THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 8 of 491)

ROBIN TROWER – Come Find Me

June 9, 2025 /

Releasing your 28th solo album just as you turn 80 is quite an impressive feat, and that does not include his many collaborations, live albums, or the Procul Harum records. This album is a master class in tone, feel, and playing what is required. To many modern guitar players, playing a squillion notes up and down the fretboard as an entry into the guitar olympics makes them a player, but it does not. Robin has always been about playing what is required with the maximum feel and groove, plus he has a tone to die for that has inspired a lot of his contemporaries. Steve Stevens and Paul Gilbert to name two.

This time, Robin has gone with Richard Watts on vocals, who has a lovely warm tone to his voice in the great Jimmy Dewar footprint. The only song that doesn’t feature Watts is Tangled Love, which features Jess Hayes instead, and this is my favourite song. A beautiful song with a great groove and a very soulful vibe.

I love this album and it’s been on repeat play since its arrival, I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve said it before, Robin is in a late career golden period and long may it continue.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

BARRACUDA – Memory

June 7, 2025 /

This album was originally released in ´89 and was called Open Fire with a completely different cover. Roll forward two years to ´91 and the cover was changed (as well as the title) to Memory, for this South Korea only vinyl release. I understand releasing name bands in South Korea for the presence of the US forces there, but to release an album by a band that had failed two years earlier is baffling to say the least.

It’s quite hard to find any info on these guys, but I will say it’s pretty straight forward hair metal of the period, with a three guitar attack nonetheless. Patrick Pulver has a fine set of pipes with a great range, but he does tend to sound flat at times. The band sound awesome they are just lacking that killer song to get them noticed, and maybe a decent producer would have helped. Ironically, the tempo tracks that stand out are the two songs the album was titled after namely Open Fire and Memory. Both are cool songs that have a nice melody and hook, and some over the top widdly fretboard gymnastics on the guitar.

It’s not a bad effort and is quite entertaining.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MALICE – In The Beginning

June 4, 2025 /

Old school metal anthem style, Malice are also the purveyors of a HUGE guitar sound, courtesy of master metal producer Michael Wagener. I think it’s safe to say that classic Judas Priest are a huge inspiration here.

This is the first full album by Malice that came out in ´85 after first appearing on the first Metal Massacre compilation. Atlantic Records signed them up immediately and it was obvious they had faith in the band, but they were dropped after the follow up album. I guess there was only room for one Judas Priest. Nevertheless, this is still a highly entertaining album, full to the brim with hands in the air anthems. My favourite song is opener Rockin’ With You because that huge sounding rhythm guitar just reels you in, and being a sucker for that type of song, it was an easy choice.

If you see this around whilst digging then pick it up, it’s a fun listen.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

GIANT – Stand And Deliver

June 1, 2025 /

Is this just Frontiers records using the Giant name to push just another one of their ”projects”? Well, they have brought Dan Huff in (who wrote and plays guitar on two of the tracks) so that makes it legit right? Well, let’s just look at the music first shall we.

The whole album is a very well written and played record that sounds really top drawer, and I understand why all the AOR anoraks are drooling over this one. Does it matter what name that sits atop of the thing? In Jimmy Westerlund they have a killer player who certainly has all the chops, so you don’t miss Danny boy too much. That is until you play Holdin On For Dear Life, where Mr. Huff sprinkles his magic onto the song and it instantly becomes my favourite track on the record. I mean, class is class right?

There are a couple of rockers on the album, but overall it’s a classy AOR romp that sounds great and as an album it’s very good. Maybe if they called it Sons Of Giant or Giantess people would accept it more. Anyhoo, I jest somewhat! If you like your rock all shiny and clean then this is for you.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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