THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 353 of 493)

RUSH – Moving Pictures

November 29, 2021 /

I’ll admit to being an early Rush fan, especially 2112, but over time I have come to think that this album was the pinnacle of Rush. I know people will disagree with that as there was a lot of music that came after this release. It’s amazing how many times I have walked in front of that building and thought how immortal it has become in Rush folklore. You will see people trying to capture that exact shot any day you visit.

I think it’s fair to say that there is not one second that I do not like about this record. It has definitely been an inspiration for tons of bands – just listen to Dream Theater for example. Opening with Tom Sawyer, which surprisingly was a huge hit everywhere, the album just explodes. Red Barchetta is a killer track and the instrumental sections are just superb. YYZ, which is the reporting tag for Pearson Airport, follows and how much more Toronto does this have to be. One of the best instrumental tracks ever put to wax. All of the band have their spots and it’s not just a guitar sausage fest. Limelight closes out Side 1 and was the second single released. It’s the little things to me that make this song like the picking of chords with the chorus peddle – I just love. A pretty awesome side 1!

The Camera Eye opens up Side 2 and is the one song on this album that points to the future for the band. Keyboards are quite prominent, but the groove and instrumental pieces in this track are just awesome. Witch Hunt, which I think is the most forgotten track on the album, is next and I think it’s one of the heaviest sounding pieces that the band ever did. The album closes out with Vital Signs where keyboards meet reggae.

They were never afraid to experiment mixing all styles, which is what I loved about Rush. If you were to only own one Rush album, this would be it.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

ROBIN TROWER – Caravan To Midnight

November 27, 2021 /

The first seven Trower albums are peerless and wonderful, they are a lesson in soul, tone, and groove. This is the sixth, and was released in ’78. I bought this on its day of release and I still play it regularly.

There are no Day Of The Eagle moments on this album as it’s quite laid back. The attention is more on the songs, the feel, and the vibe. My Love opens up the record and is a typical Trower song with a killer vocal from James Dewar. Second track in is the title track and is an instrumental. The slow funky soulful groove is just a joy, and Trower’s playing is just sublime. I’m Out To Get You follows and why this was not released as a single just blows my mind. Such a cool funky song with a killer melody and vocal from Dewar, and again, Trower’s playing is off the charts for me. This is one of may favourite Trower tracks from all of his catalogue. Lost In Love closes out Side 1 and it’s a really chill song with a slow funky blues groove. Another awesome vocal from Dewar.

Side 2 is up and running with Fool, and in a similar vein to how Aide 1 started. One of the most heartfelt beautiful love songs Trower released is up next with Its For You. Dewar’s vocals and Trower’s guitar compliment each other so well on this song. Birthday Boy is another slow moving piece with lots of emotion and feel. King Of The Dance is probably the most up-tempo track on the record, and has that killer soulful funky rock groove. The album closes out with Sail On, and it sums this album up perfectly . It’s a very soulful beautiful piece with loads of feel from both Dewar and Trower.

Another album that I adore and it’s 10/10 from The Grooveman.

SCORPIONS – Animal Magnetism

November 27, 2021 /

Believe it or not, the Scorpions have been around since 1965. It was not until ’79 that they started become popular as a world wide mega group. This is the second album to feature Matthias Jabs on guitar – after the departure of Uli Roth. There were hints at a more commercial approach with the last album, Lovedrive, but this album was the one when they realized they could make money from a formulaic song.

There are moments on here where the band rock out, especially with Don’t Make No Promises, which follows the same path as Another Piece Of Meat. It was the singles, Lady Starlight and Make It Real, that made the biggest impression – especially in North America. There are still elements of euro rock, especially on Hold Me Tight and Twentieth Century Man. Hands down the best track on the album is the simple but very effective, The Zoo. This is what this version of the band did best – making sure that the most people possible could get into their music.

The three albums that came after would make the band bigger than the biggest thing you can think of: Blackout, Love At First Sting, and Savage Amusement. To think that this band played at The Outlook club in my hometown is mind blowing. Not a bad album but definitely not their best.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

KING KING – Exile & Grace

November 26, 2021 /

Born out of the Scottish band The Nimmo Brothers, this band were formed in 2008 with guitarist/vocalist Alan Nimmo and bassist Lindsay Coulson. They are a classic blues rock band in the Free/Bad Company/Whitesnake tradition. When you see the band Live you will see how amazing Alan Nimmo is as a performer. He’s a superb vocalist and a killer guitar player, and the band revolve around the talents of this remarkable performer. Nimmo has that warm treacle running off a spoon type of voice that just oozes. Other than Thunder, you just don’t hear bands doing this type of rock anymore with big hooks, big melody, and fat blues rock riffs.

Opening track, She Don’t Gimme No Lovin;, is straight out of the Bad Company songbook – what a great opening! Broken is a superb song that you wish radio would play – if it did, this would be a hit. Where Nimmo’s voice really does shine is on a big power ballad, as the emotion and power in his voice is just amazing, listen to Betrayed Me to see what I mean. My favourite track is the boogie shuffle of I Don’t Wanna Lie, which has a great melody and sing-a-long chorus. I managed to catch them playing in a small hotel bar in Toronto a few years ago and they were great.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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