THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 420 of 486)

Y&T – Earthshaker

May 28, 2021 /

Formed in Oakland California back in ’74, they were originally called Yesterday and Today. In ’81 they changed their name to Y&T and released this, their third album, in ’81. To some, me included, this is their finest moment. Led by the supremely talented Dave Meniketti on vocals, and awesome guitar. For two albums at least, I thought they would go on to join the big leagues. They had everything going for them, great players and killer songs – plus they had Journey’s management team with them.

The first thing you notice here is the killer production. Every thing is super clear and separated. The drum sound is freaking huge and makes for a monster sound. Hungry For Rock is a great song to open with, as it does what it says on the tin. Dirty Girl, complete with very suspect lyrics, is a killer tune with a great vocal and guitar. Shake It Loose is my personal favourite as the tune rocks – it has a huge fat riff and planets of guitar. Squeeze is the only song that Meniketti does not sing, Phil Kennemore handles this one, and I think this is the only time he did. What a way to close with Rescue Me, an absolute epic close out track with killer everything.

Side 2 kicks off with Young And Tough and a fat huge distorted riff that leads into a big sing-a-long rock anthem. Hurricane is next – I could not think of a more apt name – as this kicks in just like one. The guitar playing is top draw and shows how awesome Meniketti is as a player. This track most definitely ROCKS!!! Let It Go slows the pace down slightly, but has a very catchy chorus and hook and the obligatory killer solo to add that cherry on the top. Knock You Out follows and is another high octane rocker that doesn’t disappoint with that awesome middle section. This band sure know how to pace an album as the close out track is about as epic as this band get. One of the best power ballads you will hear.

In my humble opinion, I think this is their best album. Sure they had some killer tracks on all of their releases, but none had quality songs all the way through like Earthshaker had.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

KHRUANGBIN- Con Todo El Munro

May 27, 2021 /

I find this band a bit of an anomaly in today’s music scene. On paper there is no way this band should be successful – they play what they want without any outside pressure, and they play mostly instrumentals (other than the occasional chant), plus they play a mix of differing world music styles. They hail from Texas, and this album draws heavily on influences from the Middle East, Spanish, and Latin music. The band comprise of Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald Johnson Jr. on drums. There are guest musicians, but these three are the band and are unbelievably good muso’s.

Khruangbin play seriously chill music, and for me, it hits the perfect spot when you want to really relax and lose yourself in the grooves and feel as though you are in the Texas dessert. Favourite tracks are Maria Tambien, which – as well as the heavy Latin flavour – also has some funk on the side just to make your chills that little bit groovier, and Evan Finds The Third Room, which again adds the funk to proceedings to give it that little fizz. If you want something a little bit different and away from the norm, then I recommend this highly as its a thoroughly enjoyable record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

MELIAH RAGE – Kill To Survive

May 27, 2021 /

Formed in ’87 and hailing from Boston, this is the band’s first album surprisingly on a major label (Epic) and released the following year in ’88. Obviously inspired by NWOBHM as they do not sound American at all. Their main claim to fame is that Godsmack’s Sully Erna was their drummer on 2002 ‘s Unfinished Business.

Opening track, Beginning Of The End, could have been written 10 years earlier as it has a very strong NWOBHM influence. Second track in, Bates Motel, is a pretty standard metal by numbers track. Third track is the band’s name check track, Meliah Rage, and sees the band moving more into the Bay Area sound – its the best track on the album. Total rifferama! As metal instrumentals go, it’s a good one. Last track on Side 1, Deadly Existence, leans heavily on the early Metallica sound and is a great thrash track.

Flipping over to Side 2 with opener, Enter The Darkness, that speeds in with fat riff city and a killer bass line – it’s back to that NWOBHM vibe. Next up is Impaling Doom and the band are trying to break the world land speed record. This track is fast until the fat chugga riff kicks in, which I presume is to save the drummer from imminent death – and then we’re back to the sprint. Last track, The Pack, changes gears pretty quickly. It has a hint of math metal with some off time chord patterns – it’s a really good song to end on.

I think the band are still around as they last released an album in 2018. A quite enjoyable metal romp.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

KAMELOT – Poetry For The Poisoned

May 26, 2021 /

This would be the last album that would feature vocalist Roy Khan before his departure back to the mighty Conception – I could not believe he left them in the first place. Originally formed in Florida in ’87, it wasn’t until Khan joined for 98’s Siege Perilous that the band’s fortunes took an upturn.

The album starts with the epic The Great Pandemonium – modern Prog metal at its finest. A great production lifts the track, mixed with some great playing. If Tomorrow Came seems to be two songs in one, as Khan seems to be singing a ballad, and yet blast beats drive in the background. A short interlinking piece, Dear Editor, leads into side closer, The Zodiac, which showcases Khan’s operatic tendencies with his full range and a guest appearance from Jon Olivia.

Side 2 starts with Hunters Season with an appearance from Gus G on guitar, and they say cream always rises to the top, which keeps the track galloping along Maiden style. House On A Hill has a guest appearance from Simone Simmons and this is a full on rock opera folks. Necropolis closes out Side 2, and like most of the tunes on the album, it has a dramatic beginning but then a slower pace until the middle eight where we are back to the gallops.

Side 3 begins with My Train Of Thought, and it’s very noticeable that there are no riffs that drive the songs. It seems to be just rhythm, chords, and keyboards that drive the songs – oh – and Roy Kahn. Seal of Woven Years is up next and has a very atmospheric intro that feels as though I’m in a medieval village awaiting the arrival of the galloping Prog metal warriors – and lo and behold here they come! If I’m honest it’s all getting a bit Sammy, but very well played and executed. As per the Prog metal rule book, next up is the title track and its in four parts. I mean what Prog metal band have not done this? That’s right – none! Sarcasm to one side for a moment, this is a very well written and delivered track with all the troughs and peaks and highs and lows you would expect. One thing is for sure – they will miss Roy Kahn (and they did).

Over to Side 4 with Once Upon A Time and it’s back to the race track we go with an actual sniff of a riff to get our teeth into. There is a bonus track but it’s an uncut version of House On A Hill which was on Side 2. I know there are fans that like them to play the same album over and over again, but I am not one of those I’m afraid. I like to see a band pushing themselves. It does feel as though KAMELOT have been making the same album for 15 years – but they do it very well.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2025 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑