THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl (Page 15 of 50)

THIN LIZZY – Chinatown

March 13, 2021 /

This is the often maligned and forgotten 10th studio album from one of the best rock bands of the era. This was also the introduction to the band of guitarist Snowy White, who was only previously known as a touring member of Pink Floyd – and seems an odd choice to join these hard livin’ rock n rollers. I can see why that fans don’t like this album. Other than the two singles, the material wasn’t that strong.

The first of the singles mentioned is the title track, with is unforgettable and brilliant opening riff. In my opinion, one of the best Lizzy tracks. It made fans pay attention and accept Snowy into the band. The other single was the hard drivin’ Killer On The Loose, which people bought because of the upholder-of-decent-moral- standards, Mary Whitehouse’s hatred of the song. Other than Genocide, all of the remaining songs seem to be rehashed ideas of previous Lizzy tunes and are frankly not that strong.

It’s well documented that Phil’s problems with his addiction to the demon heroin, and because of it the material was beginning to suffer. There were only 2 more Lizzy albums to follow after this before Phil’s death in ’86. I did see them on this tour, and they were still entertaining, Phil gave it is all.

The title track gets 10/10, and the album 6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GLENN HUGHES – Building The Machine

March 13, 2021 /

Released 20 years ago, this was The Voice Of Rock’s 9th solo release. The first 4 solo efforts nearly passed unnoticed as he was playing really small venues just to keep going. Of course, he is known by most people as being in the Mk111 and Mark1V line ups of Deep Purple. He was the best vocalist in the band, and yet he was not the lead vocalist as that honour went to Mr Coverdale. Well known for his like of all things funky and soulful, he was partly responsible for turning Purple in that direction – resulting in the departure of Richie Blackmore for the first time.

Anyway, let’s get down to reviewing this slab of wax. It starts with Can’t Stop The Flood and it sounds exactly like you would expect, a big funk rock tune to get your grooves firmly in place. Inside keeps things going in that funky direction before Out On Me arrives and takes us back to Glenn’s first outfit, Trapeze, with the feel and soul of the song. A cover of Rare Earth’s I Just Want To Celebrate is next, and as expected, is rocked up to go with the song’s funky grooves – plus a guest appearance on vocals and guitar from Pat Travers. Don’t Let It Slip Away is next and is downright dirty funk, and for me is the best track on the album. Great key changes and harmonies. Feels Like Home has the unenviable task of following after that and it is a really laid back tune, but with a great vocal from Glenn. The old Deep Purple song, High Ball Shooter, is next and is given the full funk treatment. When You Fall starts with a big fat riff from JJ Marsh and is a really good funk rock tune – with the usual over the top vocal from Mr Hughes. I Will Follow You closes out Side 3 and is ballad central. Beyond The Numb opens up Side 4 with its cinematic beginning and a killer Glenn vocal. It’s a really cool groovy tune. The album ends with Big Sky and is a quiet ending to a really rockin’ record.

I would say Glenn was at his vocal peak at this point and his voice is undeniably awesome. Also a big shout out to JJ Marsh whose lead and rhythm playing is top drawer.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MASTODON – Crack The Skye

March 12, 2021 /

For me, Mastodon are the one of the truly great bands that have emerged in the 21st century. This, along with two other of their releases, are top drawer classics. This was the band’s 4th full length release, and it’s the first to feature drummer Brain Dailor as their third lead vocalist. The sound also changed on this record to a more progressive sound. Again it’s a concept album, the subject being the element Aether, which is the soul and spirit of all things. For the keen eyed amongst you, you will also know they based albums on fire, water and earth. Air is still waiting for its turn.

Every track is a beast of a song and the creativity is off the charts. The opening song, Oblivion, is an absolute monster of a track to start an album with. Divinations follows and the quality continues. Track three, Quintessence, is one of the best tracks you will ever hear in this genre, it has so many twists and turns musically and lyrically – it has all the feels from me, the word epic does not do it justice. This side closes out with The Czar which is in four parts. A very Uriah Heep style organ intro before even more epic-ness ensues. Such a deep feeling track – a very emotive piece and yet still retains its heaviness in a subtle way.

Ghost of Karelia gets Side 2 underway and lots of tapping into consciousness vibes abound. Another deep track with an underlying heaviness. The title track follows, and is probably the heaviest sounding track, with lots of d-tuned goodness without losing the melody. Things come to an end all too quickly with the last track, The Last Baron – another huge beast of a song. This has to be Brent Hinds’ best vocal on any Mastodon album.

So many changes musically, from great riffage to delicate solo pieces. I am totally in awe of this band. I am thankful to be on this planet at the same time as these guys to witness the creativity that oozes out of each one of them.

A big 10/10 from The Grooveman!!!

UFO – Phenomenon

March 12, 2021 /

Formed back in ’68, but it wasn’t until the release of this album in ’74, and the introduction of Michael Schenker on guitar, that the band started to find their sound. You will still hear that typical early seventies rock sound on some of the songs here for sure, but there are two all time UFO classic songs to be found here. To most fans (me included), the golden period for the band was from this album until the departure of Schenker, after the release of one of the all time great live albums, Strangers In The Night. On a side note, Schenker was only 18 when he left the Scorpions to join UFO. Other than Schenker’s guitar, it was the vocals of Phil Mogg that made the band unique. If there ever was a category that was a typical English Rock Band, then number 1 top of the list would be UFO.

Anyway, into the album we go. We have two very standard rock songs to start us off with Too Young To know and Crystal Light, each brought to life by Schenker’s guitar and Mogg’s vocals. Third track in is Doctor Doctor, which when the live album was released, would be put out as a single by the record company and would break the Top 20. A very simple rocker, but very effective and would become an anthem for the band. Fun fact, Iron Maiden plays this track over the PA just before they take the stage at every show. A very hippy-ish number, Space Child, follows with an acoustic riff, again a great vocal and guitar makes this the stand out track on Side 1 for me. Classic track number two, Rock Bottom, closes out Side 1 and another very simple but effective track.

Side 2 begins with Oh My, the only full band collaboration on the album, and it’s probably the weakest track on the album despite a cool solo from Schenker. Time On My Hands follows, a nice song that shows the softer side of the band. Built For Comfort, a cover of the Willie Dixon song, is next and shows the early roots of the band. A short Schenker penned instrumental, Lipstick Traces, is next before the album closer Queen Of The Deep – a song that they would close the set with around this time.

The albums that followed this would see them develop the sound into a full hard rock band and gain them success and make them a top drawer live band.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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