THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 145 of 492)

TOBRUK – Wild On The Run

September 25, 2023 /

The band were formed in ’81 and they released their first single on Neat Records in ’83, and it wasn’t until ’85 that this album appeared. I think with their association with Neat they were classed as NWOBHM, but in reality they were closer to Bon Jovi.

This is a very melodic album and for all the hard work they put in with touring they only had moderate success and splintered apart after their second album. If I’m honest, they were really unlucky. The songs are really strong especially the title track and Falling, which I remember did quite well in the UK and was played a lot on the radio, and the Lance Quinn production is perfect. My favourite track is Running From The Night, a great up tempo rocker which has American radio written all over it. A close runner for favourite is Rebound. A killer riff and groove and I love the guitar sound. I know you may think I’m smoking something when I mentioned Bon Jovi, but you should check out the close out tune Going Down For The Third Time. It’s very reminiscent of Jon and the boys early efforts.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

THE CULT – Ceremony

September 23, 2023 /

This is the band’s fifth studio album and the follow up to the awesome Sonic Temple. It’s also the one that no one seems to talk about, an almost forgotten record. Of course the band were basically just a duo at this point and hired hands were brought in to play bass and drums.

Opening track and the title track has huge Zeppelin influences right from Billy’s guitar sound to the Bonham style drums, but the bv’s in the chorus sound like Def Leppard. Ian Astbury’s obsession with Native American imagery and sounds is there for all to hear at the intro to Wild Hearted Son before the huge riff and groove kick in. Earth Mofo is a kick ass uptempo rocker with a great riff from Billy. White opens and the intro is classic Cult, then those huge Zeppelin vibes take over. If starts off with just Ian singing and a piano, and you forget just how good a voice he has.

Full Tilt kicks Side 2 into gear and that riff is pure Sunset Strip. Great guitar sound and groove, and I love the time change! Heart Of Soul was released as a single. I love the huge drum sound in Bangkok Rain, channeling the inner Bonham for sure. Indian is the big acoustic ballad on the album with no drums, returning to the Native American narrative. Sweet Salvation is a big power ballad in true hair band style. The album closes out with Wonderland, returning to more Cultish sounds and grooves. The riff and swing to this are awesome and it’s my favourite track.

It’s very interesting, just as other bands were dumping the polished hair rock sounds for earthier grunge tones in ’91, The Cult came out with their hair rock album. I think that’s down to Ritchie Zito’s production. I do love this album, and the vinyl sounds awesome.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

AUDIOSLAVE – Out Of Exile

September 23, 2023 /

This is album number two for the alt/grunge supergroup and a band and sound that fitted the amazing vocal talents of Chris Cornell perfectly. The band by this time had honed their sound into a 70’s classic rock/grunge hybrid that was so unique. I think Tom Morello is a killer player, but sometimes he should dump the squeaks and squeals and put something with feeling into the song instead.

Be Yourself is a superb track and shows again, when you keep it simple it can be the most effective, and I love the vocal so much. The band have this great ability to flick the switch and the groove just flies, and I’m sure this is from the Lock Up days. Check out Drown Me Slowly, which veers from a most beautiful delicate tune into this heavy monster groove. This album is a lot more laid back than the debut, but when they do rock it up, like on Man Or Animal, it works more for me. However. my favourite track is Yesterday To Tomorrow. Yes, a more laid back groove but the vocal and melody are superb and Morello is playing for the song which sounds killer.

I do prefer the debut, but this is still a good album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

TRASH – Burning Rock

September 22, 2023 /

I don’t know a whole bunch about these guys, other than they were from Sweden and released two albums in the mid eighties, this is the second. I remember the first album being more true to the name and a bit of a disappointment. This release however shows a band that have played and toured together, honing their chops before hopping back into the studio.

The first track Boogie Woogie Man reminds me of AC/DC. Great tune with loud guitars and a basic four to the floor groove. The title track is some what different, with added keys and a slower groove, but that guitar sounds great. Rock Me…Rock You is back to that simple DC loud riffage and groove with added radio friendly sing a long hook and chorus. Side 1 close out tune is I Can’t Get The One (I Want). Again, big loud crunchy guitar but this time with a slower plodding beat.

Night After Night slips Side 2 into gear nicely with more of that DC repeating main chord and matching beat. Great tune! Bad Reputation is slower with a pounding groove, and I love the middle eight. Hot Legs Black Stockings is up next, and it’s my favourite tune. This time we are mixing the DC vibes with some LA glitz thrown in. You can’t fail to nod your head and groove when a song is as infectious as this. Yeah I know it’s not rocket science but remember, sometimes simple is good. Take My Flight is a slow blues with a really cool sounding, clean guitar. We close out the record with Rock N’ Roll Riot and it does exactly what it says, with some added punk attitude.

Definitely the best of the two albums, and a great fun listen.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2026 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑