THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 167 of 491)

IMPELITTERI – Crunch

June 22, 2023 /

One things for sure, Chris Impelitteri has kept himself busy since releasing his first EP back in ’87. This is album number ten out of the eighteen he has released so far. This is one of his best, although what has happened to the track Freakshow? On the CD release of this and Screaming Symphony, track 4 is Freakshow and it is one of the best melodic metal tracks ever recorded, but it is missing from both of the vinyl reissues. WHY?

There is not a bad second on this release. Every track squeezes every inch of metal from the grooves with riffs and solos flying in all directions. Having a killer band who are at the top of their game helps as well. Trying to pick a favourite is a tough one here, but I will go for Slay The Dragon. Insane riffing, killer groove and rhythm, and Rob Rock’s vocals are awesome. It doesn’t get better than this kiddies!

There are not many bands doing metal with melody like this anymore ,and this is pure joy to listen to.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

SHOTGUN MESSIAH – s/t

June 22, 2023 /

This is technically this Swedish band’s first album, released back in ’89. Although, a different version of this album was recorded under the name Kingpin instead of Shotgun Messiah and released a year earlier in Sweden. The opening track Welcome To Bop City was a hit in Sweden. For the album however, it was just called Bop City and is a full on sleaze/glam rock anthem.

The best track on the album is Don’t Care About Nothin’. A kick ass uptempo rocker with a great riff, and a hook and chorus that are so infectious. Add to that a monster solo and it’s winner winner chicken dinner. That’s not to say the rest of the album is bad, no anything but. In fact, I would say this is one of the forgotten gems of the late eighties glam rock scene.

Shout It Out for instance, reminds you of Lick It Up era Kiss complete with a killer guitar player by the name of Harry K Kody, who can really play. The last track on Side 1 is an instrumental showcasing Mr. Kody’s talents to the full and it’s a joint favourite tune. There are plenty of the anthem style stompers as well to keep the glam crowd happy, with Dirty Talk being a brine example.

If you love the glam side of things then you can’t go wrong.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

PINNICK GALES PRIDGEN – s/t

June 21, 2023 /

More often than not, these side project albums can be a bit hit and miss as the tunes don’t live up to the hype. Now, I’m a huge fan of KingsX. The first five albums are all pure gold, I love Eric Gales’ playing, and I have only heard of Thomas Pridgen through his work with Mars Volta, so to say I was I was intrigued by this get together would be an understatement.

Opening track Collateral Damage has a sort of fusion groove going down, which is cool but it’s when the blues/funk vibes kick in that this album really comes into its own. Angels And Aliens is super cool with a great groove and solo. Hang On Big Brother is superb and really floats my boat. Killer groove and main riff plus Eric lets those fingers fly. Hate Crime is a close run for favourite track as the groove and feel are epic, plus it sounds so deep and heavy. This is what I was hoping the whole album to be like.

Lascivious sounds like a song that Hendrix would write if he was around today. Been So High is the big blues workout with Eric showing that he is the most underrated player around today. Killer stuff! The Greatest Love sounds freakin’ incredible. That echo and stereo split on the guitar is outstanding and is my favourite by a mile.

When these guys are on, boy do they cook!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

PRETTY BOY FLOYD – Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz

June 21, 2023 /

Wam bam thank you glam! I think you’d agree this is as glam as it gets. This is Pretty Boy Flloyd’s debut release, which came out in ’89 and was their most successful, in terms of sales.

There is nothing here that is gonna change the world, all you get is every night is party night and that’s okay with me as sometimes music should be about having fun. The title track opens up the album and if you’re not singing along to this by the end your fun muscle needs a tune up. Seriously though, it’s a great song with a huge hook and chorus. A power pop glam mash up is next with the single Rock N’ Roll Is Gonna Set The Night On Fire. Again, good time party rock n’ roll.

It’s ballad time next with Wild Angels, and I guess if Poison can do it…! 48 Hours is back to the glam slam pop template, which I guess Kiss pioneered way back in the day. Toast Of The Town wraps up Side 1 and it’s more of the same, really simple riff and groove with the big sing along gang chorus with lots of “Hey Hey Hey’s” thrown in.

Side 2 is basically a carbon copy of Side 1. The best of which is Your Mama Won’t Know, a fun uptempo glam pop punk three minute blast.

When glam is good like this it’s fun, but there are too many wannabes who give the whole scene a bad rap. If you want nothing more than a fun record, then this is for you.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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