THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl (Page 27 of 50)

YES – Close To The Edge

February 13, 2021 /

This is actually part of the Steven Wilson remix box set that the randomizer threw up for today’s review, and I didn’t want to review them all at once so this one is first out. You may notice this has a different cover than what you are used to seeing, and was exclusive to this box set. This was the first Yes album I discovered way back in the mists of time, and Yes are another band that the term Prog was made for.

This album has only three songs on Side 1, as the title track is split into three parts, and Side 2 is And You And I in 4 parts plus Siberian Khatru. Classic Yes line up of Anderson, Buford, Howe, Squire and Wakeman. Definitely my favourite album of this period of Yes before they went more commercial with 90125.

The title track is a Prog fans wet dream, it has everything you would expect and a lot more. Lots of rambling synths, lost of weird lyrics, great vocal harmonies, and almost jazz in places. My only gripe would be is that Steve Howe’s guitar sounds awful. Just a bad sound to my ears, but that’s just me.

Side 2 begins with lots of fannying about from Howe with harmonics before the track kicks in proper. I’ve always loved this song, it’s one of their best from this era. Last up is the rambling Siberian Khatru, another Prog classic of the period. Again everything and the kitchen sink is used to create the full Prog experience. Other than the quality musicianship it’s the vocal harmonies the made Yes stand out from the crowd.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

CARAVAN – Cunning Stunts

February 13, 2021 /

I see what you did there! Cunning Stunts indeed. When the term Prog is uttered in musical discussions far and wide, this is what you automatically think of. The Canterbury sound was a quintessential part of the Prog movement with bands like Gong, Soft Machine, and Caravan themselves. I heard the word twee used when talking about Caravan, and that is a bit harsh as they are lot more than that. Led by the incomparable Pye Hastings on vocals and guitar, they never quite reached the heights that were expected of them. Even so, Cunning Stunts is a fine representation of what they were all about.

Side 1 is basically six differing songs, and the whole of Side 2 is the Dabsong Conshirtoe split into 6 parts. The Show Of Our Lives starts off the album and is a pleasant ramble through the English countryside, at least that’s how it feels . Stuck In A Hole and Lover casually saunter past and are very relaxing. Welcome The Day reminds me of Pink Floyd and is a decent tune and side closer. The Fear And Loathing In Tollington Park Rag is almost funky, which is quite unexpected as it differs greatly from everything else on offer here. Over to Side 2 to the aforementioned epic that takes up the whole side, and is a grandiose piece that you would expect from a band of this ilk. Lots of synths, brass section, weird lyrics and heavier sections slotted in to create atmos.

Not a bad album, and fans of this era of Prog would probably lap it up.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

RUSH – Permanent Waves

February 12, 2021 /

I’ll admit to not being the world’s biggest Rush fan, but I do recognize they had a period where the quality of their tunes was top notch and this album is prime period Rush. Along with Hemispheres and Moving Pictures, for me, was Rush at their peak. All three are great musicians but the master of them all, Neal Peart. was at the peak of his profession and he wrote seriously interesting lyrics.

What a way to start an album off with Spirit of Radio, which ended up being your most well known song around the world. At the time this was about as close as Rush would come to commercial success. Freewill follows, and this is more of what I expect from them, a more progressive tune with lots of instrumental sections and some serious over playing. The one thing about Rush is that you can always recognize the sound. Whether it be Lifeson’s guitar, Peart’s drumming, or more obviously Geddy’s vocal, they are instantly recognizable. Side closer the epic Jacobs Ladder, has all of the trade mark Rush ingredients, cool time and key changes, and a big instrumental section. Over on the flip side, and Entre Nous, which by Rush’s standards is a normal song. Different Strings is the slow track on the album before we get to album closer Natural Science with its 9 minute progressive workout.

There are sections in this that Dream Theater have lifted to use on their own songs. The albums they record are definitely of their time, as the effects and instruments they used date them, especially on this and Grace Under Pressure being the other one that springs to mind. Anyhoo you may be thinking I don’t like this all that much, but I do, and I appreciate them as artists.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

AC/DC – Powerage

February 12, 2021 /

Controversial comment coming up…There are three AC/DC albums that vie for their best album, and they followed each other chronologically (and none of them are Back In Black). Let There Be Rock , Powerage, and Highway To Hell are the three, and are all perfect in their own way. I first became aware of the Aussie terrors around the Dirty Deeds period, and saw a few times in club and uni shows before they stepped up to halls with the release of this album and the singles that came from it. They appeared on Top Of The Pops and a couple of other shows at the time. When people saw their energy and raw power, they were hooked.

We blast straight in with single number one, Rock N Roll Damnation. A great choice for a single as does exactly what it says on the tin. Down Payment Blues is next and I defy anyone not to bounce around the house while doing the hoovering to this beauty. Killer tune, simple but oh so effective! Gimme A Bullet rolls on in next with the pounding bass, kick drum, and twin guitar riff – just beautiful. Another killer tune! Riff Raff is next and is a contender for best AC/DC song ever. This song just smokes!!! What a riff!!! Everything about this song is just perfect. If anyone asked me to describe what I love most about this band I would just bang this song and kaboom!!! Angus just rips the hell out of the guitar and Bon’s vocal is killer!!!

Over to Side 2 we go with single number two, Sin City. Imagine this being released as a single today. Real music played by real people – it wouldn’t have a chance! I’m glad I was born when I was to experience bands like this up close and personal. Another banging tune! What’s Next To The Moon follows, with the toms a thumping and a Paperback Writer type riff that adds a bit of variety to the album. The almost laid back Gone Shootin’ is next, pedal off the power slightly with a very Stones vibe. Last two tracks compete to melt your face off the quickest in which album closer Kicked In The Teeth Again narrowly wins over Up To My Neck In You.

Production is absolutely monster courtesy of long time collaborators Vanda and Young, ironically this would be the last album they would produce before Mutt Lange came on board and mega-stardom beckoned. If you haven’t guessed it, this is my favourite DC album and every human on the planet should own it.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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