THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl of the day (Page 61 of 450)

FRANK MARINO & MAHOGANY RUSH – What’s Next

February 15, 2024 /

There are three studio albums (plus one live album) where Frank Marino was at the top of his game. Before your Satriani’s, Vai’s, and all the myriad of copy cats, Frank was nearly alone in the mid to late seventies making great guitar records. What’s Next was the first of those studio albums, it was released back in ’80 and it’s a bonafide classic.

Whether it’s trippy workouts like Finish Line, which was more in tune with older Mahogany Rush records, or full on blues workouts like Rock Me Baby and Roadhouse Blues, to full on rock assaults like Something’s Coming Our Way, Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame and Mona, Frank lays it down big time showing he is one of the most underrated players out there. My favourite track is Rock ‘N Roll Hall Of Fame. It features blistering playing that brings up goosebumps whenever I hear it.

I would have loved to have seen Frank on one of those G3 tours, he would have more than held his own. If any young kids are reading this and interested in guitar, listen to this album because you will be blown away.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

GENESIS – Nursery Cryme

February 14, 2024 /

Other than the Genesis live album, this was my entry point into the world of Genesis. The band should have changed their name when the lines became blurred. It was increasingly difficult to differentiate what was sounding like a Phil Collins solo album or a Genesis album.

If you want to know the definition of 70’s Prog, then look no further than Nursery Cryme. Three of the best old school Prog tracks are on this record: The Musical Box, The Fountain Of Salmacis, and my favourite The Return Of The Giant Hogweed.

Pete Gabriel was irreplaceable as a front man, major props to Phil Collins for taking over as they were huge shoes to fill. Over time, the Genesis “sound” disappeared.  However, this is a genre defining album and I am instantly transported back to my 13 year old self hearing it for the first time.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

TOY ROZ – S/T

February 10, 2024 /

I should have a category in my collection for “records I bought by just looking at the cove,” because this album is definitely one of those. It was released in ’88 and was (I believe) a private press by the band. I think they are from California, or at least they were there when this came out. But, this is just a six track EP of the glam rock variety.

The picture on the front of record of the band would say Bon Jovi, but in reality it’s more of a Poison or Tuff vibe going down. It’s okay and it’s not gonna change the world but it’s not gonna make them famous either. And, it didn’t. They split up not too long after the release.

My favourite tune is Crazy mainly due to the killer guitar sound and a great rhythm section. There are a million of these one and they’re gone rock albums and Toy Roz were just one of them.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

SAVATAGE – Sirens

February 10, 2024 /

This was the first album released by Florida’s finest Prog metallers. Although this version of the band was more straight ahead metal, a few of the west coast thrash bands cited them as an influence. It’s quite funny to look at the sleeve notes because instead of saying what instrument they play they gave themselves titles like Shrieks Of Terror, Metalaxe, Barbaric Canons, and The Bottom End.

This was a strong a metal release, and it holds up surprisingly well. The Oliva brothers are grasping the chance they were given with both hands. The production (especially for drums) is not that great. The snap is not there but the riffs and Chris Oliva’s playing is exceptional throughout. I’m going for Rage as my favourite tune because the riffs are  huge and the beat pounding lays it down hard.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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