THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: album review (Page 63 of 469)

GREAT WHITE – S/T

May 7, 2024 /

Now, just to confuse people, this album has multiple covers. There is a plain black cover with the logo in white, and there is this one, with the band pictured in an alley. This was the only album Great White did for EMI, as they wear dropped after this.

I’m obviously in the minority as I like the heavier sound and vibe on this record compared to the blues groove they have got going later. Now, this has a decent Michael Wagener production with a very crisp sound and great separation, unlike some he has done. Out Of The Night has to be one of the heaviest tunes the band have done and it gets a big thumbs up from me, it’s my favourite tune. Killer tune!

Their version of The Who’s Substitute is pretty rockin; and the intro is soooo metal. The big production number of the album is Streetkiller, which has a Zeppelin-style intro before locking down into a solid riff heavy groove. The track Hold On got quite a bit of attention and airplay, being more commercial, and is the direction the band would choose to follow with subsequent releases.

Thoroughly enjoyable record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

UNCLE SAM – Letters From London

April 15, 2024 /

How would you describe what Uncle Sam sound like? I have read a few comments where people reckon they sound like Motorhead. Now, I sort of understand that, especially early Motorhead, but there are also elements of punk. So, if you put the punk attitude in a blender with Motorhead, a pinch of Hawkwind, and a twist of Sabbath you might be somewhere close. Noisenics was another phrase I saw mentioned about Uncle Sam and I would say that about sums them up.

Favourite tune? Well, I’m going for the close out track Lexington Blues which has a bit of a Dr. Feelgood-style R’n’B to it, that is until they get bored and then it’s a race to the finish.

If you’re into to early punk and raw rock n’ roll then this could be the record you’re looking for.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

ZINNY ZAN – Lullabies For The Masses

April 15, 2024 /

You may have heard of more of the bands that he has been in than the man himself. Zinny Zan has been in Shotgun Messiah, Easy Action, and Zan Clan. He has been determined to make his music heard, often swimming against the tide. You have to give the guy respect for keep in going.

He is joined here by two of his old Skintrade buddies, Stefan Bergstrom on guitar and Hogge Calmroth on bass. I think this is a great record and to come out with something as good as this so far into your career is quite remarkable. There are tracks that have that familiar Zinny feel like the opening single Heartbreak City with its great heavy chugga riff, and Bombs Away.

There are some different vibes going on like on Its No Good (which is my favourite track) which experiments with an almost electronic groove and a killer feel and swing. The sleaze groove is still there on Welcome To The Show, which possesses a great riff and groove to match, and it continues on the almost funky Let It Rock.

So there you have it, I am looking forward to the next one.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

KEEL – S/T

April 15, 2024 /

This is album number four from Keel, released back in ’87 and the transformation to a hair band is all complete. The sound was lot more raw and aggressive with the Steeler album and the first Keel album Lay Down The Law, and I guess they wanted to appeal more to the MTV generation hence the more polished sound and radio friendly material.

In fact, the songs here are bordering on pop at times, especially Cherry Lane and Calm Before The Storm. The hard rockin’ chest beating anthems are in short supply on this record with King Of The Rock and my favourite 4th July – the only ones to get you enthused. The Michael Wagener production is quite weak and all the balls has been removed.

I guess Gene Simmons didn’t do a bad job for these anyway.

6/10 from The Grooveman.

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