THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: blog music (Page 7 of 40)

JOURNEY – s/t

May 24, 2022 /

This album bares no resemblance on what the band have become today. The only ever present member is Neal Schon. Journey were formed after Schon and Greg Rollie had left Santana to pursue their version of an improvisational jam band.

If you’re a fan of Neal’s playing then this album is pure joy as he really revels in the wide space given to him in these extended jams. All of Side 1 is killer, culminating in the closer Kohoutek, an awesome heavy instrumental where everyone lets loose, especially Neal. There are more melodic tracks where Rollie handles the vocals like To Play Some Music, which also has more progressive elements. Topaz has a throwback to their Santana days with a slight latin edge. Mystery Mountain even sounds a bit like ELP but I think that’s purely down to Gregg’s vocal style. Worth buying for fans of great guitar.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SILENT RAGE – Shattered Hearts

May 23, 2022 /

This is the first album by the band. In fact, guitarist and vocalist Jesse Damon is still known as Timmy James Reilly on this one. They must have done something right with this release, as after the initial success of this record they signed with Genes Simmons’ label for their follow up record and then they were gone.

This album was produced by Paul Sabu and sounds huge with a great production. This is another band that were just too late. If they had been around 3 years earlier, things could have been a whole lot different as they have great songs and all are killer musicians. Rich Young & Pretty is a typical cock rock hair band anthem with a great groove and riff. Shattered Hearts (I think) was on a movie soundtrack and is a great tune.  Fight For The Rock is a full on party anthem as is Wanting You, and this is when they are at their best. It certainly helps when three members of the band can sing, as the harmonies are on the money. Some Kind Of Woman plays out the record and it’s my favourite on the record, as I love the riff and the hook, and harmonies are killer.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

ANTHRAX – State Of Euphoria

May 23, 2022 /

Among The Living was a huge album for Anthrax, so the pressure was on for the follow up for sure. A lot of the mags in the UK didn’t rate this album at all, whereas little old me loved it. I saw them twice on this tour and they killed it both times.

Superb opening with the single cello playing the main riff to Be All End All, before the band take over with a classic Anthrax groove and riff. Is that thrash funk I hear? The initial opening riff to Out Of Sight Out Of Mind would have you think that, before normal service is resumed. Make Me Laugh’s main opening riff and groove sounds like Metallica, then this tune really starts to swing. I have mentioned before how Anthrax have that groove to their music that you just have to bounce to. A killer rendition of Trust’s Antisocial follows, then it’s onto Who Cares Wins with an eerie opening guitar, and we are into the fastest groove on the album. Love the intro to Now It’s Dark, before we settle down into a more normal chugga riff pattern. Schism is the band taking a stance on racism and this tune zooms past with a great groove and riff. Onto Misery Loves Company, which for some reason is my least favourite on the album. 13 is a weird little bass and drum instrumental before we get to Finale that closes out the album in style. Killer track with a full on thrash riff and groove, and the ending words of Over, Finished, Done, Gone, Out! Yes indeed!!!

9.5/10 From the Grooveman.

BRITNY FOX – s/t

May 21, 2022 /

The band’s first album released in ’88, right at the height of dudes looking like chics era, and if you look at the cover photo it’s hard to tell. 😂😂

Sleazy good time rock n’ roll no more no less with the voice that sounds as though he has been gargling glass, on most of the tracks anyway. Long Way To Love has a very Kiss sounding vibe to the main hook of the song and almost sounds like Paul Stanley. This album is an every night is Friday Night type of record. Big sing-a-long hands in the air groovers with lyrics that don’t mean a whole bunch other than to have a good time. Rock Revolution, Fun In Texas, and Kick N’ Fight, these are all these types of songs and for me they are the best on the album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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