THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 482 of 493)

TED NUGENT – Nugent

January 19, 2021 /

For the purposes of this review, we will keep this about the music, no matter what you think about Ted’s political leanings. There is no doubt about it that 70’s NUGENT could sure rock with the best of them, hell Double Live Gonzo is a kick ass record. Hands up, I was a big fan of those 70’s albums.

This album was released in ’82 and there is a definite change in sound, it’s a lot more polished and clean sounding record. Derek St Holmes is still providing killer vocals on the tracks that Ted doesn’t sing on, and we are also joined by the great Carmine Appice on drums.

Unfortunately the songs are just not that good, it’s trying too hard to be an LA type of record – when Ted’s just not that guy! Even the cover sees Ted without trademark loincloth for a more polished image. No more wild man Ted! The only Nugent type rockers here are Good And Ready and the last track Tailgunner. Sure Ted can still play a decent lead guitar, it’s just that it can’t lift the album out of mid-table mediocrity.

5/10 from The Grooveman.

INXS – The Swing

January 18, 2021 /

Although this is the band’s 4th release, The Swing is the one that launched them into superstars due to the single Original Sin, with its funky/rock crossover appeal which they would exploit to the max with subsequent releases.

Other than playing at school in various bands, they started as the Farris Brothers as per John, Tim and Andrew and completed by Kirk Pengilly and Michael Hutchence as front man. Produced by Nile Rodgers, who gave every song that Chic groove appeal, as after opener Original Sin finishes the groove keeps on right the way through the whole record.

Dancing On The Jetty has an almost new romantic vibe to it interspersed again with Rodgers funk wisdom. The title track, The Swing, has an almost Stones like beginning – and that closes Side 1. Weird choice of song to open Side 2, Johnson’s Aeroplane, as its the weakest song on the album. Love Is What They Say is a very ordinary tune, which gives way to the very funky Face The Change. The album closes out with two very eighties sounding tracks, Burn For You, and All the Voices.

So not a bad record that was made a lot better by Nile Rodger’s production and who knew the monster that would come after this with Listen Like Thieves. Face The Change just scrapes fave song award.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

PAUL DRAPER – Spooky Action

January 18, 2021 /

Other than a single EP that came before, this is Paul Draper’s first album since the collapse of Mansun in 2003. I’m sure someone will write a book about the issues with that band resulting in some serious mental health issues for Paul, of which a lot of these songs seem to be about. 5 of the 11 tracks have been co-written with Catherine Anne Davies (The Anchoress). The compliment was reciprocated as Draper co-wrote her first album as the Anchoress, Confessions of a Romance Novelist. Anyhoo. There seems to be a lot of therapy to these songs as Draper seems to getting a lot of things of his chest.

Don’t Poke The Bear gets things going with an almost psychedelic vibe and a very high register vocal. The single Grey House follows, and into Things People Want which does remind me of Mansun. Who’s Wearing The Trousers has a nod back to the Britpop era which Draper came out of. Jealousy Is A Powerful Emotion and Friends Make The Worst Enemies have an almost progressive feel – in fact, Spooky Action was nominated for best album at the Prog music awards.

Side 3 is probably the best side as it contains the amazing Feeling My Heart Run Slow, and the very powerful showstopper, You Don’t Really Know Someone, Till You Fall Out With Them – with an incredible vocal from Draper.

Its very clear to see who had the ideas in Mansun, and it’s good to hear that voice again as Paul is too good a talent to be on the sidelines. There are no fluff lyrics here as each song is very personal all accompanied with some very diverse music. My own fave is Feeling My Heart Run Slow . A very enjoyable album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BOSTON – S/T

January 16, 2021 /

As debut albums go, Boston’s first album is right up there with the very best. Boston the band are the brainchild of guitarist Tom Scholz. The album was released in the summer of ’76 and at the time was quite groundbreaking , with the multi track guitar sound that Scholz had developed in his basement and is at the forefront of every song with the amazing high register vocals of Brad Delp.

The 1, 2, 3 punch of More Than A Feeling, Peace of Mind, and the incredible Foreplay/Long Time that is Side 1 can not be beaten. No wonder Epic records were falling over themselves to sign the band. Incredible melodies, great songs, and some fantastic guitar playing is the order of the day here. The album went on to be Top 20 in just about every country, and rightly so.

Side 2 starts off just where Side 1 dropped us off, with the great Rock & Roll Band and into the fantastic Smokin’. The next track is the the weakest track on the album, Hitch a Ride, and even then most bands would drool for this track. Closing the album out with Something About You and the awesome closer Let Me Take You Home Tonight. How do you get to be this good on your first album? Well, Scholz was living with and working on these songs for 5 years before they got the deal, so they were ready to hit the ground running.

Personally I love all of Side 1 and the final track on Side 2. I don’t think they ever topped the quality in the albums that came after. This falls in the category of everyone should own one.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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