THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 153 of 492)

BLACKFOOT – Strikes

September 6, 2023 /

This album (which was the band’s third release and came out in ’79) was part of a trio of albums which also included Tomcattain and Marauder that were the band at their creative peak. A mixture of some well chosen covers and originals, this is one of my favourite Blackfoot albums. Plus, the cherry on top is you get the band’s awesome signature tune Highway Song.

Although, my favourite track is a little less known ditty: Left Turn On A Red Light. It’s got Southern USA stamped all over it and is a fine continuation of what Skynyrd had started. Love the riff and those harmonies sure hit the spot. Also of note is the appearance of Rick Medlocke’s grandad Shorty on a rip roaring version of his song Train Train. Although, the cover of Free’s Wishing Well is pretty much a straight note for note cover it doesn’t hit the spot for me.

A killer band live that I caught on a couple of occasions. Highway Song always brought the house down and is a bonafide classic, that’s for sure.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

DOKKEN – Back For The Attack

July 31, 2023 /

Back to 1987 and what was the last of the four initial Dokken albums, and quite possibly their best. I’m a huge fan of The George, who is one the most gifted guitarists of his generation. There are lots of George’s solos and riffs to drool over on this album.

Kiss Of Death rips straight in, killer riff and groove to the song and the solo’s are killer. They could also write very good catchy singles and Prisoner is just that, a great hook but it’s that gang chorus that is the cherry on top. Standing In The Shadows is one of the band’s finest tunes. It has a killer George riff, simple groove, with a huge hook and chorus, and lots of George. My favourite track and George’s tour de force: Mr. Scary. It’s an instrumental that is just as iconic to him as Eruption was to EVH.

A great band, with a killer rhythm section, as well as the two main protagonists. It’s good to see Dokken still doing the rounds, but Don’s voice (which was never great) hasn’t aged very well. George however, is more prolific than he ever was. Great record!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Well, summers here and I’m taking a little break until after Labour Day so I can escape my basement. Keep rockin’!!

PROTEST THE HERO – Fortress

July 31, 2023 /

A band that come not to far away from me in Southern Ontario. This album came out in 2008. If you like things on the heavier end of the Prog Metal spectrum then these guys could just be for you.

The album is split into three parts which is cool, but not so cool when the album does not have the track listing for you to follow. The tracks that really shake my tree are as follows, Bone Marrow which reminds a tad of British eccentrics The Cardiacs with lots of lovely changes and grooves to keep your brain engaged. As well, Sequoia Throne has many nods to old school thrash. My favourite track, Palms Read has multiple time and groove changes to keep the most twisted mind happy. And, the totally nuts a go go Wretch.

Great band that consistently put out top quality music.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

FATES WARNING – Parallels

July 29, 2023 /

This is a reissue of the band’s sixth album, originally released in ’91 and was produced by Terry Brown. Is it just a coincidence that the sound reminds me very much of prime time Rush?

Fates Warning were a band very much ahead of their time, and I think a huge influence on Dream Theater who had just recruited James LaBrie at this time. It did quite well commercially, but got patchy reviews from so called critics. This is a very classy, superbly recorded record that should appeal to all.

Highlights for me are Life In Still Water, a track which is trademark Fates, a killer riff with some epic drumming and time changes, I sooo love Ray Alder’s vocals. As well, Eye To Eye which could grace any top ten charts as it’s such a catchy tune. And, my personal favourite the total progtastic Point Of View.

Great band and album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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