THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 247 of 491)

SUNBOMB – Evil And Devine

October 25, 2022 /

Another Frontiers created band that don’t really exist other than a studio project. This time they have brought together Michael Sweet from Stryper, and Tracii Guns from LA Guns. This is quite a heavy album and Tracii has written some killer riffs that range from speed metal, to very heavy old school Sabbath style tracks – like Take Me Away, which you’d swear was recorded in their Sabbaths prime years. Sweet’s vocals are awesome – he is really belting it out here.

This a very heavy album that neither of these two have done before. Tracii’s guitar work is a revelation throughout the album with epic riffage and ripping solos. My favourite track would be the title track, Evil And Devine. It has a killer riff and groove, and Sweet is really going for it. The production is awesome and Tracii gets bonus points for that. It would be cool if they would play this Live, but I can’t see that happening.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

THE BLACK KEYS – Let’s Rock

October 24, 2022 /

I’m not usually a fan of lo-fi music, but these guys seem to give me that itch I need to scratch. This album came out in 2019 after a five year gap. Again, it’s just the duo of Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney. The album contains 12 songs, nothing longer than 3.57 – that’s short and snappy and to the point.

I’m a huge fan of the blues, and this album is a groovy blues delight and is a superb record – plus I think it’s the best they have done. Quite a liberal use of the fuzz box – as you would expect – and it’s no coincidence that every man and his dog have done the same since the band became successful. It’s really tough to pick a favourite track as they are all quite different. I love the change in vibe from song to song, but if I’m pushed it would have to be Fire Walk With Me as I love the swing and groove, plus the Roy Orbison style vocals are just epic. A really cool band that make great records.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

MARSEILLE – s/t

October 24, 2022 /

If you are from the UK, you may remember a kid’s TV show called Art Attack with presenter Neil Buchanan. Well, before TV stardom Neil was a member of hard rock combo, Marseille. The band formed back in ’76 and were part of the NWOBHM scene. They were the first band from that explosion to release an album in the US, and that is what we have before us today.

I saw them support UFO around this time and they weren’t a bad band Live. The album opens up with Rock You Tonight – an up-tempo boogie with a certain Kinks riff I’m sure you’ve heard before. Armed And Ready has a slower groove and has a very UFO vibe about it. Over And Over follows and is more commercial with a very poppy hook and chorus, and doing a fine Def Leppard before Def Leppard did. Lady Of The Night closes out Side 1 and is one of the best tracks on the album. Again, taking cues from UFO, this is a very big arrangement and not as immediate as the rest of the album, but a great tune nonetheless.

Side 2 kicks in with Walking Through The Night and it’s back to the boogie – a great tune with a nice riff and infectious hook. Kites is the only track not written by the band and it’s not great. It sounds like a different band. You’re A Woman sounds like an LA sleaze band way before that was a thing, but has a cool riff and hook. Don’t Wanna Hurt You is next and it’s a ballad – meh! We end on a somewhat high note with Some Like It Hot. Definitely my favourite track. A great riff and groove. Did Leppard steal the the vibe and riff?

This album lacks a decent production and producer. Things could have been a whole lot different for these guys.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

MASTODON – Blood Mountain

September 24, 2022 /

This is the band’s third album, and was released in 2006. It’s cool to see how far they have come in those 16 years. It’s a concept album based around getting lost on a mountain and the experiences one would have. I’m sure some chemicals must have been imbibed at some point, as I’m sure my imagination would not conjure up themes as this.

The first two tracks, The Wolf Is Loose, and Crystal Skull, are quite heavy and speedy with some great riffs and hooks. Sleeping Giant is more of the direction the band are in today – a great change of pace and vibe. Capillarian Crest was released as a single, and is a very busy tune with so much going on riff and groove wise. They were nominated for a Grammy for the track, Colony Of Birchmen. That would have been cool if they had won. My favourite track on the record is Hunters Of The Sky. I love the proggy intro before the chaos begins. There is so much happening in this tune it’s incredible.

I love the whole production by the band and Matt Bayles – it’s a killer sounding album. Mastodon are a one-off that keep on making killer records that progress from one to the next, and long may they do so.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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