Albums of the Month

Our quarterly selection of top albums are based on GRTR! reviewer ratings.

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2023 Albums of the Month

HANFORD FLYOVER - Source

HANFORD FLYOVER Source (Fruits De Mer Records)

There are several bands operating in the psych/blues rock space and female fronted such as Dead Feathers and Blues Pills, and even label mate Crystal Jacqueline. But Hanford Flyover are less late sixties Jefferson Airplane and arguably of even wider appeal.
****1/2

Review by David Randall

Robin Trower - Joyful Sky

ROBIN TROWER with SARI SCHORR Joyful Sky (Mascot)

‘Joyful Sky’ reaffirms the qualities of a truly great guitar player who delivers enough quality songs for Sari Schorr to transform them into a slice of mature, groove laden rock- blues. ****

Review by Pete Feenstra

Trevor Rabin - Rio

TREVOR RABIN Rio (InsideOut Music)

‘Rio’ may have been an album with one of the longest gestation periods in the history of rock, but Trevor can be rightly proud of the results. ****

Review by Dave Wilson

Ann Wilson & Tripsitter - Another Door

ANN WILSON & TRIPSITTER Another Door (Dualtone)

Ann Wilson shows no signs of slowing down, either creatively or touring wise. An album of quality musicianship and songwriting, perfect musical escapism. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

CARE OF NIGHT - Reconnected

CARE OF NIGHT Reconnected (Frontiers)

(Calle) Schonberg takes the fragile quality of the lyrics and amplifies the emotions.

His voice is electrifying at times. He never under-commits. Even on the rockier tracks, like ‘Follow Through’ and ‘End Of A Chapter’, every word, every line is delivered with conviction.  ****1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

Will Pike - Under A Delphic Moon

WILL PIKE Under A Delphic Moon (Indie)

There’s never a wasted note and tone colour is sacred. Each musical element finds its space in an ethereal musical journey that spans space-rock, ambient-rock, prog, funk, fusion, psychedelia and electronica. ****

Review By Pete Feenstra


Albums of the Month (including July-September 2023)


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Albany Down - Born In The Ashes

ALBANY DOWN Born In The Ashes (indie)

Seven years is surely too long between releases, but whatever the reasons, this excellent album deserves to build some momentum and push Albany Down towards enduring and wide-spread success. ****

Review by Dave Atkinson

TEMPT

TEMPT Tempt (Better Noise Music)

Listening to this album puts the listener in such a good mood and here’s hoping they can gain a foothold in the listening habits of the younger folk (folks my age will easily be won over as they relive their 80s musical past).

Tempt do live up to their claim of rock music for the modern age and these songs are made for blasting out live in arenas around the world. For once the hype is well deserved. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

DBA - Celestial Songs

DBA (Downes Braide Association) Celestial Songs (Cherry Red)

Each and every song is dressed in evocative, sophisticated arrangements. And each has an hypnotic quality. ****1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

STRAY - About Time

STRAY About Time (Talking Elephant)

The result is an album of melodic hard rock with occasional prog and symphonic influences.

At its best the album pushes Bromham’s meaningful song narratives into a new bombastic musical environment which helps amplify lyrical meaning and gives the band plenty of room to stretch out. ****

Review by Pete Feenstra

STREETLIGHT - Ignition

STREETLIGHT Ignition (Frontiers)

Streetlight’s debut album is filled to the brim with heart and soul AOR.

Few bands have the skill and ability to make it sound this honest. Just unpretentious songs of unerring simplicity and (mostly) uncomplicated sentiment, built on strands of soaring melody and cleanly crafted musicianship. ****1/2

Review By Brian McGowan

SOUTHERN EMPIRE - Another World

SOUTHERN EMPIRE Another World (Giant Electric Pea)

In summary, a wonderful album – chock full of everything that makes progressive rock so good – great songs, a thoughtful libretto and musicianship from all concerned that’s just off the scale. *****

Review by Alan Jones


Albums of the Month (April – June 2023)


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WINGER - Seven

WINGER Seven (Frontiers)

Winger are a great group of musicians and they write great songs.  And ‘Seven’ matches up to their very best work. *****

Review by David Randall 

HOUSE OF SHAKIRA XIT (Frontiers)

No question, XIT is a perfect pop meets melodic rock classic, from a band who never stuck to the formula, and thankfully, still don’t. *****

Review by Brian McGowan

Elegant Weapons have a metal beast of an album on their hands here. Perfect for any fans of Priest, Ozzy, Sabbath and Accept. It is modern sounding metal and production with a classic metal foundation.  ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

EXTREME Six (earMUSIC)

This is a great album which finds a band revitalised and they sound keen to prove the naysayers wrong. There are a couple of less memorable tracks but, overall, the songs on offer are excellent melodic rock with some moments of musical brilliance.

It may have been 15 years, but Extreme still know how to rock! ****

Review by Dave Wilson

MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) - In The Rain Shadow

MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected) In The Rain Shadow (indie)

The whole album rises above what might disparagingly be called wallpaper music.  Not a lot happens admittedly – there’s a consistent and unbroken vibe – but it is a great listen that repays repeated listening.  *****

Review by David Randall

LUKE MORLEY Songs From The Blue Room (Conquest Music)

This mellow and beguiling album, with its timeless pop-influenced melodies, demonstrates a totally different string to Luke Morley’s bow and comes highly recommended as the perfect easy listening for the summer’s hot days. **** 1/2

Review by Andy Nathan


Albums of the Month: January-March 2023 


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URIAH HEEP- Chaos and Colour

URIAH HEEP Chaos & Colour (Silver Lining Music)

Heep join a select bunch of veteran bands (including close contemporaries Deep Purple) who are sounding as good as ever. Indeed classic heavy rock does not come much better than this.    **** 3/4

Review by Andy Nathan

KATATONIA - Sky Void Of Stars

KATATONIA Sky Void Of Stars (Napalm Records)

Despondency never sounded this good – ever, and yet I would defy any metal / progressive rock fan to finish listening to it with anything other than a smile on their face and a knowing nod to the brilliance within.

Exceptional.  *****

Review by Alan Jones

ROBIN McAULEY - Alive

ROBIN McAULEY Alive (Frontiers)

…this is a damn fine album with great songwriting and playing throughout topped off with Robin’s fantastic vocal. Come the end of the year list, this will be vying for the top spot without a doubt.  *****

Review by David Wilson

THE COLD STARES Voices (Mascot)

The change of tempo between bluesy rock and slower ballads makes for a really interesting listen, as the  changing pace  and musical structures vary so much. The lyrics are accomplished, the musicianship is superb, frankly the album is a masterclass from start to finish – don’t take my word for it , give it a listen! *****

Review by Karen Clayton

CROSS COUNTRY DRIVER The New Truth (Frontiers)

These experienced, talented artists are blessed with an electrifying understanding of country / blues / rock dynamics.

The songs seem to develop organically, avoiding the verse, bridge chorus straitjacket that constrains much of today’s popular music.   *****

Review By Brian McGowan

FLOOR JANSEN – Paragon

FLOOR JANSEN Paragon (Pias)

 I can hardly be described as a die-hard Nightwish fan. Never in a million years did I expect to become so impressed, mesmerized…no, absolutely captivated. ****1/2

Review by Ioannis Stefanis

Albums of the Month: April-June 2023


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Albums of the Month (Archive 2016-2022)

 

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