Quick plays: TAMI, ATLAS, LUNA KISS
TAMI Velvet & Steel Man In The Moon [Release date 12.10.18]
Tami (Tami Jones Andrews) is an American singer who debuted on the Nashville back in the 1990′s, however major life changing events came along, which Tami channels into her singing on this her debut album. The album is produced by Bobby Braddock (Tammy Wynette, Willie Nelson, George Jones), which gives you some indication that this will be a mainly country based album, although there are some pleasant musical twists and turns along the way.
The most recognisable song for most will be the Cure’s ‘Lovesong’, subsequently covered by Adele amongst others. A heartfelt vocal makes this one of the album stand outs.
Two Joe Bonamassa songs feature on here, ‘Dustbowl’ and ‘Bridge To Better Days’, a chance for Tami to highlight her blues singing. The musicianship is top draw as you’d expect given the name producer and the fact it was recorded in Nashville.
Just when you think you have the measure of the album, up pops ‘Sugar Shack’, a Beth Hart song, Tami goes for a 70′s disco feel backed by a modern dance mix. In fact this song has already enjoyed success on the Billboard dance charts. Keeping in things in the past, there is a lovely 60′s soul/brass backing on ‘The River’s Invitation’.
Tami certainly has the voice to make you sit up and take notice. It’s a little bit country, a little bit soul, a little bit blue and a whole lot of good. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
ATLAS In Pursuit Of Memory AOR Heaven [Release date 21.09.18]
Atlas are a young band in bother band members’ ages and the band itself, which only formed last year. The line-up is James Thorley (keyboards, programming, percussion), John Moss (lead guitars), Howie Little (lead guitars), Chris Redfearn (bass) and Craig Wells (lead vocals). Sam Millar of Bigfoot also helps out on backing vocals throughout the album.
Atlas may be signed to a AOR/melodic rock label, however they have a real metal bite to some songs such as ‘Bad Habit’, which comes over like a shorter Dream Theater song. Atlas’s AOR side shines through on ‘Breathe Me In’ and ’Flesh And Blood’ – the latter reminiscent of Vega.
Personally I am not overly taken by the vocals of Craig Wells, however others will be won over I am sure. An assured debut, whilst nowhere near an ‘all killer, no filler’ album, it has plenty to offer the melodic rock/metal fan. ***
Review by Jason Ritchie
LUNA KISS Following Shadows Crow Face Records [Release date 18.06.18]
I don’t know what the debut album from Luna Kiss sounded like but the Coventry based band have spent the last seven years finding and creating their new sound and now regard latest album “Following Shadows” as their debut. Surely then, it would have been better to start again with a new name and turn your back on the past? But no, Luna Kiss have forged ahead and created an album that is almost modern prog lite, the kind of thing that Muse have had massive commercial success with- oh and there it is, the seed is now in your mind that they changed their sound to gain success, they wouldn’t be the first band to go down that route, and they sure as hell won’t be the last.
“Following Shadows” is not a bad album, it is well produced and has some good songs- “Unfamiliar” and “Tribulations” being examples of this. However, it feels slightly forced and at times almost a bit “paint by numbers”. Bear in mind however that this is just my personal opinion, you may hear this differently. **
Review by Nikk Gunns
SAINTS OF SIN Welcome To The Circus 3MS Music
“Welcome To The Circus” is the full length debut from Saints of Sin, and is not at all what I was expecting. What I thought I was about to hear was a sleazy rock album, what you actually get is a well put together mix of AOR, melodic rock and touches of late ‘80’s US rock, and by that I mean big guitars, big BV’s, hooks and choruses aplenty- and all from a five piece from the south coast of England.
Frontman Rui Brito has a vocal style that is not dissimilar to that of Myles Kennedy at times, and this plays out well over the musicality of a band that are younger then most of the albums that this one reminds me of. I would suggest that you head straight to “21 Shots”, “One Last Time”, “Running”, “After Dark” and “Wasted Nights” and play them very loudly, then start at the beginning and play the whole album again. Once you have done that you will be hooked.
Saints of Sin are definitely one young British band to keep an eye on. The band have already made appearances at The Isle of Wight and Hard Rock Hell Festivals and it can’t be long before they pick up a decent support run. ***
Review by Nikk Gunns
Hungryheart (Ten year anniversary edition) Tanzan Music
Had Hungryheart released their self-titled debut album back in the heady days of the late ‘80’s then there is a fair chance that it would have received a fairly warm reception. When they released the album in 2008, the band’s native Italy was going through somewhat of a Melodic rock revival and so on to 2018 and we get a ten-year anniversary re-issue.
From the off there is no getting away from the fact that this is pure early to mid-Eighties Bon Jovi sounding, and that 80’s feel carries throughout the albums original 11 tracks. As well as Bon Jovi, the likes of Mr Big, and even Europe come to mind when listen to “Hungryheart”, in particular “Innocent Tears” reminds me of early 90’s Europe. There is, of course, the obligatory ballad in “Hang On To Me” and the original album closes with a couple of strong tracks in “It Takes Two” and “Gina”.
So, what of the bonus tracks? Well, complete with a change of rhythm section we get a 2018 version of “River Of Soul”, which I actually prefer to the original, and an acoustic rendition of “The Only One”.
“Hungryheart” may not set the world alight in 2018, but it is a strong melodic album and, thanks to the internet, may gather the band a few new fans this time around. ***
Review by Nikk Gunns
DEE SNIDER S.M.F- Live In The USA earMusic
Say what you like about Dee Snider but the man is one hell of an front man. New live album “S.M.F- Live in The USA” was recorded back in 1995 and has an energy running through it that does not let up from start to finish.
As you would imagine, the 16 song set is heavy on Twisted Sister material with his solo band smashing their way through the likes of “Stay Hungry”. “I Am (I’m Me)”, “I Wanna Rock”, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “You Can’t Stop Rock n Roll”. There is also a medley of songs in the middle of the set that keeps the momentum flowing nicely and then it is heads down to the finish, that said Snider still enjoys a bit of banter between songs, and boy does he like a bit of in between banter.
Back in the early 1980’s, when Twisted Sister first came to prominence, few people would have thought that they would still be able to command such a presence twenty or thirty years later. The band finally bowed out in 2016 and as Snider’s recent “For The Love of Metal” album proved, he is nowhere near ready for retirement yet. ***
Review by Nikk Gunns
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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