THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 175 of 479)

SCORPIONS – Tokyo Tapes

April 6, 2023 /

Another killer double live album from the 70’s, this one came out in ’78. I’m a huge fan of this version of the Scorpions due to Uli Roth being on guitar. I know the band became mega huge after Uli left before the recording of the Lovedrive, but this version of the band just appeals to me as they have that classic sound that I love.

If you are guitar nut it’s worth buying this album just for Polar Nights as Uli is on fire. Yep, he’s a big Hendrix nut but it’s the way he interprets those sounds. The band are cooking on this performance and it’s basically a best of all the early albums, including two tracks co-written with Michael Schenker: the very trippy In Search Of The Piece Of Mind, and Fly To The Rainbow. My favourite tracks (yes I have two) are the quite prophetically titled He’s A Man She’s A Woman which has a simple riff, hook, and chorus; and Speedy’s Coming just for the pure joy of Uli’s guitar.

There’s just something about 70’s live albums.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

RAINBOW – Down To Earth

April 5, 2023 /

Down To Earth is the album where Ritchie went pop, if you believe what was read in the music rags of the time. That slur was mainly due to the hiring of Graham Bonnet on vocals, who had perviously had been in a pop band called The Marbles. It was also due to the more commercial direction on a couple of the album’s tunes, namely Since You’ve Been Gone, and All Night Long both of which did extremely well in mainstream charts all over the world.

Other than the Rainbow live album, this has become my favourite record by the band. Ritchie is still in fine form on tracks like Eyes Of The World which has that old Rainbow feel from the earlier albums, and Lost In Hollywood where the notes fly far and wide in the solo spot. It’s the less well known tunes like No Time To Lose and Danger Zone that shake my tree the most. Mainly because I like the simple riff and groove of these tunes, and Bonnet’s voice is killer. My favourite track however is Love’s No Friend. An old blues riff and groove with a killer vocal and a snappy solo from Ritchie.

I thought with the success of the singles from the album that this record would have sold quite well, but it’s only their fourth best with Rising at the top.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

TRIUMPH – Just A Game

April 4, 2023 /

Released back in ’79, this is album number three for Toronto’s finest. After Rush, Triumph are probably Canada’s second biggest asset to the world of heavy rock n’ roll. Having built up a head of steam both in Canada and the US with Rock N’ Roll machine, this album was the band’s opportunity to build on that success.

Just A Game contains one of the band’s most endearing tunes in Lay It On The Line. A kick ass tune that builds and builds in dramatic fashion, and it became a staple in Triumph’s live shows. Having two members that can sing was a great advantage to the band as they could swap with whatever mood the song needed. Although, when they played live and Gil Moore sang there was no focal point, and being only a trio that stage was a big place to fill.

Other highlights of the album are the bluesy Young Enough To Cry which features a fiery solo from Rik Emmett, the heavy groove of American Girls, and the epic Hold On. Triumph for sure made their mark on the heavy rock scene and I’m not sure they get the credit they deserve.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

DIAMOND REXX – Rated Rexx

April 3, 2023 /

Diamond Rex are pne of a squillion bands that never quite made it as things didn’t quite fall into place. They fall between metal and glam, and they have actually released six albums of which this is number two. This album is really quite good and very entertaining.

Instant Medication gets the ball rolling with a great riff and guitar sound. Ladies Night is a killer tune with a fat juicy riff, and the groove is superb with a great swing. Easy Kill has a classic killer eighties riff and guitar sound. How Do You Know is the glam portion of the album and sonically it sounds quieter for some reason. Heartbreak City is a power ballad, but doesn’t quite hit the spot for me and is the weakest track. Side 1 closes out with Don’t Let It Get You Down, a sleazy glam rocker and when they play with a more metal attitude they do sound better.

4 Letter Word opens up Side 2. It has a solid riff and the solo is cool, but the vocal is weak in the lyrics. The Colour Red is my favourite track mainly due to the excellent guitar sound and the groove. Other than the excellent Lock It Up, the album sought of fades away ended with the cheesy boogie Bad Attitude.

The first album was on Island, then they were dropped and then they went to indie land, you can sort of see why.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2025 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑