THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl of the day (Page 16 of 475)

KEEL – The Streets Of Rock N Roll

January 12, 2025 /

As it stands at the minute, this is the last album Keel made and released back in 2010. Although, this is a Night Of The Vinyl Dead reissue from 2021.

Apart from bassist Geno Arce, it’s all OG Keel members here including Marc Ferrari and Bryan Jay with that twin guitar attack. Playing this now, it’s over 40 years since the debut Keel album and boy do I feel old.

So, is this just another rendition of Frontiers digging up bands from the rock n’ roll graveyard release or is it a bonafide full on Keel record? Well, I’m glad to say it’s the latter as this baby is chock full of Keel signature rock n’ roll anthems. It’s as though the clock stopped in ’85 and the past 40 years never happened.

Streets of Rock ‘N Roll, Hit The Ground Running, Push & Pull, No More Lonely Nights, The Devil May Care, Looking For A Good Time, Bothers In Blood, and my personal fave Come Hell Or High Water are all seriously great tracks.

Well done Keel for delivering the goods.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GLENN HUGHES – Feel

January 12, 2025 /

Now, we are going back to ’95 for one of Glenn’s earlier solo releases. This is a 2017 Back In Black reissue and it sounds really nice and crisp.

This record starts with an absolute belter, and one of the best tracks that Glenn has ever laid to wax. Big Time is very reminiscent of that funky rock groove that Pat Thrall and Glenn did on their very short lived project. In fact, Pat is on guitar here. Killer groove and Glenn is really belting out the vocals. If you’ve never heard this before you will have it on constant repeat.

I do have a love for funk when it’s added to the rock environment, and this album hits all the spots for me. Livin’ For The Minute is just dirty, funky, and groovy with Bruce Gowdy riffing it up on guitar. Glenn goes full RnB and Soul as well on tracks like Does It Mean That Much To You, Save Me Tonight, and Redline. They are very slick tracks, but it’s the dirty grooves that get my attention. Push with Pat Thrall and Talkin’ To Messiah are pure 70’s funk joy and the prince of groove has definitely sprinkled his magic all over these two.

This is a good album but not a great one because there are a tad too many slower tracks.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

IMPELLITTERI – War Machine

January 12, 2025 /

Now, here is a band that have consistently put out albums since they released their first EP back in ’87. Here we are, nearly 40 years later with album 19, which includes two best of’s. You know what you are gonna get here as they never stray too far from the path: high octane heavy metal with ripping solos, great melodies, and memorable hooks.

Joining Mr. Impellitteri this time is powerhouse vocalist Rob Rock, James Pulli on bass, and ex Slayer skins man Paul Bostaph. I have quite a few albums by these guys, I’m a huge fan of their music and this one is up there for me. Killer tunes with some great over the top riffage and pounding grooves. No overblown songs here as the longest track is 4:27, just straight to the point.

Of course, Chris is not only a monster riff lord but his leads are blinding and it’s nice to hear him ripping it up. Tough to pick a favourite track as this is top notch material we have here, but I’m going with Superkingdom. Very cool riff and Rob’s giving it the beans with that oh so cool voice. Really, I could have picked any of the tunes because this album is killer.

If you’re a fan you will have this anyway, but if you’re new to the party, then dive in. I guarantee you will love this. 

ALIEN – Shiftin Gear

January 12, 2025 /

The success of bands like Journey and Toto inspired a whole bunch of muso’s to take up the AOR cause and run with it. Sweden had a scene all of its own where bands like Alien popped up. The band have actually released five albums with a sixth one ready to go as I write this.

They have had a very fluid line up with the only ever present member being guitarist, Tony Berg. This is album number two and it sees vocalist, Pete Sandburg take over from Jim Jidhed who would return to the fold further down the road.

Very slick and very radio friendly, this album came out 1990 just as the times were a changin’. Even though the US and UK gave up on this type of rock as it went underground, the Scandinavian countries and Germany kept the flag flying.

As you would expect, there are a few ballads but the uptempo tracks are way more prevalent and worthy of your attention. Hold On Move On, Give It Up, Turn On The Radio, and Neon Nights are great songs and Hold On Move On just edges it in the favourite track olympics.  

Cool record!

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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