Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 238 of 492)

This was Angel’s final album from their initial incarnation, it was released back in ’79. Signed to Casablanca, as were Kiss, the image they had was the exact opposite to Kiss and the label played on the good versus evil  for a while.

Musically it’s basic 70’s rock and their sound seems to have watered down through the albums. After the pomp and Prog vibes of the first album, especially with the epic Tower, they have changed a lot since and this album could belong to any hard rock band around this period. In ’79 Van Halen we’re onto album number two and the musical landscape had changed a lot in a short space of time, this type of rock was becoming somewhat dated.

It’s not a bad record it’s just of it’s time, and it sounds it. I guess Greg Giuffria knew this as he soon jumped ship to House Of Lords and Giuffria. It’s hard to pick a favourite track, but if I’m pushed I would say LA Lady as the hook and chorus are quite cool. Not the best Angel album as that goes to the either of the first two.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

This was the band’s debut album, released in ’88. They had an initial burst with this and the follow up album Damned Nation. Then, they took a little hiatus until ’98 but they have been rockin’ on ever since.

Feel The Shake opens up the album and it is a four to the floor sleaze groover, typical of late eighties LA. Make Some Noise is a straight up rocker with a nice hook and chorus. Bad Disease has a very old school fifties rockabilly vibe, mixed with a killer production. The rock n’ roll riffs keep coming with Fire In My Heart, although Rose Tattoo popped into mind at first. Hometown Blues closes out Side 1 and it is what it says on the tin.

The good time rock n’ roll vibe continues with Locked In A Cage with quite a sparse guitar riff and the sing along chorus. Talkin’ has a big GnR vibe except for the cheesy middle section. Hard Climb is about as simple as it comes with the one note bass riff intro, and it’s Poison in all but name. Bloodstone has an odd opening sequence before it settles down to be my favourite track on the album. A cool chord progression and great groove. Last track is Snakebite. It has a groove where I could swear I’m in bar in Australia and either The Angels or Rose Tattoo are playing.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

I thinking I’m right in saying this was the first Sweet album that they had fully written themselves. No Chapman and Chinn writing all the hits. It’s also the band’s heaviest sounding album that inspired a lot of the 80’s glam bands.

Just to prove they could have hit singles on their own, Action was released as the first single and was a huge hit. A superb opening to the album. It’s a statement track and a big FU to all the doubters, it’s been covered by tons of bands. Healer which closes out Side 1 was a definite left field move for the band as it has a huge jam feel to it, especially with the funky middle section.

It’s Side 2 that has all treasures though. The Lies In your Eyes was the second single. A decent enough tune with those killer layered harmonies, but it bombed in comparison to Action. The John Bonham opening drum blast and the heavy groove to Cockroach is killer. Lady Starlight is the only disappointment as I feel it has a completely different vibe to the rest of the album. Let me know how many Motley Crüe tracks Keep It In remind you of. It has a great riff and groove, and the middle section is awesome, it’s favourite track time for sure. The album closes out with 4th Of July and was the third single released, this also bombed. The intro has a hint of Deep Purple, maybe that’s why Ritchie Blackmore liked them so much. They did support Rainbow on this tour (I think). Another blast from my past and this is really solid album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Are Great White a one song band who just got lucky? We’ll come to THAT song later. This was the band’s second album, released in ’85. The band were pretty huge in the mid to late eighties, but I always thought they were very average and were definitely at the right place at the right time, even though it took them a while to get there. Anyhoo, it’s been a while since I heard this so let’s dive in.

Opening track Shake Me is actually a kick ass opening tune with a great riff and hook, and the production is crisp and clear. What Do You Do has its moments with a groovy bass line and an off beat, but falls a bit short. Next up is THAT song and I won’t change my mind as this is the best song they have done. I’ve come to the conclusion it’s all about that really cool chord progression that makes Face The Day so freaking awesome, especially at the intro and the power groove ending. It’s a super simple song but it works so well. A cover of Gimme Some Lovin is next and it’s rocked up to give it a bit of balls, and it’s okay, but the original is so iconic it’s really hard to top it.

The title track opens up Side 2 with thunder claps, pounding bass, and drum. Then the song fades and it feels like Pat Benatar should be singing. Is Anybody There follows and is by far the weakest song on the album, even with the big ending. Run Away has an eighties new romantic drum groove, which feels strange mixed with the rock hook and chorus. Waiting For Love closes out the album and it’s a full on keys intro power ballad. So it’s 10/10 for Face The Day and 7.5/10 for the album from The Grooveman.