THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 4 of 477)

SOUTHGANG – Tainted Angel

April 7, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Butch Walker has become everyone’s go to for a producer and songwriter, but before that he was part of Marvelous 3, and was the guitarist in SouthGang. This is their first album released in ’91.

I read somewhere that they were the last great hair metal band. Now, that’s a bold claim. We all know now that that wasn’t the case. But, I think I get where the person who wrote that was coming from, in relation to all the anti melody bands around at the time. Love Ain’t Enough would certainly give Bon Jovi a run for their money in the emotional power ballad stakes, and the majority of the rest album would stand side by side with any other band of the time.

There are little hints of their southern rock roots throughout the album (She’s Danger City/ Seven Hills Saloon) which is where the band are from, but overall this is a kick ass rock n’ roll record. There was a video for the title track which MTV played a lot but Boys Nite Out is my favourite tune. It leads the album off with a great uptempo groover, and that’s how you start a record.

Really good record that’s worthy of your attention.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BOYS VOICE – S/T

April 7, 2025 / / 2 Comments

Sometimes you have to wonder how a band came up with their name. I mean Boys Voice isn’t the most rockin’ of names to go with for a hard rock band. I think of a church boys choir when I see it, just like the record company obviously did, as that’s what they went with for the cover. They must of done quite well in Germany because I think there were two more albums after this.

Now, the thing is, this is a really good album. It has a killer production which makes it sound huge, and if you saw this on a rack in a record store you may have just flicked past it. The guitar sound is awesome and the songs just get stuck in your head. I bought this because of the song Munich Nightlife, and I’m pleased that I took the gamble.

Vocalist, Mani Gruber reminds me of Klaus Meine of the Scorpions at times, but it’s guitarist Peter Diezel that grabs my attention. He’s a superb player and his tone is huge which makes the songs really groove. My fave tune is Chain Reaction, great riff and huge guitar sound that really hits the spot.

If you see this in a store while digging, take it home and you will not be disappointed.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

JULLIET – S/T

April 7, 2025 / / 2 Comments

Another album release by a band that seems to mean more now than when it was released. An original copy goes for silly money now, but it was bargain bin folder back in the day. It actually sold over 300,000 copies across all formats.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that this was some AOR band by looking at the cover with the airbrushed pretty boy soft focus picture. Hell, the album was produced by Survivor’s Frankie Sullivan who also co-wrote four songs. Plus, he even roped in Survivor band mate Jim Peterik for one song. It isn’t AOR, instead it is a great melodic rock album packed with memorable songs.

There are a couple of ballads, as you would expect, but it’s the rockers that really grab your attention. The raspy vocal delivery of Kenny McGhee really drives the songs along and gives them that unique sound. If you crossed Cinderella with Cheap Trick that may give you some idea of the sounds that these guys make. So many great songs: Eight Lives Gone, Stay The Night, Help(Is On The Way), Little Bit Of Party, and my favourite Revvin’ Me Up which is a great feel good party song that just puts a big smile on your face.

Definitely a shoulda, coulda, woulda!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

AIDEAN – Promises

April 3, 2025 / / 0 Comments

I know next to nothing about these guys other than that I think they were from Germany. This album was released in ’88 and it was the only one they ever released. It is a very clean and polished mid-eighties AOR with an eye on the radio.

It’s all very competent stuff that is played well, but there isn’t any one great track that is memorable. The last track on Side 2  is one of the most bizarre tracks I have ever heard on a record. Basically, it’s an advert for this album, with a medley of all the songs you have heard already, interspersed with varying pieces of weirdness to promote the record. It seems a bit late to include that track, after you’ve already bought the album.

Do I have a fave track? Well, not really. But I guess the title track is as good as this album gets. If you are an AOR anorak then this might wet your whistle, but for me it’s…

6/10 from The Grooveman.

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