THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: album review (Page 54 of 469)

ROYAL HUNT – Dystopia 2

June 17, 2024 /

This is the latest release from Royal Hunt that came out in 2022. It’s also studio album number 17. For a band to be going for 17 albums is remarkable, especially when most of that has been off the radar for most of the world.

I was a lover of early Royal Hunt, especially Moving Target and Paradox, two classic DC Cooper albums. I’m pleased he is back in the band, although that was a few albums ago. The additional vocalists on this record is confusing as Mark Boals, Matt’s Leven, and Henrick Brockman take leads on different tracks, although it’s hard to tell which ones.

Yes, it’s a concept record. It concludes here with part 2, and I think I read somewhere that it’s based on Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. It’s the usual Royal Hunt fare: lots of symphonic moments with keyboards being the main carrier of the song melodies, although this album feels a tad heavier with the guitars being quite prominent.

There are a couple of instrumental pieces that just about steal favourite track status, namely The Purge and Hit and Run with duelling keys and guitars, but I love the interplay and melody of The Key Of Insanity. A great track with the band at their symphonic best. Sometimes when they keep it simple like on One More Shot, you can see another career for them as a melodic rock band.

Lots to keep the listener entertained for many many spins.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

LA CHINGA – Primal Forces

June 17, 2024 /

This is Vancouver’s La Chinga’s latest release, their fourth album, that popped out last year in 2023. There is something so pure and powerful about a three piece that you have to wonder, if adding more just becomes a distraction.

Five years have elapsed since the release of their previous album which included a break for COVID, and they don’t seem to have mellowed any. They are still this big, dirty, retro, rockin’ groove machine, although it doesn’t quite match the awesome that was Beyond The Sky.

Highlights for me are opener Light It Up which is La Chinga at their grooving best. A big and fat nasty riff with that drivin’ groove. Also, Stars Fall with a surprise hint of melody, and of course Motorboogie which is my favourite. A psych/stoner hard rockin beast of a tune.

So, it’s not as good as Beyond The Sky, but they still have the hunger to keep it dirty and rockin’.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MORAY PRINGLE – Good Times

June 14, 2024 /

Moray Pringle was a new guitarist of interest for me after I heard a couple of clips over on his bandcamp page. I was super stoked to find out that Sheet Happens were distributing this album in Canada. I love the pressings they do so this was a no brainer for me. I think Moray is from London, or that is his base anyway.

Quite a list of peeps who play on this record: Anup Sastry ex of Skyharbor and Monuments is on drums, Olly Steele also ex of Monuments plays rhythm, Joe Calderone is on bass, and Bumblefoot makes an appearance on Scotty Scotty Scotty. Now, I love instrumental guitar music so when a player I haven’t heard before releases a record as good as this it feels like Christmas. Before you run for the hills, this is  a very accessible record. It’s full of killer grooves and beats so Moray can lay some serious playing over the top.

I tend to lean towards tunes that are slightly off the curve for albums like this and there are a few that stick out. Scotty Scotty Scotty is such a joy, veering from a Latin to a reggae groove with Moray and Bumblefoot ripping it up with some stellar playing. Very cool track. Jaywalk has a killer groove and feels at times as though they are all playing in different time. I also love the clean tone. My favourite however is Cowboy, a delightful pier with hints of blues and jazz and just a tad of funk. Moray is giving it the beans on this one showing what a killer player he is, even with some tasty slide.

Great first album!! More please!!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

FREAK KITCHEN – Everyone Gets Bloody

June 14, 2024 /

It’s always a good day when a new Freak Kitchen album is announced, and I have been eagerly awaiting its arrival. They are definitely one of the most inventive and original bands around, both lyrically and musically. They must be doing something right as we are now up to album number ten, and it’s more of the same I’m glad to say.  Now, that doesn’t mean it’s a carbon copy of its predecessor, it’s full of the usual twisted rhythms, odd time signatures, crunching riffs, eastern influences, and thought provoking lyrics all blended together to make wonderful Freaky music.

I was first drawn to Freak Kitchen through Matthias’ other worldly guitar wizardry and heavy grooves, and this album does not disappoint on that front. In fact, this record out grooves nearly all the others. Gravity Works, Psy Co Op, Slip, Small Acts Of Rebellion, The Expert, and Pissing Contest will have your groove muscle fully loaded and primed. There is some killer low end crunch riifage that I find irresistible, coupled with IA’s usual wizardry and Bjorn and Christer playing epic rhythms to hold it all together, this record is up there with my favourite Freaky people releases.

My favourite track? Well, today’s it’s Gravity Works. A riff and groove to die for that other bands can only dream of.

It’s been 6 years between releases and I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next one.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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