THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl (Page 17 of 50)

STEVEN WILSON – The Future Bites

March 9, 2021 /

This album was due to be released last June. There should have been an arena tour throughout Europe to promote it – with his biggest production yet – but due to the pandemic it was not meant to be. When the first single dropped, Personal Shopper, all the so-called fans were up in arms about how poppy and un-Prog it was. A quick search on the majority of the haters, one would see they have only been interested in Mr. Wilson’s output since around the Raven period, and were oblivious to his previous output through his various projects. In the beginning, before SW solo or Porcupine Tree, there was No-Man – basically a indie/synth pop duo. Sound familiar? He has also mentioned in interviews, on numerous occasions, that he does not want to repeat himself from album to album, and wants each release to be different. Again, people are not paying attention!

Each of his solo albums have been different and have progressed with each release, the true definition of a progressive artist. There was always a nod to the previous release somewhere on each release. The reference point from the last album to this one would be Song Of I with the electronic pop feel. I’m not going to dissect each song, as that won’t achieve anything. I will say my two favourite songs are Eminent Sleaze, and Personal Shopper – with the hilarious inclusion of Elton John doing the spoken piece. I will say that this album should be heard as a whole – it makes a lot more sense if you do. It is a wonderfully crafted album that deserves your attention, albeit short at 39 minutes. The production is incredible, and if you buy the surround sound version, as well as a raft of extra tunes, there is a Dolby Atmos mix which even sounds incredible with the headphones on.

Is it his best release to date? Well, the short answer is no – as nothing could beat Hand Cannot Erase, but it’s up there as one of his best – it’s just a different listening experience. Buy this, don’t believe the haters.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

ALICE IN CHAINS – Dirt

March 9, 2021 /

So I mentioned when reviewing Jerry Cantrell’s solo album that it was one of the best albums that came out of the whole grunge sidestep, this IS the best. This was also the band at their creative peak. It was all downhill after this for this line up, as Staley would succumb to his drug misuse. Such a shame, as he was an amazing talent and ultimately a great singer. Credit should go to Cantrell as well, as the harmonies that the two did were a part of the Alice In Chains sound.

Them Bones starts the album off in fine style and is a huge beast of a track. Damn That River follows, and the quality remains high. Rain When I Die is next, and is the hidden gem on the album. It has killer vocals, melody, great riff, and wonderful harmonies. The very sixties feel to the beginning of Down In A Hole is next, and it’s a beautiful song with a very powerful message – almost a cry for help. A very moving track. Sickman rolls on in and has a very Rob Zombie beginning, which fades into what I think is the weakest song so far. Next up is side closer and my favourite track, Rooster. Everyone thinks this is a drug song, but it’s actually about Cantrell’s father who was a vet. An incredible song with so much feeling put into the vocals by Staley. Epic stuff!

Over the flip we go and Junkhead is first up. Lots of drug references on this one and the melody lifts the song out of mediocrity. After the onslaught of Side 1, it was going to be difficult to match the quality of the songs. The title track is next, and it starts with a very eastern feel. It is lyrically another depressing song but is lifted by the music. Godsmack is next and the depressing vibe continues lyrically – although musically it’s quite an interesting tune. Hate To Feel in my opinion is the worst song on the album, and sounds as though it was thrown together in the studio with second hand Led Zeppelin riffs. Angry Chair was one of five singles released from the album at the time, and shows how huge grunge was – now it feels just like a blip in the force. Would is the album closer, and a relatively short song with the tom tom groove and haunting chorus.

They only released 1 EP and a full album after this before Staley’s death in 2002. It’s very sad as he just could not get it together.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

ANGEL – s/t

March 8, 2021 /

This is the first album by this pomp/glam band from Washington, and it was released away back in ’75. Just like their label mates Kiss, they were all about the image primarily to detract you away from the quality of the material – especially on later albums. This release has very little similarities to Sinful that was recorded just 4 years later.

The album opens with the band’s masterpiece, The Tower, which was keyboard overload from Greg Giuffria, with its extended intro and high range vocals from Frank DiMino. Next track, Long Time, is a typical mid-seventies sounding track, and to be honest, is quite Prog sounding and is not that commercial sounding. Last track on Side 1, Rock & Rollers, could almost be a Kiss outtake and is quite an average tune.

Side 2 starts with Broken Dreams. This track starts off at a frenzy before slowing down into another average song. Mariner is a ballad and highlights the quirkiness of DiMino’s vocals. The nearest vocalist he reminds me of would be Geddy Lee, but not as good. Sunday Morning starts with a big fat riff and is a notch up from the past few tracks, before settling down into keyboard romp-a-rama, and is very Rush sounding. On & On follows, with its Zeppelin riff but the vocals let it down. The final piece is The Angel theme with more keyboard noodling from Giuffria.

If I was wanting to buy an album by the band I would go for the live album Live Without A Net as it a fair representation of what they were about. Other than The Tower, this album is not that great.

5/10 from The Grooveman.

IT BITES – Eat Me In St Louis

March 8, 2021 /

It Bites: the band that Virgin didn’t have a clue how to market. The main problem was that the first single that was released (Calling All The Heroes) was a smash hit nearly all over the world, but was not representative of the band’s music as a whole. They saw themselves as more of a progressive band, but the label wanted a pop band.

This was the 3rd and last album from the original line up, and was produced by one time Queen producer, Mack – it sounds fantastic. He captured exactly what the band was about. A bit late as inner band squabbles, drugs, general record company apathy, and most importantly, Francis leaving to go solo, would basically end this period of the band. Who knew a band as good as this would be hiding away in a small town in Cumbria? The main creative force and the main focus of the band’s arguments was frontman/guitarist Francis Dunnery, and keyboardist John Beck.

Positively Animal starts things off with a heavier sound than on previous efforts, and is a fantastic opener with a great vocal from Francis. Next up is Underneath Your Pillow, a trademark It Bites song – heavy on the melody and great vocal harmonies. One of my favourite It Bites tracks is next with Let Us All Go. A great riff, some great key changes, a superb melody and chorus, and killer harmonies. Next is the absolute monster, Still Too Young To Remember. The one track that screams Prog. A bonafide classic track which just builds and builds and is It Bites to the max. Side 1 closes with Murder of The Planet Earth – reminding us how bad we as humans treat the thing that keeps us alive.

Over to Side 2 we go and it starts with People Of America, which is a song that sounds as though it was recorded in ’89 with its pseudo electronic beginning. Sister Sarah is next and should have been a smash single – if only the record company cared about the band at this point. A great song with a rockin’ up tempo groove. Leaving Without You is the penultimate track and showcases the range and feel in Francis’ voice. Another really huge sounding song thanks again to the great production. Ice Melts Into Water closes the album out, and is a beautiful chill song with some great guitar and again with those harmonies.

The band still exists today and have released a couple of really good albums with John Mitchell replacing Francis. He does an admirable job, but Francis was such a strong character both sonically and visually within the band that maybe they should have changed the name. Anyhoo, a great album and would be a welcome addition to your collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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