THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: axe

AXE – S/T

March 25, 2024 /

This is the debut album from the Floridians, Axe, released back in ’79. Most of the rock world was going in a more heavy direction around this time but Axe were unleashing this pomp rock monster. By listening to these songs, they were heavily influenced by Styx on this album. They became more commercial and radio friendly around the release of Offering, but this is a bit if an underground classic in AOR circles.

I would go as far to say that Yes were an influence on the album as well, because keyboards play a prominent part throughout the album. The whole vibe around the album is very uplifting and there are none of those nasty evil chords to darken matters. Highlights for me are opener Life’s Just An Illusion, which is the best song on the album. It’s got loads of melody and vocal harmonies with a great hook and chorus.

Hang On is another great uptempo pomp monster. These guys sure know how to write a ditty. The Springsteen flavoured Back On The Streets is a close call for favourite tune and Doing The Best That I Can has a very familiar main vocal melody that I’m sure the Yardbirds used on Shapes Of Things. My only down point for the whole album is the drum sound. They sound so flat and lifeless.

Although it does sound a tad dated, it’s not a bad album at all.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

AXE – Nemesis

December 15, 2022 /

This is the band’s fourth album, released in ’83. They have had a revolving door of members, apart from the ever present Bobby Barth who would join Blackfoot in 2004. They were mainly known for a more melodic and softer approach to their music, but this album really rocks in that early eighties style.

Opening track Heat In The Street is a great kick ass tune with hints of classic Deep Purple in there, it’s definitely my favourite tune. Young Hearts follows and it’s a nice one. All Though The Night has a very simple riff that you will have heard countless times, but the beat and groove are just kick ass rock n’ roll. I Think You’ll Remember Tonight would have been a great single as it’s a very classy power ballad with a great solo. She’s Had The Power rocks in that late seventies way with a great hook and chorus. Side 1 closes out with Girls Girls Girls, and the main groove is a very dirty  biker rock n’ roll with an added Motown-style hook and chorus.

Eagle Flies Alone opens with a more familiar keyboard intro before the guitars kick in, and then the hook and chorus is very eighties and reminds me of tons of tunes. Keep Playing That Rock And Roll is the only cover on the album and is better than the original, it sounds very Bob Seger. Foolin’ Your Mama Again is pure AOR by numbers. It has plenty of keys and the trademark big hook and chorus. That vibe keeps going into Let The Music Come Back, which is a mirror image. The album ends with Masquerade, a track which doesn’t really get going. You feel as thought it’s about to explode but it never does. If you were to own just one Axe album then it should be this.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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