THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: the rods

THE RODS – Wild Dogs

January 16, 2023 /

This is The Rods’ second album, released in ’82. I used to love the first album, although having played it to review lately is hasn’t aged very well.

The overall first impression of reacquainting myself with first track Too Hot To Stop, is that a huge Ted Nugent vibe comes over me. Mostly due to the vocal style, but also the way Rock Feinstein plays solos. I always thought that bassist, Gary Bordonaro had a better voice and the second track Waiting For Tomorrow emphasizes that point. Violation is just a simple fat sounding chord progression. I love the opening, and the main vocal melody to Burned By Love. Wild Dogs closes out Side 1, and it is just a full on rocker with a very catchy hook and chorus.

A rough sounding cover of You Keep Me Hangin’ On follows, and is a weird pick for, (a) a song choice, and (b) to open up a side, and the only redeeming feature is the fade out solo. Rockin’ N’ Rollin is a trademark Rods up tempo rocker. End Of The Line has a really cool opening but it’s the harmony vocals on the hook and chorus that stand out on this track. It’s favourite track time next with No Sweet Talk Honey. The riff, groove, and guitar are very old school Nugent, and you can’t argue with that hook and chorus. The album closes out with The Night Lives To Rock, a straight up no frills rocker.

That was a fun listen.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

THE RODS – Live

May 3, 2022 /

The first two Rods albums were really good, although listening to the first one recently it did sound quite dated. This album was released after their third album, In The Raw, in ’83. You can’t beat a three-piece band, and Live, this band were hot.

You would be forgiven listening to opening track, I Live For Rock N Roll, that you were listening to Kiss, as this song is an absolute ringer. Next track, Hellbound, with the main riff nicked from Judas Priest, but I do like the groove of the track. Born To Rock is a good old stomper with a great solo. I’m all for guitar solos when they are creative and go somewhere, but Feinstein’s solo piece here is just noise. It flows into Speed Demon, and ironically, his solo here is sharp and to the point.

Flipping the wax over we get opening track, Hurricane, and without a doubt the best track and performance on the album. Devils Child follows and sees bass player Gary Bordonaro handle the vocals – I always thought he had the best voice in the band. Rabid Thunder is drum solo time, and the point where everyone usually goes to the bar. The album closes out with Cold Sweat And Blood, and it’s a return to the Kiss style stomper of the first track. Nine tracks on the album, two of which are solo spots. If this were a double album I get it, but I would have appreciated a couple of songs instead.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

THE RODS – s/t

January 3, 2021 /

This is the Arista version of the album as the original was called Rock Hard before they were signed. If anyone is unfamiliar with The Rods, they were part of the USA’s answer to the NWOBHM around the early eighties, and Dave “Rock” Feinstein was Ronnie James Dio’s cousin – in fact they were in the band Elf together. I remember really liking The Rods at the time mainly due to Feinstein’s guitar playing.

In classic power trio tradition, Feinstein handles lead vocal duties on all songs apart from Ace In The Hole, which bassist Gary Bordonaro sings. I guess they were going for that Ted Nugent style which Feinstein’s vocal suit, but Bordanaro is the way better singer. Nothing Going On In The City and Power Lover probably sum up what The Rods are all about the best as they are the stand out tracks. Heads down no nonsense mindless rock n roll. It’s still a fun record to listen to even though it does sound dated.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

Archives

© 2024 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑