THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: blog music (Page 3 of 40)

RAVEN – All For One

June 2, 2022 /

Where would metal be without the NWOBHM? Interesting question that I have had many a discussion about. Raven are one of the bands that seem to get missed off the influenced list, and I’m sure their brand of athletic power metal was an influence to some American bands for sure. They were a whole bunch of fun Live and never took themselves too seriously that’s for sure. Maybe that was one of the reasons they never made it in the big leagues.

This is the third album and the last before on an independent. Their best album will forever be Rock Until You Drop. I don’t think they will ever beat that, and who can forget Tyrant Of The Airwaves? My favourite tracks on this album are Hung Drawn And Quartered, and Seek And Destroy – they are the two tunes that could sit happily on the first album with huge amounts of energy and head banging grooves that put a big smile on my face. The rest of the album is standard NWOBHM stompers to keep the diehards happy.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

JETHRO TULL – Stand Up

June 1, 2022 /

I’m sure most rock fans have at least one Jethro Tull album in their collection, and it’s usually Aqualung. This album was released in ’69 and was two albums before Aqualung.

It’s very much a blues based album, and opening track A New Day Yesterday has been covered by a few people – most notably Joe Bonamassa. It’s amazing how the introduction of one instrument (namely the flute in this case) can transform the band’s sound. The vibe automatically takes on a folky tone almost instantly with tracks like Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square, and Bouree – they could almost be by a different band.

Back To The Family is a more familiar sounding piece that they would expand on more with Aqualung. Fat Man is the most interesting track on the album, with the use of acoustic instruments and an eastern sound mixed with folk rhythms – they are pushing boundaries. There is no other band that sound like Jethro Tull, they have an instantly recognizable sound and makes them unique. This is the 2016 Steven Wilson remix and sounds amazing.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

SARAYA – s/t

June 1, 2022 /

Based around the vocal talents of vocalist Sandi Saraya, the band released two albums of which this is the first. This album (and its follow up) is held in high regard in the aor/melodic rock community – and rightly so. It’s best known for the opening track, Love Has Taken Its Toll, which was a huge rock radio hit in the US. It’s a monster tune with a big hook and chorus, and a killer short but snappy guitar solo from ex Danger Danger man, Tony Rey. Fun fact – he played most of the guitar on DD’s first album with Andy Timmons adding flourishes.

Every track is as catchy as a super spreader virus, with the emphasis always on the melody and the hook. Plus Sandi has a great voice just tailor made for these type of tunes, she has just the right amount huskiness for those rockier moments, and Runnin’ Out Of Time is definitely one of those. This track just pounds along with a killer Hammond driven riff and groove – it’s one of my favourites on the album. Of course there are a few ballads as you would expect, with Back To The Bullet being the best of these. Close out track, Drop The Bomb, is a superb end to the record with synth driven vibe but with a monster solo.

Female fronted rock bands were not taken as seriously as their male fronted counterparts, so when you hear albums as good as this it proved it was absolute nonsense. A great melodic rock album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

WINGER – In The Heart Of The Young

May 31, 2022 /

This the band’s second album released in 1990, and was their second platinum album on the bounce. It’s a really great hair rock album with great tunes, and a superb production from Beau Hill.

Ironically, opening track Can’t Get Enough, was a later addition to the album as record company thought when the band handed over the album that there weren’t enough rock tracks. I wish more record companies had said that, as there were way too many ballad heavy albums coming out at this time, and we all know the kids wanna rock right?!

The big hit from the album was the ballad, Miles Away. Can’t Get Enough is a killer opening track with a very Def Leppard vibe. Easy Come Easy Go was the other track that was added, and it’s a good old crowd pleasing hands-in-the-air sing-a-long. Under One Condition is one ballad I really like as the groove and the solo are killer. You Are The Saint And I Am The  Sinner is my favourite track, and I would say it’s the most trademark Winger track on the album with a great choppy killer hook and chorus. I still play this a lot, as well as it’s siblings.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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