THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl of the day (Page 40 of 449)

DEF LEPPARD – Pyromania

May 20, 2024 /

Def Leppard obviously need no introduction as every man and his dog have heard this album, it was one of the biggest rock albums of the 80’s. Depending on what you believe or what you read, it was also the album where they became Mutt Lange’s studio playthings. Gone were the raw rockin’ Brit boys from Sheffield, they were transformed into this slick rock n’ roll machine. I think every song has Mutt as a co-writer and every song has radio stamped all over it. Mission accomplished, as far as the label were concerned, everyone made pots of cash.

So many great songs on one album, most bands would have been happy with just one. However, I am going for the one as my favourite that you don’t hear that often and that’s Stagefright. It’s the one where they still sound like Def Leppard with those big sounding guitars front and centre.

Of course, it’s a classic album and deserving of a…

10/10 from The Grooveman.

URIAH HEEP – Firefly

May 18, 2024 /

Uriah Heep are a great band and one that I have loved since my teen years, and after all they have been through I am amazed they are still around. Of course, the only member still around from the glory days is Sir Michael Of Box, but we are going back to ’77 for this one. This was also the first album without original vocalist Dave Byron, who (at the time) was godlike to me as his voice was just a thing of beauty. John Lawton, his replacement on this album, puts in a sterling job as the band tried to keep the old sound musically to not rock the fanbase too much.

This album is very reliant on Ken Hensley  for songwriting as all but one were penned by him. Strangely enough, the one he didn’t have a hand is the one I like the most: Who Needs Me. Written by Lee Kerslake, it’s a good old Heep rockin’ romp with plenty of melody and harmony, and Mr. Box giving it the beans. The other track that floats my boat is The Hanging Tree which is John Lawton’s finest moment on this record with quite a commercial sounding track, which is essentially a boogie wrapped up in Hensley’s synth.

All hail the Heep and long may they ride.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

WITNESS – S/T

May 13, 2024 /

These guys are a bit of an oddity. They were signed by Arista under their original name of Native, but soon after signing they changed their name to Witness. Damon Johnson of Black Star Riders was the guitar player in the band, he doesn’t play a note on the album neither does his guitar partner Eddie Usher. In fact, a lot of the US melodic rock royalty played and wrote a lot of the album. Neal Schon, Brad Gillis  to name but two. Obviously the label loved the voice of vocalist Debbie Davis and wanted to launch the band big time. Unfortunately, the band split after the release of the album but they left behind one of the great unheard melodic rock releases of the period.

Rammed full of radio friendly tunes I would recommend this banger to any lovers of melodic rock/AOR. Many great tunes to choose from here but my two favourites are firstly opener Show Me What You Got which is one hell of a way to open an album, it has a big riff, killer groove, and a hook and chorus to die for. Second, Am I Wrong with another great riff and superb melody.

It’s fun to play spot the guitarist and who plays on what. Back To You could have been on any Journey album and Neal Schon’s guitar style is unmistakable.  Great album. Go check it out.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

VICTORY – You Bought It You Name It

May 13, 2024 /

Victory should have been a lot bigger than they were. I know they came at the tail end of of the classic period, in fact this album came out in ’92, but they had all the elements to take it further.

This album is a total banger. I mean, what better opening do you need than Rebel Ready? It has a razor sharp riff that rips from the speakers, a pounding double kick groove that you feel in the chest, and a killer hook and chorus – what more do you want! A great tune! Rock-O-Matic follows with a heavy Extreme vibe and a funk overtone. Very cool tune! As Time Goes Passing By follows and basically it’s the blues given the heavy treatment with HUGE sounding guitars. Big shout out here to vocalist Fernando Garcia who really can belt out a tune. Under The Sun blows on in with an industrial sounding drum and a riff that prime period Anthrax would be proud with an epic groove. Man On The Run closes out Side 1 and it’s balls time. How to kill the mood or what!

Normal service is resumed with Side 2 opener Shotgun Wedding, a straight up four to the floor rocker. No Way Tonight follows and we are in AC/DC sing a long territory. God Of Sound is all about the vocal and that huge hook and chorus. Cool tune! Love Is Tuff is driven along with a one note pounding bass line and a very commercial sounding vibe with matching massive hook and chorus (Extreme pop into my head again). The album closes out with Fool and yes, we are going out with a bang. This song is a superb up tempo monster with a ripping riff and a fitting end to a great record. A killer production from Tommy Newton adds to the quality tunes.

Why the ballad?

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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