THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl (Page 13 of 50)

RAINBOW – Down To Earth

March 18, 2021 /

This is the album where Blackmore ditched the dungeons and dragons and went for a more commercial pop sound. With the discovery of vocalist Graham Bonnet ( who was only known for singing in an Aussie band called The Marbles), the new version was ready to go. In Bonnet, Ritchie had found an incredible talent with a strong powerful voice that was perfect for this type of rock.

The opening track, All Night Long, is a great tune and was a hit single all over the world, and showed everyone Bonnet’s talents. If anyone was in any doubt that Blackmore had sold out, a more recognizable vibe was present with the next track Eyes Of The World, which sees a long solo piece to keep the faithful happy. No Time To Lose is next up and is a straight up rock n roller. Side closer, Makin Love, is ballad city with some nice classical guitar from Blacker’s at the intro.

Over to Side 2 we go and the best known track from the band’s history, Since You’ve Been Gone. Unless you have been on a different planet for the past 40 years, you cannot have missed this song – this was as commercial as Blackmore came. DIO could never have sung this. Love’s No Friend is next up, and is pure Deep Purple in vibe – I wonder if this was a left over riff?! Danger Zone has a cool choppy riff and a great vocal from Bonnet. That brings us to the album closer, Lost In Hollywood, a decent rockin’ tune.

Bonnet only lasted this one album before he was gone. He would later join MSG for the great Assault Attack album. Not a bad album and was a success sales wise.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GAMMA – 1

March 18, 2021 /

I assume everyone has heard of Montrose and how they were touted as America’s version of Led Zeppelin. Well, after they imploded in late ’76, Ronnie toured as a solo artist before teaming up with Scottish singer, Davey Pattinson, to form Gamma. In Pattinson, Ronnie had a vocalist in the similar vain as Sam the Sham Hagar, but with a more soulful tinge to his voice. So the hard rockin’ tunes were nailed down, but now they had the option of doing more laid back grooves as well. Add to the that, the embracing of the synthesizer as a lead instrument, and the opportunities were endless for the band. This album sees more of a reliance on the rock element – with synths added for effect, but subsequent albums, especially the 3rd album, the keys would be more upfront.

The album kicks off with the excellent Thunder And Lightning, a great fast paced rocker with a great vocal and killer guitar. I’m Alive is almost a synth pop tune before it became fashionable. Razor King is another killer tune with a great melody and an almost Scottish feel at times – and some superb playing from Ronnie. Close out track on Side 1 is another great pop song, No Tears, with a great vocal from Davey. Awesome tune!

Side 2 starts off with the spacey instrumental Solar Heat. This shows how to use a synth within a rock band to great effect – emphasizing both synth and guitar and showcasing both. A very atmospheric opening piece. Uptempo rocker, Ready For Action, follows and this is what the band were really good at- foot to the floor hard driving tunes. Wish I Was is a killer blues based tune that highlights both Ronnie’s playing and Davey’s vocal range and feel. The synth led, Fight To The Finish, closes out the album in fine style with its dark brooding vibe. Again, more killer guitar from Ronnie – how sadly missed he is.

The verdict is in – it’s another great album and has aged a lot better than others from this era. Remember this was released in ’79 and was ahead of its time with its style and sound.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

PERIPHERY – II This Time Its Personal

March 17, 2021 /

Ah, the difficult second album…that won’t be applicable gere. This album is monster huge and an absolute killer album. Call it Djent, Math Metal, Prog Metal -hell, you can even call it a jam sandwich if it’s this good. There is so much going on within the confines of one song, that it would give any normal metal band enough material for their entire careers.

The main difference between this and the first album is the introduction of new members Adam’ Nolly’ Getgood on bass, and Mark Holcomb on guitar. Also the production has gone up a notch. For a very nice change the vinyl has two extra tracks compared to the CD release. Spence’s vocals have also come on leaps and bounds on this release, he goes from beautiful cleans to the most gut wrenching growls in one note. Check out the track Have A Blast to emphasize this point, and Guthrie Govan lends an unreal solo to the tune.

I’m not going to do a track by track as the album is 10/10 material. I will just pick out the super epic moments. Facepalm Mute should be called Facepalm Melt – as that’s what it does – with an insane riff and unreal drumming from Matt Halpern. In the beast of an intro to Luck Is A Constant you ask yourself how the hell do they pull that off?! I ask myself quite a lot throughout this album. Also how the heck does Matt Halpern play that complicated stuff on a kit so tiny?! Ragnarock… I have no words. Make Total Destroy is just insane! There is so much happening and yet you can make it all out. Erased is just a beautiful piece and shows how great Spence is as a vocalist. Just to emphasize that they are fully paid up members of the djenty club, Mile Zero has it a plenty. The first bonus track, Far Out, is an awesome instrumental that is a guitar workout, and the second, The Hectic Anthem, is a great cover of a Slipknot tune.

I love this band, and I love this album so it’s a 10/10 from The Grooveman.

ACE FREHLEY – Frehley’s Comet

March 17, 2021 /

Ace is back and he told you so. Quite an apt lyric as this was Ace’s first attempt at going solo after his removal from Kiss. His battles with exotic substances have been well documented, especially by his former band mates who would use this as an excuse not to bring him back in to Kiss.

When you compare this album to what Kiss were doing at the same time – this holds up really well – and I would say it’s better. At least Ace is being honest with who writes the tunes – unlike his ex employers who would buy songs from outside writers and then put them down as Simmons/Stanley compositions. So the anthem that is Rock Soldiers get us underway, with it’s spoken lyrics by Ace – its very Kiss sounding. Breakout is next and is a great song and a nice track to follow on. The next song shows how weak Ace’s voice is, and it’s not that good of a tune if I’m honest – even though Ace plays a nice solo. Something Moved follows and is a better tune, and a typical hair rock track of the day – written and sang by Tod Howarth who would later join Dave Lee Roth’s band. Side closer, We Got Your Rock, is a typical 80’s stomper sing-a-long tune.

Over to side 2 we go and Love Me Right gets things underway with it’s semi funky riff and an Ace vocal. Calling To You starts off with a riff you have heard a million times before, and could have been any band of the time, but it’s an ok tune. Dolls is a quirky tune about Ace’s love of dolls. He doesn’t specify which type, but you get the drift. Stranger In A Strange Land is the penultimate track and is another typical stomper track. The final track is the instrumental, Fractured Too, not a bad tune – it just doesn’t do a whole lot and doesn’t go anywhere.

As I said earlier, it’s comparable with what Kiss were churning out, and in places it is really good. It sort of sums up Ace really.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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