THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music review (Page 88 of 480)

CANDY – Whatever Happened To Fun

March 2, 2024 /

This is a nice slice of American power pop released back in ’85. It probably wouldn’t get a second glance except for the fact that this was Gilby Clarkes’ first step into the recording arena. He has no song writing credits though, every song here is credited to bassist Jonathan Daniel.

The album is pleasant enough, although it sounds dated even for the time it was released and feels more like a mid-seventies pop record. It’s very hard to give a favourite tune as they are all pretty much the same and follow the same format, but American Kix has an added punk vibe to the power pop that I really like.

Even though he was a member of Guns N’ Roses, Gilby has always sailed just under the radar and never managed to release that killer record.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BARONESS – Blue Record

February 29, 2024 /

Baroness operate in a musical universe that I just dip my toe into occasionally, because I am not fully familiar with the whole “sludge-stoner” thing. This is the band’s second album, released back in 2009.

I always wonder what was ground zero for this whole genre. I would hazard a guess at Children Of The Grave-era Sabbath, because that tone and sound are all over this record. Couple that with vibes from the residents of Sky Valley and we are not far away from the Baroness sound.

This is actually a very cool record. Mixed in with those sludgy riffs and grooves are some really delicate trippy interludes. My favourite tune is A Horse Called Golgotha. It’s got a wonderful riffy gallop with hints of their label mates, Mastodon’s early efforts. The one thing Baroness do have is amazing artwork, all of their albums have killer covers.

I really like this album and I may dip my toe in a little further.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

FOCUS – At The Rainbow

February 28, 2024 /

I was quite happy when I saw that Music On Vinyl were remastering this live album, albeit with a different cover to the original copy that I already had. It’s quite hard to believe now, but back in the distant past Focus appeared on Top Of The Pops with the singles Hocus Pocus and Sylvia. I know it feels like being in a parallel universe because now there is seemingly no decent music played by humans that inhabit popular music at all. Not that Focus were ever a pop band, they were a Prog band and sat perfectly alongside Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson but with a niche sound all of their own.

The wonderful Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers! Is a sprawling meandering beast of a tune that feels as though the band are just jamming with some great playing, especially from Jan Ackerman. The supercharged and seemingly speeding out of control version of Hocus Pocus is just a riot, and highly enjoyable.

Focus are a wonderful nostalgic part of my musical discovery and I will forever remember them fondly.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SKID ROW – The Gang’s All Here

February 26, 2024 /

I have not really given Skid Row any attention after the Subhuman Race album, because it all seemed too much drama and just playing the hits. But, when Eric Gronwall was announced as their new singer I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the album he did with H.E.A.T and I thought he may be what Skid Row was looking for.

Well, first thing I noticed was that Eric had zero input in songwriting on this album. There are a couple of outside writing collaborators and even two songs with their previous vocalist ZP Theart as a co-writer. And before I get into the music, I have to say that this is a very noisy pressing. This is the third copy I’ve owned and basically I just gave up and accepted it.

Anyway, musically the album has got that raw edge which I really liked on Subhuman Race, it was killer. Now, it’s not as heavy as that but it’s still a damn fine album. Songs like The Gangs All Here, Not Dead Yet, Nowhere Fast, Resurrected, and World On Fire are all ripping tunes and if that’s the way forward I’m happy. My favourite track is Not Dead Yet. It’s a full on kick ass rocker with a message that could be from the band or even from Eric with his cancer battle.

Yeah, welcome back Skid Row.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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