Yearly Archives: 2021

Album review: THE MERSEYBEATS and THE MERSEYS – I Stand Accused, The Complete Sixties Recordings

Posted on June 17, 2021 by jason

Grapefruit / Cherry Red [Release date 11.6.21] The output of The Merseybeats and The Merseys has been relatively poorly served on CD over the years. Cherry Red’s Grapefruit imprint now rectify this with a definitive 63 track collection. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 60s music, albums, box set, Cherry Red Records, I Stand Accused, pop, review, The Complete Sixties Recordings, The Merseybeats, the Merseys | Leave a comment

Backstage Hero: EMILIA LINDBERG

Posted on June 15, 2021 by jason

Emilia Lindberg is a former tattoo artist whose figurative, feminine paintings exclusively depict women – her rockstar fans include Slash, Papa Emeritus and Myles Kennedy. Emilia has an uncompromising nature, and her path to her latest exhibition at the Monaco … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Backstage Heroes | Tagged artist, Emilia Lindberg, Ghost, interview, Myles Kennedy, rock n roll. Backstage Hero, Slash, tattoo | Leave a comment

Album review: KENT HILLI – The Rumble

Posted on June 13, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 18.06.21] After two albums fronting A Perfect Plan, Kent Hilli has gone solo (helped by wunderkind, Michael Palace, who has arranged and produced), with The Rumble, on which he has written the bulk of the material. Unsurprisingly, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Perfect Plan, album, AOR, Crown Of Thorns, eighties, Foreigner, Frontiers, Giant, Kent Hilli, melodic rock, Michael Palace, review, Survivor, the Storm | Leave a comment

EP review: OVERDRIVERS – Rock Out!

Posted on June 13, 2021 by jason

Rock Of Angels Records [Release date 09.07.21] Overdrivers hail from France, although their sound owes more to Australia and the likes of AC/DC and Airbourne. This is their first new music since their 2018 album ‘She’s On Her Period’ (yes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged AC/DC, AIRBOURNE, EP, hard rock, metal, Overdrivers, review, rock, Rock Of Angels Records, Rock Out | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL ARMSTRONG – Ojai

Posted on June 13, 2021 by jason

www.michaelarmstrongmusic.co.uk [Release date 25.06.21] London-born, singer songwriter Michael Armstrong releases his third studio album, which going by the press releases is a modern take on the ‘Yacht Rock’ genre. As Michael explains – “In 2018 I was invited to join … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Ben Folds, melodic, Michael Armstrong, Ojai, pop, review, soft rock, Yacht rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BILLY SQUIER – Emotions In Motion/Signs Of Life

Posted on June 12, 2021 by jason

BGO Records Two albums from Billy Squier’s classic 80’s period get a neat double CD re-issue. Not only of interest to fans of his work and 80’s US melodic rock, but also Queen fans as these two albums both feature … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged album, Billy Squier, classic rock, Emotions In Motion, Jim Steinman, Mack, melodic rock, Queen, review, rock, Signs Of Life | Leave a comment

Album review: ROGER CHAPMAN – Life In The Pond

Posted on June 11, 2021 by petefeenstra

Ruf Records [Release date 25.06.21] ‘Life In The Pond’ isn’t quite the defining Roger Chapman solo album, but it’s a real return to form and a lyrical triumph. With the exception of Bob Dylan, David Crosby and Michael Chapman (no … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Wilson, album, Americana, blues vocal, Bob Dylan, country, David Crosby, Family, funk, Henry David Thoreau, Life In The Pond, Michael Chapman, Oscar Brown Jr’, Poli Palmer, review, rock, Roger Chapman, The Blue Nile | Leave a comment

Book review: Decades – Curved Air in the 1970s by Laura Shenton

Posted on June 11, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 18.06.21] Author Laura Shenton makes no excuses for compiling a series of extracts from previously published work. This includes contemporaneous snippets from the likes of Disc & Music Echo to more recent cribs from Prog magazine. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Curved Air in the 1970s, Darryl Way, Decades, Francis Monkman, Laura Shenton, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Sonja Kristina | Leave a comment

Album review: TIMO TOLKKI’s AVALON – The Enigma Birth

Posted on June 11, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date 18.06.21] Living legend of power/symphonic metal, Finland’s Timo Tolkki has again hooked up with fast rising guitarist/ writer/ producer Aldo (Secret Sphere/Sweet Oblivion) Lonobile on this, Avalon’s fourth album. As the memory of Tolkki’s longtime band, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Aldo Lonobile, Avalon, Caterina Nix, Fabio Lione, Frontiers, Jake E, James LaBrie, Marina LaTorraca, PELLEK, Raphael Mendes, review, Stratovarius, Symphonic Rock Metal, The Enigma Birth, Timo Tolkki | Leave a comment

Album review: STEFAN BERGGREN – These Are The Times

Posted on June 11, 2021 by jason

Grandjam Production [Release date 04.06.21] Stefan Berggren (Snakes in Paradise, Company of Snakes, Berggren Kerslake Band) is back with his latest solo album, following on from 2016’s ‘Strangers In A Strangeland’. Stefan Berggren (vocals, guitars, keyboards) is joined by fellow … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, Don Airey, review, rock, Snakes In Paradise, Stefan Berggren, These Are The Times | Leave a comment

Album review: DOOGIE WHITE – As Yet Untitled (2 CD remaster)

Posted on June 10, 2021 by brianmc

Pete Feenstra chatted to Doogie White for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 8 August 2021. The Store For Music [Release date 07.06.21] In 2011, ubiquitous gun-for-hire Doogie (Rainbow/Malmsteen/Schenker) White released a cracking little solo album called As Yet … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, Reissues | Tagged album review, Alcatrazz, Alex Dickson, As Yet Untitled, Doogie White, Malmsteen, melodic hard rock, Mick Tucker, Rainbow, remaster, Schenker, Store For Music, Tank | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BULLETBOYS – The Warner Albums 1988-93 (3 CDs)

Posted on June 9, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red Records [release date 18.06.21] No doubt about it, The Bulletboys started out as contenders. This package of CD remasters, comprising the band’s first 3 albums, The Bullet Boys, Freakshow and Za-Za, covers the most important chapters of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Bulletboys, Freakshow, Led Zeppelin, Marc Torien, melodic hard rock, Mick Sweda, review, Rush, Sunset Strip, Ted Templeman, Van Halen, Warner Albums, Za-Za | Leave a comment

Album review: SCOTT MCKEON – New Morning

Posted on June 9, 2021 by petefeenstra

Scott McKeon chatted to Pete Feenstra about his album ‘New Morning’ for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 20 June 2021. Idaho Records [Release date 23.04.21] ‘New Morning’ is Scott McKeon’s first solo album for 11 years. He’s been … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Doyle Bramhall11, Frank Zappa, Gary Clark Jr, Gavin Conder, guitar, Hawkwind, interview, JD Simo, Jeff Beck, Jeremy Stacey, Led Zeppelin, Mahavishnu Orchestra, New Morning, review, Robin Trower, Rocco Palladino, Ross Stanley, Scott McKeon | Leave a comment

EP review: CROBOT – Rat Child

Posted on June 6, 2021 by jason

Mascot Records [Release date 18.06.21] Crobot have announced their new record Rat Child EP, which features a mighty cast of pure rock pedigree. It’s a punchy taste of what is to come in the future – this is a collaborative … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Anthrax, Crobot, EP, hard rock, metal, Rat Child, review, rock, Steel Panther | Leave a comment

Album review: GYPSY PISTOLEROS – The Mescalito Vampires

Posted on June 6, 2021 by jason

Off Yer Rocka Records [Release date 14.08.21] Gypsy Pistoleros are back and in better shape than ever. The line-up consists of vocalist/guitarist Gypsy Lee Pistolero, guitarist Mark Westwood (Shadowland, Clive Nolan), on double bass Gaz Le Bass (The Delray Rockets), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Guns 'N' Roses, Gypsy Lee Pistolero, Gypsy Pistoleros, Latino, punk, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Album review: TERRA ODIUM – Ne Plus Ultra

Posted on June 6, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Records [Release date 11.06.21] In its more expansive moments, Norwegian band Terra Odium’s album resonates with the sci-fi dissonance of tech metal. The kind that Brad Fiedel and Wendy Carlos wielded on “The Terminator” and “The Shining” film scores. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Brad Fiedel, Dream Theater, Frontiers Records, Ne Plus Ultra, Pagan's Mind, progressive metal, Progressive Rock, review, Transatlantic, Wendy Carlos | Leave a comment

Album review: BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER – S/T

Posted on June 6, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Records [Release date 11.06.21] Frontiers clearly think highly of Brother Against Brother. The label compares this recording by two vocalists, Renan (Electric Mob) Zonta and Nando (Sinistra) Fernandes, relatively unknown outside of their native Brazil, to the Allen/Lande project. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Brother Against Brother, Electric Mob, Frontiers, heavy metal, Nando Fernandes, power metal, Renan Zonta, review, Sinistra | Leave a comment

Album review: IAN McNABB – Utopian

Posted on June 5, 2021 by jason

www.ianmcnabb.com [Release date 05.03.21] Utopian is the final part of a trilogy Ian McNabb began with ‘Star Smile Strong’ (2017), and continued with ‘Our Future In Space’ (2018). Recording took on a very different approach during 2020’s global pandemic, with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ian McNabb, Icicle Works, indie, melodic, pop, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, singer songwriter, Solo, soul, Utopian | Leave a comment

Album review: NERGARD – Eternal White

Posted on June 5, 2021 by brianmc

Pride & Joy Music [release date 21.04.21] Norwegian musician/songwriter/producer, Andreas Nergard creates symphonic experiences which enthrall audiences. The fact that he uses “Metal” as his chosen vehicle is almost incidental. You could add that the fact he uses voices is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Eternal White, Finland, Nergard, Norway, pop metal, power metal, Pride & Joy Music, review, Sweden, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: MICK PAUL – Parallel Lives

Posted on June 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 09.06.21] www.mickpaulbassist.com David Cross (ex-King Crimson) collaborator Mick Paul is a bassist/guitarist and ‘Parallel Lives’ is characterised by his bubbling bass and Sheila Maloney’s excellent keyboard textures and arrangements. Craig Bundell (Steven Wilson) lends his drums including on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Craig Blundell, David Cross, David Jackson, fusion, Jazz rock, Mick Paul, Parallel Lives, prog, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: LAURA MEADE – The Most Dangerous Woman In America

Posted on June 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Doone Records [Release date 21.05.21] www.laurameademusic.com Reviewing Laura Meade’s previous album – ‘Remedium’ - GRTR! scribe Pete Whalley’s enthusiasm was such that he was quoted in despatches in a full page print media advertisement. Vocalist in New York based prog … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, electronica, Izz, Laura Meade, prog, progressive, review, rock, The Most Dangerous Woman In America | Leave a comment

Album review: SILENT RAGE – Shattered Hearts and Don’t Touch Me There (Remasters)

Posted on June 4, 2021 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [release date 07.05.21] US rock band, Silent Rage’s worldwide hit song, ‘Don’t Touch Me There’ (1989) gained them considerable notoriety. Perhaps a surprise then that once you peel away the risque lyrics, you reveal a band of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, Aretha Franklin, Don't Touch Me There, Gene Simmons, Giuffria, Isley Brothers, KING KOBRA, Kiss, Paul Sabu, remasters, review, Rock Candy Records, Shattered Hearts, SILENT RAGE | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…Marc Bolan, Tyrannosaurus Rex and T.Rex (Every album, every song) by Peter Gallagher

Posted on June 3, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 11.06.21] By the time of his untimely death in 1977 Marc Bolan was still releasing singles, although the big hits of earlier this decade were behind him, he had his own successful TV show and more … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Every Album, Every Song, Marc Bolan, On Track, Peter Gallagher, review, Tyrannosaurus Rex and T.Rex | Leave a comment

Album review: STEPHEN FOSTER & HOWLER – Southern

Posted on June 3, 2021 by petefeenstra

Thoroughbred Music [Release date 21.04.21] With a career spanning Americana, r&b, blues, rock, country, zydeco, gospel, folk and even electronica, Stephen Foster has plenty of scope to dive into his southern roots for an album full of swampy grooves, strong narratives, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, country, folk, gospel, J.J. Cale, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Muscle Shoals, Percy Sledge, R&B, review, rock, Ronnie Van Zandt, southern, Stephen Foster, Stephen Foster & Howler, Wayne Perkins, Zydeco | Leave a comment

Gig review: PAPA GEORGE AND VAL COWELL- Cabbage Patch, Twickenham, 28 May 2021

Posted on June 3, 2021 by andynathan

A return to normality for gigging is a long way off, just witness the continuing cancellation or postponements of shows into 2022. However at least lockdown has lifted enough for a few socially distanced shows to resume. Last autumn I … Continue reading →