THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 146 of 491)

AUDIOSLAVE – Out Of Exile

September 23, 2023 /

This is album number two for the alt/grunge supergroup and a band and sound that fitted the amazing vocal talents of Chris Cornell perfectly. The band by this time had honed their sound into a 70’s classic rock/grunge hybrid that was so unique. I think Tom Morello is a killer player, but sometimes he should dump the squeaks and squeals and put something with feeling into the song instead.

Be Yourself is a superb track and shows again, when you keep it simple it can be the most effective, and I love the vocal so much. The band have this great ability to flick the switch and the groove just flies, and I’m sure this is from the Lock Up days. Check out Drown Me Slowly, which veers from a most beautiful delicate tune into this heavy monster groove. This album is a lot more laid back than the debut, but when they do rock it up, like on Man Or Animal, it works more for me. However. my favourite track is Yesterday To Tomorrow. Yes, a more laid back groove but the vocal and melody are superb and Morello is playing for the song which sounds killer.

I do prefer the debut, but this is still a good album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

TRASH – Burning Rock

September 22, 2023 /

I don’t know a whole bunch about these guys, other than they were from Sweden and released two albums in the mid eighties, this is the second. I remember the first album being more true to the name and a bit of a disappointment. This release however shows a band that have played and toured together, honing their chops before hopping back into the studio.

The first track Boogie Woogie Man reminds me of AC/DC. Great tune with loud guitars and a basic four to the floor groove. The title track is some what different, with added keys and a slower groove, but that guitar sounds great. Rock Me…Rock You is back to that simple DC loud riffage and groove with added radio friendly sing a long hook and chorus. Side 1 close out tune is I Can’t Get The One (I Want). Again, big loud crunchy guitar but this time with a slower plodding beat.

Night After Night slips Side 2 into gear nicely with more of that DC repeating main chord and matching beat. Great tune! Bad Reputation is slower with a pounding groove, and I love the middle eight. Hot Legs Black Stockings is up next, and it’s my favourite tune. This time we are mixing the DC vibes with some LA glitz thrown in. You can’t fail to nod your head and groove when a song is as infectious as this. Yeah I know it’s not rocket science but remember, sometimes simple is good. Take My Flight is a slow blues with a really cool sounding, clean guitar. We close out the record with Rock N’ Roll Riot and it does exactly what it says, with some added punk attitude.

Definitely the best of the two albums, and a great fun listen.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

DREAM THEATER – A Change Of Seasons

September 22, 2023 /

This is technically not an album, it was an EP slotted in between the albums Awake and Falling Into Infinity, but the main and title track weighs in at over twenty three minutes. The rest of the piece is put together with cover tunes recorded at Ronnie Scott’s in London, a bit of a legendary show amongst DT die hards.

A Change Of Seasons is all that was great about DT at the time, a huge song split into seven different parts encompassing a varying of styles. A very personal piece for Mike Portnoy as it’s about the cycle of life and is a reference to the death of his mother. The date on the calendar on the sleeve that is circled is November 16th, the day she died. An absolute joy to listen to. The covers are from Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, and Kansas to name a few but the best of the bunch is a ripping version of Funeral For A Friend/ Love Lies Bleeding.

This is a great look back to a band approaching the height of their powers.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

HELLANBACH – The Big H: The Hellanbach Anthology

September 21, 2023 /

Now, I have already reviewed the only two albums the band had recorded that this anthology contains. It is of worth however, if you are struggling to find the original two albums and if you missed out on the band’s first EP Out In The Wild, which I think appeared on a label called Guardian and is also included here.

The Now Hear This record sounded raw, but the EP sounds like it was recorded in someone’s garage. The drum sound is awful, but you can’t deny the energy and power from the band as Davey Patton’s guitar and Jimmy Brash’s vocals sound great. I think Kev Charlton and Davey are still playing in bands around Newcastle, but it’s these songs here that remind you that with a little bit of luck they should have and could have been huge.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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