THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

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TALISMAN – S/T

April 14, 2024 /

This is album number one from the mighty Talisman, released back in ’90. The band were put together by the super talented bassist, Marcel Jacob who is sadly no longer with us. The only ever present member (I think) is Jeff Scott Soto. It’s cool to hear how Jeff’s voice has changed throughout his career. He is singing in a much lower register now than he was when this came out. There again, he was just a puppy when this beauty was released.

I’m not sure if this was considered just to be a project originally, as there is just a photo of Marcel and Jeff in the insert. There have also been some great guitar players that have blessed the grooves of Talisman releases namely Frederick Akesson who is now with Opeth, Pontus Norgren who has played with Hammerfall, and Christopher Stahl who played on this one.

This band has been responsible for some of the finest melodic rock, released mostly when this type of music was about as welcome as a fart in a space suit. Honestly, there is a not a bad moment throughout this whole record and frankly it’s a blueprint for how to write killer rock songs with groove, killer playing, and huge hooks with infectious stick in your brain choruses. It’s tough to pick a favourite as I love all the songs on this album, but today I will pick Dangerous. It has everything I mentioned above and the solo is killer.

It’s great to see Jeff still releasing high quality material and long  may he do so.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

EVERGREY – A Heartless Portrait: The Orphean Testament

April 14, 2024 /

This is Evergrey’s latest release that came out May 2022. One of Sweden’s best exponents of melodic Prog metal. It’s interesting to see how their sound has changed since their inception. Now, there are a lot of deep low tones to their sound, but I guess that mirrors what’s the groove of choice at the moment. That doesn’t take away from their trademark soaring guitar passages and the epic vocal melodies.

It’s nice to see on Side 4 that the band have added two instrumentals: Save Us and Call Out The Dark. Two epic tunes with vocals but to hear them without adds a different dimension, and I do love a good instrumental. This band don’t make bad records and I think this is up there with their best. Soaring vocals, piercing melodies, and deep heavy grooves make for a happy me and this is still a constant player even after nearly two years.

It’s tough to pick a favourite but I will pick two: the heavy Bindfolded with a riff that weaves and winds it’s way though a technical onslaught of proggy goodness, and the pure melodic joy of Call Out The Dark where you can loose yourself in the beauty of the melody and searing solo.

Well done Evergrey, this is a superb record.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

KISS OF THE GYPSY – S/T

April 14, 2024 /

Another one and they’re done band, this time the band are from Fleetwood, UK. I’m not sure the reason of their demise, but I’m guessing the timing was a major factor as this type of rock was fading in the eyes of the media at this time. They do remind me of a harder Dan Reed Network as there are plenty of grooves to go with the rockin’ riffs.

I really like this record and if it was a different time I’m sure they would have broken through. Highlights? Well, there are a few. Blind For Love is my favourite on the record, killer groove and a great riff and the song  just swings along in all the right places. You will be groovin’ and singing along to this one all day. Easy Does It carries that vibe along with a more bluesy feel, but that groove will getcha. From The Dirt could have been on any Dan Reed record, killer riff with so much groove and what a fun tune.

A great album that I’m sure passed a lot of people by and would be a great addition to that ever expanding collection.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

UFO – Misdemeanor

April 14, 2024 /

The line up and album that no one remembers. It’s a weird one. Phil Mogg is the only ever present member on the album and I think it’s safe to say this is UFO’s AOR album. The keys are the dominant force here, giving it that AOR sound, although Atomik Tommy M does his best to give proceedings a much needed dose of rock, it’s a losing battle though as the production is very clean sounding.

The songs are all quite commercial with an eye on American radio diluting what made UFO so good. Occasionally they do shake their heads and deliver a somewhat rockin’ tune that befits their name and Meanstreets does its best with Tommy ripping it up on the guitar. Somewhat contradictory though, I go for Name Of Love as my favourite tune as they bring together the crunch with the radio friendly sounds to create a great track.

If you’re an AOR fan then you may get off big time on this album, but I like my UFO with, well more UFO if that makes sense.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

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