THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl collector (Page 167 of 493)

THE THROBS – The Language Of Thieves And Vagabonds

June 23, 2023 /

The Throbs are another one of those US bands that certain journalists in Kerrang were hailing as the next big thing to come across the pond. This is the only album they released at the time in ’91, with another aptly named “Second” coming out in 2014.  So yeah, they are also another one and they’re  gone band.

To be honest, they should have done a lot better as that dirty stripped down rock n’ roll sound was big at the time. Maybe the fact that they were from New York and not LA didn’t help, they even got Bob Ezrin to produce so the label gave them a shot.

Well, I quite like it! I have a soft spot for dirty rock n’ roll records. Favourite track is the album closer Strange Beaviour. An awesome moody intro before the main riff and groove kick in to take the listener to sleaze town.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

IMPELITTERI – Crunch

June 22, 2023 /

One things for sure, Chris Impelitteri has kept himself busy since releasing his first EP back in ’87. This is album number ten out of the eighteen he has released so far. This is one of his best, although what has happened to the track Freakshow? On the CD release of this and Screaming Symphony, track 4 is Freakshow and it is one of the best melodic metal tracks ever recorded, but it is missing from both of the vinyl reissues. WHY?

There is not a bad second on this release. Every track squeezes every inch of metal from the grooves with riffs and solos flying in all directions. Having a killer band who are at the top of their game helps as well. Trying to pick a favourite is a tough one here, but I will go for Slay The Dragon. Insane riffing, killer groove and rhythm, and Rob Rock’s vocals are awesome. It doesn’t get better than this kiddies!

There are not many bands doing metal with melody like this anymore ,and this is pure joy to listen to.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

SHOTGUN MESSIAH – s/t

June 22, 2023 /

This is technically this Swedish band’s first album, released back in ’89. Although, a different version of this album was recorded under the name Kingpin instead of Shotgun Messiah and released a year earlier in Sweden. The opening track Welcome To Bop City was a hit in Sweden. For the album however, it was just called Bop City and is a full on sleaze/glam rock anthem.

The best track on the album is Don’t Care About Nothin’. A kick ass uptempo rocker with a great riff, and a hook and chorus that are so infectious. Add to that a monster solo and it’s winner winner chicken dinner. That’s not to say the rest of the album is bad, no anything but. In fact, I would say this is one of the forgotten gems of the late eighties glam rock scene.

Shout It Out for instance, reminds you of Lick It Up era Kiss complete with a killer guitar player by the name of Harry K Kody, who can really play. The last track on Side 1 is an instrumental showcasing Mr. Kody’s talents to the full and it’s a joint favourite tune. There are plenty of the anthem style stompers as well to keep the glam crowd happy, with Dirty Talk being a brine example.

If you love the glam side of things then you can’t go wrong.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN – s/t

June 21, 2023 /

More often than not, these side project albums can be a bit hit and miss as the tunes don’t live up to the hype. Now, I’m a huge fan of KingsX. The first five albums are all pure gold, I love Eric Gales’ playing, and I have only heard of Thomas Pridgen through his work with Mars Volta, so to say I was I was intrigued by this get together would be an understatement.

Opening track Collateral Damage has a sort of fusion groove going down, which is cool but it’s when the blues/funk vibes kick in that this album really comes into its own. Angels And Aliens is super cool with a great groove and solo. Hang On Big Brother is superb and really floats my boat. Killer groove and main riff plus Eric lets those fingers fly. Hate Crime is a close run for favourite track as the groove and feel are epic, plus it sounds so deep and heavy. This is what I was hoping the whole album to be like.

Lascivious sounds like a song that Hendrix would write if he was around today. Been So High is the big blues workout with Eric showing that he is the most underrated player around today. Killer stuff! The Greatest Love sounds freakin’ incredible. That echo and stereo split on the guitar is outstanding and is my favourite by a mile.

When these guys are on, boy do they cook!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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