THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 273 of 487)

THE DARKNESS – Last Of Our Kind

June 23, 2022 /

This is the band’s fourth album, and the second after their comeback. They have a knack for writing some seriously catchy rock songs and that seems to be dying art these days.

The album kicks off with Barbarian which was a lead off single, and has is typical Darkness – a nice fat riff with catchy hook and chorus. Open Fire starts off with a picked chord that sounds like early Cult, before an AC/DC straight rocker takes over. The title track follows with an acoustic intro that sounds a bit Eurovision until the middle eight. Roaring Waters has a very nice funky riff to start with a very unusual hook and chorus. Wheels Of The Machine is a slow acoustic driven piece. Mighty Wings kicks off with a keyboard intro that’s very reminiscent of Buggles, until normal service is resumed with a floor to the floor riff and groove. Then we change it up again with a very Queen hook and chorus. This is the best track so far! Mudslide has an Aerosmith sounding riff with a straight up groove. Sarah O Sarah is the weakest song on the album for me. Hammer And Tongs starts with a straight up Quo like boogie and stays for the whole song. Conquerors close out the album and is a lighters-in-the-air type of tune.

This is not a bad album, but also it’s not a great album.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BLUES PILLS – Holy Moly

June 22, 2022 /

This is the band’s third studio album that was released back in 2020. I loved the first album as the vibe was a heavy blues rock, which really floated my boat. This album plows the same path but with more of a late sixties psychedelic groove added to the mix. However, the focal point is still vocalist Ellen Larsson, who possesses a killer set of pipes that is a perfect fit for the grooves that the band lay down.

The songs are short and to the point, except Song From A Mourning Dove, which weighs in at 5.34 and is the showcase tune on the album. It’s a very trippy track with awesome vocals and guitar. This is a kick ass groovy retro beast of an album and the opening trio of Proud Woman, Low Road, and Dreaming My Life Away just groove you into submission. California is all about Ellen Larsson’s vocal as she gives Janis a run for her money with an epic performance. Rhythm In The Blood is my favourite on the album. It’s a superb groovefest that just gets under your skin. Dust closes out Side 1 with a slow blues groove and a stunning vocal.

Kiss My Past Goodbye kicks Side 2 into gear with a very retro riff and groove. I feel as though I should be wearing my tie dye and split knee loons. Wish I’d Known is a return to that slow blues groove with yet another killer vocal. Bye Bye Birdy is pure fuzzed up 60’s psych rock. Longest Lasting Friend closes out the album with yet another killer vocal wrapped around a slow blues ballad. The first album is still my favourite, but this one’s not far behind.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

JOURNEY – Raised On Radio

June 22, 2022 /

This was released three years after their last album, Frontiers, and both Neal Schon and Steve Perry had recorded solo albums, of which Perry’s sold really well and there were huge rumours that he might not return to Journey. We all now know that he did, but he had a lot more control over the songs and direction the band took.

This is very much a Steve Perry album as the songs fit more into an RnB format – much more than any other Perry-Journey album. Also of note here, the band are basically a there piece as both Ross Valory and Steve Smith had been asked to leave. In fact, rockin’ moments are in short supply on this record, there’s only Be Good To Yourself (which is killer and Schon finally gets to let rip), and the title track that feel like classic Journey tracks.

However, a rejuvenated Perry sings his ass off all over the record, especially on heartstring pulling tracks like Once You Love Somebody and It Could Have Been You, where the emotion in his voice is incredible. It’s not a classic Journey album, but it’s still a good record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

DAN REED NETWORK – Slam

June 21, 2022 /

Dan Reed’s first album was a great record but it didn’t sell that well with the R’n’B soul crowd (which I think it was aimed at), but it did great with a rock audience, especially in the UK and Europe. So, when second album Slam dropped, it was no surprise to see the tunes rocked up somewhat. Of course the funk and groove were still present, but with the added heaviness it was winner winner chicken dinner.

A near perfect example of how to make a funk rock record, and I’m sure Max Martin used this as a blueprint for his songwriting. I saw them a couple of times and they were an amazing live band. Tiger In A Dress is a perfect example of how the funk and groove are still there, but add the fat huge riff into the mix and man what a killer song. It’s not my favourite though, as that goes to Cruise Together. A dark brooding synth driven piece with an amazing vocal from Dan, the main vocal line and melody gets me every time; add to that some great guitar and it’s definitely one of the Network’s best tunes. Everyone should own this album.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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