THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 473 of 491)

CHEAP TRICK – Special One

February 4, 2021 /

Album Number 14 from the world’s best power-pop band, the first on their newly formed label Cheap Trick Unlimited, and their first studio album in six years.

Hand on heart here – it is not one of their best. Sure it has its moments, opening track Scent of a Woman is classic CT, but the next song Too Much seems like something they threw away years ago. The title track Special One is a straight Beatles lift. Pop Drone is ok, but it lacks that energy. Side 1 closer My Obsession feels like it was a reject from a Tom Petty album. See what I’m saying here??? It’s very disjointed to say the least.

Things don’t start much better over on Side 2. Words, is a really weak song until the chorus kicks in. Sorry Boy is slightly better as it does actually rock.Then we have, Best Friend, and that’s a weak song. If I Could, is quite interesting as it sees them exploring a funk groove to start before it goes down that Beatles rabbit hole. Low Life In High Heels is ok in a weird way – the vocals are very sparse to start and a very stripped down sound. Close out track Hummer is just so repetitive!!!

I expect way better from a band as good as this. Very disappointing.

4/10 the Grooveman.

SCORPIONS – In Trance

February 3, 2021 /

There are two Scorpions – with Uli, and after Uli. The one after is where Rudolf took total charge and found out how to make money and chased it all the way. I love Scorpions with Uli, as I thought they were a more balanced outfit and wrote some great songs with a more European feel – and with some killer guitar.

First track in, Dark Lady, actually has Uli doing lead vocals with some incendiary guitar playing. It’s no secret that Uli is a big Hendrix fan, he even lives with his ex girlfriend. Title track, In Trance, is next and shows what a great singer Klaus is. The epic ballad, Life’s Like A River, is next – again with some amazing Uli string bending. Straight up rocker, Top Of The Bill, follows – with a huge riff and even more Uli dive bombs at the end. Side 1 closes out with the album’s weakest song, Living And Dying.

Robot Man opens up Side 2 with major Uli, and an odd groove – it was a single I do believe. Another Roth peace is next with Evening Wind – the longest track on the album and the showpiece of the whole record…and surprise, surprise…even more ULI!!! Sun In My Hand is next, another Roth written tune again with him singing. This is my favourite of the whole album as it has killer guitar, which would point to the direction he would take when he would leave the Scorps and form Electric Sun. Longing For Fire, and Night Lights close out the album. Yes, with even more ULI!!!

Don’t forget this was recorded in 1975 and they were a totally different band, and still trying to figure out who they were. My only gripe about this album is the somewhat flat production by Dieter Dierks, as you can hardly hear the drums. Great album!

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BLACKFIELD – II

February 3, 2021 /

This is the second album of the collaboration between Steven Wilson and Israeli alt rocker, Aviv Geffen. This is my favourite of all the Blackfield albums, as this and the previous album both saw equal contributions from both. The albums after this, Wilson took more of a backseat and were basically Aviv albums. SW writes three of the songs and takes lead vocal on six. It’s very hard to pigeonhole this project as the songs that SW sings would not be out of place on any of his solo offerings. Avis’s songs have that definite edgy vibe, and he just takes the lead on one song , Miss U, and three of them they both sing together.

One of the more interesting pieces here is the song, Christenings, which was written for the Porcupine Tree album, Deadwing, in fact, Gavin and Richard both appear here. The whole album does feel like a laid back Porcupine Tree album, or songs that were left over from his solo stuff, as SW’s voice is so distinctive. That may be a reason why he took more of a back seat after this album.

Side 2 opener, Epidemic, is the only song that I would call a Blackfield tune, as it’s the only song that feels as though it has its own DNA. I suppose you can call this a pop album, it’s just minus the big chorus and sing along sections. In my opinion this is the weakest of Wilson’s projects, and I would not be surprised if he called it a day with this at some point. It looks as though I am being negative here, and I’m not, it’s just that when you have such amazing and outstanding pieces as SW does, something as mellow as this is just tends to get lost. It’s still a nice album to chill to.

7.5/10 from the Grooveman.

TRUST – Marche Ou Creve

February 2, 2021 /

If you are like me, and you became aware of these French rockers through their single, Antisocial, and a support slot with Iron Maiden – you will know what a great band they are! The Repression album was translated in English by non other than Jimmy Pursey of Sham 69. Fun fact #57, drummer Nicko McBrain would leave after this album to join Maiden as their drummist. This is the follow up to Repression, and this is the French version. The English version was called Savage. Even though I couldn’t tell you what the subject matter is, I enjoy this album to the max.

In opener, La Grande Illusion, it does make the 12 year old inside me laugh as I’m sure they sing Fart, Fart, Fart in the sing-a-long section. Anyhoo, don’t be distracted by that as it’s a great song with a cool riff! La Sauvage follows and that’s another hard rockin’ tune. Next up is Repression, with a killer groove and riff from guitarist Nono. La Junte is next, with some tasty guitar and spat vocal from Bernie, and a killer solo. Misere closes out Side 1 – probably the weakest song on the album.

Side 2 kicks in with Les Brutes, with it’s quite happy riff, and it is apparently about the Soviets crushing the Prague Spring in ’79. The title track is another killer tune with that driving beat and a great riff. Album closer, Ton Dernier Acte, starts off slow with spoken lyric, and a riff played quiet, and then builds – this is my favourite track from the album. Really love Nono’s playing, and this track highlights it perfectly – killer tune.

PLAY VERY LOUD!!! A quick mention to producer Tony Platt who has given the band a killer sound with a great mix. If you like hard rock the this is for you.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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