Feature: GRTR!@20 – Top Albums, Top Live Acts – reviewer choices 2003-2023
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Get Ready to ROCK! celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2023. Since 2003 it has been at the forefront of online rock music review and is one of the most visible and enduring rock websites. The review team is one of the most knowledgeable and readable, either online or in print. Significantly, for much of the time the reviewer roster has remained constant.
What makes for a good review? News and Reviews Editor and GRTR! co-founder Jason Ritchie says: “The reviewer needs to know his or her subject and genre but the hallmark of a worthy review is comparative analysis putting the review in context with previous activity and signposting related works that the reader can investigate.
Based on unrivalled knowledge and insight, our reviews are both fair and balanced, occasionally slightly irreverent, but always informative.
And no AI !!”
Managing Edtor David Randall adds: “We have never claimed our review listings are comprehensive, we respond in the main to the albums that we are sent by artists, labels and/or PR companies. However, our genre coverage is wide and eclectic so readers will be frequently introduced to less familiar artists who often escape mainstream media attention. In this respect, also, we have been champions of new music.”
Every year since the start the review team has been canvassed for their end of year “best of” choices. This annual listing has built into an indispensible guide to worthy albums and live acts and has informed our 20 year ‘Best of’ selection.
Like the history of Get Ready to ROCK! itself, choosing favourite albums and live acts from two decades has been quite a journey. The list reflects the impact and impression certain artists and albums have made over an extended period.
With the benefit of hindsight some albums feted at the time of release pale with passing years whilst others can be re-evaluated and given new prominence. Some were never originally reviewed, explaining a few missing links in the listing. The live act selections are usually those artists who left an enduring impression either with a specific gig or sustained over several.
Early live reviews did not always feature exclusive photography, but from around 2007 photos are a regular addition and over the years we thank our pro-shot togs Noel Buckley, Steve Goudie, Simon Dunkerley, Lee Millward and Andrew Lock. Current photographers include Darren Griffiths and Paul Clampin.
Our thanks to Andy Nathan for coordinating the reviewer returns.
News item (April 2023)
On 9 April 2023 David Randall presented a two-hour special on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio featuring a selection of the review team choices
THE DUCKWORTH LEWIS METHOD It’s Just Not Cricket
JASON RITCHIE News & Reviews Editor (co-founder)
THE DARKNESS Permission To Land (2003)
For me this band kick started the resurgence in rock music being fun again and appealing to a wide cross section of music lovers. Riffs and anthems galore.
Feature (The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness, January 2023)
FOREIGNER Can’t Slow Down (2009)
The band’s latest studio album to date and one where they fire on all musical cylinders.
David Randall chatted to Mick Jones for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in October 2009.
THE DUCKWORTH LEWIS METHOD Sticky Wickets (2013)
Sublime pop rock with a cricket theme from the main men behind The Divine Comedy and Pugwash.
KAMELOT The Black Halo (2005)
Roy Khan at the peak of his singing and an album that for this writer defines prog, symphonic metal.
IT BITES Map Of The Past (2012)
Second album by the reformed It Bites fronted by John Mitchell. They moved the band’s sound on with classic songs like ‘Cartoon Graveyard’ and ‘Send No Flowers’.
Feature (Albums that time forgot…)
DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT Epicloud (2012)
Happy metal meets rock. Gloriously OTT and so damn catchy!
CATS IN SPACE Scarecrow (2017)
They haven’t done a duff album and this one just nudges ahead of their other albums. 70s infused glam, rock and pomp all in one glorious mix.
Cats In Space play UK dates in July.
JOURNEY Revelation (2008)
The best Journey album without Steve Perry on vocals. Nice sound and classic Journey songs.
BELLOWHEAD Broadside (2012)
Quite possibly the best folk rock album in the past twenty years. If these tunes don’t get you jigging about you must be clinically dead!
MAXIMO PARK Nature Always Wins (2021)
One of the many musical discoveries in the past twenty years and not one duff song on here.
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It happened in 2003: Over 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions are recovered by police in the Netherlands and London. Five people are arrested. The tapes had been used for bootleg releases for years. A Rhode Island nightclub was engulfed by flames during a gig by Great White. The fire killed 100 people including the band’s guitarist Ty Longley. The inaugural Download Festival takes place at Donington Park in Leicestershire, England. Iron Maiden and Audioslave headline the main stage. A portent of the future? The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Rush, The Guess Who and others headline a benefit concert in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to prove that the city is safe from SARS. |
LIVE ACTS
CORNBURY 8-10 July 2022
Sad to see it finish but sets from The Darkness, Bryan Adams, the Christians and Staks with Steve Winwood made it extra special.
THE DARKNESS (supporting Def Leppard) Brixton Academy, 27 February 2003
First sighting of the band and been a fan ever since!
REO SPEEDWAGON Hammersmith Apollo, 7 June 2007
To see one of my all time fave US bands live was a dream come true.
NIGHT RANGER Islington Academy, 23 June 2011
They are one of the most enjoyable live acts I have seen and been lucky to see them twice.
Feature (An introduction to…)
STEELEYE SPAN Cambridge Folk Festival, 1-4 August 2019
Proved why they are one of the best live folk acts around and Maddy Prior is one of folk’s great singers.
LEGACY PILOTS A Different League
DAVID RANDALL Managing Editor (co-founder)
ALBUMS
Picking out albums over an extended period is difficult, some you thought were superb when first reviewed have not weathered so well, others may achieve new ascendancy. I have picked out albums that for me still resonate and subsequent re-visits will only reinforce early enthusiasm. This means that sadly some very strong recent albums don’t make the cut on the grounds of longevity.
1. IOMMI Fused (2005)
This is a wonderful liaison evoking Hughes’ brief time with Sabbath but an altogether more contemporary vibe. Black Sabbath reformed for a tour shortly after release which scuppered any promotion. Iommi in particular proved there’s life in the old riff yet.
Feature (Albums that time forgot…)
2. EUROPE Secret Society (2006)
It followed the Audioslave/heavy rock template but grafted on Europe’s (and Joey Tempest’s) way with melody. This sounded less like their late eighties pomp and more like a band on a (new) mission.
Feature (Albums that time forgot…)
Europe play UK dates 17-26 October.
3. STEVE LUKATHER All’s Well That Ends Well (2010)
Out of Toto and in cahoots with new collaborator CJ Vanston, Luke produced the best solo album of his career. Great songs and guitar-ing with an appealing darkness wrought from recent personal experiences.
4. CODE OF SILENCE – Dark Skies Over Babylon (2013)
Shamelessly overlooked by mainstream media but an album that entralled everyone else who encountered its irresistible charms. Any doubting hacks would end up salivating over the Iron Maiden meets Dream Theater meld of melody, metal and razor-sharp musicianship. A triumph also for Paul Logue (Eden’s Curse) whose more recent projects involve James LaBrie.
Feature (Albums that time forgot…)
5. ELEKTRADRIVE Living 4 (2009)
Italian melodic rockers return with one of the finest melodic hard rock albums this side of 1987.
Feature (Albums that time forgot…)
6. CHASING THE MONSOON No Ordinary World (2019)
A decade or more in the making but certainly worth the toil (and wait!). Whilst freely referencing known progsters in parts (Yes, Floyd etc) still a convincing whole, and beautifully produced.
7. THE PINEAPPLE THIEF Dissolution (2018)
Dark and intriguing, and incredibly rhythmic, modern prog rock at its very best.
8. LEGACY PILOTS Aviation (2020)
The best general description is “pop prog/AOR” of the sort purveyed by Alan Parsons Project. In other words, well constructed songs, highly accessible, and great musicianship. A truly wonderful album, one to restore your faith during these covid-constrained times.
9. BURNTFIELD Impermanence (2021)
I can only assume mainman Juho Myllylä had a very bad relationship breakup. But we can interpret his melancholy for the current modern malaise; reflection, remorse, and ultimately rebirth. All things must change.
10. MARILLION An Hour Before Its Dark (2022)
Less “political” than its predecessor, although affected by the pandemic, Marillion return with a sumptuous album full of lusciousness and loveliness.
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It happened in 2004: The Darkness win a BRIT award. Following the break up of Creed, guitarist Mark Tremonti, Drummer Scott Phillips and Brian Marshall (ex-bassist of Creed) were working on side project Alter Bridge with Myles Kennedy of The Mayfield Four. ‘One Day Remains’, their debut album, was released in August. Eric Clapton sells his famous guitar “Blackie” at a Christie’s auction. He raised $959,000 to benefit the Crossroads drug rehabilitation center that he founded in 1998. Also this year he received a CBE. Ioannis (John) Stefanis our Metal Editor chooses Fates Warning ‘X’ as his album of the year. |
Photo: David Randall/GRTR!
LIVE ACTS
Whilst I’ve attended many almost “one-off” gigs and tours that merit a big mention (e.g. Love & Money, Argent, Renaissance, Winger, Zal Cleminson) I have listed those artists who have drawn (and repaid) repeated visits during a 20 year period.
1. CAMEL RNCM, Manchester, 21 October 2013 (and 2014, 2018)
A wonderful comeback, a personal triumph for Andrew Latimer, and the sheer novelty of seeing the band back in action. Latimer in particular had lost nothing in the hiatus, his exquisite guitaring always taking the listener on an emotional journey.
2. FOREIGNER Manchester MEN, 8 June 2011 (and 2014, 2018)
Any doubts about the band’s renaissance and the almost endless recycling of old material were put to rest with a simply fantastic and polished show. Nothing remotely cheesy, a catalogue deftly tweaked for modern ears, a band with momentum and a rather appealing heaviness. And Mick Jones’ appearance, after a two or three track time lag, sealed it.
3. JOE SATRIANI Manchester Apollo, 15 May 2008 (and 2010, 2013, 2015)
Unusual that a two-hour guitar-fest can hold the attention but this is a great reflection of Satriani’s consummate skills and strong catalogue, and not least due to his unfailing energy.
Joe Satriani plays UK dates 12-17 May
4. STEVE HACKETT The Lowry, Salford, 2 November 2014 (and 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019)
A musician whose renaissance in the millennium has been a joy to behold and seemingly now very comfortable in his authentic Genesis skin.
Feature (An introduction to…)
5. MARILLION Liverpool University, 7 June 2007 (and 2006, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Consistently fine and immersive albums and the same attention to detail with the live shows, reinforcing their place in the forefront of modern rock.
Feature (Gigs of the Millennium)
PRIDE OF LIONS Sound Of Home
ANDY NATHAN Melodic Rock Editor (2005 – )
ALBUMS
JIM JIDHED Full Circle (2003)
A solo album from the Alien singer that reflects the glory of prime time Journey, Giant etc, and the perfect example of Scandinavian AOR.
PRIDE OF LIONS (2003)
Survivor’s chief songwriter Jim Peterik returned to his AOR roots with dramatic arrangements showcasing young vocalist Toby Hitchcock, proving that melodic rock’s past could be married to its present.
GOTTHARD Lipservice (2005)
In the Swiss hard rockers long career, this was when they hit a golden patch – a series of hard-hitting anthems topped off by the vocals of the much-missed Steve Lee.
DAUGHTRY (2006)
Chris Daughtry may have been rejected by American Idol but that was rock’s gain as his eponymous debut album was a classic slice of the modern rock that dominated American airwaves in the 2000s with its huge arrangements and big choruses.
David Randall chatted to Chris Daughtry for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in August 2014.
JOURNEY Revelation (2008)
After an unstable few years, Journey discovered Arnel Pineda and his Steve Perry-esque vocals, allowing them to return to their signature sound with a strong album that not only rocked but included two of their finest ever ballads.
H.E.A.T Address The Nation (2012)
H.E.A.T. have been the biggest standard bearers for a whole new generation of Scandinavian melodic rock bands. This third album, and first with new singer Erik Gronwall, has a swagger and a series of huge hooks to rival Bon Jovi in their heyday.
David Randall chatted to guitarist Eric Rivers for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in March 2014.
HALESTORM The Strange Case of.. (2012)
Snarling with a healthily feisty attitude, Lzzy Hale’s finest moment with her band is just as notable for a state of the art production from Howard Benson and some memorably catchy songs.
JIMI JAMISON Never Too Late (2012)
One of the new generation of melodic rock songwriters, Eclipse’s Eric Martensson, helped the Survivor singer create a hook filled 80′s style AOR monster in the mould of his parent band or Journey- a fitting requiem beofre his sad passing a couple of years later.
PERFECT PLAN Time For A Miracle (2020)
These seasoned Swedes raised the bar on their second album. It drew on the glorious AOR influences of Survivor, Giant and others but was lifted to greatness by Kent Hilli’s vocals.
CATS IN SPACE Kickstart The Sun (2022)
The seventies revivalists finest moment yet, an ambitious double album with Damien Edwards voice soaring, and the epic pomp elements dialled up.
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It happened in 2006: Lordi wins the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 for Finland with the song ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’ in Athens, Greece The one billionth song is downloaded on iTunes (“Speed of Sound” by Coldplay if you’re asking). The Who release Endless Wire, their first studio album for 24 years. |
Photo: Steve Goudie
LIVE ACTS
DEF LEPPARD Carling Academy, Islington, 6 May 2008
A rare opportunity to see stadium rock icons do an intimate show showcasing new stuff, greatest hits and best of all rarely played songs from their first two albums.
MICHAEL SCHENKER The Twist, Colchester, 26 January 2008
Months after Schenker had hit rock bottom (pun intended) came the surreal but thrilling sound of a back-to=form Guitar Hero and his band tearing through old MSG and UFO classics in a one room pub, sparking the revival that continues to this day.
PAUL RODGERS Moondance Jam, Minnesota, 14-16 July 2011
The Voice of Rock has a back catalogue to die for and has vastly improved his stage act over the years. This show on a hot full moon night as darkness fell in the Minnesota countryside was extra special, even by the standards of all my jaunts to festivals in the USA.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Etihad Stadium, Manchester, 22 June 2012
Even by the Boss’s standards this 3 hour 20 minute marathon was special with a revamped line up paying tribute to Clarence Clemons and a very special atmosphere mixing revival and party. He even made the rain in Manchester stop. When we were asked to contribute ‘gigs of the millennium’ to GRTR! duringlockdown this one sprang to mind.
Feature (Gigs of the Millennium)
MARTIN TURNER’S WISHBONE ASH Liscombe House, Bucks, 31 August 2012
A very special invite-only show in the farmyard of a country house, graced by guest appearances from Wishbone alumni Laurie WIsefield, Ted Turner and Steve Upton. Given the enmity between Martin and Andy Powell, it was the nearest we will ever come to the reunion dreamed of by Wishbone fans.
PETE FEENSTRA Blues and Features Editor (2005 – )
ALBUMS
STONEY CURTIS Acid Blues Experience (2006)
A riff driven, masterpiece of relentless guitar driven intensity with a soulful undertow.
Imagine Chicago grit tinged with West Coast psychedelic rock blues, topped by a monster guitarist whose scintillating licks give you a natural high.
From the powerhouse opening of last ‘Train To Chicago’, via the earthshaking shuffle ‘Mulholland Drive’ to the honey dripping ‘Soul Love’, this is a classic rock/blues album.
JOE BONAMSSA Sloe Gin (2007)
The album that moves from subtle acoustic intricacies with Zep style heft, via cleverly chosen, well arranged covers – who would have thought of Chris Whitley and Micheal Kamen songs on the same album – and 4 self penned tracks of which ‘Dirt in My Pocket is an exemplar of the dynamics that serve him so well.
The title track is memorably re-arranged. ‘Ball Peen Hammer’ carries sledgehammer power, while Around the Bend’ is has a country feel.
Feature (The Grotto of Greatness, April 2023)
Joe Bonamassa plays UK dates 9-14 May
WALTER TROUT The Outsider (2008)
I could have chosen his last two excellent albums, but went for a rock-blues album crammed full of emotional honesty, great songs – check out ‘Child of Another Day’ and ‘Welcome To The Human Race’- brilliant playing and a conceptual title track, all neatly wrapped up by the clarity of producer John Porter.
There’s characteristic power shuffles – especially ‘The Love Song Of J. Alfred Bluesrock’ – mellifluous grooves, big toned solos and great songs. When it comes to rocking the blues Walter is still the man!!
Walter Trout plays UK dates 9-21 May
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION Black Country Communion (2010)
This is a glorious return to early 70′s rock. In the case of Glenn Hughes he even returns to his abrasive Trapeze days, while Bonamassa adds telling licks and an occasional song and lives the dream he was too young to enjoy first time round.
Check out the title track, ‘One Last Soul’ and ‘Song For Yesterday’.
THE NIMMO BROTHERS Picking Up The Pieces (2009)
This CD underlines all those reasons why their ardent fans have been extolling the band’s praises for a number of years. The Nimmo Brothers are simply one of the few bands that have all the key ingredient of real musical acumen, memorable songs and an unbridled burning passion for their rocking blues. Highlights include ‘All Because of You’, ‘Nothing In Chicago For Free’ and ‘Its Not About You’.
VIRGIL & THE ACCELERATORS The Radium (2011)
It’s so rare for any band to work up the kind of intensity levels that make this debut album such a fire cracker. The licks, the grooves, the songs and a lively, but a classy mix allied with Virgil’s subtle vocal style are breathes fresh life into a rock/blues genre.
Looking for some new rock/blues heroes? Look no further. Listen to ‘Working Man’, ‘Silver Giver’ and ‘Back Stabber’.
THORBJORN RISAGER & The Black Tornado – Too Many Roads (2014)
This album really rocks and is the real deal! It’s a celebration of Risager’s brusque baritone voice – a cross between Tom Waits, David Clayton-Thomas, Ray Charles and John Campbell – ably backed by a magnificent horn injected big band.
Check out the rocking ‘If You Wanna Leave’, the hypnotic ‘Back Seat Driver’ and the subtle rhythms and THAT voice on ‘Long Forgotten Track’.
If ever there was a case to be made for quality of European Blues, this is the band and this is the album.
BIG APPLE BLUES BAND Energy (2015)
A hugely original blues, soul, funk, and rock instrumental album built round the visceral urban energy of NYC.
It’s an old school album with coherent compositions that evoke moods, feelings and moments in time, on a musical journey that mirrors the ebbs and flows of the day.
Big Apple Blues features a bunch of blues vets - Admir “Dr. Blues” Hadzic on bass, Zac Zunis gtr, Barry “The Baron Of The Blues” Harrison on drums, Jim Alfredson Hammond & Anthony Kane harp + guests - who in their own words have: “spent a lifetime playing the blues.”
Check out the aptly named title track, the harp driven funky wah-wah of ‘I-278 Grind’ and big band style blues of ‘Remembering Eni’.
MARCUS MALONE A Better Man (2017)
‘A Better Man’ is UK based, Detroit blues rocker Marcus Malone’s 8th album. It’s the latest impressive pit stop on a journey that’s taken him from being a West Coast Metal star, via Motown, to becoming a 5 star soulful blues/rocker.
‘A Better Man’ is a career best and is a classy song-led, blues-rock album with a soulful heart. Check out the hard rocking ‘House Of Blues’, the unexpected gospel lilt of the title track, the West Coast influenced”The Only One’ and the stonking ‘Too Long Gone’. Spot on.
MR. SIPP Knock A Hole In It (2017)
Castro Coleman aka Mr Sipp is also known as the self titled “Mississippi Blues Child”, is actually much more than simply the blues.
Originally a gospel singer, he’s plugged in his electric guitar to deliver a rip roaring rock/blues party full of soul, r&b, gospel elements and even a Hendrix Little Wing.
Highlights are the title track, the magnificent shuffle ‘Gotta Let Her Go’ and the celebratory ‘Juke Joint’.
This is an incendiary mix of lashing of guitar, exclamatory vocals and lots of feel. This guy put everything into an album that is a blues party master class.
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It happened in 2005: Legendary blues-rock group Cream reunite for four shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Motörhead celebrate their 30th anniversary with a concert in the Hammersmith Apollo. Kate Bush releases her first new album since 1993. The Darkness ‘One Way Ticket To Hell’ is described in our end of year poll as “the best rock album of 2005 by a mile.” |
LIVE ACTS
VIRGIL & THE ACCELERATORS, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Oli Brown
The Jazz Café, London, 17 December 2009
JOE BONAMASSA Royal Albert Hall, 30 March 2013
ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD Hop Farm, Festival, Kent, 4-6 July 2014
WALTER TROUT Forum, London, 21 November 2015
THORBJORN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO Boom Boom Club, Sutton, Surrey, 14 November 2016
TINA DICO Losing
ALAN JONES Progressive Rock Editor (2006 – )
In no particular order:
ALBUMS
TINA DICO In The Red (2006)
An absolute gem of an album building immensely on the nascent talent hinted at on her 2003 outing ‘Notes’.
Denmark’s finest singer/songwriter tears at the heartstrings on an album of self-penned songs detailing the usual themes of love and loss but never maudlin and always delivered with empathetic panache.
Killer track – ‘Room With A View’.
David Randall chatted to Tina Dico for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in January 2008.
CAMEL Moonmadness – Live At The R.A.H. (2018)
Following recovery from his well documented health issues, Andy Latimer rocked up at the Royal Albert Hall with Camel to perform one of their finest albums in its entirety together with a smörgåsbord of fan favourites.
Not only was it an amazing event in and of itself, but also a demonstration of how a progressive rock band spawned in the early seventies can still outplay most of those who followed.
With Peter Jones (Tiger Moth Tales) adding his outstanding vocals and musicianship and Latimer’s guitar work bringing tears to a glass eye, the album and accompanying DVD are an absolute must-have for all fans of the genre.
Killer track – ‘Ice’
RICHARD THOMPSON Acoustic Classics 1 & 2 (2014, 2017)
If you have ever caught Richard Thompson live with just his acoustic, the delights of these two albums will reinforce and remind you just what an incredible songwriter and guitarist he is.
Although these are studio recordings, there is a real ‘live’ feeling about them and the quality of the recording accentuates every nuance in his playing to such an extent that you can’t believe there’s only one guitar player performing.
Killer track – ’1952 Vincent Black Lightning’
STEVEN WILSON Hand. Cannot. Erase. (2015)
How do you select the ‘best’ Steven Wilson album? Everything he touches seems to turn to gold, be it Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, Storm Corrosion or his coruscating solo work, it all just shimmers with brilliance.
‘Hand. Cannot. Erase.’ gets the nod for its musical interpretation of a true story of a woman who lay dead in her flat for three years before being found. Upsetting subject matter for sure, but handled with care and sympathy on an album chock full of the sheer musicality that puts SW at the very heart of contemporary progressive rock.
Killer track – ‘Happy Returns’
THEA GILMORE Afterlight (2021)
Emerging from a marriage which proved to be a coercive relationship (who knew?) to a man that was her musical partner and muse, Thea Gilmore, one of this country’s finest singer songwriters, changed her performing name to Afterlight and set about putting the record straight.
Never one to hold back when something needs saying, Gilmore’s gift with words is front and centre here on an extraordinary album that details dark and, at times, sinister themes – but with songs and melodies to die for.
Killer track – ‘Parallax’
RIVERSIDE Love, Fear And The Time Machine (2015)
An absolute classic from one of the finest progressive rock bands to emerge from the ‘New Europe’ during GRTR!’s lifetime.
Riverside had been building towards this magnum opus for a number of years with albums such as ‘Second Life Syndrome’, ‘Rapid Eye Movement’ and ‘Shrine Of New Generation Slaves’ but hit musical Nirvana with L,F & TTM – an album blessed with stunning tracks but also drenched in sadness as this was the final album to feature original guitarist Piotr Grudzinski before his untimely death, aged just 41, within a year of the album’s release.
Killer track – ‘Towards The Blue Horizon’
Riverside play UK dates 18-23 April
PANIC ROOM Satellite (2010)
Great album from one of progressive rock’s less well-known bands featuring one of prog’s finest female vocalists, Anne-Marie Helder and one of the genre’s finest keyboard players in Jonathan Edwards.
Less well-known they may be (outside of their core fan-base – known as The Roomies) but ‘Satellite’ is right up there with the best when it comes to songwriting and killer musicianship.
Killer track – ‘Satellite’
RICHARD SHINDELL Thirteen Songs You May Or May Not Have Heard Before (2011)
Richard Shindell is, without fear of contradiction, one of the finest singer/songwriters to come out of America – and there’s a lot of competition.
A retrospective in a way, Thirteen Songs You May Or May Not Have Heard Before features thirteen of his best-known songs re-visited and re-recorded – stripping the songs down to their basic framework and rebuilding them with a more intimate feel.
This serves to emphasise Shindell’s stunning acoustic guitar work and expressive storytelling on a tracklist most contemporary songwriters would give their eye-teeth to say “I wrote that”.
Killer track – ‘You Stay Here’
KATATONIA Dethroned And Uncrowned (2013)
Essentially a reinterpretation of the band’s stunning ‘Dead End Kings’ album from the previous year, Katatonia stripped out much of the inherent heaviness and injected massive swathes of melancholia – which enabled the band to explore a more ambient and progressive sound, creating new moods and textures while still staying truthful to the core of the original songs.
It turned out to be a thing of beauty and a highpoint for a band garnering more fans by the day with their genre-defining prog/metal melancholia.
Killer track – ‘The One You Are Looking For Is Not Here’.
DIM GRAY Firmament (2022)
A beautiful, beautiful album from Norwegian post prog/art rockers Dim Gray.
It is, by turns, anthemic, operatic, church-like and folky, but over-archingly spiritual – with a wide-screen cinematic sweep which I can only describe as ethereal melancholia for the soul.
There’s cascading guitars, dreamy keyboards and fragile vocals all over an album that genuinely sends those shivers down your spine.
A truly outstanding album, beautifully played and, as I said in my review, if the world really is getting you down, ditch the shrink and buy this – it’ll get you through.
Killer track – ‘Abalus / In Time’
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It happened in 2006: 1,951 guitarists simultaneously play Jimi Hendrix’s song “Hey Joe” in the town square of Wroclaw, Poland, breaking a Guinness world record. Guitarist Brian May announces on his website that Queen is returning to the studio for recording sessions. The new lineup, Queen + Paul Rodgers, features May, Paul Rodgers (the former lead vocalist of Free) and former Queen drummer Roger Taylor. Popular albums of 2016 amongst GRTR! reviewers include Eleanor McEvoy (‘Out There’) and Nerina Pallot (‘Fires’) with David Gilmour making the live list promoting his ‘On An Island’ album (“With Richard Wright on keys, close your eyes and it could have been Floyd”). |
Photo: David Randall/GRTR!
LIVE ACTS
STEVE HACKETT Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 11 November 2019
As part of Steve Hackett’s single-handed effort to keep the Genesis legacy alive and to mark the 40th anniversary of his iconic solo album the ‘Selling England By The Pound’/ ‘Spectral Mornings’ tour rolled into Liverpool – and at the best venue in town.
Hackett never disappoints (I’ve seen him countless times), but there was something extra-special about this tour – whether it was the fact that ‘Selling England’ is most Genesis fans’ favourite album or that ‘Spectral Mornings’ is also outstanding (although, personally, I prefer ‘Please Don’t Touch’.
I don’t know, but Steve and his band of consummate musicians absolutely gave it their all to a rapturous audience – and if he’s ever played the solo from ‘Firth Of Fifth’ better I’ll eat my own leg.
Feature (An introduction to…)
Y&T The Tivoli, Buckley, North Wales, 8 November 2015
This was it! The chance to see one of my favourite guitar players in the flesh!
Dave Meniketti, original founder and main-man of Y&T, is one of the most underrated and criminally ignored guitar players in the world in a band that, had the cards fallen differently, could have been bigger than Kiss, Bon Jovi or any of the rest of them.
As a result of those cards, the band ended up playing at ‘The Tiv’, a small venue in North Wales, and, in all honesty, a bit of a shit-hole – but did they give a cursory performance and bugger off?
No, they didn’t – they played like their lives depended on it and the audience repaid them in spades, at one point chanting in unison, following the hair-raising guitar solo on ‘I Believe In You’, “One Meniketti, there’s only one Meniketti…”.
RIVERSIDE The Ritz, Manchester, 22 October 2015
A chance to see one the finest progressive rock bands on the planet was a chance not to be missed, and, the way things turned out, I was lucky to catch them at the peak of their powers.
Ostensibly touring the fabulous ‘Love, Fear And The Time Machine’ album, such is the strength of their back-catalogue that they only played four tracks from it.
What struck me in an almost two and a half hour set was the juxtaposition of bowel-loosening raw power cut with passages of almost ethereal tranquility. Although I was expecting this, it still held me in thrall and testament to a band who can do it all.
I often think of this gig with sadness however, as, within four months, lead guitarist Piotr Grudzinski was dead, way before his time, aged just forty one.
RICHARD SHINDELL The Hive, Shrewsbury, 8 December 2019
One of the finest singer/songwriters to come out of America, ever, had a rather special relationship with Shrewsbury having played there numerous times.
I was lucky to catch him this time as, shortly afterwards, he announced he was giving up touring to concentrate on other projects.
His set was an absolute joy, with witty repartee and fascinating introductions punctuating a stellar clutch of songs drawn from over thirty years of writing and performing.
His guitar playing is exemplary, his songs a mix of the acerbic and the beautiful, and his stagecraft second to none – we must all hope he reverses his decision to quit, we need performers of this quality now more than ever.
JOE BONAMASSA Cavern Club, Liverpool, 27 June 2016
I’m still slack-jawed whenever I think of this gig.
Here was Joe Bonamassa, probably the finest blues-rock guitar player on the planet, filling arenas wherever he goes, playing at the best known club in the world in front of an invited audience of three hundred or so as a thank-you to fans who turned up to his gigs on Merseyside when he was on his way up.
I have never seen a better gig before or since. The Cavern was full and steaming on a hot summer night and Bonamassa was at his absolute zenith on a precursor to his ‘British Blues Boom’ tour.
The band were just superb, with Reese Wynans (ex Stevie Ray Vaughan) a joy to see, but this was Joe’s show – starting up with (the late) Jeff Beck’s ‘Becks Bolero’ and signing off with the Fab’s ‘Taxman’, everything in between was at the very highest level, but his double guitar solo on John Mayall’s ‘Double Crossing Time’ just crossed the border into insanity – I was three rows from the front and my face just melted. No-one could believe what they had just heard.
A gig for the years.
Feature (Gigs of the Millennium)
Feature (The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness, April 2023)
TILES Shelter In Place
BRIAN McGOWAN Metal Editor (2020 – )
In no particular order:
ALBUMS
ROBERT PLANT Carry Fire (2017)
Plant has slowly but inexorably sloughed off his hard rock skin, emerging as a questing, world music spirit.
LEVERAGE Above The Beyond (2021)
AOR, Melodic Rock, Power Metal, Progmetal – Leverage are none of these yet they are all of these. On their fifth album now and the music gets harder to define and easier to admire.
MARTIN PAGE In The Temple Of The Muse (2008)
A bona fide, unreconstructed Adult Rock masterwork, full of subtle melodies, grown up sentiments and understated arrangements.
BLUE OYSTER CULT The Symbol Remains (2020)
For a band who survived the hedonistic, life shortening heights of fame, a seen-it-all, done-it-all mindset would have been understandable. But the fact that they are still going strong, writing and recording truly great rock music is cause for quiet celebration.
MICHAEL SWEET I Am Not Your Suicide (2014)
Clearly an album that resolutely refuses to conform to any one particular style – Sweet has stretched himself artistically, like he’s walked out of the arena into the light – and is all the better for it.
RUSH Clockwork Angels (2012)
Heavy stuff, and still, after all these years, the music matches. It’s Rush at their best, carving huge, complex, melodicentric art rock edifices into the face of contemporary living,
TILES Pretending To Run (2015)
In today’s world, the very idea of a 2 CD, 21 track, 96 minute Progrock concept album is likely to make even a diehard fan want to curl up in the foetal position in a corner for, say, 96 minutes. But…
CATS IN SPACE Daytrip To Narnia (2019)
A note perfect assimilation of second generation power pop – jampacked with powerful, larger than life images that easily replicate the vital energy of the first two albums, and more.
CHICAGO Stone Of Sisyphus (2008)
The band delivered 11 tracks that sound fresh, exciting, powerful, overflowing with conviction and affection for their art.
MR MISTER Pull (2010)
This album is immense. It has a gravitas that few rock albums get anywhere near. A celestial marriage of the band’s 1987 album Go On and 1994′s Meanwhile, the album result of Richard Page’s collaboration with Pat (Trillion) Leonard, Third Matinee.
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It happened in 2020: Glastonbury has been cancelled in what was the festival’s 50th anniversary year. Canadian singer-songwriter Josh Taerk plays first live session for Get Ready to ROCK! in April. These sessions would become a regular (monthly) fixture. Over 1500 musicians are lobbying the Government to take urgent action to help live music in Britain avoid collapse. A letter signed by artists such as Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones called for a three-point strategy for restarting the live sector, including a clear timeline for reopening, a comprehensive support package and VAT exemption on ticket sales. Around 64% of professional musicians are thinking of quitting music as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey carried out by British booking organization Encore Musicians. It concluded that artists had lost an average of £11,300 in income each with 87% fewer gigs booked for Aug – Dec 2020 than same period in 2019. Widely influential guitarist Eddie Van Halen has passed away after fighting cancer. His band Van Halen was one of the most successful rock acts of the 1980s. The band reunited with original vocalist David Lee Roth in 2007 and for the 2012 album ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’. |
THE BRONX Sore Throat
DAVE WILSON Live Editor (2013 – )
Twenty years is a long time in any business, but in the music world it’s a lifetime. In that period band careers have come and gone and musical tastes have changed and evolved as they have done since the first notes were struck back in the depths of time.
So, where to start with choosing my personal top ten albums of the last 20 years? A good trail back through the GRTR! review archives was a great starting point to reacquaint myself with the past two decades and remind myself of what had impressed.
The album choices below are all ones that made a lasting impression and that still get a regular spin years down the line and that to me is the mark of a great album.
DRAGONFORCE Sonic Firestorm (2004)
The second album from Dragonforce and the one that introduced me to the band. I picked this album up after hearing the opening track, ‘Fury Of The Storm’, on a Metal Hammer cover mounted compilation CD and being blown away with the lightening riffs and relentless drumming. The album still sounds fresh and is power metal at its best.
RUSH Snakes And Arrows (2007)
No list would be complete without a Rush album! Snakes And Arrows found the band in a creative purple patch with the insistent, staccato riff of ‘Far Cry’ grabbing your attention from the off. The songs on this album tended to be on the heavier side of Rush which was fine with me, although it did have its softer moments to balance things out.
VOLBEAT Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (2010)
This was the album that helped step Volbeat up from a perennial Metallica support band to arena headliners in their own right. With catchy riffs and big, hook laden choruses this album set the musical course for the band which has seen them build up a huge following over the last 13 years.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Right Side Of Hell (2013)
This was an album that was rarely out of my car CD player for at least 12 months after release. After hearing the opening track ‘Lift Me Up’ on the radio, complete with the excellent Rob Halford on vocal duties, the album was purchased and FFDP became my new favourite band, a situation which hasn’t changed in the intervening years.
With harmony and melody in spades this album was a glorious, pent up ball of fury that exploded from your speakers and punched you squarely in the face!
THE BRONX V (2017)
My discovery of The Bronx is covered in my top gigs and this album, for me, was the band on a high. Hardcore punk shot through with melody and harmony proved to be a heady mix with Matt Caugthran spitting out the lyrics like a man possessed. Filled with angst but still accessible, it was the musical equivalent of an adrenaline shot to the arm.
STATUS QUO Aquostic (2014)
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? When I heard that Quo were reworking their classics in an acoustic format I was a expecting a bit of a car crash, however the result couldn’t have proved me more wrong.
This was a refreshingly honest album with the addition of the string section adding a whole new layer to the Quo back catalogue and highlighting the song writing skills of Parfitt and Rossi. The follow up album and Aquostic tours also proved to be a huge hit with even the biggest cynics.
MICHAEL SCHENKER’S TEMPLE OF ROCK Spirit On A Mission (2015)
This album found Michael in great company with Doogie White on vocals, Wayne Findlay on guitars and keyboards and the old Scorpions rhythm section of Herman Rarebell on drums and Francis Buchholz on bass. Together they released one of the best classic rock albums of the modern age. Rarebell’s drumming is the beating heart of the record and coupled with Doogie’s great vocal and Schenker’s exceptional fretboard skills this was an album to savour.
SABATON The Last Stand (2015)
Sabaton had rather passed me by until this album which was a major musical oversight on my part! Sweden’s finest take melodic power metal to a whole new level, add in the fact that they also educate the listener as well as entertain with their historic lyrical content and you have a package that’s hard to beat.
IRON MAIDEN Senjutsu (2021)
After my disappointment on hearing the previous ‘Book Of Souls’ album, I wasn’t holding out much hope for this album. Thankfully, Maiden had read my review (probably!) and seriously upped their game for Senjutsu. The album was harder hitting and although a number of the songs clocked in at over the 7 minute mark they never outstay their welcome. A Maiden classic in every sense.
GHOST Impera (2022)
This brings things bang up to date with Ghost’s best effort so far. Papa and the Nameless Ghouls were in stunning form on this one with Kaisarion being one of the best songs produced in the last 20 years!
The band have come a long way since my first (and rather scathing) live review when they played as the opening act on a three band bill headlined by Trivium. They have grown in both stature and musicality since then and are now a fully fledged arena headline act. This was my top album of 2022 and with good reason.
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It happened in 2013: Black Sabbath release their nineteenth and final studio album, 13, the band’s first album release in 18 years. In March, Alvin Lee (Ten Years After) dies at 68. Peter Banks (Yes) dies at 65. In our end of year poll Code of Silence is named Top Album and Steve Hackett Top Live Act. Black Star Riders release their debut album ‘All Hell Breaks Loose’, described by our reviewer as the next best thing to Thin Lizzy. |
LIVE ACTS
Picking just 10 albums proved difficult enough but picking my 5 top gigs was almost impossible. The final list below had more line up changes than Rainbow and Whitesnake combined!
RUSH Glasgow SECC, 3 October 2007
I was lucky enough to see Rush on six occasions in Glasgow, but this gig stands out as one of the best. The staging was excellent and the setlist was spot on, containing back catalogue classics interspersed with songs from the then new ‘Snakes and Arrows’ album. Any Rush show with both ‘Entre Nous’ and ‘Natural Science’ in the setlist is a winner in my book.
THE BRONX/ Mariachi El Bronx, The Garage, Glasgow, 2011
This show was one of those that I went along to with no real knowledge of the band or their music and no preconceptions of what to expect from the night. However, I left a few hours later completely gobsmacked by The Bronx in both musical guises.
The music was fantastic, the ever smiling Matt Caugthran spent most of the hardcore set in the pit and both performances were stunning. If ever I needed proof of the power of live music, this night affirmed that and then some.
MOTORHEAD/Anthrax City Hall, Newcastle, 3 November 2011
Motorhead and Anthrax in one of the best theatre venues left in the UK, what’s not to like? Both bands put in great sets on the night and the show was one to remember. Lemmy was on good form although his health was starting to deteriorate at that point, however, they were still Motorhead and they most definitely played Rock ‘n Roll!
REO SPEEDWAGON The Hydro, Glasgow, 20 December 2016
This was a short support set on the Status Quo ‘Last Of The Electrics’ tour, but as it had been 30 years since my last REO live encounter I was happy to take anything I could get! The band didn’t disappoint and their ten song set was the best hour of live music I have had the pleasure to watch. Forget the last 20 years, this is one of top sets of the last 40 plus years of gig going.
RAMMSTEIN MK Dons Stadium, Milton Keynes, 6 July 2019
When it comes to a live spectacle no one does it better than Rammstein. This show had everything, explosions, huge flames, burning prams and a fantastic soundtrack. Even if you are not keen on Rammstein’s music (weirdly, there are people in this category!) then I would still urge you to get along to one of their shows, you won’t be disappointed!
LAURA MEADE Never Remember
PETE WHALLEY Singer Songwriter Editor (2005-2022)
ALBUMS
A desert island discs of the GRTR! years isn’t an easy shout. But these releases all bear the hallmarks of longevity. So, in chronological order, here goes:
MISSY HIGGINS The Sound Of White (2005)
A ‘classic’ singer songwriter ‘bedsitter’ style debut. Bitter, sweet and delivered with her own distinctive vocal style. Timeless.
TINA DICO Count To Ten (2007)
With an acoustic based delivery and heartfelt vocals, ‘Count To Ten’ cemented the promise of her previous releases. Accomplished and polished in equal measure. Little wonder it won her album and singer of the year awards in Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
MARILLION Less Is More (2009)
Any number of the band’s studio albums in the GRTR! years could have made this list – not least the bookends of ‘Marbles’ and ‘An Hour Before It’s Dark’. But sometimes, as the title of this minimalist retrospective says …
ELEANOR McEVOY Alone (2011)
A retrospective of sorts, but captured rehearsing alone in the studio between gigs, her wonderful songs and vocals have never sounded so good. Quite literally, breath-taking.
Feature (The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness, March 2023)
STEVE ROTHERY The Ghost Of Pripyat (2015)
Has an instrumental album sounded this good since the 70′s? I don’t think so. It’s hard to think of another guitarist of his generation who could have pulled this off. Sublime from first note to last.
JUDIE TZUKE Peace Has Broken Out (2017)
Pain, frustration, heartbreak, hope, and finally relief – it all came pouring out on a very beautiful album that comes from the heart. And you can’t ask for more than that.
LAURA MEADE Remedium (2018)
A quite remarkable solo debut from the Izz vocalist. Individualistic, innovative and progressive – a work of considerable beauty shines like a beacon in a sea of has-beens, wannabes, and recycling.
CHASING THE MONSOON No Ordinary World (2019)
Wearing its influences unashamedly, this highly melodic/mildly ambient rock album masterminded by Karnataka’s Ian Jones, spiced with just a soupçon of World elements and Lisa Fury’s sublime vocals, is a brilliantly produced record of tantalising beauty. Stunning.
REBECCA DOWNES More Sinner Than Saint (2019)
After a couple of run of the mill blues/rock albums, ‘More Sinner Than Saint’ saw Downes drop a shoulder, and shimmy into the mainstream. And how. Brilliant songs, brilliant playing, brilliant singing, and brilliantly produced. A game changer.
THUNDER All The Right Noises (2021)
Messrs Morley, Bowes and &Co. must have made a pact with the devil to be sounding this good at this stage of their career. Quite possibly the best album they’ll ever make.
Photo: David Randall/GRTR!
LIVE ACTS
1 ZAL CLEMINSON’s SIN DOGS Giants Of Rock, January 2019
In what was a master class of stagecraft, it was impossible to avert your eyes from Zal’s unhinged, macabre, and menacing stage persona. The band’s brutally heavy, and impenetrably dense wall of sound was unsparingly savage, but provided the perfect platform for an unforgettably charismatic virtuoso performance. Pure pantomime and one of the most memorable performances I’ve seen – ever.
2 DAVID GILMOUR Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 26 May 2006
OK, he may have been majoring ‘On An Island’, but when your backing vocalists are David Crosby and Graham Nash, who cares? Strobes, smoke and lasers galore and a shed load of classic Floyd spread over 2 hours and 40 minutes. Utterly magnificent.
3 MARILLION Manchester Academy, 10 September 2012 (and various other dates)
It’s always a top draw performance from Marillion. And over a good number of gigs I’ve come to conclude they’re one of the few bands who are actually better live than on record. And in Steve Hogarth, have quite possibly the best frontman around.
4 STEVE HACKETT Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 29 October 2013 (and others)
When Hackett decided to re-visit the Genesis back catalogue, the genie was truly let out of the bottle. There was zero chance thereon he would be able to return to playing only his solo career material. But it’s kept a certain generation of gentlemen very happy and probably quadrupled (and more) his pension fund. And he’s done it with class and grace.
5 CAMEL Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 7 September 2018)
Camel gigs are as rare as hens teeth, but they reminded us just how good progressive rock can be. And with Andy Latimer in full flight, nobody, absolutely nobody, does it better.
Special mention must also go to my favourite singer songwriter Eleanor McEvoy (35+ gigs over the GRTR! years), Magenta’s acoustic set at Peter Gabriel’s at Real World Studios, and for sheer entertainment value Fee Waybill/The Tubes.
THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT Only Friend
DAVE ATKINSON (2012 – )
ALBUMS
Compiling an end-of-year best of for GRTR! is one of the annual joys of this reviewing caper. But to pick out ten monster albums from two decades of releases to celebrate the site’s birthday is a quite challenge.
This list has been trashed, tweaked and teased so many times that there’s nothing left to do but submit the thing and weep over the fact that genre-definers, belters and bangers like The Darkness (Permission To Land), Thunder (Wonder Days) and Black Star Riders (Heavy Fire) didn’t make the final line-up. And no room for such legends as Whitesnake, Iron Maiden or Judas Priest… How can this happen?
In chronological order:
MOTORHEAD Inferno (2004)
The band’s 17th release. The latter day trio of Lemmy, Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee delivered solid, trademark albums until the end. This one was a bit different though. Cameron Webb was brought in to twiddle the knobs and he managed to capture something of their blistering live intensity with an album of fresh material that never loses momentum, power or razor-sharpness. One of their finest.
GREEN DAY American Idiot (2004)
The moment when Green Day transformed from snotty pop-punk oiks to voice-of-a-generation disrupters. There’s a grandeur, almost rock-opera quality about the album and it elevated them to the big league. From the anthemic, punchy, protest-song of the title track onwards, every track is a bristling winner high on passion and sentiment.
UFO The Visitor (2009)
UFO’s third album with Vinnie Moore on guitar was the band’s best in a long time, standing reasonable comparison with their finer heyday moments. Mogg was on fine form with vocals and usual off-beat lyrics; the guitars were chunky and often overtly bluesy; Parker was back on drums and Raymond penned a couple of good tunes and elbowed decent keyboard shapes into the mix.
ALTER BRIDGE AB III (2010)
No secret that I’m a fan of this band. Dynamic, clear and often melodic vocals allied to unashamedly metallic riffs and incandescent solos, all underpinned by top-notch songwriting and production. This third platter moved the band into classic album territory.
RUSH Clockwork Angels (2012)
A return to concept albums for this, the band’s 20th and final album. Peart at his lyrical finest in weaving a steampunk fantasy about which the music twists and turns to deliver a modern prog masterpiece. All the quality of everything we know about Rush, but in an atmosphere that seems to set the band free.
BLACK SABBATH 13 (2013)
There was nothing much wrong with most of the Sabbath albums after Ozzy left. But when the Prince of Darkness himself returned to the fold for a studio album after a ridiculous 35 years, the band served up a stone-cold classic of weighty doom crawls, crushing riffs and epic solos. Ozzy sounds great and ‘God is Dead?’ is amongst the best things Sabbath have ever done.
THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT (2013)
This was a superb debut album, cracking the top 20 and promising so much. Two albums later, gravel-voiced vocalist Phil Campbell had left the band and the future is uncertain at best. If nothing else, we have this record full of finely crafted hard-edged blues rock and gritty ballads, all beautifully played, sung and produced. ‘Midnight Black’ might be my favourite amongst a slew of belters.
METALLICA Hard Wired To Self-Destruct (2016)
The band lost their way for quite a while there. Complicated, uninteresting albums, personnel issues, public therapy, litigation… And then this. Maybe not back to the absolute glory days of ‘Master of Puppets’, but at least a good dose of old school thrash, plenty of grown-up metal and even a nod to the influence of Sir Lemmy of Kilmister on ‘Murder One’.
BLACKBERRY SMOKE Find A Light (2018)
Blackberry Smoke are a very good band. It feels like they are a stone’s throw away from recording a monster album. ‘Find a Light’ was pretty close. A set of songs hewn from the southern bedrock of Georgia, but soaking up influences from various genres to create a multi-faceted, gritty-but-sharp, deeply impressive offering.
MARILLION An Hour Before It’s Dark (2022)
This was an excellent album is full of longform pieces of immersive, cinematic and lyrically conscious music. Marillion are on a roll right now, but this, for me, is better than its predecessor ‘F.E.A.R.’ in the way its moods and textures are given a jolt of power and energy on tracks that are engrossing and edgy with dollops of sparkle and shine.
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It happened in 2012: Rush release their 19th and final album ‘Clockwork Angels’ prior to breaking up after 40 years of activity. In July, Jon Lord – musician with Deep Purple and Whitesnake and classical composer – dies aged 71 after battling pancreatic cancer. It was announced in january that Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with lymphoma. Within a month, the band announced that drummer Bill Ward has decided to leave the band. Amonst the Top Albums selected in our 2012 poll: Marillion (Sounds That Can’t Be Made’) and Shinedown (Amaryllis) whilst Michael Schenker headed Top Live Acts. |
Photo: Paul Clampin
LIVE ACTS
This is even harder to nail down than the top ten albums. So many great gigs down the years. The only way to do this is to limit myself to gigs that I’ve reviewed for GRTR! since I joined their formidable ranks.
My first live review was Ministry at the Forum back in July 2012. In looking back over that period it came as a surprise to learn that I’d passed my own little GRTR! decade-of-reviewing anniversary.
Here is the top five, with apologies to near misses Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Rush, Black Sabbath, UFO, Black Country Communion and Scorpions. The following are all gigs that stood out for very special reasons and will live long in the memory.
WILKO JOHNSON Koko, London, 6 March 2013
A life affirming gig on a tour that Wilko thought would be his last after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. The performance was typical Wilko: frenetic stalking of the stage, eye-popping mad-man stares and Telecaster strafing of the audience. But the emotion was through the roof. As life would have it, the cancer was operated on and we had another nine years of this legend before he sadly passed away in late 2022.
FISH Waterside, Aylesbury, 11 April 2016
On an emotional night in Aylesbury, Fish played to an eager full house, exposing tenderness, passion and humour in a set of powerful songs, personal memories and local connections that meant a lot to both performer and audience. Fish’s emphatic rendition of Marillion’s ‘Misplaced Childhood’ was given special relevance in the town that provided sources and experiences for much of the concept album’s narrative. Not a dry eye in the house.
PEARL JAM 02 Arena, London, 17 July 2018
Sometimes a gig so good comes along that any meaningful comparisons are blown away. By every measure, Pearl Jam landed a three-hour monster on this night. The gig worked on so many levels. There is a searing honesty and indestructible credibility about this band, aside from the quality of the songs and the genius of the playing. It all connected with the audience and served up a memorable, complete, immersive experience.
ALTER BRIDGE 02 Arena, London, 21 December 2019
My review declared that this was my final and best gig of 2019. Going further, I rashly declared that as also my last gig of the decade, it should easily make the shortlist of the best in those 10 years. So I’d better put it in this list! This was a gig of absolute class. Alter Bridge are simply unrivalled in what they do.
JOE BONAMASSA Royal Albert Hall, 6 May 2022
Bonamassa is getting better. Previously the songs could feel like they were mere platforms for another face-melting solo. At the Royal Albert Hall in May last year, the depth of material, thoughtful arrangements, quality of the musicians and respectful inter-play between them gave a rounded, intense and thrilling experience. Absolutely stunning.
Feature (The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness, April 2023)
JOE GEESIN (2004 – )
Joe is our reissue review king and has lent his liner notes to many reissues over the years. His listing includes retrospective sets as well as contemporary releases.
1 RHAPSODY Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret (2004)
The first in a series of five following a fantasy concept, each featuring Christopher Lee (whom I interviewed for GRTR!). This Italian band billed as Symphonic but equally could be melodic operatic power metal. If Lord Of The Rings were a heavy metal opera, this’d be it. Wonderful album.
2 SAXON Carpe Diem (2022)
Every Saxon album since GRTR!’s formation could make this list (I nearly went for 2007′s Inner Sanctum), but Saxon have remained heavy, solid, blistering and consistent, cementing the post millenium purple patch that continues to this day. Saxon still going strong and as heavy as ever.
Feature (What Saxon mean to me…)
3 JUDAS PRIEST Nostradamus (2008)
A double album, a concept, and a leaf out of Saxon and Iron Madien’s books nodding to progressive metal in places. A brave move, overlooked, underrated, and remarkably good.
4 DIO Holy Diver Live (2006)
A wonderful live album recorded at the London Astoria the year before, where Holy Diver was played in full. Great.
5 ELOY The Vision, The Sword, The Pyre Part 1 (2017) Part 2 (2019)
Two albums in one here, from the German progressive rock legends, an expanded concept and some fantastic music.
6 DEEP PURPLE Whoosh! (2020)
For me, the Gillan/Aire/Morse era has not made a bad album, but this is definitely the best Purple album of any line-up in a LONG time. A number of both contemporary and retrospective live sets could have made the list also.
7 ALEX HARVEY The Last Of The Teenage Idols (2016)
This 14 CD box set took reissues to a new level, and is pretty definitive. Includes all the Sensational Alex Harvey Band material with a host of bonuses.
8 GILLAN The Albums Collection (2015)
With the expanded albums, the Singles Collection and Triple Trouble Live also appearing, there’s no excuse for being au fait with the catalogue of this perfect British rock band.
And amongst there plethora of albums collections, more recent releases by Saxon, Focus, Cactus, Steppenwolf and Hawkwind, it’s a listeners’ dream out there.
Feature (What Gillan mean to me…)
9 NAZARETH Loud & Proud (2018)
32 CDs, 4LPs, 3 45s, and a book, all in a box, this was how to do career spanning box sets, and at a much better price than some out there. Room for more, but still an excellent template.
Feature (What Nazareth means to me…)
10 RORY GALLAGHER Irish Tour ’74 (2014)
One of the best live albums, and this reissue featuring 7 CDs and a DVD make for an unmissable package.
Feature (An introduction to…)
Bubbling under – new releases by Thunderstick, Praying Mantis, Thor, Freedom Call
Photo: Simon Dunkerley
LIVE ACTS
1 SAXON London Astoria, 2 October 2004 (and many others)
A no brainer – I’ve only missed one London show since 1999 (a PR f**kup) and every show could make this list. Britain’s best and most consistent live band, they put many to shame, and not just with the variation of the setlist.
2 TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Hammersmith Apollo, 28 March 2011
One of the most enjoyable interviews I’ve ever done and the Hammersmith, London show in 2011 featured a live show that’d attract aliens.
3 FREEDOM CALL Purple Turtle, Camden Town, London, 5 November 2010
Several shows, including at the Islington Academy in 2012, power metal build on vocal harmonies and a crowd full of (plastic) swords and helmets – wonderful metal entertainment.
4 URIAH HEEP High Voltage, London, 24 July 2010
Seen several times, and always entertaining. Quality music fronted by the ever grinning Mick Box, and an extended jam or two. Lovely.
5 BLONDIE Kew Gardens, Richmond-upon-Thames, 11 July 2011
A sunny afternoon on the lawn at Kew Gardens, with free champagne will get anyone’s vote, and a still on form Blondie performing the hits an added bonus.
Worth a mention – The High Voltage festivals 2010 and 2011, during which I undertook or arranged over 15 interviews for GRTR!
KAREN CLAYTON (2021 – )
ALBUMS
THE DARKNESS Permission To Land (2003)
SLASH (2010)
VOLBEAT Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies (2013)
THUNDER Wonder Days (2015)
THE DEAD DAISIES Make Some Noise (2016)
VOLBEAT Rewind, Replay, Rebound (2019)
METALLICA S&M2 (2020)
THE TREATMENT Waiting For Good Luck (2021)
JAMIE’S GUNS Sex, Drugs & Weapons of War (2022)
KING KRAKEN MCLXXX (2023)
LIVE ACTS
1. IRON MAIDEN Legacy Of The Beast (2022)
2. AC/DC Rock Or Bust (2015)
3. METALLICA Hardwired to Self Destruct (2017)
4. NICKELBACK Here & Now (2013)
5. BLACK SABBATH The End (2017)
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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