THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 431 of 493)

HOUSE OF LORDS – Demons Down

May 19, 2021 /

Formed in ’87 by ex-Angel keyboard whizz, Gregg Giuffria, the band instantly signed to Gene Simmons’ label. By the time this album was released in ’92, the writing was on the wall – grunge had taken a hold and well crafted and well written melodic rock songs were deemed surplus to requirements, and they would disband a year later. It’s a shame as this record had a big budget, and you can tell, as the production is top drawer. They also had division 1 drummer for hire, Tommy Aldridge to lay down those heavy grooves.

Melody and hooks are the order of the day here, and opener O Father shows that to the max. Second track in and the big production title track blows the cobwebs right off. It has an epic feel with a great vocal and big production. Next up it’s ballad central, and this is one of the reasons bands like this failed in the nineties. What’s Forever For and Spirit Of Love on Side 1 are decent enough songs, but fans wanted that harder edge – they had enough of all these syrupy ballads. Sandwiched in between is Talkin’ Bout Love, which is really great rockin’ song.

Side 2 starts with Down Down Down, and it begins with the obligatory EVH rip off solo for all hair band guitarists everywhere, before the big fat riff kicks in – it’s a great opener. Metallic Blue keeps the pace moving with a contender for best tack on the record. A great up-tempo rocker with a killer melody and chorus. Then it’s back to ballad city with Inside You. Christian sings it really well, but the ballad count is up to three. Johnny’s Got A Mind Of His Own is prime time hair rock, with a big sing along chorus and a bounce along groove with a side of fat riff. Last song of the album is Can’t Fight Love and is very Def Leppard, but not a bad way to end the record.

If they had kept the ballad count down to one then I would have given it a 9 but they get 8/10 from The Grooveman.

THE POLICE – Outlandos d’Amour

May 19, 2021 /

The Police’s rise to mega stardom was very quick to say the least. Taking advantage of the the fledgling punk movement, drummer Stewart Copeland had recently left Prog band, Curved Air. He met up with Sting at a gig in Newcastle and exchanged numbers. When Sting left Newcastle for London, he tracked Copeland down and the rest is easy. The missing piece of the puzzle was ex-Zombies guitarist, Andy Summers, and the rest they say is history.

By the time they recorded this album, it was obvious the band’s future lay in a more commercial environment than the punk scene – as they could actually play and write great songs. Everyone knows Roxanne, and this would light the torch as the reggae vibe would carry the band throughout their career. Hole In My Life and Can’t Stand Losing You are the other two reggae heavy songs on the record, and are really great. There are two punk tinged tunes on the record with Peanuts and Be My Girl – just as a nod to the scene they piggy backed off of. This is probably my favourite Police album as it still has that raw edge to it that would ultimately disappear, and a much more polished sound would develop as they became pop icons.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

RACER X – Street Lethal

May 18, 2021 /

This album is all about Paul Gilbert. Yes I know this album rocks hard, but right from the opening solo of Frenzy, its widdly-see-widdly-da all the way through. Formed in LA in ’85, this is the band’s first album released one year later. Gilbert has since toned the histrionics down somewhat, and has become a really tasteful player who has released a whole whack of solo albums.

Opening full length track, Street Lethal, is a speed metal masterpiece. Full on double kicks all the way through, unreal guitar playing, and wailing vocals. Into The Night is more restrained with a realistic groove and a great riff, and yes, lots of guitar. Blowin’ Up The Radio is back to speed territory, and again, killer riff, over the top vocals, and yes…GUITAR!!! Hotter Than Fire is a pretty standard track and is the weakest track on Side 1. Side closer, On The Loose, is a hard rock monster of a track that you can head bang to without serious injury.

Over to 2 we go with the awesome pounding Loud And Clear. Fast chugga riff and more over the top everything. Y.R.O is next and stands for Yngwie Rip Off as the riff is VERY similar to Black Star by the mad Sweed himself. Dangerous Love is up next with more chuggas, and again, lots of everything to the max. Getaway is a change of pace and is an anthem type rocker with the sing-a-long chorus. Album closer, Rock It, is a Hot For Teacher fast shuffle type of track, and again, has more of everything – especially Paul Gilbert. It’s no coincidence that is a Shrapnel release, as Varney wanted a band that could showcase Gilbert’s unreal talents. This one is for guitar aficionados and old school metal heads.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GIRL – Sheer Greed

May 18, 2021 /

I’m experimenting with a change of scenery today as you have had the same view for over 200 reviews – I think it’s time for a change.

Formed in ’79, in primetime NWOBHM, Girl stood out like a sore thumb with their glam and lipstick, compared to everyone else who were all leather and bullet belts. I caught them supporting UFO and they were fantastic, unfortunately, all the metal lovers hated them and they only lasted for 2 great albums (and 1 not so). Fronted by Phil Lewis (who would later go one to front LA Guns) and also Phil Collen on guitar (who would join Def Leppard after Pete Willis was kicked out of the band). Anyway, this is a full on glam rock spectacular that rocks hard in all the right places.

Opening track, Hollywood Tease, is a cracking opener and riffs really hard. It is one of two tracks to reference the good old U-S-of-A, where Phil would spend the rest of his life. The Things You Say is a glam rock power pop tour de force. Lovely Lorraine is something the New York Dolls would be proud of. Strawberries is a total sleaze fest of a track – with Lewis doing his best Marc Bolan impression. Little Miss Ann carries on the sleaze, and Doctor Doctor is a killer ending to Side 1 (it has nothing to do with the UFO track of the same name).

Side 2 starts with a cover of Do You Love Me by Kiss, and it’s a straight up cover with a sleazier edge. Take Me Dancing has an awesome opening riff and is one of the stand out tracks on the album. The punked and rocked up What’s Up follows – this track speeds along and is my personal favourite on the album. Perhaps the strangest track on the album is the reggae tinged Passing Clouds. I love this track, but this is what the metal heads hated about them (other than the image). My Number was the single that was put out before the album. It got me to go out and by the album as it is all attitude and sleaze. Heartbreak America closes out the album, and like Def Leppard with Hello America, they were not hiding their influences and where their sights were set. A great production from the late Chris Tsangarides makes this a really food album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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