THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 137 of 491)

MAGNUM – Chase The Dragon

October 21, 2023 /

Released back in ’82, this was the band’s first charting album. I remember reading at the time there was a two year delay in releasing the record because of record company bullshit. It was worth the wait, as some of the band’s most endearing songs are on the album. The grandiose Soldier Of The Line and The Spirit. Magnum had gone full pomp at this point with their music taking references from Styx and Kansas, but with that British edge.

There is not a lot of difference between Magnum and Blackmore’s Night if you just listen to the main melody and subject matter of the songs. I was never much of a Magnum fan, as I was more of a straight up riff rock guy but occasionally they came out with a riff-based song like Walking The Straight Line; it’s my favourite on the album. The song has a great hook and melody and reminds me of early Foreigner.

Bob and Tony are now elder statesmen of the British rock scene and have been recording constantly over the years, if not directly in the limelight. I haven’t played this in a long while and it’s a fun listen.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

HEAVY PETTIN – s/t

October 20, 2023 /

This is the band’s self-titled album released back in ’83, it was produced by Brain May and Mack. Polydor sure put their money where their collective mouths were on this release. A lot of bands around this time complained about lack of support from their record companies, but Heavy Pettin could not say that. I think it’s obvious Polydor thought they had scored another Def Leppard.

I like this album as it still has that rawness and energy, as well as killer songs. In And Out Of Love opens up the album and if that song is not a statement of intent then I don’t know what it is. Killer hook and chorus and Hammie’s vocals are top drawer, if you’re not singing along with this you need to see a doctor. Love On The Run is as good as anything that Leppard were doing at the time. Love Times Love is a just a simple four four rock song, but the vocal drives this baby along. Great song! There are still hints of NWOBHM hanging around as Victims Of The Night is straight from the NWOBHM songbook. Those early Leppard comparisons are all on show with Shout It Out, even the guitar sound is the same. Great song though! In And Out Of Love is my favourite song, I mean how can it not be.

These guys should have been huge and they are right at the top of the page headed “What The Hell Happened?”.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

VOYAGER – Fearless In Love

October 19, 2023 /

I’m not sure when Australia were a part of Europe, but Voyager entered the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Promise” and finished ninth.

This is the band’s eighth album and is nothing like Promise. There is still tons of melody for the listener to enjoy, but be prepared for the drop tuned heavy riffs on tracks like Prince Of Fire. One of my favourite tracks I have heard this year is Ultraviolet. I think Rob from @vinyl_ragazzo mentioned this was like if Duran Duran had gone Prog. I can’t argue with that. It’s a super fun tune with killer guitar mixed with the complex rhythms and killer vocals. Epic tune!

In fact, Dreamer is even more poptastic. Superb electronic grooves to kick the tune into gear with killer low end guitar riffs and superb vocals. This band are so good at this type of song. It’s tough to pick a favourite tune but I’m going with Submarine. It’s a cool uptempo groover with some nice fat guitars, a driving beat, great keys, and a superb vocal. They are like a modern day It Bites.

Killer band and killer album!

10/10 from The Grooveman.

FM – Tough It Out

October 18, 2023 /

This is album number two for the UK’s leading  AOR maestro’s and we’re treading the same path as Bon Jovi. Though, they were more well known in the UK and Europe as they were headlining shows and selling out.

Fronted by the vocal talents of Steve Overland, there was a point after the release of this album when I thought they would be huge. They had it all really, the big melodies, huge songs, and a strong label behind them. Shoulda, coulda, woulda!

Tough It Out , Don’t Stop, Someday, and Can You Hear Me Calling are all songs that would have been perfect for American radio, and who knows why that never happened. This was ’89 and just before doomsday arrived, I guess the A&R for the band dropped the ball. This is an AOR fan’s wet dream.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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