Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: SPARKS – Past Tense: The Best Of Sparks

Posted on November 12, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 08.11.19] For many people of a certain age Sparks are famed for the high vocals and scary looking bloke on the keyboards, yet there is so much more to their music aside from the big hits ‘This … Continue reading →

Album review: SPARKS – Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 01.11.19] ‘Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins’ originally came out in 1994 and came after a six year gap by Sparks since 1988’s ‘Interior Design’ album. The band were said to be on hiatus, something Ron Mael takes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Reissues | Tagged album, Christo Haydon, dance, Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins, pop, quirky, review, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, SPARKS, synth pop, Techno | Leave a comment

Album review: INCOGNITO – Tomorrow’s New Dream

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason

Absolute [Release date 08.11.19] While the name may not immediately trigger recognition, acid jazz group Incognito are a group that have a long association with the London club scene. Formed in 1979 by Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick and Paul “Tubbs” Williams, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged acid jazz, album, Incognito, jazz, Jocelyn Brown, melodic, Paul "Tubbs" Williams, Paul 'Bluey' Maunick, review, soul, Tomorrow’s New Dream | Leave a comment

Album review: MOLLY HATCHET – Battleground

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 29.11.19] Formed in the early 70s by guitarists Steve Holland and Dave Hlubek, Molly Hatchet released their eponymous debut on Epic in 1978, and were at the forefront of the second wave of Southern Rock. Inspired by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Battleground, Bobby Ingram, classic rock, Danny Joe Brown, Dave Hlubek, live, Molly Hatchet, review, rock, southern rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BUCK AND EVANS – Write A Better Day

Posted on November 9, 2019 by petefeenstra

Departure Records [Release date 15.11.19] Buck And Evans have called themselves a rock and soul band, but they also embrace a palpable West coast feel, especially so on Sally Ann Evans more introspective moments which recall Christine McVie. Then there’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, blues, Bob Richards, Buck And Evans, Chris Buck, Christine McVie, Dominic Hill, Fleetwood Mac, funk, guitar, Lindsey Buckingham, psychedelia, review, rock, Sally Ann Evans, Stevie Nicks, vocal, West Coast, Write A Better Day | Leave a comment

Quick plays: WILDWOOD KIN, PAMELA SUE MANN, CATTLE & CANE, CHRISTOPHER HOLLAND

Posted on November 8, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

WILDWOOD KIN Wildwood Kin Silvertone/Sony [Release date 04.10.19] Alt-folkies Wildwood Kin – sisters Beth and Emillie Key, and cousin Meghann Loney follow up their 2017 debut (Turning Tides) with an altogether more ‘grown up’ sounding sophomore self-titled release. Majoring on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Quick Plays | Tagged album, alternative, Americana, Break, Cattle & Cane, Christopher Holland, electronica, folk, Golden Hour, Navigator, Pamela Sue Mann, pop, review, Rundown, Scratches, singer, songwritrer, Wildwood Kin | Leave a comment

Album review: KRIS BARRAS – Light It Up

Posted on November 7, 2019 by petefeenstra

Provogue Records [Release date 13.09.19] Kris Barras is a contemporary rock-blues hero for the new generation. He’s got the chops, the back story, a booming voice, an eye for a good melody and a catchy chorus, topped by some coruscating … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, blues, guitar, Josiah J. Manning, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kris Barras, Light It Up, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: KING OF HEARTS

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 22.11.19] King Of Hearts are another band making a comeback many years after their first shot at musical stardom back in the late 80s. However, their label at the time didn’t release their debut album which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, AOR, Bruce Gaitsch, Chicago, CJ Vanston, Eagles, King Of Hearts, melodic rock, review, Timothy B. Schmit, Tommy Funderburk, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: RINGO STARR – What’s My Name

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jason

Universal Music Group [Release date 25.10.19] The world’s most famous drummer doesn’t need to keep bringing out new albums and could rest on his laurels and enjoy the fruits of his past labour but no, here is a man who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, classic rock, Colin Hay, drummer, Edgar Winter, Joe Walsh, John Lennon, Paul McArtney, review, Ringo Starr, rock, Steve Lukather, The Beatles, The Eagles, Toto, What's My Name | Leave a comment

Album review: EMPYRE – Self Aware

Posted on November 5, 2019 by david.wilson

Self Release [release date 05.07.19] This is the debut album from Empyre who hail from Northampton. The band formed in 2016 and have had a run of high profile outings including featuring on ‘BBC Introducing’ and recording a session for the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, CD, Did Coles, Disturbed, Empyre, Northampton, Pearl Jam, review, rock, Self Aware | Leave a comment

Album review: SABATON – The Great War

Posted on November 5, 2019 by david.wilson

Nuclear Blast [Release date 19.07.19] With the recent commemorations taking place to mark 100 years passing since the First World War it is the perfect time for Sabaton to tackle the war to end all wars. They have touched on the subject … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, battle metal, Bismark, Joakim Broden, Lawrence Of Arabia, review, rock, Sabaton, The Great War, Verdun | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Seize The Day

Posted on November 5, 2019 by jason

Winkelrant Records [Release date 01.11.19] The Darker My Horizon are back with their third album and one that sees them produce their best album to date. The core duo of Paul Stead (lead vocals, guitar) and Mark Stephenson (guitars, backing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, hard rock, melodic, review, rock, Seize The Day, the Darker My Horizon | Leave a comment

Album review: GRAND SLAM – Hit The Ground

Posted on November 5, 2019 by jason

Marshall Records [Release date 22.11.19] Great things should have happened for Grand Slam when they emerged in 1984 from the dust that settled after the tangled and anti-climactic end of the great Thin Lizzy, who themselves were just seeing a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, classic rock, Grand Slam, hard rock, Hit The Ground, Laurence Archer, Mark Stanway, Phil Lynott, review, rock, Stampede, Thin Lizzy, UFO | Leave a comment

Album review: LARRY MILLER – The Sinner And The Saint

Posted on November 4, 2019 by petefeenstra

Code7 – Big Guitar Records [Release date 06.09.19] Just given Larry Miller’s serious health issues alone, ‘The Sinner And The Saint’ double album is a remarkable achievement. Released exactly three years since his last self-titled album, it’s arguably his most … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, ballads, blues, Gary Moore, guitar, Larry Miller, review, rock, Rory Gallagher, The Beatles, The Saint And The Sinner | Leave a comment

Album review: DAN REED NETWORK – reissues

Posted on November 3, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

UMC [Release date 25.10.19] For fans, the question for these reissues has to be – firstly – why has it taken 30-odd years to get definitive remasters? And, secondly, where are the bonus tracks? OK, the analogue to digital transfer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Reissues | Tagged album, Dan Reed Network, funk rock, reissue, review, Slam | Leave a comment

Album review: CHASING THE MONSOON – No Ordinary World

Posted on November 2, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 20.09.19] Once upon a time, in a Galaxy far, far away – well, OK, maybe not a Galaxy far away, but Swansea isn’t a place most people could pinpoint on a map without the help of Google – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, ambient, Chasing The Monsoon, Karnataka, No Ordinary World, prog, Progressive Rock, review, world | Leave a comment

Album review: THE SOUL REBELS – Poetry In Motion

Posted on November 2, 2019 by jason

Rebelution Music Group [Release date 25.10.19] From the opening of notes of ‘Blow the Horns’ The Soul Rebels exude swagger and confidence, promising to “shake the world up like an earthquake”. ‘Poetry in Motion’ marks the first release in seven … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, Branford Marsalis, funk, hip hop, jazz, Maroon 5, Poetry In Motion, pop, review, Robert Glasper, soul, the Soul Rebels | Leave a comment

Album review: OTHERWISE – Defy

Posted on October 31, 2019 by jason

Mascot Records [Release date 08.11.19] New signing to the Mascot label, although this is the fourth album from Otherwise. Otherwise are brothers’ vocalist Adrian and guitarist Ryan Patrick, bassist Tony “The Beast” Carboney and drummer Brian Medeiro. Opening with a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts | Tagged album, alternative, Defy, electronic, Fall Out Boy, metal, Otherwise, Panic At The Disco!, rap, review, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: D’ERCOLE, THE WAY, SPEARMINT

Posted on October 29, 2019 by jason

D’ERCOLE The Ballad Of C.L. Rock Company [Release date 11.10.19] It’s that man again, Phil Vincent, on another release following hot on the heels of the Forest Field album. D’Ercole is a band affair with Damian D’Ercole (guitar) and B.F. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), All Posts, Quick Plays | Tagged album, D'Ercole, Frequency of Spirit, funk, hard rock, indie pop, Joe Lynn Turner, melodic rock, metal, Phil Vincent, pop, review, Spearmint, The Ballad Of CL, The Way | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BRUTALISTS – We Are Not Here To Help

Posted on October 29, 2019 by jason

Cleopatra Records [Release date 06.09.19] Following on surprisingly quickly from their superb debut album, The Brutalists have recently release new effort “We Are Not Here To Help”, and I am pleased to report that this follows on exactly as you … Continue reading →