THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 325 of 482)

LOUDNESS – Disillusion

January 28, 2022 /

A mind blowing fact to start with is that Loudness have released 26 studio albums and at least 9 live albums. This is album number four (which was also recorded in Japanese) and was released in ’84. Of course the main interest for me in the band is guitarist Akira Takasaki who is the EVH equivalent in Japan.

This album is very NWOBHM in style and sound, with a little bit of thrash thrown in – but with insane guitar breaks on every song. The first two tracks, Crazy Doctor and Esper, blast by with some ripping guitar. The third track, Butterfly, is a bit of a left turn with a funky guitar pattern and choppy riff that seems totally out of place, until the instrumental section where the song almost goes Prog, and then we get a Maiden gallop. A totally weird arrangement! Side 1 ends with a full on metal assault of Revelation.

Side 2 opens with Exploder, which is Akira’s Eruption moment as he entertains us with this little shred fest. Dream Factory is next and is my favourite track on the album. It has killer guitar throughout, and I love the picked chorus effect guitar in the verse. Milky Way has a nice riff with an odd drum pattern to change things up and a killer middle eight. Satisfaction Guaranteed has a stock Judas Priest riff and groove. The album closes out with Ares Lament, which I would describe as a metal ballad…and we all know how I love those. This is my favourite of the early albums.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GOV’T MULE – Heavy Load Blues

January 27, 2022 /

What started out as a little side project from the Allman Brothers Band, has turned into (along with Tedseschi Trucks) one of the biggest jam bands around. The first two albums are classics, and since those early days the band has morphed into this all encompassing behemoth – with the original vision of the band lost somewhat.

I know Warren has mentioned for some time that he wanted to do and old school blues album – and here it is…well not entirely true. There are a couple of tunes that have that modern blues sound namely Make It Rain, which has a killer fuzz tone, Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody, which has that cool funk under groove to the song, I Asked For Water which has a very heavy Hendrix vibe – I really love this track.

All in all, a great selection of blues tunes played with great respect and feel.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

KING’S X – Please Come Home Mr. Bulbous

January 27, 2022 /

I think I have mentioned many times that the first 5 King’s X are albums are untouchable and they are all classics. This is the band’s 8th studio album release from 2000 and sees the band producing themselves in a more experimental vibe. Whereas early grunge bands (like Pearl Jam) were extolling the virtues of King’s X as influences, things seem to have come full circle as the band’s songs on this album have a more grungy feel to them. Listen to Julia, and if you didn’t know who you were listening to, I’m sure you would say it would be some band from Seattle.

The sound is very stripped back and clear – in fact – the production is superb. I would say the Beatles influence in the band has taken a lead role on this album, and the heavy groove that is their trademark takes somewhat of a back seat. My favourite track on the album is the quite laid back vibe of Marsh Mellow Field, and a that is purely down to the superb solo from Ty.

They don’t make bad albums, just less great ones, and this is one of those.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP – Assault Attack

January 26, 2022 /

After the much publicized problems with original vocalist, Gary Barden, Schenker fired him and brought in Graham Bonnet, who had just been fired from Rainbow. Now Bonnet in Rainbow had raised a few eyebrows for sure, but to me, him being in MSG made perfect sense. He had the perfect voice for what Michael was trying to do at the time, and it’s a shame it only lasted for this one amazing album.

To me this is MSG’s finest hour as Michael’s playing and Graham’s vocals are just superb. Cozy Powell also left the band before the recording of this album and was replaced by Ted McKenna, which now that along with Chris Glenn on bass, the SAHB rhythm section was back together.

The album kicks off in great style with the title track which lays the ground perfectly for the rest of the record. It has a great riff and some killer playing from Michael, and Bonnet is just giving it his all. They also had a hit single from the album with the track Dancer, which I guess was a bonus. Broken Promises is one of my favourite rock tracks ever – the riff and groove, and that superb vocal from Bonnet, just gets me every time I hear it. ,

There was a time when Michael had it all, and I guess with some bad decisions and addictions to exotic substances he slipped way down the ladder, but it’s great to see him still out there.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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