THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 112 of 483)

SASS JORDAN – Rats

December 4, 2023 /

This is album number three for another one of Canada’s best kept secrets. If you have heard of Stevie Salas and his Colorcode project, then you will get the vibe of this album as it feels like a Colorcode record with Sass singing. That’s not taking anything away from Sass. She is amazing, it’s just the vibe is so close.

It’s those funkier tracks that really do it for me though. Her voice fits so well, and I am partial to some Stevie Salas. Damaged opens up the album and the groove is so freakin’ groovy, I mean what a way to open a record. However, the best vocal track is undoubtedly Pissin’ Down. It’s a slower mood tune where you get the full force of that incredible voice and some nice guitar from Stevie. High Road Easy was a single. I remember hearing it on the radio and immediately went out to source a copy of the album. Killer tune and groove!

This album came out in ’94 and she is still cranking out great records with last year’s Bitches Blues a case in point.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

TY TABOR – Moonflower Lane

November 29, 2023 /

I’m a huge KingsX fan and their first five albums are untouchable. So, when they go their separate ways and do the solo stuff it’s as though they remove their piece of the triangle. Ty’s love of The Beatles (especially the Sgt. Pepper album) is so evident with this release. I think this is due to the similarity his voice has to John Lennon, and his phrasing.

Coming out in ’98, this was Ty’s second solo release. This album doesn’t have the groove or the edge of KingsX, but the DNA is there with all those luscious vocal harmonies and Ty’s unmistakable guitar tone. Lyrically this is quite joyous and uplifting, and not as dark as the X. I have a couple of favourite tunes: The Island Sea and the sheer beauty of Her Palace. Both very different styles musically but both move me with the harmonies.

A different, but rewarding listening experience.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

DON DOKKEN – Up From The Ashes

November 29, 2023 /

Technically this is Don Dokken’s second solo release as there is a version of Breakin’ The Chains that was released just under his name. Released in ’90, old Donny boy managed to assemble a great band behind him. John Norum on guitar, Mickey Dee on drums, Pete Baltes on bass, and Billy White on rhythm guitar. Musically, Don’s gone for a more melodic slick sound instead of the harder edge of Dokken, which works really well. Frankly, I would have bought this just for the involvement of John Norum.

The album just broke into the top 50. It didn’t do as well as Don hoped, but the musical landscape was changing dramatically and that was a win in my book. There is not a bad song on the record and Don seems to be relishing writing with his new band. Highlights for me are opener Crash N’ Burn with John Norum ripping up a storm over a pacy rockin’ beat, Side 2 opener Give It Up which is a good old anthemic rocker with a great riff and guitar sound, and my personal favourite Down In Flames. It’s got killer guitar all the way through, and they still manage to pull out a great hook and chorus with superb harmonies. A close second favourite track is The Hunger, with Mickey Dee giving it the beans for a great uptempo rocker; the heaviest tune on the record.

Don eventually bit the bullet and teamed back up with George for the Dysfunctional album, but maybe he should have kept this unit together as I really like the difference in styles.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

KILLING JOKE – The Singles Collection 1979-2012

November 29, 2023 /

I am writing this post the day after the passing of Killing Joke guitarist, Geordie Walker. He was such an integral part of the group’s sound, I just can’t see how the band will be able to continue. It’s devastating! They are so out there on their own that they straddle multiple genres and yet, there is a point where they all come together. Genius band.

This compilation was originally put out in 2013 and contains singles, flexi disc tracks, and radio edits. The amount of labels the band have released things on, must have made this a nightmare to put together. Killing Joke are the one post punk band that actually have done it all their own way with a big FU to anyone who has tried to change and manipulate them. They even became chart friendly for a little while with the release of the Night Time album and the singles Love Like Blood and Eighties. They were the most menacing of bands to see live, with both Jazz and Geordie looking as though they would  take no crap.

I’m going for Eighties as my favourite tune as it’s all about that Geordie riff and sound. Killer track and killer band. Sail on Geordie.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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