THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 326 of 482)

THE CONTORTIONIST – Clairvoyant

January 26, 2022 /

This is the 2017 follow up to their amazing album, Language. I love this band. They are pushing the boundaries of Prog metal as well as pushing themselves creatively. It wasn’t until the arrival of vocalist, Mike Lessard from Last Chance To Reason, that things really started to explode creatively for the band. He added a whole new dimension, both live and in the studio, as his movements and energy are compelling to watch, and he has an angelic quality to his vocals.

This albums feels like a continuation from Language, with beautiful instrumental pieces like the awesomeness that is Monochrome (Passive), that opens the album, and killer songs like Reimagined, where Lessard’s vocals are just beautiful. Of course they can groove with the best of them, and the title track, Clairvoyant, has some killer off-time grooves and deep D-tuned epic-ness that I really love. If I’m pushed for a favourite track then I will go for Return To Earth, as it has everything and fills the Prog metal spectrum to the max.

Prog metal has moved on in huge strides over the last ten years. Dream Theater used to be seen as a benchmark of the genre and they have been overtaken somewhat by bands like The Contortionist, who are progressing musically (as the term suggests) and not standing still. The Contortionist are just a killer band with everyone playing at the top of their game, and I look forward to what comes next.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

SWEET & LYNCH – Only To Rise

January 25, 2022 /

Although I’m not a big fan of Stryper, I do like Michael Sweet’s vocals and I am a huge fan of The George. This is a vinyl reissue of the 2015 release on Frontiers, and as I hoped, this is a great melodic rock album full of great songs with some killer playing. As well as having George and Michael in the band, there is James Lorenzo on bass and Brian Tichy on drums. I know this was only a project, but these guys would make a killer band.

Every song hits the spot, but there are the ones that smash the spot. The Wish is a great opening to the album with an awesome groove, and Exodus Dying Rose has a superb vocal from Michael, and I really love the chorus. The big Zeppelin vibe to Rescue Me is a huge sounding track. Recover is a groovy up-tempo rocker with a nice solo from George. Divine has a near funk groove and lots of George. My favourite of all the tracks is September, as I love the melody and hook and it has a different feel to all the other tracks on the album. Great record and if you’re a hard rock fan…BUY IT!

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

THIN LIZZY – Jailbreak

January 25, 2022 /

This was album number six for the band, but this was the one that really broke them open to a wider audience. There is not a bad moment on this album, it’s a bonafide classic and every song is a gem. The music, the composition, and the brilliance of Phil’s lyrics all come together on this album. It’s the best Lizzy album by a mile. I know there were some great songs done after this, but for me this is the one.

I would have paid my money just for the opening track of Jailbreak alone, but add to that The Boys Are Back In Town, The Cowboy Song, Emerald, and Warriors, bands would kill family members just to have written one of those. My favourite track on the album is Warriors – such a killer track, and the riff and groove alone get me every time. The twin lead guitars on this album were ground breaking and would lead to lots of bands copying this style. I know Gary Moore was in the band, but this line up was the best. Brain Robertson’s tone and playing on this album is just sublime. Luther demon drink and drugs would be the downfall for this band, and Phil died way to soon.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

TRIUMPH – Rock & Roll Machine

January 24, 2022 /

Depending on where you are in the world, you may be looking at different front cover to this album as there are a few different variations. Hailing from Mississauga in Ontario, Gil Moore still has ties to the city as his Metalworks studio and school (which he runs) is located there.

This was the band’s first release from ’77. I’m sure a lot of bands at the time (especially if they were from the Toronto area) were influenced in some way by Rush, and I’m sure Triumph were. Maybe not sound wise, as they do have a more commercial approach, but in composition – definitely. Tracks like New York City Streets and The City, where the tracks are split into several parts, have a definite nod to Rush. Having two singers in a three piece is an abundance of Rich’s for sure, and the differing style vocals of guitarist Rik Emmet and drummer Gil Moore do complement each.

Most people will be familiar with the Progressions Of Power/Allied Forces era of the band where they were huge throughout North America, but this album is a band finding their feet in what they wanted to play. There are so many styles on this album, and they have a lot in common with jam bands of the time. It’s the harder rockin’ tracks that do it for me like Bringing It On Home, and Rock & Roll Machine, where the band really let fly. I really love the jam vibe to New York City and that’s my favourite on the whole album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2025 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑