THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 431 of 492)

SAD CAFE – Fanx Ta-Ra

May 17, 2021 /

Back before they became soft rock chart toppers (with hits such as Every Day Hurts and My Oh My), they were quite a rockin’ outfit with an eye firmly on America. Ironically, this album wasn’t released in America until much later. In their softer moments Steely Dan spring to mind, but with a British rock edge. This is their first album and I originally bought it when it first came out in ’77 after seeing them on the Whistle Test, and I still enjoy giving it a spin today. Hailing from Manchester, vocalist Paul Young would later go on to sing with Mike And The Mechanics until his untimely death in 2000.

Tracks such as Hungry Eyes and Sail On show the soft rock pathway they would take later with subsequent albums, but overall this album does rock. Opening track, Babylon, has a great melody and guitar from Ashley Mulford. Side 1 is given over to the more softer side of the band, whereas Side 2 could be described as Prog – especially with the weird intro to The Further Adventures Of Mad Alan, which then leads into the killer title track, Fanx Ta-Ra. With its heavy sounding opening, to the Santana style middle section, this is a great track. My other favourite moment on the record is Clumbidextrous, which is an instrumental – apart from a brief spoken section at the beginning. This track would have made it onto any Prog band’s album of the period.

Not a bad album at all and would set them on the road for success – although is does sound a bit dated.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

STREETWALKERS – Red Card

May 16, 2021 /

Having seen them performing tracks from this album on the Old Grey Whistle Test, I went out and bought this album the day after. Formed by ex-Family members Roger Chapman and John Whitney, this is the band’s third album released in ’76. They came around at the wrong time, as just they were gaining a bit of traction, Punk came along and the musical landscape changed nearly overnight. Taking what Family did and expanding the sound with more proggy vibes – they had a sound all of their own. Of course Chapman’s distinctive gravelly tones and vibrato are up front and centre, and the music that supports it is strong and diverse.

Run For Cover is a great opening track and the addition of Bob Tench on guitar really drives the song. Me An Me Horse And Me Rum is a strange but lovable track. Crazy Charade is all about Chapman and is driven by an off funk groove. Daddy Rolling Stone has an underlying old RnB groove, and is reminiscent of Family with Chapman singing his ass off. Side 2 starts with Roll Up, Roll Up and is another funky tune in the Family vein. Between Us follows, and has a barrow boozer vibe to proceedings. Shotgun Messiah has a very southern US vibe – they would get some success in the US with this type of tune. Decadence Code with its funk/reggae groove closes out the album with Chapman wailing all over the track. This type of music is seeing a bit of a revival. Whether Streetwalkers become fashionable again it remains to be seen.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

TYGERS OF PAN TANG – Ritual

May 16, 2021 /

NWOBHM pioneers are still plugging away after 40 plus years, albeit with only one original member, which is fully loaded compared to some legacy bands that have zero original members. Somewhat invigorated with the arrival of guitarist Mickey Crystal (who is a first division musician) and the band have released an album that stands proud against anything they have done before.

Opening track, Worlds Apart, shows Mickey’s talents to the fullest – both with the full on riff and killer leads. Destiny has a touch of Ozzy with the main riff, and has a nice chorus. Rescue Me is up next and starts with a slow chugga riff – its a decent tune. Raise Some Hell follows and has that NWOBHM riff that I am sick of hearing. Every band and his dog has used this riff so many times – it should be put out for retirement. The song is saved by a killer solo. Spoils Of War closes out Side 1 and is a nice epic tune and the big production of this side. It sounds nothing like the Tygers if I’m honest, mostly thanks to the epic guitar from Mr. Crystal.

Side 2 opens with the single White Lines which is an ok song with a nice chorus and melody, but (and this is becoming a habit) the song is lifted by the guitar. Words Cut Like Knives is power ballad 101 with a nice vocal from Jac. Damn You is straight from the NWOBHM rule book with a textbook riff. Art Of Noise is next up and is the most modern sounding track on the album with the pounding bass. Close out track, Sail On, has an almost Malmsteen intro and sounds very euro metal – its a great track. Big shout out to the rhythm section of Gav Gray on bass, and Craig Ellis on the pots and pans – who lay down some great grooves. Mickey Crystal sadly left the band after this, saying he was being used just to write songs and that Weir’s involvement was minimal. Shame, as he is a top class musician and he will be missed.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

DREAM THEATER – Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory

May 15, 2021 /

This whole album is a concept piece and a sequel to Metropolis Pt. 1 that appeared on the Images and Words album. To try and explain this quicklyL it’s about a man called Nicholas who goes into regression therapy, and while he is under hypnosis he sees a girl named Victoria Page. He learns that she was murdered and she is now haunting him to reveal the truth about her murder. This also the first appearance on record of Jordan Rudess on keys – after the departure of Derek Sherinian.

This is one of the best albums of the Prog rock genre, and is rightly regarded as a masterpiece. I am lucky enough to have seen this performed in its entirety (with the original recording line up) on various occasions – and you felt like you were seeing something special. I won’t bother to dissect each song as it is one whole piece that is split into sections. The highlights for me (and there are many) are: Overture 1928 and Dance Of Eternity/One Last Time – they are just other worldly and supremely written and composed pieces that I never tire of hearing. If you don’t shed a tear with The Spirit Carries On then you are not human. In my opinion, the band miss the creativity of Mike Portnoy. There is that spark missing from the albums recorded after his departure. If you are a fan of this genre, then you know how good this record is. If you are are somewhat curious, then you should buy this at the earliest your wallet allows.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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