THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: record collector (Page 4 of 456)

EASY ACTION – That Makes One

December 12, 2024 / / 0 Comments

This is the band’s second and final album, and it’s a whole bunch different to their first. Moving away from the glam sound and image for a more radio friendly and polished pop rock groove. I mean, this sounds like Hall & Oates at times, but it’s such a fun high energy record and the production is so bright and loud.

The keys are very front and centre and very trademark 80’s, but Kee Marcello drizzles some great flourishes throughout the album. It’s such an infectious record it’s impossible not to feel great while listening to it. Favourite track is Teachers Do It With Class. Such a good song and what this album is all about.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GEORGE LYNCH & GEOFF PILSON – Heavy Hitters

December 12, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Does anyone remember those cheapo records that companies like KTel and Pickwick put out and you could find them in your convenience store and other weird places? Keep that thought!

Now, I don’t mind when some of my rock gods put out cover albums because it’s cool to hear what influences and tunes inspired them. However, this is a whole different ball gam. It just seems to be random pop songs that have been picked and then given the rewrite experience, so hence my original thought above.

Now, some of these work quite well like You Got The Love, the Chaka Khan tune where Marq Torien shows what a killer soulful voice he has as well as the funky groove and George giving it plenty. The band are cooking on this one. Musically, I love the version of Carole King’s I Feel The Earth because the band and George in particular are just grooving, and it’s only in the vocal parts where you recognize the song.

I’m not a big fan of vocalist Will Martin as his style is too light for these grooves. The cover of Madonna’s Music just doesn’t work for me but then again, I didn’t like the original too much either. Prince’s Kiss is great a part from the vocal because the band are smokin’.

The whole album is a bit hit and miss I’m afraid, mainly due to my annoyance with the vocals.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

CHINA – Go All The Way

December 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

This is the band’s third album, released in ’91 and the follow up to the hugely successful (in Switzerland) Sign In The Sky. I’m not sure if they are still together, but as of 2013 the only original member was guitarist Claudio Matteo and over the six studio albums they managed to record, it was a revolving door of coming and going of members.

I have to say this is my favourite of all the band’s records. Here, they have the right mix of a great production coupled with some killer songs. China have the gift when it comes to writing memorable melodic rock tunes, each song has an unforgettable sing a long hook and chorus. It’s really hard to pick a favourite song as there are some killer tracks to assault your ears here but Pictures Of You, Medicine Man, and In Trouble With Angels are killer tracks that would float anyone’s boat.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

REVOLUTION SAINTS – Against The Wind

December 10, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Revolution Saints, the band that aren’t really a band at all. Three great musicians with Dean Castronovo on drums and vocals, Joel Hoekstra on guitar, Jeff Pilson on bass, and yet they have not written one note on the entire album. Frontiers love child Alessandro Del Vecchio is the main songwriter on all the album and this is basically a Frontiers vanity project.

Does the album sound good, I hear you cry? Well of course it does! Super slick and polished as they try to recreate that classic Journey sound. Dean could sing a Chinese take away menu and it would sound superb, he just has the perfect voice for this music. Hoekstra is a killer melodic player and he deploys the relevant notes to the relevant places in each song.

I can’t help feeling this is Pop Idol for balding men of a certain age with expanding bellies to match. I jest somewhat, but it does feel a bit like a certain type of music done to order. You know what I mean! You roll up to the drive through and give the attendant your order “Can I have Journey quarter pounder with a huge ballad on the side?”

Anyhoo, don’t listen to my cynicism it’s a very well put together record.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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