THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 280 of 480)

JEFF BECK – Flash

May 20, 2022 /

Forever moving with the times and taking in what’s around him, this album was released in ’85 and I guess this is Jeff’s commercial funky dance record.

Partly produced by Nile Rodgers, seven of the nine songs have vocals, two of which have Jeff himself singing, which was a departure for Jeff and a throwback to his earlier solo albums. The two opening tracks Ambitious and Gets Us All In The End are by far the stand out tracks on the record, as not only does Jeff give it everything in the guitar department, the songs are really good with a great hook and groove. People Get Ready has Rod Stewart on vocals and is positively horizontal in the laid back stakes, but Jeff lays down a superb solo. The instrumental Escape with Jan Hammer is a really cool piece and sounds very Miami Vive. Not Jeff’s best album song wise but he plays some killer guitar.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

TRUST – Repression

May 20, 2022 /

This was the Trust’s third release and the first with a version recorded in English. The band was helped in the translation by Jimmy Pursey, from the punk band UK Subs.

I’m sure most people will be aware of the track Antisocial, which was released as a single in the UK and did quite well. The track was also covered by Anthrax on their State Of Euphoria album. Killer band both on record and live, they also supported Iron Maiden and AC/DC, whom Bernie (the singer) had a great friendship with Bon Scott. This and Marche Ou Creve are my favourite albums, mainly because of the great hooky songs and guitarist Nono’s superb riffs and guitar tone. Political statement is the main focus of the band’s lyrics and they were considered as heroes in France. Released in 1980 this is a kick ass record that I still play regularly today. Favourite tracks, and there are a few, Death Instinct has a killer riff and grove, Sects which is one of the best songs the band ever did IMHO with a killer uptempo groove and max riffage, and the close out track sung in French Le Mitarda, I just love the repeating riff. The band called it a day in ’85 only to return in the 2000’s and there are a couple of live dvd’s out there that if you see them grab them. Great record!!!

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

THE END MACHINE – s/t

May 19, 2022 /

This is my 800th review!

This is the first album from The End Machine, which is basically Dokken without Don. We have Robert Mason on vocals, Mick Brown on drums, Jeff Pilson on bass, and George Lynch on guitar. This is a very cool melodic hard rock record, that for anyone doubting are still being made today.

Leap Of Faith opens up with a killer little guitar intro before the songs settles into a superb slow brooding groover. Hold Me Down as a sweet picked riff from George, with a four to the floor groove, some killer guitar from George, and I’m really loving Robert’s voice on this one. Bulletproof starts with an old blues sat on the porch style groove. The hook and melody are awesome on this track. Superb tune! Ride It is an uptempo Dokken style groover that rolls along at a fair pace. I love Jeff Pilson’s harmony vocals! Alive Today has a huge hook and chorus with a superb melody, the riff and groove are a little left-field on this one. My favourite track is the close out track Life Is Love Is Music. It has a very old school sounding riff with a killer chord pattern, and with nearly every song on the album, the chorus and hook is superb. Hopefully there will be a third instalment as these guys make great music together.

10/10 from the Grooveman.

ORION THE HUNTER – s/t

May 19, 2022 /

Orion The Hunter are an offshoot from the band Boston. Featuring Fran Cosmo on vocals, Barry Goudreau on guitar, and Brad Delp wrote four tracks on the album. I know there were a few problems around Tom Scholz’s controlling nature around Boston. He never gave as much credit to other members of the band as maybe he should have done, as they all contributed to the band’s sound.

This album is a lot more laid back and is more of an AOR sounding record than the Boston records, but it’s still a very classy record with a superb production. You Ran has those beautiful harmonies and melody that you associate with Boston – I’m assuming they are making a point here. Dreamin’ is a monster tune that reminds me of a heavier Styx and is a very dynamic rockin’ track with an awesome hook and chorus. Fast Talk is the most straight up rockin’ track on the record with a very simple riff and driving beat. I know they toured with Aerosmith and then they seemed to just disappear, which is a shame as they were a great band in their own right.

8.5/10 from the Grooveman.

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