THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 465 of 493)

PORCUPINE TREE – Metanoia

February 26, 2021 /

This album was the runt of the litter, as it was not released as a proper album. It was recorded as an improvisation as part of the Signify sessions. This is the original release on double 10 inch vinyl, and only 1000 were pressed. The CD that was released much later contains an extra 2 pieces.

I would have loved for this period of PT to have gone on longer, as I really love the experimentation with groove and sounds. They manipulated and twisted sounds to make them unrecognizable from what they originally were, and fit them into pieces that are accessible and with grooves. Very trippy and psychedelic in places and is a perfect album to put on and just chill. It reminds me of the Ozrics as this was their mantra as well, just play and see where we go – although I’m sure there is more structure to proceedings here. Mesmer, in it’s 3 parts, is just fantastic, and held together by the bass and drums. The idea that they are just winging it gives substance at the beginning of track 3 – as the talking between the band has been left in and is the most experimental piece here.

You will either love this or hate it, there is no middle ground. If you are new to Steven’s catalogue, and only took an interest since Raven, I can’t see there being anything of interest here. Anyway, I love the quirkiness of the piece, and that they just went in to see what happens is amazing.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

TRIUMPH – Thunder Seven

February 26, 2021 /

This is Triumph’s 7th studio outing, and you could say the last before their popularity started to drift off. Recorded at the legendary Metalworks Studio in Mississauga Ontario, which drummer Gil Moore now owns. Although still a studio, it’s now also a music college. Triumph were renowned for their live show and being a kick ass live act, even though when drummer Moore was taking lead vocal, it felt a bit strange as there was no focal point. Anyway, this album doesn’t disappoint as this does exactly what says on the tin and rocks hard.

Opening track, Spellbound, is a typical Triumph rockin’ track, but with more keyboards than previous efforts. Rock Out Roll On sees Rick Emmett take lead vocals with his higher range, and again is a typical Triumph rocker. Third track in Cool Down, has a very Zepplin driven heavy groove and is a killer tune. Side closer, Follow Your Heart was a single, and at the time, the band’s highest charting and was typical syrupy rock radio fodder of the time.

Over to Side 2 we go and Time Goes By, the album’s longest track, and the epic track that the band would always throw in on each album. Two throwaway short pieces are next before Killing Time, the power ballad you’ve all been waiting for rolls on by. Stranger On A Strange Land is very Van Halen-esque, and is my choice for best track on the album. Things come to a close with Little Boy Blues, and is a subdued close out track – not a bad tune as there is some nice playing by Emmett. I just think a more rocky track would have been better to end with.

Other than Rush, Triumph at the time were Canada’s biggest rock band.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

WEATHER REPORT – 8:30

February 25, 2021 /

This is one of those amazing albums that you can lose yourself in and is pure joy to listen to. This was the 10th album that Weather Report released, and actually won a Grammy for best Jazz Fusion performance in ’79. It captures the classic line up of the band: Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, and Tye awesome Pete Erskine on the pots and pans. Very wide ranging in style, from world/African, Jazz, Rock, and fusion – this is just a fantastic record and is a lesson in groove and rhythm.

Check out opening track Black Market – it has everything I have just mentioned. It’s a wonderful track with some amazing playing by all concerned. If anyone was in any doubt just how amazing Jaco Pastorius was on the bass – just listen to his solo piece, Slang. Incredible! In places, this is an incredibly groovy record. With Teen Town the groove never stops, Birdland with its infectious boogie-woogie style, and The Orphan with its African rhythms.

I know there is more music now than there has ever been, but you really have to dig to find bands playing like this. Other than Snarky Puppy, there aren’t many young bands playing with this much freedom. If you would like to dip your toe into the waters of Weather Report, you could start with this or try anything after ’74 when the groove was the primary focus.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

JERRY CANTRELL – Degradation Trip

February 25, 2021 /

The Alice In Chains album that never was. Rumour has it that the majority of these songs were to be for the next AIC album, but due to Staley’s on going substance problems, Cantrell used them for this solo release. Staley would die of his drug problems two months before this album’s release, and it is dedicated to him.

Jerry is joined here by Metallica’s Robert Trujillo on bass (who at the time, was part of Ozzy’s band), and Faith No More’s Mike Bordin on drums. The record sounds very much like Alice In Chains as Jerry’s voice is so distinctive, and he provided the melody with Staley to create that sound. He doesn’t get enough credit for those albums other than being the guitar player.

For me, this album is one of the best grunge albums of all time. This is not all doom and depression – there is a lot going on here, great well written songs, awesome playing, and superb production. The opening track could be the best song that Alice In Chains never recorded. There were two singles released: Anger Rising and Angel Eyes, Angel Eyes being the most commercial. Other stand out tracks are Side 2 close out track Hellbound (which I like a lot), the unusual Castaway, which starts off real slow until the fat guitar kicks in, the awesome Chemical Tribe, which is a very dark tune with a very simple riff, and the fat heavy riff of Spiderbite. There are a couple of tunes that aren’t great, but overall it’s a good album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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