THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: album review (Page 34 of 459)

TROUBLE TRIBE – Something Sweet

August 1, 2024 /

Another hair band that appeared just a little too late. This album came out in 1990 and although they had a couple of hits on MTV with Tattoo and Here Comes Trouble, the inevitable hand of grunge doom was lurking. Trouble Tribe are from New York and they were a step up from the Faster Pussycat’s of this world as they had a great sense of melody and knew how to write a good tune.

Tattoo is definitely my favourite tune. Killer hook and chorus with a stomping riff and groove. Back To The Well is a close second however, as they are trying something a little different here with a little funk added to the rock groove, it works really well and the chorus is pure pop. They also do the LA hair glam thing really well as Boys Night Out could have been any Friday night party soundtrack. Red Light Zone is a superb pop rock track with a nice riff and pounding groove, plus a hook and chorus to die for.

Definitely one of the better late period hair band albums and a worthy addition to your collection.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

ERIC STEEL – Infectious

August 1, 2024 /

A band called Eric Steel and yet no one in the band has that name. Actually, these guys are quite good at playing some kick ass hard rock with that metal edge. The band are from Chicago and released three albums, of which this is album number two.

Now, I’m a sucker for a loud and crunchy dirty riff, and these guys have them in overload. The production is raw and loud and it captures the band perfectly. I love this record, it’s nice and simple. No hairs and graces just BAM, CRUNCH, and they’re gone. Bruce Hausfield seems to be the one calling all the shots as he’s lead vocalist and guitarist, and the dude sure can lay down the riffs. Forever Yours, After Midnight, and my favourite, Since You’ve Been Gone are great tunes. They all have the simple format of a huge fat riff and killer groove that you just can’t help rockin’ out to.

This is FUN, pure and simple.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

REMEDY – Pleasure Beats The Pain

July 29, 2024 /

Escape Music, the British boutique melodic rock and AOR label have been on a roll latley, with killer albums from Jelusick and D’Luna both being at the heavier end of the scale. Remedy however, are back in what Esacpe do best with a killer melodic rock album with great songs with memorable sing along hooks.

Mixed and mastered by Eclipse and WET mainman Eric Martensson, this is a great sounding record. Everything seems to revolve around Roland Forsman who has a hand in writing all the songs as well as killing it on guitar. Quite frankly not a bad moment can be heard with a superb selection of songs.

Crying Heart opens up the record with a superb hook and melody, and a ripping riff. Moon Has The Night is more of the same. You will be humming the main harmony for days. Sin For Me is my favourite song. It’s a throwback to when songs meant something. Great main harmony and groove. Angelina could have been an ABBA song. This is how you write a pop song. Of course there are going to be ballads and Bad Blood closes out side one. Even then, the hook and chorus are superb as the power is introduced.

Scandinavian bands are just so good at everything really. No matter what genre they are just great musicians who have a great ear for melody. Caught By Death opens up Side 2 with a great riff and groove and the usual massive hook and main chorus. Hearts On Fire could have been a Toto song, it just has that feel. Great song! Poison is a more stripped back song, at least after the main opening riff and groove. Girls Got Trouble raises the tempo somewhat. That riff and groove are so cool, add that to the killer hook and chorus it’s a winner all the way. The album closes out with Something They Call Love and yup, it’s a ballad. I just don’t get closing out a record with a slow song.

It’s still a great record and worthy of your attention.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

MANDROID ECHOSTAR – Citadels

July 29, 2024 /

Metal is such a strange genre right now. With a myriad of off shoots that quite frankly don’t interest me a whole bunch, it’s hard to wade through the drops to find bands worthy of my dollars. Mandroid Echostar are one that I actually care about spending those dollars on.

I found the band just by chance in one of my down the rabbit hole searches I get lost in occasionally. Surprisingly enough, they are from Guelph Ontario which isn’t that far away from me. They actually won a Juno award for their 2017 album Coral Throne.

This album/EP was original released in 2013. They operate in the technical/progressive/metal territory with huge slabs of melody thrown into the mix. In fact, when this album kicks off you’d swear you were listening to an early Jethro Tull album because of the folky grooves. Yet, that is not what this record or this band are all about. Heavy low end grooves with some killer three part guitars and superb clean vocal and harmonies are what these guys are all about.

The Sleeper is the one track that floats above the other tunes on offer here, and it is my favourite. Heavy djentyness greets your ears immediately with some fat heavy riffage and grooves to match. The guitar solo is so cool! Stonkingly awesome tune! Ethereal was a close second with a that great funky bass line.

Time to get more musical treats from the band I think, and so should you.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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