THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 6 of 481)

GARRISON – The Final Chapter

April 11, 2025 /

Now, I remember seeing these guys support Dare back in the day. They were supposed to be signed to a major label to record an album but this was 1990 and the musical climate was changing and the band never got to record that album, until now that is.

There are 7 studio tracks and 3 live. The studio tunes just have Tony Mitchell and Michael Bruce performing everything and the live tracks feature all of the band. Not sure why that is, it seems a bit odd but I’m sure there’s a logical answer.

Along with Dare, Garrison were one of the brightest AOR bands the UK had produced, and you get a little taste of that here. Ironically, it’s the harder rockin’ tracks that do it for me. The studio recording of Gimme Love is a great song and the live version of Here I Am grooves along at a hell of a pace. You do wonder if they had gotten to record that album back then, with a good producer, what it would have sounded like because they definitely can write a tune that’s for sure.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MONRO – Some Girls

April 10, 2025 /

The one thing that UK bands always seemed to struggle with was writing great AOR tunes. Welsh band Monro give it a good go though.

This album came out in ´87 and it’s very slick, borderline pop/rock. In fact, soon after this album came out, the band called it a day. They have the formula right that’s for sure, big hooks and those sing along choruses that are the trademarks for a good AOR album.

I remember there being a single of Some Girls that I heard on the radio a couple of times that I thought was ok. The best song on the record though is Here Comes The Night. This is where they got it all right. Great melody, and you just have to sing along in the chorus.

Not sure why they just disappeared because this isn’t half bad to be honest.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SOUTHGANG – Tainted Angel

April 7, 2025 /

Butch Walker has become everyone’s go to for a producer and songwriter, but before that he was part of Marvelous 3, and was the guitarist in SouthGang. This is their first album released in ’91.

I read somewhere that they were the last great hair metal band. Now, that’s a bold claim. We all know now that that wasn’t the case. But, I think I get where the person who wrote that was coming from, in relation to all the anti melody bands around at the time. Love Ain’t Enough would certainly give Bon Jovi a run for their money in the emotional power ballad stakes, and the majority of the rest album would stand side by side with any other band of the time.

There are little hints of their southern rock roots throughout the album (She’s Danger City/ Seven Hills Saloon) which is where the band are from, but overall this is a kick ass rock n’ roll record. There was a video for the title track which MTV played a lot but Boys Nite Out is my favourite tune. It leads the album off with a great uptempo groover, and that’s how you start a record.

Really good record that’s worthy of your attention.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BOYS VOICE – S/T

April 7, 2025 /

Sometimes you have to wonder how a band came up with their name. I mean Boys Voice isn’t the most rockin’ of names to go with for a hard rock band. I think of a church boys choir when I see it, just like the record company obviously did, as that’s what they went with for the cover. They must of done quite well in Germany because I think there were two more albums after this.

Now, the thing is, this is a really good album. It has a killer production which makes it sound huge, and if you saw this on a rack in a record store you may have just flicked past it. The guitar sound is awesome and the songs just get stuck in your head. I bought this because of the song Munich Nightlife, and I’m pleased that I took the gamble.

Vocalist, Mani Gruber reminds me of Klaus Meine of the Scorpions at times, but it’s guitarist Peter Diezel that grabs my attention. He’s a superb player and his tone is huge which makes the songs really groove. My fave tune is Chain Reaction, great riff and huge guitar sound that really hits the spot.

If you see this in a store while digging, take it home and you will not be disappointed.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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