THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 276 of 491)

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – Era Vulgaris

June 30, 2022 /

Born out of the ashes of Kyuss (I love Welcome To Sky Valley), this is the band’s fifth release produced by Masters Of Reality’s Chris Goss; it does sound like a hybrid of Kyuss and Masters.

Turnin’ On The Screw opens up the album, and it’s an ok track but nothing special. Now Sick Sick Sick is a different beast altogether, a very simple repeating riff and groove that just gets in your brain. I’m Designer is a quirky offbeat oddity and Josh Homme’s vocals make the track. Into The Hollow has an old school blues vibe with an indie melody over the top. Misfit Love is fuzzed up weirdness and it seems to be going nowhere until the vocals kick in. Running Joke closes out Side 1 and it reminds me Chris Cornell in his darker moments. Battery Acid kicks off Side 2 with an almost punk riff and beat; it is an ok track. Make It Wit Chu follows, this could have been on any Masters album, and is a very groovy blues piece. 3’s & 7’s is all Nirvana strumming and again, if it wasn’t for the vocal it would be quite forgettable. Not a patch on Songs For The Deaf, it’s just an ok record.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GIUFFRIA – Silk & Steel

June 29, 2022 /

This the band’s second album, released in ’86. By the time they got around to recording this album, original guitarist Craig Goldy had jumped ship to join Dio, and he was replaced by Lanny Cordola. Of course by now Journey’s Escape was mega huge everywhere, and all the record companies were after their own version, and in David Glen Eisley they sure had a power house vocalist who could sing the ass off anything; especially the ballads.

Check out Love You Forever, this could have been on any Journey album. For some reason the format of putting all your best tracks on the first side is reversed for this album, as all the best tracks are on Side 2; which is quite apt as it is called Side Steel. Side 1 is overloaded with ballads and slower AOR style tunes, except for opener No Escape which rocks hard with a killer solo. Side 2 kicks in with Radio, and a fat riff opens things up instead of the usual keyboard intro. Lethal Lover is the standout track on the album, with some great guitar histrionics in the intro, as well as a huge hook and chorus. The very Def Leppard sounding Dirty Secrets closes out the album with a bang. There were demos made for a third album but they were dropped by MCA, and a lot of these demos would end up on the first House Of Lords album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

STEELY DAN – Can’t Buy A Thrill

June 29, 2022 /

This was their first album released way back in ’72, and since then I believe they have sold in excess of 40 million albums over all formats. I mean, you have to be doing something right with figures like that. The format is pretty simple; write what we want to write and get the best session guys around to record it.

They sort of hit the ground running with the singles Do It Again (which opens the album and was a smash) and the sublime Reeling In The Years, with its ear-worm hook and chorus, and a great solo from Elliot Randall. As would be their trademark in all later albums, this record is super slick, well written, and perfectly recorded. As well as the already mentioned Reeling In The Years, which is such a great a tune, my other favourite is Fire In The Hole with Donald’s great piano playing – and I love his word play in his lyrics. They just don’t make albums like this anymore and the seventies brought out some brilliantly recorded albums, of which all Steely Dan output from this period are in there.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

NIGHT RANGER – Somewhere In California

June 28, 2022 /

This album came out on CD originally in 2011, and this is its first time on vinyl as part of RSD 2022 – although I think it was available through the band’s website first. A great line up as well with the addition of Joel Hoekstra on guitar with Brad Gillis – is a killer partnership. This band don’t make bad records, and this album is up there with their best for me . A definite harder edge to the sound – but that’s fine with me.

Growin’ Up In California is a killer track to open up with – a monster hook and groove with some great duelling guitars. Lay It On Me has a ripping riff and groove and I guarantee you’ll be singing this one all day long. Bye Bye Baby is classic old school Night Ranger with a big melody and hook. Follow Your Heart has a huge intro with that Boston Hammond sound, and this could be my favourite Night Ranger song ever. This track has everything and I’m sure the kitchen sink is in there somewhere. Side 1 closes with Time Of Our Lives and it’s ballad time.

Fear not though, as No Time To Lose Ya kicks off with twin guitar heaven and this is a superb power pop groover. Live For Today feels slightly psychedelic and sixties-ish. It’s Not Over again has that power pop groove with a great feel good vibe. End Of The Day follows with a slow build up, and a great double guitar riff – the hook and melody will definitely grab you. Rock N Roll Tonite is all about the guitar, and why not?! It’s a great riff, and I love the hook and chorus. Last song, Say It With Love, is a real barnstormer and a great kick ass ending to a killer record.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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