THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 406 of 493)

10CC – How Dare You!

July 26, 2021 /

Back in 1976 when albums were huge, big productions and singles were fashionable to be 6 minutes long, well…until they were edited for radio anyway. That tradition came back in fashion thanks to Queen and Bohemian Rhapsody.

Formed in Stockport back in the late sixties, 10CC always had a knack for penning quirky singles that attracted my attention. Anyone remember Rubber Bullets or Life Is A Minestrone? They were great pop tunes but had something different to make them that made them stand out from the crowd. The big single from this record was I’m Mandy Fly Me, which seemed to be at #1 forever, and it was a great song. It had all the elements to make it a success, and it had great crossover appeal. Pop fans loved it, rock fans loved it, and Prog fans loved it for the big arrangements. The band denied that this was a concept album, although they did admit to all the songs being connected. Art For Arts Sake is also on this record, but gets somewhat forgotten because of Mandy, but I really like that song and it’s superbly written.

Unfortunately, this would be the last album that the classic line up would record as they would split into two. Godley & Creme would break away and do their own thing – ultimately they would be super successful at doing pop videos. This is a great record and the band never gets mentioned as one of the greats, but I love them and this a fantastic record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

LION – Trouble In Angel City

July 26, 2021 /

After the relative failure of their first album, they were dropped by Scotti Brothers. For this, their second and final album, they signed to a relatively unknown label, Grand Slamm. For those that don’t know, these two albums would be Doug Aldrich’s first recordings before the seemingly endless revolving door of projects, which still continues today as he’s a member of the Dead Daisies. On the other hand, after joining Aldrich in Bad Moon Rising, British vocalist Kal Swan would vanish from the scene all together.

The album has all originally penned tunes, other than the Slade track Lock Up Your Daughters, which they manage to make sound like Whitesnake, this is a very good melodic rock album – but doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first album. Highlights for me are the excellent Love Is A Lie, the fat riffage of a Hungry For Love, and the best track on the album, Forgotten Sons. Doug is a killer guitar player and it’s worth getting just for that alone.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

LONG DISTANCE CALLING – Trips

July 24, 2021 /

This progressive post rock band from Germany changed tack on this album. Before this, all the tracks were mostly extended instrumentals, and this time we have four tracks with vocals due to the addition of their vocalist, Petter Carlson. Now I know what you’re thinking, there’s lots of widdly-diddly guitar and keyboards to fill and extend the tracks, but that’s not so. Each song is played as though vocals are there, but they are played using guitars and keys for the melody. I have to say, it’s hard getting used to the vocals being present for this album. It’s definitely changed the feel for sure, as the dynamic has shifted for these tracks. I know they have used vocalists for tracks before, but this feels different.

Trauma feels like the band of old with the hard rockin’ instrumental, which I like a lot – this is one of their best tracks. I also love the beauty of Rewind as the vocals really add something haunting. Side 3 is given over to the pic Flux, 12 minutes of pure joy. It’s as though every thing in the album as been condensed and re constructed as one big beautiful slab of noise.

Long Distance Calling are out on their own and are just a wonderful band. I wasn’t sure if the presence of more vocals would change them too much, but after living with the album for a long time, I do like it.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

SPREAD EAGLE – s/t

July 24, 2021 /

Another band that slipped through the cracks thanks to grunge. I’m sure that MCA had thought they had signed the next Guns N Roses. The similarities are there for all to see, except these guys are better. Singer, Ray West, is the secret weapon – my god what a set of pipes! The guitarist, Paul Bartolo, is way better than Slash and has all the chops. I haven’t played this in a long time and I’ve checked it out on Discogs and apparently it goes for big money, I guess it’s down to the fact that not many were pressed on vinyl.

Broken City is a killer track and what a way to open the record. This band rocks hard!!! Back On The Bitch has very suspect lyrics to say the least, but the music and groove are outstanding. Switchblade Serenade is next up and could be the best yet – with an awesome hook and melody, and the cherry on the top is the awesome solo. More suspect subject matter follows with Hot Sex and the groove is decidedly funky with a killer guitar tone – jeez what a monster track! Suzy Suicide closes out Side 1 and we are flying here folks, the pedal has gone to the metal, and its the fastest track on the record!

Over to Side 2 we go with Dead Of Winter. It has a great slow build opening that leads into a sleazy beast of a tune. Scratch Like A Cat has an almost Aerosmith vibe, but faster and dirtier with a very EVH style solo – there was even a self financed video to this track. Thru These Eyes is the obligatory ballad, well that’s how it starts, but then transforms into a dirty sleaze fest. The band’s self titled anthem is next up and it’s a good old glam stomper. Let’s see those hands in the air🤘🤘. 42nd Street follows and is a short acoustic blues piece that leads into album closer Shotgun Kiss, which is the sleaziest the band get.

IMHO, this is one of the Top 5 glam/hair metal albums and should be a must have for anyone who’s into this type of rock. I know it’s hard to find even on CD, but you won’t be disappointed.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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