THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl community (Page 250 of 493)

TONY MACALPINE – Edge Of Insanity

September 21, 2022 /

This is Tony’s first solo album, released back in ’86. Tony seems to fly under the radar compared to his contemporaries that emerged at the same time. That’s not to say he doesn’t release much, on the contrary, as he has released 13 studio albums under his own name – as well as a plethora of side projects and compilations. He has been anything but idle.

I bought this on release and I still rank it as one of his best albums. Like Yngwie, you can hear the classical influences in Tony’s playing, as well as there being a Chopin piece on Side 2 that shows how suited classical music is to shred guitar. Wheel Of Fortune is a blistering opener with Tony giving it the beans but with tons of melody. The Stranger follows, and is all about the melody lines where the guitar replaces vocals. The Stranger is a Live solo where Tony showcases all the chops with runs and widdle a plenty. Agriona slows things down, where the main guitar riff has been doubled for a nice effect with lots of shred over the top. Side 1 closes out with Empire In The Sky, and starts with Tony playing the keys, and the main guitar part is very Satriani.

Just a quick mention of his band mates on the album, Steve Smith, of Journey on drums, and Mr Billy Sheehan on bass – not a bad rhythm section. The Witch And The Priest opens up Side 2, and this is my favourite on the album. A superb fast groove with a great harmony and hook. Superb guitar on this one! The Taker follows, and we are technically down to a two piece as Tony also plays bass on this one. The pace is quick, and the main intro reminds me of Iron Maiden. Lots and lots of notes flying all around. The aforementioned Chopin piece follows where Tony’s skills on the piano are jaw dropping, and then it’s onto the title track with an almost Journey feel to the main melody. The classical vibe is again front and centre, before a true metal groove takes over. No Place In Time closes out the album with fusion vibes a plenty.  A really cool piece to end the album on. I love this album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

THIN LIZZY – Live And Dangerous

September 20, 2022 /

In the tradition of great live albums that came out in the seventies, Live And Dangerous is a close runner-up to Made In Japan for the best. Recorded at various venues over a few tours, the Hammersmith Odeon and Seneca College in Toronto to name two, this is Lizzy at their supreme best. I saw them live around this time, and believe me they were a killer live band.

Heavily loaded with Jailbreak tunes which let’s face it, was their best album; this album just smokes. Side 3 with Cowboy Song, The Boys Are Back In Town, Don’t Believe A Word, Warrior, and Are You Ready has to be one of the best sides ever. The version of Warrior on this set is just killer, and for today is my favourite track on the album. Phil was such a great frontman. I miss Lizzy and that twin guitar attack a lot.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

KINO – Radio Voltaire

September 20, 2022 /

There seem to be a million project bands within the prog genre, and I guess Kino are one of them. Comprising of John Mitchell (Lonely Robot) on vocals and guitar, Pete Trewavas (Marillion) on bass, John Beck (It Bites) keyboards, and Craig Blundell (Frost) on the drums. This is their second proper album, released in 2018.

Radio Voltaire opens up the album and it’s a great piece of modern Prog with Mitchell’s distinctive voice driving the song with lots highs and lows. The Dead Club has a great heavy riff that reminds me a tad of Porcupine Tree, but there is a lot more going on musically. Idlewild slows the groove right down and Mitchell’s voice comes over as a more melodic Peter Gabriel, at least on this track and his solo is just wonderful. I Don’t Know Why is one of three songs that Trewevas has written on the album. The song has a very late 70’s feel to it, with great vocal harmonies. The best song on the album is I Won’t Break So Easily Anymore. It harks back to Prog epics of the past. A superb song with some killer playing from all involved. Temple Tudor has a medieval vibe with a great Mitchell vocal. Out Of Time is a runner up for my favourite track on the album, as I love the main riff and groove to the song. Grey Shapes On Concrete Fields, apart from the vocal, reminds me of Genesis. Keep The Faith I would describe as a prog anthemic ballad, with a really cool melodic solo. Save the epic to the last with The Silent Fighter Pilot, a huge song that just builds and builds; a very dramatic piece. I would call this a classic mode prog record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SKYHARBOR – Sunshine Dust

September 19, 2022 /

This is India’s finest exponents of tech metal’s third album, released back in 2018. Melody has always been high on the things they excel at, but with this album I think they have gone above and beyond. The only non-Indian member of the band is vocalist Eric Emery who sort of defines the sound somewhat, just like Mike Lessard does in The Contortionist. In fact, I think those bands are very alike.

After the short instrumental track Signal, the first track proper is Dim. A totally vocal-driven piece with a nice groove and vibe. Out Of Time has a very busy groove, there are some killer riffs and short instrumental bursts all over this track. Synthetic Hands has a short quiet beginning before the pace picks up with a very busy drum groove, matched with a choppy riff. The middle is super heavy and djenty. They do seem to have moved maybe too much away from the heaviness. The songs have become too reliant on the vocals, and the main vocal melodies seem to blend into one. I’m not saying it’s bad, its not, I just would like more of the heaviness. When a track like Dissent blasts in, its like a kick in the nuts. The heaviness is so welcome and a refreshing change, it’s my favourite on the album. I hope the next record mixes it up with a little more crunch.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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