THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: review (Page 137 of 493)

THE DARKNESS – Permission To Land

October 23, 2023 /

There are times whilst going through my collection that I pull certain albums to review and I instantly feel old. Permission To Land is one of those as it has been twenty years since its release. I clearly remember the band’s appearance on Jools Holland where Justin is ripping the solo to I Beleive In A Thing Called on top of Jools’ piano. You just didn’t see hard rock bands ripping it up on mainstream TV at the time. It’s good old down and dirty hard rock, but with a singer who hits notes so high you’d think his nuts were  being squeezed in a vice.

This is still a fun record to listen to, and is guaranteed to lift you spirits when you are feeling a bit low. Black Shuck rips the dust off straight away with the AC/DC inspired riffage and groove. Get Your Hands Off My Woman is the obvious companion tune to “Believe” as it has the same feel. I Beleive In A Thing Called Love is such a monster tune it would be amiss of me not to pick it as my favourite tune. One of the deeper cuts that you don’t hear people mention too often is Givin’ Up. A simple, big chord DC stomp that doesn’t fail to get a that toe a tappin’.

It’s nice to listen to records that are just fun and happy.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

MAGNUM – Chase The Dragon

October 21, 2023 /

Released back in ’82, this was the band’s first charting album. I remember reading at the time there was a two year delay in releasing the record because of record company bullshit. It was worth the wait, as some of the band’s most endearing songs are on the album. The grandiose Soldier Of The Line and The Spirit. Magnum had gone full pomp at this point with their music taking references from Styx and Kansas, but with that British edge.

There is not a lot of difference between Magnum and Blackmore’s Night if you just listen to the main melody and subject matter of the songs. I was never much of a Magnum fan, as I was more of a straight up riff rock guy but occasionally they came out with a riff-based song like Walking The Straight Line; it’s my favourite on the album. The song has a great hook and melody and reminds me of early Foreigner.

Bob and Tony are now elder statesmen of the British rock scene and have been recording constantly over the years, if not directly in the limelight. I haven’t played this in a long while and it’s a fun listen.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

HEAVY PETTIN – s/t

October 20, 2023 /

This is the band’s self-titled album released back in ’83, it was produced by Brain May and Mack. Polydor sure put their money where their collective mouths were on this release. A lot of bands around this time complained about lack of support from their record companies, but Heavy Pettin could not say that. I think it’s obvious Polydor thought they had scored another Def Leppard.

I like this album as it still has that rawness and energy, as well as killer songs. In And Out Of Love opens up the album and if that song is not a statement of intent then I don’t know what it is. Killer hook and chorus and Hammie’s vocals are top drawer, if you’re not singing along with this you need to see a doctor. Love On The Run is as good as anything that Leppard were doing at the time. Love Times Love is a just a simple four four rock song, but the vocal drives this baby along. Great song! There are still hints of NWOBHM hanging around as Victims Of The Night is straight from the NWOBHM songbook. Those early Leppard comparisons are all on show with Shout It Out, even the guitar sound is the same. Great song though! In And Out Of Love is my favourite song, I mean how can it not be.

These guys should have been huge and they are right at the top of the page headed “What The Hell Happened?”.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

VOYAGER – Fearless In Love

October 19, 2023 /

I’m not sure when Australia were a part of Europe, but Voyager entered the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Promise” and finished ninth.

This is the band’s eighth album and is nothing like Promise. There is still tons of melody for the listener to enjoy, but be prepared for the drop tuned heavy riffs on tracks like Prince Of Fire. One of my favourite tracks I have heard this year is Ultraviolet. I think Rob from @vinyl_ragazzo mentioned this was like if Duran Duran had gone Prog. I can’t argue with that. It’s a super fun tune with killer guitar mixed with the complex rhythms and killer vocals. Epic tune!

In fact, Dreamer is even more poptastic. Superb electronic grooves to kick the tune into gear with killer low end guitar riffs and superb vocals. This band are so good at this type of song. It’s tough to pick a favourite tune but I’m going with Submarine. It’s a cool uptempo groover with some nice fat guitars, a driving beat, great keys, and a superb vocal. They are like a modern day It Bites.

Killer band and killer album!

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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