 1 with a stripped down, slow, funky groove with the power turned on in the pre chorus.

Pattern In Time opens up Side 2 and I would say it’s the heaviest tune on the album. A groove that is almost punk rock with a wild and wonderful riff. Glass Teeth follows and the riff is quite simple. The song would be forgettable if it wasn’t for the harmony and backing vocals on the main melody. Who’s That is next, but not if you read the track listing. A dirty old school R’n’B riff and groove with added horns. Invisible is up next and we are again knocking on the door marked blues with just a hint of funk. A cover of Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues is up next and this is my favourite track. I mean, the original is stellar so you have to make it your own by doing it different and I think they pull it off, especially with the Hip Hop segments. We close out the record with Two Sides and another powerful vocal performance. 

So, is it as good as the first two records? I would have to say no, as those two records are superb and classics, but it’s a very hard hitting album and one to listen very closely.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

CASANOVA – s/t

September 28, 2023 /

I guess you can call this a German supergroup of sorts. Members of Mad Max, Warlock, and Bonfire all came together for this project. It only lasted for two albums initially, of which this was the first released in ’91. If melodic rock/AOR is your thing and you like your music on the softer side, then this could be for you.

With the song Living A Lie you feel as though Bon Jovi was a reference point as the style and execution are so close. However, as usual my tastes veer towards the tunes with a bit of oomph added to the mix and The Girl Is Mine is my favourite on the album. A great uptempo groove and riffage at the intro and chorus, with the slick melodic vibes in the verses, and a ripping instrumental section. Great tune! If this was released five years earlier in the US, I can guarantee that the song Bang Bang would have been huge. A great party rock anthem with a great stomping groove and riff. A perfect Friday night, here comes the weekend tune.

All in all a great album that passed a lot of people by.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

MARCHELLO – Destiny

September 27, 2023 /

Yet another one and they’re done record. All I know about these guys is that they were from the US, were featured on CBS, and the band revolved around the amazing talents of guitarist/vocalist Gene Marchello. This album came to light in ’89 and I had heard one track, which I do believe was the single Brown Eyes. A great song with the customary huge hook and chorus, but with some epic axe playing that wouldn’t be out of place on some shredder record. Vocally there are parts to Gene’s voice that reminds me of Steve Perry. Couple that with some EVH style virtuoso guitar playing and you get the picture as to what these guys sound like.

Brown Eyes opens up the album, and is followed by the tongue in cheek Tight Pants. Crap title, but a great tune. Killer riff, hook and chorus, and that guitar is epic. Destiny is up next and I would say this song has a heavy Journey vibe, that is until the very heavy riffing that leads to the ripping solo section. First Love is AOR heaven for all you soft rock lovers, and Gene can certainly hit those high notes. What If closes out Side 1 and that riff is straight out of the 70’s, whereas the hook and chorus and main melody are AOR by numbers.

Living For #1 rips open Side 2 with a nice guitar effect and riff that would do a heavier band proud, although those Journey vibes are strong with the vocal melodies. It’s big ballad time next with Love Begins Again, and it’s obvious to me this is where Gene’s vocal talents lie. He has a perfect tone and range for these type of songs. Great intro to Heavy Weight Champ Of Love. Killer riff and melody, and the only thing I’m hearing here is a heavy Journey. The guitar sound and playing are just awesome. Killer riff and opening to She’s Magic. This would have been so good on American Radio. Winners Never Lose follows and it’s power ballad central, you will be struggling to get this earworm hook and chorus out of your head. The close out tune is Rock N’ Roll Rumble and joy oh joy it’s an instrumental. This is where Gene lays it down large and gives all the shredders of the time a good run for their money.

Now, you may be thinking like I am, that someone as good as Gene obviously must have recorded more things. Unfortunately that’s not the case. The band recorded a follow up that never came out, that is until 2012 when it was released on AOR Heaven. I think Gene played on an album by the Good Rats that came out in ’96. I’m sure this will have passed most of you, but but it’s definitely a forgotten melodic rock classic.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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