THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 104 of 491)

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.

GIRL – Wasted Youth

February 10, 2024 /

This was Girls’ second and last album, released back in ’81. After this, Phil Collen would go on to join Def Leppard and Phil Lewis would join LA Guns. I loved their first album, but when I first heard this I wasn’t too taken with it. I think that’s because the band were trying different styles and grooves, and in the UK in ’81 that was not the order of business.  

The album kicks off in fine style with Thru The Twilight, a great uptempo groover that carries on from the first record. Then you get Old Dogs which is essentially a rock-reggae tune. Then Ice In The Blood follows, which has more in common with Sly Stone than NWOBHM. There are also Faces-style tunes like Nice N’ Nasty which is a bit all over the place style-wise and not too focused, which may be its main problem. My favourite track is the already mentioned, Thru The Twilight.

It’s not a bad album and it’s an interesting listen all these years later.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2026 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑