THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 11 of 491)

SWEETHARD – S/T

May 21, 2025 /

This is the only album by Sweethard. It was released back in ´85 but by ´86 they were dust in the wind. Sounding like a metal band but with an image more akin to a bargain basement glam band on their first visit to Sephora, it’s actually not a bad record. Maybe if they had gone with the denim and leather approach they would have fared a little better, or if they didn’t put Mary Beat Me Blue on the record.
Although musically it’s not too bad a track, it’s the lyrics that are cheese ball central.

Anyhoo, my favourite tune is Way Out Of Hell but with the chugga crunch of Goodbye in a close second. There were a million bands like this in the mid eighties and you had to have something a bit special to get noticed and unfortunately, it’s something Sweethard did not possess. It’s still a fun listen though.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

JET RED – S/T

May 19, 2025 /

Another band and album to be filed away in the “nearly but not quite” category.

This album came out in ´89 through Relativity in the US and they did near enough nothing to promote the band. Shame, as this is a hidden gem in the world of melodic rock and AOR.

When the first track Bad As Heaven kicks in, it’s those Van Halen references that blow me away. Killer riff with matching grove and the lead playing is top drawer. There are a couple of ballads which they do well, but it’s the up tempo babies that flick my switch. My favourite tune is album close out track From The Skies. Superb rock/funk groove and the vocal harmonies are awesome.

I know this was reissued on CD about ten years ago, but if you can pick up a vinyl copy then do it, you won’t be disappointed. Great melodic rock!

8/10 from The Grooveman.

HEAVEN – Bent

May 19, 2025 /

So, depending on where you are in the world, the title of this record is either Twilight Of Mischief or (what my copy is called) Bent.

It’s quite easy to write these guys off as mere AC/DC soundalikes because the the riffs and sound are very familiar, but Rose Tattoo are also in the mix as guitarist Mick Cocks was in both bands and that slide playing is instantly recognizable. What gives them their own identity however is vocalist Allan Fryer, who has more of a melodic hard rock tone to his voice, and when it comes to the hooks and chorus he gives the band its own identity.

There were two singles that were released from this album, Fantasy (which is my favourite tune) and In The Beginning. It’s a good old tap your toe rock n’ roll with no nonsense riffs and groove, and sometimes that’s all I need.

7.5/10

VICTORY – Hungry Hearts

May 14, 2025 /

This is Victory’s third album, released back in ´87, and after a couple of line up changes since their inception they now had ex-Accept guitarist Herman Frank and ex-Ted Nugent vocalist Charlie Huhn in the band. Although still sounding big and heavy, this record has a very commercial edge and a lot of these songs would have made great singles. The band’s other guitarist Tommy Newton, had a hand  in producing and mixing the record and would go on to make his name as a producer working with Helloween amongst others.

This is a fun record packed with quality tunes. One Track Mind, I’m A Survivor, Tough On Love, Hungry Hearts, and Look In The Mirror are all great tunes but it’s The Bigger They Are (The Harder They Fall) that is my favourite song. A great mid-tempo pounding groove with riff to match and a very infectious hook and chorus.

A very underrated band!

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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