THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 480 of 491)

ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK – Architecture & Morality

January 19, 2021 /

Back in the mists of time, 1981 to be precise, a 21 year old me would not give this the time of day – mainly due to the fact I was wrapped up in the whole NWOBHM scene and the burgeoning thrash metal scene from the States. These guys with frilly shirts and haircuts were so far off my radar, I let them pass me by.

This synth pop band from Liverpool first came to prominence through the singles Electricity and Enola Gay, and everyone thought one hit wonder and goodbye, but no! When this came out I remember the NME going nuts over it, as it was heralded as forerunner in electronic experimental music.

Having gotten older and my musical tastes have broadened over the years, I have come to appreciate albums like this a lot more. It’s not all experimental as it does have its pop moments, as the singles Souvenir and Joan of Arc demonstrate. Quite basic by today’s standards of electronic music, but it stands out as a time capsule of the period, and you can hear their influences in modern day electronic music.

6/10 from The Grooveman.

TED NUGENT – Nugent

January 19, 2021 /

For the purposes of this review, we will keep this about the music, no matter what you think about Ted’s political leanings. There is no doubt about it that 70’s NUGENT could sure rock with the best of them, hell Double Live Gonzo is a kick ass record. Hands up, I was a big fan of those 70’s albums.

This album was released in ’82 and there is a definite change in sound, it’s a lot more polished and clean sounding record. Derek St Holmes is still providing killer vocals on the tracks that Ted doesn’t sing on, and we are also joined by the great Carmine Appice on drums.

Unfortunately the songs are just not that good, it’s trying too hard to be an LA type of record – when Ted’s just not that guy! Even the cover sees Ted without trademark loincloth for a more polished image. No more wild man Ted! The only Nugent type rockers here are Good And Ready and the last track Tailgunner. Sure Ted can still play a decent lead guitar, it’s just that it can’t lift the album out of mid-table mediocrity.

5/10 from The Grooveman.

INXS – The Swing

January 18, 2021 /

Although this is the band’s 4th release, The Swing is the one that launched them into superstars due to the single Original Sin, with its funky/rock crossover appeal which they would exploit to the max with subsequent releases.

Other than playing at school in various bands, they started as the Farris Brothers as per John, Tim and Andrew and completed by Kirk Pengilly and Michael Hutchence as front man. Produced by Nile Rodgers, who gave every song that Chic groove appeal, as after opener Original Sin finishes the groove keeps on right the way through the whole record.

Dancing On The Jetty has an almost new romantic vibe to it interspersed again with Rodgers funk wisdom. The title track, The Swing, has an almost Stones like beginning – and that closes Side 1. Weird choice of song to open Side 2, Johnson’s Aeroplane, as its the weakest song on the album. Love Is What They Say is a very ordinary tune, which gives way to the very funky Face The Change. The album closes out with two very eighties sounding tracks, Burn For You, and All the Voices.

So not a bad record that was made a lot better by Nile Rodger’s production and who knew the monster that would come after this with Listen Like Thieves. Face The Change just scrapes fave song award.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

PAUL DRAPER – Spooky Action

January 18, 2021 /

Other than a single EP that came before, this is Paul Draper’s first album since the collapse of Mansun in 2003. I’m sure someone will write a book about the issues with that band resulting in some serious mental health issues for Paul, of which a lot of these songs seem to be about. 5 of the 11 tracks have been co-written with Catherine Anne Davies (The Anchoress). The compliment was reciprocated as Draper co-wrote her first album as the Anchoress, Confessions of a Romance Novelist. Anyhoo. There seems to be a lot of therapy to these songs as Draper seems to getting a lot of things of his chest.

Don’t Poke The Bear gets things going with an almost psychedelic vibe and a very high register vocal. The single Grey House follows, and into Things People Want which does remind me of Mansun. Who’s Wearing The Trousers has a nod back to the Britpop era which Draper came out of. Jealousy Is A Powerful Emotion and Friends Make The Worst Enemies have an almost progressive feel – in fact, Spooky Action was nominated for best album at the Prog music awards.

Side 3 is probably the best side as it contains the amazing Feeling My Heart Run Slow, and the very powerful showstopper, You Don’t Really Know Someone, Till You Fall Out With Them – with an incredible vocal from Draper.

Its very clear to see who had the ideas in Mansun, and it’s good to hear that voice again as Paul is too good a talent to be on the sidelines. There are no fluff lyrics here as each song is very personal all accompanied with some very diverse music. My own fave is Feeling My Heart Run Slow . A very enjoyable album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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