THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl community (Page 230 of 493)

RIOT – Restless Breed

December 5, 2022 /

The first three Riot albums are all killer records, and Fire Down Under is their best. They were just beginning to gain some traction with the release of Fire Down Under when vocalist Guy Speranza decided to leave the music biz altogether and become a rat catcher. His replacement Rhett Forrester first record for the band is this album. He’s a completely different style of vocalist to Speranza. Forrester has a much more gravelly tone to his voice and the music changed to fit his style. Consequently this record sounds like a completely different band.

If, like me, you loved the Speranza sound then this album was initially a disappointment, as it felt like a backward step and has a very 70’s sound. I have come to accept it more over the years and it does have some great songs, the best of which and my favourite is Loanshark. It has that classic Riot sound, as does the final track Violent Crimes. A very apt title as Forrester would be shot dead in an attempted carjacking.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GENESIS – The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

December 3, 2022 /

This is the last album to feature Peter Gabriel, and the one most fans think is their finest hour. I’ve always liked Nursery Cryme more, as it was the first Genesis album I heard. As in true prog tradition, this is a concept album with songs in multiple parts going on for days. Just a little humour there. It’s a fact that all the imagery and theatrical elements left when Gabriel did, and over time they bore no resemblance to the band that recorded this album.

Chart positions were at the bottom of the list of priorities here, but I do remember The Carpet Crawlers being a released as a single, although I’m not sure how well it did. Very hard to pick a favourite out of what is basically a whole piece of music, but the opening title track is the obvious choice. You have to listen to this as a whole thing to appreciate it, and it’s a piece of work for sure. I’m not sure Genesis will ever record again and definitely nothing like this.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SPIRITBOX – Eternal Blue

December 3, 2022 /

I’m not sure how many metal bands originate in Victoria, British Columbia, but Spiritbox have certainly put it on the map. This album is a killer modern metal masterpiece. Revolving around the vocal talents of Courtney LaPlante, who with a flick of the switch possesses the deep screams that any death metal band would be proud of. A lot of modern metal bands sacrifice groove for speed, and how many millions beats you can you do in a second. But, the groove is deep and wonderful with Spiritbox.

Hurt You is just insanely awesome. A heavy D-tuned groove with epic vocal that is both growl and clean, plus the samples and electronic elements are very effective. Yellowjacket is freakin’ nuts! With a guest vocal from Sam Carter, and at times sounding deliciously evil. Silk In The Strings is so cool. There is soooo much going on! The groove is epic and the electronic guitar wizardry is awesome. Holy Roller is my favourite tune. When metal and technology collide – just supremely heavy! The beauty of Courtney’s vocals on the title track is just superb. Great band and I’m looking forward to many more tunes like this.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

TEARS FOR FEARS – The Seeds Of Love

December 2, 2022 /

If you want an album to test how good your hi-fi is, then I suggest you buy this. This a superb sounding album!!! Mind you, it should do as it took nearly three years to record and cost over a million to make. I also have the surround sound version, and that is mind blowing. The separation of the instruments is incredible. This is one of those records you put on to impress yourself. They opened the paintbox when they made this and made sure they used all the colours.

Amongst the hits you all know like Woman In Chains, and the epic Sowing The Seeds Of Love, which is my favourite, there are killer extended pieces like Birdmans Song, which encompass a variety of musical styles, and Swords And Knives, which is progressive rock. Great band and they are something else live, surrounding themselves with the best.

A definite 10/10 from The Grooveman for sonic S alone. 

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