THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 272 of 491)

HOUSE OF LORDS – Saint Of The Lost Souls

July 9, 2022 /

So as far as I can make out, James Christian is the only original member left in the House of Lords’ current line up. Gregg Giuffria, who originally set up the band, left way back when and is now involved in Vegas. The band were done and dusted after the Demons Down album back in ’92, but were resurrected again by Christian in 2004.

This album was released back in 2017, and I think since the inclusion of Jimi Bell on guitar the band have put out some really good albums. The majority of this record is a classy and well written melodic rock/aor album with crystal clear production. They do let the beast loose on occasion; in the title track, the best track on the album, the tempo increases and so does the riffage. The other track that that really grabs me is album closer The Other Option, as the double kicks are groovin and Jimi Bell is riffing hard. It’s good to see classy melodic rock albums still being recorded as there is a fanbase that still wants them.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

VIXEN – s/t

July 8, 2022 /

You have to wonder sometimes how bands get signed. Now, I’m not knocking Vixen here but did they have any songs written by themselves before they were signed? Or was it just that they could play covers and looked good? There are a few versions of how the band came into being so I’m not sure on that one, all I can say is this album sounds good but it does sound like how sessions guys would sound if they did a rock by numbers album.

Now every song bar two have been written by outside writers and they are some of the best, namely Richard Marx, Jeff Paris, and Fee Waybill. I don’t care too much for the ballads, even though Cryin’ was huge and I do like the chorus. It’s the rockier tunes that float my boat though like Edge Of A Broken Heart, I Want You To Rock Me, and Cruisn’. The best track though is Hell Raisers as it’s the least corporate sounding and it has the most balls with a great vocal from Janet Gardner. All in all there is some great playing on this album and it’s a solid…

8/10 from The Grooveman.

NAZARETH – Malice In Wonderland

July 8, 2022 /

This is the only Nazareth album I own and that is purely down to the fact that ex-SAHB guitarist joined the band for the album before this. I was sure the reason he was asked to join the band was just to add balls, and beef up the band’s sound. Couldn’t have been more wrong of course, as he has a co-write on all but one of the songs, and three of them are sole Zal compositions.

Big Boy would first appear on the SAHBWA album, and was one of my favourite tracks on that album. Showdown At The Border has USA written all over it and has a big ear worm chorus. Hearts Grown Cold is a big power ballad, and I think it was released as a single. I always associate Nazareth with being a rough around the edges rock n’ roll band, but this is a very slick and well produced album with an eye on America. My favourite track is Talkin’ To One Of The Boys, as it has a very un-Nazareth vibe to it. A very quirky riff and groove with an almost new wave feel ,and some great guitar.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

DOWN – Nola

July 7, 2022 /

This is the band’s first album released in ’95. Style wise it’s very much a stoner rock album, hailing and promoting the use of the leaf. The band consists of members of Pantera – Anslemo, Corrosion of Conformity – Pepper Keenan, and Crowbar – Kirk Windstein and Todd Strange. The inspiration is obviously early Sabbath with the big riffs and grooves, and the emphasis is very much on those two things. Anselmo’s vocals are his usual angry and brutal self, but at this point he could still hit the screams, unlike now where is voice is pretty much destroyed.

There are some killer tunes on this beast of a record and Pillars Of Eternity is one of the best; massive riff and groove, and the fade out is epic. Hail The Leaf with the riff that is more Sabbath than Sabbath. Eyes Of The South will have you bouncing round your space with the catchiest of riffs and simple grooves. Losing All which is the best thing the band have done. It has a monster riff and vibe, with a huge slice of the South thrown in. I like and appreciate this album a lot more now than when it first came out. It definitely grows on you more as time goes on.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2026 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑