THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 261 of 479)

CROBOT – Something Supernatural

July 4, 2022 /

For some reason I always think these guys are from deep down in the southern US, when in fact they are from Pennsylvania. This is the band’s debut album, released on Wind Up records in 2014. They live in that very retro rock groove space; with the emphasis on the groove. The nucleus of the band is vocalist Brandon Yeagley and guitarist Chris Bishop; Yeagley has one hell of voice. They sort of remind you of everybody and nobody at the same time, if that makes sense.

This is a great album for a debut and the first three tracks, Legend Of The Spaceborne Killer, Nowehere To Hide, and The Necromancer are all high octane uptempo groovers with great riffs and epic vocals. The pace and groove slow down for Le Mano De Lucifer, with a very dirty retro almost Sabbath-style riff, but what a killer vocal. Skull Of Geronimo starts with some nice squealing guitar until we settle down with a slow brooding heavy groover. Side 1 ends with Cloud Spiller a very heavy funk riff with a great hook and melody.

Fly On The Wall kicks off Side 2 and the funk vibe continues with a massive riff but with a slower groove. Next up, Night Of The Sacrifice has that early seventies Sly Stone vibe, but heavier. Chupacabra is more of the same; they have found that groove and they’re sticking to it. Wizards has a very heavy psych groove going on. The last track, Queen Of The Night, is the only song with a change of dynamic; adding a bit of light and shade. I maybe would have placed it in the middle somewhere. Great debut album!!!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

OPETH – Ghost Reveries

July 1, 2022 /

One of my favourite Opeth albums, and the music on this album bares little or no resemblance to what the band release today. That’s not to say I don’t like modern Opeth, I do, it’s just this and Blackwater Park we’re so impactful for me.

The opening and title track is what made Opeth so great for me. It’s like an epic movie, musically laid out for you on one track. The highs and lows, the change from clean to scream vocals, and the change of grooves and riffs, plus the solos within this song alone is wondrous. It doesn’t end there however, as Baying Of The Hounds continues where the last track left off with more of the same, and the middle section is just sublime. Beneath The Mire starts with fat huge chords and a mellotron for added prog credibility. Atonement has a very Beatles feel to the intro, and has the most proggy vibe of the whole album. That huge cinematic feel returns with Reverie/ Harlequin Forest. Hours Of Wealth is a very delicate, almost folk vibe with just vocal, keys, and guitar. The Grand Conjuration is one of my favourite Opeth tracks. Again, a huge epic piece with killer riffs and grooves all the way through, and the ending is epic. The LP version ends with Isolation Years, a prog/folk vibe with a great Mikael vocal. A masterpiece album (and they have done a few of those) and every home should have one.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

SCORPIONS – Lovedrive

July 1, 2022 /

The end of one era for the band, and the beginning of another. After the departure of Uli Roth it was rumoured that Michael Schenker would be joining the band. He did contribute solos to the album, but it was the unknown Matthias Jabs who become the new guitar player. There was a different vibe to the music as well, with the more way out trippy tunes being phased out for a more hard rock heavy approach.

Another Piece Of Meat was the heaviest thing the band had done up until this point, with a great solo from Michael. Coast to Coast was another track with a solo from Michael, and unusual for the Scorps was an instrumental. The best track on the album is the opener Loving You Sunday Morning, a great riff and groove with a really tasty solo. There are some really dodgy moments as well. like the reggae of Is There Anybody There which is not great and does not work (for me anyway). Holiday the part-ballad part-rocker would be the track that would do well for them, especially in the US. Of course it was all up and up for the band after this album with Animal Magnetism and Blackout doing really well for them.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

EXTREME – s/t

June 30, 2022 /

It’s hard to believe that Extreme appeared right at the end of the whole hair rock thing, because you feel as though they have been around forever. But, this is their first album which only came out in ’89. Of course we all know how huge Pornograffitti was for the band, but the seeds for that album were made here. That whole funk under groove thing that made Porno so huge is all over this release as well.

The opening track Little Girls just grooves along with a killer vibe and groove that you just want to rock out with; plus big extra points for a ripping solo from Nuno. Wind Me Up is a a glam rock anthem, and you’d be frog for thinking they were from LA instead of Boston. Kid Ego (which was a single in Europe) has all the dirty funk swagger and harmonies that you associate with Extreme. A huge fat riff is at the intro to Watching, Waiting and it is a lighters-in-the-air type power ballad with a monster solo. Mutha closes out Side 1 and we start with a stunning solo piece from Nuno, before hair metal heaven ensues with a superb riff to the main song.

Side 2 kicks off with Teachers Pet and it’s more of the same: a kick ass funky riff and groove, big harmonies, and MORE guitar. Big Boys Don’t Cry could be the funkiest track on the album with some great key changes to enhance the effect. Smoke Signals feels a little like Ice Cream Man right at the start, then we get back to more familiar territory with a dirty funk groove and beat, and Nuno really impresses on this one. Flesh N’ Blood follows and it’s the sleaziest track on the album with a very dirty riff. Rock A Bye Bye closes out the record. It has a Queen vibe right down to the piano intro, and a superb very Brian May solo piece right at the end. I know how Queen were a great influence on the band, and Queen producer Mack is at the helm for this record. A great record and a great band.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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