THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: album review (Page 60 of 469)

REDEMPTION – I Am The Storm

May 20, 2024 /

This is the latest album from these LA based Prog metallers, released in 2023. Redemption have been together since 2001 and their self-titled debut appeared in 2003. So, album number eight sees a beefing up of the sound with a lot more low end apparent in the mix.

These guys sure can play, there are some jaw dropping moments of virtuosity mixed with some killer complex arrangements but with melody never far away, courtesy of Tom England’s vocals. Seven Minutes From Sunset gets my vote for favourite tune. It’s wonderfully epic and heavy with a performance that DT would be struggling to capture. The guitar on this track is epic and Nicolas Van Dyke just rips up a storm.

I really like this album a lot, apart from a cover of  Genesis’ Turn It In Again which will have you scratching your head. The centrepiece track Action At A Distance which weighs in at over 14 minutes is indeed a sprawling epic undertaking. Lots of DTisms to wrap your brain around and lots of light and shade moments. I am a sucker for songs like this where the band stretch out and challenge the listener and deliver these dramatic epic pieces.

Killer playing on what is a very enjoyable record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

DEF LEPPARD – Pyromania

May 20, 2024 /

Def Leppard obviously need no introduction as every man and his dog have heard this album, it was one of the biggest rock albums of the 80’s. Depending on what you believe or what you read, it was also the album where they became Mutt Lange’s studio playthings. Gone were the raw rockin’ Brit boys from Sheffield, they were transformed into this slick rock n’ roll machine. I think every song has Mutt as a co-writer and every song has radio stamped all over it. Mission accomplished, as far as the label were concerned, everyone made pots of cash.

So many great songs on one album, most bands would have been happy with just one. However, I am going for the one as my favourite that you don’t hear that often and that’s Stagefright. It’s the one where they still sound like Def Leppard with those big sounding guitars front and centre.

Of course, it’s a classic album and deserving of a…

10/10 from The Grooveman.

URIAH HEEP – Firefly

May 18, 2024 /

Uriah Heep are a great band and one that I have loved since my teen years, and after all they have been through I am amazed they are still around. Of course, the only member still around from the glory days is Sir Michael Of Box, but we are going back to ’77 for this one. This was also the first album without original vocalist Dave Byron, who (at the time) was godlike to me as his voice was just a thing of beauty. John Lawton, his replacement on this album, puts in a sterling job as the band tried to keep the old sound musically to not rock the fanbase too much.

This album is very reliant on Ken Hensley  for songwriting as all but one were penned by him. Strangely enough, the one he didn’t have a hand is the one I like the most: Who Needs Me. Written by Lee Kerslake, it’s a good old Heep rockin’ romp with plenty of melody and harmony, and Mr. Box giving it the beans. The other track that floats my boat is The Hanging Tree which is John Lawton’s finest moment on this record with quite a commercial sounding track, which is essentially a boogie wrapped up in Hensley’s synth.

All hail the Heep and long may they ride.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

WITNESS – S/T

May 13, 2024 /

These guys are a bit of an oddity. They were signed by Arista under their original name of Native, but soon after signing they changed their name to Witness. Damon Johnson of Black Star Riders was the guitar player in the band, he doesn’t play a note on the album neither does his guitar partner Eddie Usher. In fact, a lot of the US melodic rock royalty played and wrote a lot of the album. Neal Schon, Brad Gillis  to name but two. Obviously the label loved the voice of vocalist Debbie Davis and wanted to launch the band big time. Unfortunately, the band split after the release of the album but they left behind one of the great unheard melodic rock releases of the period.

Rammed full of radio friendly tunes I would recommend this banger to any lovers of melodic rock/AOR. Many great tunes to choose from here but my two favourites are firstly opener Show Me What You Got which is one hell of a way to open an album, it has a big riff, killer groove, and a hook and chorus to die for. Second, Am I Wrong with another great riff and superb melody.

It’s fun to play spot the guitarist and who plays on what. Back To You could have been on any Journey album and Neal Schon’s guitar style is unmistakable.  Great album. Go check it out.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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