THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: coney hatch

CONEY HATCH – Friction

November 14, 2022 /

Friction was released in ’85, and the first with a major label backing. This was the album that was supposed to be the one that pushed them into the mainstream but instead, it was the last one they would record until Four in 2013. Killer production from Max Norman gave the album a huge sound and one can only say, what happened? The first two albums were great and the band had their own personality and vibe – I loved them. There is no doubt that this was a more commercial album, aimed at the radio.

This Ain’t Love opens up the album and right from the off the sound is huge crisp and clean. The guitar sounds massive and that hook and chorus are superb. She’s Gone is next up and is a very radio-friendly tune, it was released as a single. Carl Dixon has a superb voice with such a great tone. Wrong Side Of Town feels like a song from the first two albums. Andy Curran handles the vocals on this one and the riff and groove are awesome. A great tune and also my favourite! Girl From Lasts Nights Dream was the big radio-friendly single from the album and it did ok in the US. Coming To Get You closes out Side 1 and it’s just an okay track with a plod groove, it’s my least favourite on the album.   

Fantasy kicks off Side 2 and we are in AOR territory with a very slick production with the added keys. He’s A Champion again, has that slow plod beat and groove, it’s just an ok track for me. State Line has a great hook and chorus, and a four to the floor groove. Last track is Burning Love and it sounds huge. Guitars are very upfront in the mix, which always gets my seal of approval. I seem to like the Andy Curran songs, as my favourites from all three of the early albums are the ones he sings.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

CONEY HATCH – s/t

May 21, 2022 /

Great band, should have been huge, and another band in the category of “What Happened”? This is a monster record full of massive hooks, melodies and great harmonies and some huge riffage.

Devils Deck is first up and “BOOM” what a great track announcing your presence to the world. This song smokes! You Ain’t Got Me follows and what a great hook and chorus, try not singing along to that one. The band has two vocalists. Carl Dixon has a great voice and sings the more straight ahead rockers, and Andy Curran who sings the more left of centre tunes. Stand Up is one of those straightforward stomp groove with almost Rush like sections in between. No Sleep Tonight starts with a great riff and is a superb melodic rock song with a killer vocal. Side 1 closes out with Love Poison, an Andy Curran tune with a pretty simple riff and a nice solo from Steve Shelski. Side 2 kicks off with We Got The Night, a great uptempo groover with a monster riff, hook, and superb harmonies. Hey Operator, which I think was a single, follows and was also covered by fellow Canadian, Aldo Nova on his Subject album. I’ll Do The Talkin is next up and has a very Aerosmith vibe to the main song with a quirky middle eight. Victim Of Rock with the Beatles-ish main riff is next up and is followed by the close out track Monkey Bars. This is the track most people talk about with its quirky vibe, repeating riff, and perfect vocal by Andy Curran. Love this record.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

CONEY HATCH – Live At The El Mocambo

July 15, 2021 /

It was a big surprise when the band decided to play at the newly refurbed El Mocambo in October last year, and to record the damn thing was the icing on the cake. The band shone brightly for three albums – and then that was it. Those three albums make up the majority of the tracks played here. Apparently only 300 copies were pressed up, and I know some of them were signed.

We Got The Night opens things nicely and you instantly recognize what a great melodic rock band they are. Stand Up shows the quirky side of the band with the odd riff and groove, as well as the rap spoken vocal by Andy Curran – who is in complete contrast to the vocal talents of Carl Dixon. First Time For Everything is up next and was released as a single – it shows the more mellow side of the band. Wrong Side Of Town from Friction is next up and was probably the best song from that record.

I love the first two records. My four favourite tracks are all aired here: Hey Operator, which I do believe was their first ever single, the amazing Fallen Angel which could my favourite track ever by the band, and the two best tracks from the first album, a rockin’ version of Devils Deck, and the epic Monkey Bars. I’m not sure if they are back together full time or if this was a trip down nostalgia lane, but I’m glad they recorded this for posterity.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

CONEY HATCH – Outta Hand

March 20, 2021 /

Forming in Toronto back in ’81, this is their second release on the Anthem label and produced by Max Norman. The first self titled album was produced by Kim Mitchell. They only released three albums with Friction in ’85 being their last – before reforming in 2013. This album sounds huge compared to the first album, and has a lot more balls sonically and sounds awesome.

Opening with Don’t Say Make Me and it is a hard rocking track with a great chorus and vocal by Carl Dixon. Shake It is another cool track but with a more quirky vibe – in part due to the different vocal style of Andy Curran. Power ballad approaches with First Time For Everything, another showcase for Dixon’s vocals. Some Like It Hot is another Curran lead vocal and its as if another band are playing. The difference in vibe is uncanny. Side 1 closes with To Feel The Feeling Again, and another it’s another ballad. I guess when you can sing this good it’s a gimme to highlight the voice.

Side 2 kicks off with the big rock sound of Too Far Gone- a typical tune from this period. Next up is Love Games, another Andy Curran track and is an OK tune. Fallen Angel is the best song on the album and starts with the Radar Love drum groove before the big riff kicks in. I do like the quirkiness of Curran’s tracks as they do have a differing style that I like. The album finishes with Music Of The Night another power ballad. Not a bad record.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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