THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 483 of 493)

VIOLENT SOHO – Waco

January 16, 2021 /

I got this through one of those hipster vinyl subscription services, and for some reason even after I filled in my preferences, they sent me this. Oh hum!!!

This is the fourth album by these Australian alt rock noisenicks, and apparently it did really well in the land of Oz reaching the coveted number 1 slot. Although it’s not bad, it’s just not my cup of Java, it’s a bit too basic for me. Not a fan of the whiney vocal style. They remind me of a bargain basement Seattle band as the vibe is very similar.

I don’t really have a favourite track as it’s all very much the same, but the one redeeming feature of me owning this record is now it’s worth quite a bit on Discogs! If any of you out there in internet land would like to purchase this from me just message me!

4/10 from The Grooveman.

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE – S/T

January 15, 2021 /

I only became aware of Rage because of Tom Morello’s involvement. I was a fan of his funk metal band, Lock Up, whose album, Something Bitchin’ This Way Comes, was a good record but a million miles away from this.

Now music and protest has gone hand-in-hand forever, but nothing with the anger and angst shown on this record. Even the album cover was controversial – showing a Vietnamese monk setting fire to himself as the ultimate figure of protest.

We kick things off with Bombtrack with the rap lyrics of Za De La Roche about social inequality. Track 2 was the one that got everybody listening, Killing In The Name, with the chorus of “Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me” had every kid jumping to the cause. The funky grooves are still here, except now mixed with the hard edged vocals and lyrics, it seems to be the perfect mix. The other notable track on Side 1, and probably the heaviest on the whole album, is Bullet In The Head – about how the government controls the media to control the masses. Again, Side 2 has its moments but doesn’t have the musical power of Side 1.

It’s quite hard to listen to this just as a musical piece as the themes are so strong and the angst takes over. So definitely not album to relax to. Favourite track is Bullet In The Head.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

NO-MAN – Love You To Bits

January 15, 2021 /

This is the seventh full length album by No-Man, and their first since Schoolyard Ghosts some 11 years previous. It also sees a return of the dance/groove style of their early records. I prefer the up tempo grooves to the more laid back solemn, melancholic vibes of Schoolyard Ghosts. Tim has an interesting almost breathy style to his vocals, but somehow stays the same no matter what tempo the song is.

Basically this album is two songs split into five segments each – even though there are no gaps. Side 1, Love You To Bits, starts off like a 70’s Giorgio Moroder/Donna Summer style disco groove, and then grows into a nearly BPM dance track albeit with a real drummer, Ash Soan. Then we get a typical Tim slowed down vocal section, that emphasizes Tim’s original style into the dance groove from earlier on in the piece.

The premise of this record is about a relationship that breaks up, and being told from both sides. So Side 2, Love You To Pieces, is from the other perspective. It starts off with the familiar slow Tim vocal, and into the familiar groove from Side 1. This side is a lot more experimental and electronic with the beats and grooves, and with a great Fender Rhodes solo from Adam Holzman in the middle section.

Not out of place in any night club. I really like this a lot and as a welcome return to form.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

THE TUBES – Remote Control

January 14, 2021 /

Remote Control is the sixth album from The Tubes, and sees them moving away from the shock rock era of White Punks On Dope, to a more sophisticated new wave/pop outfit. This could have a lot to do with the production of Todd Rundgren. Remote Control is a concept album loosely based on the book, Being There. All the efforts went into the songs and the melodies, as Side 1 is full of them, with the opening salvo of Turn Me On, TV is King, and Prime Time all are Top 40 material.

I’ve always liked this album, and if you were around at the time it all made perfect sense. Fee Waybill was an incredible front man and focal point for the band, so I guess it was only natural it all became about him. Side 2 starts with the instrumental Getoverture, and then it all trundles along nicely until album closer Telecide, which is about as edgy as this album gets. Side 2 is not living up to Side 1 (there’s a surprise eh folks?).

Not a bad look back into Tubes circa 1979 so it gets a 6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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