THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Page 15 of 458

FLOTSAM & JETSAM – Blood In The Water

October 28, 2024 /

For some reason I have not paid much attention to Flotsam & Jetsam since I bought their first album, Doomsday For The Deceiver way back in the mists of time. So, when I purchased this after hearing a track online it was like listening to a completely different band. Today’s version of Flotsam is more akin to progressive metal, as opposed to the thrash universe they came from, although Brace For Impact is total thrash heaven. 

It’s interesting to see Ken Mary blasting the hell out of the pots and pans because I first heard of him on TKO’s In Your Face, and I didn’t think of him as this heavy machine-like  beast of a drummer, but he pounds the hell out of this record. Blood In The Water is pure dual guitar heaven as both Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley are just riff machines. In fact, it’s drums and guitars that make this a stellar album. Every song is a pounding groovefest. To pick a fave track is hard but I’m going for The Wicked Hour. Superb heavy pounding groove with matching riff and the cherry on top is a great vocal from Eric Knutson.

I think I might have to explore more of their catalogue.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

VAIN – Disintegrate Together

October 27, 2024 /

Before we start, I bought this direct from Davy and waited an eternity for it to ship (I actually forgot I ordered it). It eventually came by UPS and was whacked with a $60 customs charge. Not only that, when it arrived the package looked as though it had been through five rounds with Mike Tyson. The cover is not in great shape but luckily the vinyl is okay. Artists: if you are shipping your own stuff, make sure it’s packaged right. Rant, over!

Glad to say this is a great record and glam/sleaze is alive and well, and Davy can still write a great tune. Don’t You Think is prime time Vain and it’s one of my favourite songs ever by the band. Great groove to the song and the melody is killer. The Flowers runs it very close, however it has a more slow funky groove but again, the melody and harmonies are superb. The title track is high on the dramatic. A slowed down blues based epic where Davy’s voice just carries the whole piece. So many great songs here!

Davy and Vain have always been that little bit different to all the glam bands they came up with. I haven’t heard all of Vain’s albums, but this is the best of the ones I have.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

RAVEN – The Pack Is Back

October 27, 2024 /

This is the album where Raven went as close to being a hair band as possible. They had to have been under pressure from the record company to come out with such a radio friendly record as this.

With the first two tracks, The Pack Is Back and the cover Gimme Some Lovin’, you’d swear that you were listening to Gary Glitter. I haven’t played this in a long while, and unfortunately it doesn’t get any better with age. It’s not bad it’s just weird when you know what came before.

Occasionally, they are allowed to be themselves (sort of) with songs like Young Blood (favourite track) when a hint of Raven frenzy materializes, but mostly it’s ordinary pop rock and in one case with Hyperactive, just embarrassingly bad.

Raven with Horns anyone? Nope, it’s just wrong. 

5.5/10 from The Grooveman.

WIDOWMAKER – Stand By For Pain

October 25, 2024 /

After the initial demise of Twisted Sister, Dee Snider put together a short lived project called Desperado. When they folded, Widowmaker was formed, which was basically Desperado but with Al Pitrelli on guitar.

I know TS were super popular, especially in the US, but this album (their second and final release) was the highlight of Snider’s career. Much heavier and darker material and taking influences from what was around at the time. Long Gone for instance could have been any Seattle band at the time, but way better. Protect And Serve reminds me of Pantera with that double kick roll and the heavy guitar groove. Ready To Roll is my favourite tune on the album and maybe the best thing Snider has done. The initial riff and groove at the intro messes with your brain as the head wants to follow the groove but your body follows the riff. Great stuff! The only song you could compare to TS would be The Iron Road with its straight metal riff, double kick groove, and sing along title line.

I guess the public didn’t take to the band as after this they were done. Shame, as this is a good effort.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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