THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 277 of 491)

KROKUS – The Blitz

June 28, 2022 /

Whereas AC/ DC were your meat and potatoes hard rockers, Krokus were often referred to as AC/ DC with sprinkles. The band had hit on a formula that America really loved, and they stuck to it like glue.

There were two big singles from the album, namely opening track Midnite Maniac, which charted in the US, and a cover of Ballroom Blitz which charted in the UK. There is also a great cover of Brian Adams’ Boys Night Out which was left off of the original version of Reckless.

It’s the non-singles that get my attention the most. Out Of Control is a heads-down-no-nonsense-rock-n-roll-monster of a tune. Out To Lunch has a very Powerage era DC riff and hook. Rock The Nation has a very NWOBHM riff that you will have heard before I’m sure. Boys Night Out is the highlight for me, and it’s way better than Adam’s version – a great fun track.

Krokus were always a fun band live, and I think they are still going.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GUN – Taking On The World

June 27, 2022 /

I remember these guys seemingly appearing out of nowhere back in ’89, and being very surprised at how awesome this record was. The band were formed around the Gizzi brothers, Dante on bass, and Jools on guitar – with Mark Rankin on vocals. Who knew that five guys from Glasgow could make such a great melodic rock record?

The album opens up with the hit single, Better Days, and this is the one that got everyone’s attention – with a great riff and hook, and a sing-a-long chorus – simple really! The Feeling Within follows and is more laid back than the opener but still a great tune. Inside Out is a four to the floor groover with a great riff – this song really swings. Money is next up and has a very Van Halen feel to the riff with a slow stomp groove – I really like the solo. Side 1 closes out with Taking On The World, a slow track that builds into a big power ballad with a great middle section.

Side 2 opens up with Shame On You, which has echoes of U2 with the intro. The main hook reminds me of Brian Adams, but it’s a great song. Can’t Get Any Lower is my favourite tune as I love the different groove and almost funky riff and beat. Great track! Something To Believe In has a great swagger and bounce to the groove. Girls In Love follows, and that slight funk vibe returns with a slow stomp beat. I Will Be Waiting is the last track and the main lead off riff is very Aerosmith – it’s the poppiest track on the whole record. A very enjoyable album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

UFO – Mechanix

June 27, 2022 /

This is the band’s 11th studio album which was released back in ’82. It’s also the third one after the departure of Schenker, and it’s the one UFO diehards hate the most. Maybe it’s the use of keyboards? Or a cheesy cover of the rock n roll standard, Something Else? Or the distinct lack of hard rockin’ tunes?

There are only four tunes that give it the beans, and that’s opener The Writer (which is classic UFO), Side 2 opener We Belong Go The Night (which is the best song on the album with a great riff and groove), Side 1 closer Doing It All For You (which has a very Bad Company vibe with a really nice solo), and the final track, Dreaming. The rest is a bit lacklustre if I’m honest – even touching on country with Back Into My Life. The single, Let It Rain, is not a bad  tune – I think it charted at the time.

It’s not the best UFO album, but it’s not the worst either. A mid table effort.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND – Rock Drill

June 25, 2022 /

This the last SAHB album released back in ’78. Alex would return with the New Band, but it was over for SAHB after this release. The band would reform in the early toonies with Max Maxwell on vocals, and they released a live album and DVD called Zalvation with some reworking of old SAHB classics, which was killer but no new material appeared. Because of internal disputes and health issues, none of this album was ever played live.

Side 1 is The Rock Drill Suite split up into five parts and pieces. Of this, namely Dolphins is up there with the best material the band ever did. A superb riff and brooding groove with some of the best lyrics Harvey ever penned – “Where were you little man when I laid down the foundations of your universe” is one I really love. Rock & Rool is a straight up rocker with a great Zal riff. Who Murdered Sex, with its old school rock n roll riff and groove, is really cool. Water Beastie, which has a great reggae groove and repeats over, is a really odd piece. The single, Mrs Blackhouse, closes out the album, and ode to self appointed protector to the people, who had more things banned due to moral objections than any government ever did.

I always find this a sad ending to what was a great band, and I miss them greatly.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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