THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 250 of 491)

KINO – Radio Voltaire

September 20, 2022 /

There seem to be a million project bands within the prog genre, and I guess Kino are one of them. Comprising of John Mitchell (Lonely Robot) on vocals and guitar, Pete Trewavas (Marillion) on bass, John Beck (It Bites) keyboards, and Craig Blundell (Frost) on the drums. This is their second proper album, released in 2018.

Radio Voltaire opens up the album and it’s a great piece of modern Prog with Mitchell’s distinctive voice driving the song with lots highs and lows. The Dead Club has a great heavy riff that reminds me a tad of Porcupine Tree, but there is a lot more going on musically. Idlewild slows the groove right down and Mitchell’s voice comes over as a more melodic Peter Gabriel, at least on this track and his solo is just wonderful. I Don’t Know Why is one of three songs that Trewevas has written on the album. The song has a very late 70’s feel to it, with great vocal harmonies. The best song on the album is I Won’t Break So Easily Anymore. It harks back to Prog epics of the past. A superb song with some killer playing from all involved. Temple Tudor has a medieval vibe with a great Mitchell vocal. Out Of Time is a runner up for my favourite track on the album, as I love the main riff and groove to the song. Grey Shapes On Concrete Fields, apart from the vocal, reminds me of Genesis. Keep The Faith I would describe as a prog anthemic ballad, with a really cool melodic solo. Save the epic to the last with The Silent Fighter Pilot, a huge song that just builds and builds; a very dramatic piece. I would call this a classic mode prog record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

SKYHARBOR – Sunshine Dust

September 19, 2022 /

This is India’s finest exponents of tech metal’s third album, released back in 2018. Melody has always been high on the things they excel at, but with this album I think they have gone above and beyond. The only non-Indian member of the band is vocalist Eric Emery who sort of defines the sound somewhat, just like Mike Lessard does in The Contortionist. In fact, I think those bands are very alike.

After the short instrumental track Signal, the first track proper is Dim. A totally vocal-driven piece with a nice groove and vibe. Out Of Time has a very busy groove, there are some killer riffs and short instrumental bursts all over this track. Synthetic Hands has a short quiet beginning before the pace picks up with a very busy drum groove, matched with a choppy riff. The middle is super heavy and djenty. They do seem to have moved maybe too much away from the heaviness. The songs have become too reliant on the vocals, and the main vocal melodies seem to blend into one. I’m not saying it’s bad, its not, I just would like more of the heaviness. When a track like Dissent blasts in, its like a kick in the nuts. The heaviness is so welcome and a refreshing change, it’s my favourite on the album. I hope the next record mixes it up with a little more crunch.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

ROBIN TROWER – Twice Removed From Yesterday

September 19, 2022 /

This is Robin’s first album, released in ’73 after leaving Procul Harem to go solo. These early Trower albums are pure gold. Great heavy sound and tone to his playing but with real soul and feel, and Jimmy Dewar’s vocals just can’t be beaten. Quite unfairly tagged with being a Hendrix copyist, if the hacks who wrote those comments had paid a little attention to the music that was being played they would have heard that was not the case. Sure, Hendrix was an influence as he was to many, but that was it.

Right from the opening notes of I Can’t Wait Much Longer you know that you are hearing a genius play. Superb groovy tune with a killer vibe. Daydream is my favourite track and is a real slow tune, but the hairs still come up on my arm when hearing this after all these years. Just superb playing! Hannah follows and is another slow paced track, at least at the start, then a killer funky vibe takes over. The guitar sounds so heavy and yet very melodic. Side 1 closes out with the soul/funk of Man Of The World; a short groovy piece.

I Can’t Stand It opens up Side 2 and I love the riff, and Jimmy is singing with a spoken style. You can tell Robin is still finding his feet as a solo artist as he holds back on the solos on this album. The good old standard Rock Me Baby is next up and this version has a dirty swing to the groove with plenty of guitar. The title track is up next and this is the one track I don’t quite connect with. Sinners Song follows and the initial picked riff is quite simple. The groove is quite funky and I really love the middle section. The album closes out with Ballerina and it’s just Robin and Jimmy with the most beautiful delicate piece.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

ROYAL HUNT – Paper Blood

September 17, 2022 /

This is Royal Hunt’s ninth studio album, released back in 2005. They have released seventeen studio albums overall: six live albums and various compilations and singles, but yet they remain virtually unknown out of mainland Europe. North America doesn’t seem to care and that to me is insanity. I would think their brand of prog/power metal would be lapped up, especially with the success of Trans Siberian Orchestra. The band was formed in ’89 by keyboardist and main man Andre Anderson, but is was three years later in ’92 that they released their debut album Land Of Broken Hearts.

Break Your Chains kicks things off with the sound of an orchestra tuning up before the epic keyboard intro bursts into a monster of an opening with pounding drums, searing vocals, and harmonies with maximum riffage on guitar. Phew!!! Not My Kind follows with a nod to Yes with the initial harmonies, then the heavy riff takes over with some epic soloing. Memory is instrumental number one with keyboards taking the main focus. Loving the Hammond at the intro to Never Give Up then the double kicks take over. Superb vocals and harmonies! A very different groove to Seven Days. Slowing the pace down somewhat, a very welcome change in pace. SK 983 is instrumental number two, and the pedal is fast down for this one. Kiss Of Faith is a hands-in-the-air anthemic beast. Paper Blood is next, and it has THAT riff. At least it’s in what context they use it that matters, and the main hook and melody are really cool. Seasons Change is the big power ballad on the album and the solo from Marcus Jidell is huge. Saving the best till last with close out track Twice Around The World. Huge fat riff, big keys, lots highs and lows, awesome solo, and incredible vocals. Superb ending to a great record. Half a point lost for that riff though.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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