THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl of the day (Page 19 of 475)

HAWK – S/T

December 27, 2024 /

Yet another one and they’re done band from the Sunset Strip, who briefly caused a buzz but ultimately went the way of a lot of bands and just became a footnote in history. This is the brainchild of guitarist Doug Marks (who also had a Metal Method Guitar school, which ran in tandem with the band), he composed, arranged, and wrote all the lyrics.

Of note here is that Matt Sorum is the drummer on the album. However, there were plans to play live with Bulletboys Lonnie Vincent and Scott Travis of Racer X and now Judas Priest, but it all fell apart. Believe it or not, the band never played live.

The cover gives the impression that this is a glam band, but it’s more of an old school metal band with a Dio-esque vocalist (David Fefolt) and a wild over the top guitarist. Considering this is low budget and self financed, it’s not bad at all and holds up well. My favourite tune is Side 2 opener Battlezone, and going against tradition it’s more of a power ballad and quite an epic sounding tune.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BLACK SABBATH – Cross Purposes

December 27, 2024 /

I thought these Tony Martin fronted Sabbath albums would never get the reissue treatment. As with most non-Ozzy material, they seem to get forgotten and brushed aside. This is my favourite album with Martin on vocals. It first came out in ’94 with his second stint with the Sabs. Very reminiscent of RJD with his phrasing and tone but with a more melodic element as well.

Iommi is still the riff meister he always was and he comes out with some belters on this album. I Witness is about as good as it gets in the Iommi iconic riff category and one of my favourite tracks. The riff and groove to Psychophobia seems to be taking references from Seattle and Martin’s vocal with a hint of Roger Daltry in there.

Virtual Death is pure old school Iommi at his most evil sounding. There are even elements of groove here with Back To Eden. A great swing to the main groove and Iommi is riffing up a storm. That feel continues with The Hand That Rocks The Cradle. A slow build up to the funkiest groove that the Sabs have ever put to wax.

I know a lot of people passed on this version of Sabbath and are actually discovering these records for the first time. How lucky are they?

9/10 from The Grooveman.

TREAT – S/T

December 27, 2024 /

Here we have a record label cash-in album that was a compilation of the bests bits from ’86 and ’87 which was put out by the UK label. Treat were quite big in Scandi and had some success in Germany. but other than that they just scratched the surface in the US. I can’t remember them doing a whole bunch in the UK, so it was a bit bizarre that they put this out at all.

I actually love this band because they sure could write a catchy good time rock song and with most things Swedish, they did it a whole lot better. If you are remotely into melodic rock/AOR from the classic period, then you should definitely give this compilation a listen to.

Somebody at the record company did their homework on the band because you won’t get a better song to start the album with than The Winner. This is Treat at their most rockin’ with a killer riff and groove, and I guarantee you will be singing this one when you least expect it. Sole Survivor is slightly more AOR, but what a killer tune. Massive hook and chorus that would put Leppard to shame.

So many killer tunes here: Strike Without A Warning, Rev It Up… all great songs from an awesome band.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

POISON – Native Tongue

December 27, 2024 /

Album number four for the sleazy glam ones, only this time, they were not so glam or sleazy. With the hiring of Richie Kotzen they went for a bit more credibility with the songs. Even though this was released in ’93, which was grunge central, the album still went gold in the US. Richie Kotzen looms large all over this album, not only did he gain a new wife (oops) but he brought a sense of his trademark R’n’B blues sound to the music.

Hardcore poison fans hate this album and I can see why, but I really like it. Stay Alive, Body Talk, Bring It Home, Aint That The Truth, Strike Up The Band, and my favourite Bastard Son Of A Thousand Blues are all really great songs. If any of you want to know what a Richie Kotzen solo album sounds like with Brett Michaels on vocals, you should give this album a spin.

Cool record.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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