Tag: music review (Page 239 of 493)

This was Angel’s final album from their initial incarnation, it was released back in ’79. Signed to Casablanca, as were Kiss, the image they had was the exact opposite to Kiss and the label played on the good versus evil  for a while.

Musically it’s basic 70’s rock and their sound seems to have watered down through the albums. After the pomp and Prog vibes of the first album, especially with the epic Tower, they have changed a lot since and this album could belong to any hard rock band around this period. In ’79 Van Halen we’re onto album number two and the musical landscape had changed a lot in a short space of time, this type of rock was becoming somewhat dated.

It’s not a bad record it’s just of it’s time, and it sounds it. I guess Greg Giuffria knew this as he soon jumped ship to House Of Lords and Giuffria. It’s hard to pick a favourite track, but if I’m pushed I would say LA Lady as the hook and chorus are quite cool. Not the best Angel album as that goes to the either of the first two.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

This was the band’s debut album, released in ’88. They had an initial burst with this and the follow up album Damned Nation. Then, they took a little hiatus until ’98 but they have been rockin’ on ever since.

Feel The Shake opens up the album and it is a four to the floor sleaze groover, typical of late eighties LA. Make Some Noise is a straight up rocker with a nice hook and chorus. Bad Disease has a very old school fifties rockabilly vibe, mixed with a killer production. The rock n’ roll riffs keep coming with Fire In My Heart, although Rose Tattoo popped into mind at first. Hometown Blues closes out Side 1 and it is what it says on the tin.

The good time rock n’ roll vibe continues with Locked In A Cage with quite a sparse guitar riff and the sing along chorus. Talkin’ has a big GnR vibe except for the cheesy middle section. Hard Climb is about as simple as it comes with the one note bass riff intro, and it’s Poison in all but name. Bloodstone has an odd opening sequence before it settles down to be my favourite track on the album. A cool chord progression and great groove. Last track is Snakebite. It has a groove where I could swear I’m in bar in Australia and either The Angels or Rose Tattoo are playing.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

I thinking I’m right in saying this was the first Sweet album that they had fully written themselves. No Chapman and Chinn writing all the hits. It’s also the band’s heaviest sounding album that inspired a lot of the 80’s glam bands.

Just to prove they could have hit singles on their own, Action was released as the first single and was a huge hit. A superb opening to the album. It’s a statement track and a big FU to all the doubters, it’s been covered by tons of bands. Healer which closes out Side 1 was a definite left field move for the band as it has a huge jam feel to it, especially with the funky middle section.

It’s Side 2 that has all treasures though. The Lies In your Eyes was the second single. A decent enough tune with those killer layered harmonies, but it bombed in comparison to Action. The John Bonham opening drum blast and the heavy groove to Cockroach is killer. Lady Starlight is the only disappointment as I feel it has a completely different vibe to the rest of the album. Let me know how many Motley Crüe tracks Keep It In remind you of. It has a great riff and groove, and the middle section is awesome, it’s favourite track time for sure. The album closes out with 4th Of July and was the third single released, this also bombed. The intro has a hint of Deep Purple, maybe that’s why Ritchie Blackmore liked them so much. They did support Rainbow on this tour (I think). Another blast from my past and this is really solid album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.