THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 198 of 492)

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND – Revelator

March 9, 2023 /

If you are into music in any way there is one thing you should do before you leave this blue marble, it’s to go and see Tedeschi Trucks band live. Trust me, it will be a life altering experience for you. There is so much love and positivity flowing off that stage. Not only are they a touring family, but in real life Susan and Derek are man and wife who have their kids touring with them.

This album is sooo good, melding styles of blues, R’n’B, funk, and good old rock and roll, all fronted by Susan’s incredibly soulful voice and that distinct slide guitar of Derek. I love every inch of this record, it’s just superb. The melody and Susan’s voice on Midnight In Harlem brings a tear to the eye, as it’s such a moving piece. If I’m pushed, my favourite song is opener Come See About Me. From the swamp acoustic guitar at the intro, to that killer hook and chorus.

I think everyone should have this in their soul just to switch on when things are down. Trust me, you need this.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

SLIPKNOT – All Hope Is Gone

March 8, 2023 /

If you are over a certain age then I think it’s part of your gene pool that you hate Slipknot. I’m not sure if it’s the image that frightens them or the dark subject matter, but they certainly divide opinion. I, for one, find them fascinating and some of their riffs and grooves are regenerated old school thrash with the added intensity of a machine drummer.

This album is mid-period Slipknot having originally being released in 2008, and musically it’s on the money with riffs and grooves to die for. I know there are triggers and things enhancing what the drummer does ,but I have never heard a kick drum played that fast. I’m not going to go all through this album as it will take me forever, but I will say it’s a stone cold modern metal classic. If you are into big riffs and grooves with those head nodding beats, then you can’t go wrong.

My favourite track today is Sulfur. Everything I love about this album is in that one song: intense riffage with a ripping groove. Oh, and for those of you who think there is no melody in Slipknot world check out Dead Memories.

Great record!

10/10 from The Grooveman.

ROXX GANG – Things You’ve Never Done Before

March 7, 2023 /

Believe it or not Roxx Gang have been around since ’82, but it wasn’t until ’88 when they released this, their debut album on Virgin. I always thought these guys were a step up from the usual LA flash and trash brigade as they could actually write really catchy tunes, plus boy could they play. They made use of the twin guitar sound with both Jeff Taylor and Wade Hayes; great players. Virgin did the usual track of loading the first side with maximum blast as singles Scratch My Back and No Easy Way Out are tracks 1 and 2 on Side 1.

Any band of the time would have been proud of Scratch My Back, killer hook and melody coupled with that earworm chorus. Winner all the way. Race With The Devil is an uptempo glam romp and one of those tunes that just puts a smile on your face. Killer Latin flavoured opening to Red Rose, which is basically a power ballad. Great hook and chorus with added monster guitar solo. Live Fast Die Young closes out Side 1. A slow chugga riff with a call and repeat style hook and chorus.

Too Cool For School opens up Side 2 with another variation on THAT riff, surely the most overused riff in history. I really like the song though as it’s just a fun tune. Ball And Chain is a modern sleazy take on an old blues and gospel groove, complete with slide and banjo. Great tune! A monster opening riff to Fastest Gun In Town, and I really love the hook and chorus. Nine Lives is the one tune on the album that I would say is typical LA sleaze, and even then the chorus hook are a step above. It’s last track time with I Need Your Sex and we all know that’s about nuclear physics, right kids? Musically it’s a fun uptempo rocker with some killer guitar.

Definitely one of the better bands around that scene and this gem is often overlooked.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

ODIN – Don’t Take No For An Answer

March 6, 2023 /

Back in the day I remember reading a lot about Odin, and how they were going to be the next big thing for metal. Other than their appearance in the car crash documentary “The Decline Of Western Civilization Part 2 The Metal Years,” this EP is all that’s to show for their brief appearance in the spotlight. (Forgot to mention also that guitarist Jeff Duncan would join Armoured Saint after Odin folded.)

Anyway this album is rather good if you love that mid-eighties US metal sound; the six songs on here really float my boat. Opener The Writer is pure kick-ass metal, plenty of riffage and Jeff Duncan can really rip. Randy O can reach notes that no other man can and sometimes it’s a bit much. One Day To Live is my favourite track, great riff and groove with some killer guitar. Shining Love follows and is a metal ballad with a monster solo.

Solar Eye kicks off Side 2 and the riff and groove are killer. This album is definitely a Jeff Duncan showcase, man can he wail. Don’t Take No For Answer is up next, another killer tune with a main riff that reminds me of Testament. So all too briefly we come to the final track Judgement Day, a track Anthrax would have been proud of. Killer guitar in every available space. Jeff Duncan rules!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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