THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: album review (Page 66 of 475)

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.

VICTORY – You Bought It You Name It

May 13, 2024 /

Victory should have been a lot bigger than they were. I know they came at the tail end of of the classic period, in fact this album came out in ’92, but they had all the elements to take it further.

This album is a total banger. I mean, what better opening do you need than Rebel Ready? It has a razor sharp riff that rips from the speakers, a pounding double kick groove that you feel in the chest, and a killer hook and chorus – what more do you want! A great tune! Rock-O-Matic follows with a heavy Extreme vibe and a funk overtone. Very cool tune! As Time Goes Passing By follows and basically it’s the blues given the heavy treatment with HUGE sounding guitars. Big shout out here to vocalist Fernando Garcia who really can belt out a tune. Under The Sun blows on in with an industrial sounding drum and a riff that prime period Anthrax would be proud with an epic groove. Man On The Run closes out Side 1 and it’s balls time. How to kill the mood or what!

Normal service is resumed with Side 2 opener Shotgun Wedding, a straight up four to the floor rocker. No Way Tonight follows and we are in AC/DC sing a long territory. God Of Sound is all about the vocal and that huge hook and chorus. Cool tune! Love Is Tuff is driven along with a one note pounding bass line and a very commercial sounding vibe with matching massive hook and chorus (Extreme pop into my head again). The album closes out with Fool and yes, we are going out with a bang. This song is a superb up tempo monster with a ripping riff and a fitting end to a great record. A killer production from Tommy Newton adds to the quality tunes.

Why the ballad?

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

HEIR APPARENT – One Small Voice

May 13, 2024 /

Queensryche had quite an impact on the world of progressive music, especially around their home territory. Heir Apparent are also from the Seattle area and are very much influenced by the “Ryche”. Vocalist Steve Benito is a ringer for Geoff Tate, both in range and delivery, and musically the band sound like the Warning era.

This album was originally released on Metal Blade in ’89, although I do believe a reissue appeared a few years ago. Other than the total cheese ballad Alone Again and the cringe worthy cover of The Sound Of Silence, this is not a bad effort and it’s a mystery as to why they disappeared after this album.

They certainly know how to deliver songs in a very dramatic and epic sounding way. Cacophony Of Anger has a very dramatic intro before settling down to a Maiden-style gallop. My favourite however is the more snappy and to the point Young Forever. It’s a short riff heavy rocker that they should have done more of.

If you like a sense of the dramatic in your Prog metal listening then you should seek this one out.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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