Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: KATHRYN ROBERTS & SEAN LAKEMAN – Personae

Posted on February 13, 2018 by jason

IScream Records [Release date 09.03.18] Husband and wife duo Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman have been recording and performing for over two decades, during which time they have won twice Best Duo at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Their … Continue reading →

Album review: JON BUTCHER AXIS

Posted on February 13, 2018 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 19.01.18] If like me you were one of those who spent every fortnight reading Kerrang! and the Wimpwire column by Derek Oliver, Jon Butcher’s name came up quite often and indeed he got a feature in the AOR/melodic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 80s, album, Escape Music, JK Northrup, Jon Butcher, Jon Butcher Axis, melodic, re-issue, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: DRIVE, SHE SAID – Real Life

Posted on February 11, 2018 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 23.03.18] ‘Real Life’ was originally released back in 2003 by Drive, She Said the band who featured vocalist/guitarist/bassist Al Fritsch and keyboards wizard Mark Mangold. This album has been re-mixed in 2017 by Brian Anthony and Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Al Fritsch, album, Drive, Escape Music, Mark Mangold, melodic, pomp, re-mastered, Real Life, remixed, review, rock, She Said | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVEY LANE – I’m Gonna Burn Out Bright

Posted on February 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Capgun [Release date 16.03.18] Introspective opener ‘Hell (A Prelude)’ hardly prepares the listener for what’s to come on Davey Lane’s second solo album. Before you know it, the belting synth epic ‘Taurus All Apart’ swirls into your head – sonically … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Davey Lane, I'm Gonna Burn Out Bright, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS HILLMAN – The Asylum Years

Posted on February 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Omnivore Recordings [Release date 09.02.18] This new CD brings together Chris Hillman’s first two solo albums, from 1976 and 1977 respectively. Hillman had a fine pedigree as a member of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Manassas. Immediately prior … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged album, Chris Hillman, Clear Sailin', country, Manassas, reissue, review, rock, Slippin' Away, The Asylum Years, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band | Leave a comment

Album review: THE INNOCENTS – Teardrop Kiss

Posted on February 10, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Public Records [Release date 02.04.18] Tasmania’s The Innocents have previous form. In their original guise of Beathoven, they released one of the finest (and obscure) slices of 1970s power pop in ‘Please Don’t Go’ – check it out on YouTube … Continue reading →

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Album review: MARILLION – Holidays In Eden Live/Size Matters (reissues)

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 19.01.18] Curious ‘mainstream’ releases for these two double CD sets, that fans will know were originally released on the band’s own Racket Records label (in fact, Size Matters is still currently available, albeit with a different sleeve), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Holidays In Eden Live, live, Marillion, progressive, review, rock, Size Matters, Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery, weekend | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DEAD SOUTH – Illusion & Doubt

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

DevilDuck Records [Release date 23.03.18] Outlaws, modern hillbillies? The opening strains of ‘Boots’ does, indeed, bring Jed Clampett and his clan to mind. And regrettably, not Elly May. No, more her half-witted half-brother Jethro, having a banjo/mandolin fuelled bluegrass hoedown … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, bluegrass, folk, Illusion & Doubt, review, rock, The Dead South | Leave a comment

Album review: MISSISSIPPI STOMP – Shine

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 22.04.17] Mississippi Stomp are an Americana outfit from, yes, you guessed it [northeast] Mississppi. Tupelo, to be precise the home of the King. Shine is their sophomore release. Together since the early nineties, with the focal point husband … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Mississippi Stomp, review, rock, Shine | Leave a comment

Album review: FRACTAL MIRROR – Close To Vapour

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Bad Elephant Music [Release date 26.01.18] My heart sinks when I see a shallow Press Release signposting a band as being of the ‘Progressive/Art Rock’ genre, and then sinks several degrees further when I see the only other information (apart … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, art rock, Close To Vapour, Fractal Mirror, prog, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: KORBY LENKER – Thousand Springs

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 16.03.18] Nashville singer songwriter Korby Lenker chose to record his seventh album, not in the studio, but in places that resonated with him his guitar and vocals being captured in places as diverse as the edge of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Korby Lenker, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Thousand Springs | Leave a comment

Album review: TAUTOLOGIC – Re:Psychle

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 18.01.18] If you’re into ‘prog’ and looking for something, well, ‘different’, then this release from Chicago-based sextet Tautologic could be worth exploring. It’s like nothing you’ve ever heard before, at least not on a single album. Formed back … Continue reading →

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Album review: PRETTY BOY FLOYD -Public Enemies

Posted on February 8, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 01.1.17] For a band that have been together, on and off since 1987, Pretty Boy Floyd are one of the few bands from that era that pretty much sound exactly the same as they did 30 years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Frontiers, glam, Kristy Majors, Pretty Boy Floyd, Public Enemies, review, rock, sleaze, Steve Summers | Leave a comment

Album review: THE POODLES – Prisma

Posted on February 6, 2018 by jason

Gain Music/Sony [Release date 26.01.18] The Poodles add to the growing list of rock acts who have released a covers album in the past few years. On ‘Prisma’ they tackle a variety of genres and eras, including a few surprise pop choices. Jakob … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blondie, Covers, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, metal, pop, PRISMA, review, rock, the Osmonds, The Poodles | Leave a comment

Album review: AL DI MEOLA – Opus

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 23.02.18] Many will remember Al Di Meola from his three-album sojourn with jazz fusionists Return To Forever. After that time Di Meola pursued a solo career frequently incorporating world flavours and collaborating with other guitar icons. His … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Di Meola, album, fusion, guitar, jazz, jazz fusion, Jazz rock, Opus, Return To Forever, review | Leave a comment

Album review: GONG EXPRESSO – Decadence

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Gong Expresso [Release date 20.02.18] Once upon a time there was a band called Gong. They were hippy, trippy and certainly dippy. In their ranks was percussionist Pierre Moerlen who evidently saw an eye to the main chance. Pierre established … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Benoit Moerlen, Decadence, Gong Expresso, Hansford Rowe, jazz, Pierre Moerlen, review | Leave a comment

Album review: OSMOSIS (reissue)

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric [Release date: 24.11.17] If the ‘assimilation of ideas’ inherent in the meaning of the term osmosis is also a process of ‘almost unconscious gradualism’, it is not reflected in the 1970 debut (and only) release by this US Bostonian … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, jazz, Osmosis, progressive, reissue, review | Leave a comment

Album review: STRAY – Fire & Glass (The Pye Recordings 1975-1976)

Posted on February 5, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric [Release date: 24.11.17] Regulars on the 70s’ gigging circuit in the UK, Stray harnessed consistently strong and varied repertoire with colourful performances supporting the likes of Black Sabbath and Ten Years After. But they were also signed to indie … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, blues rock, classic rock, compilation, DEL BROMHAM, Fire & Glass (The Pye Recordings 1975-1976), review, Stray | Leave a comment

Album review: W.A.S.P. – Re-idolized

Posted on February 3, 2018 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 02.02.18] Moving away from the trashy, good-time, OTT lyrics of earlier albums, The Crimson Idol (released in 1993) saw Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P. move into the territory of the concept album. The Crimson Idol tells the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Blackie Lawless, metal, Naplam Records, Re-idolized, review, rock, The Crimson Idol, W.A.S.P | Leave a comment

Album review: THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – God Bless America

Posted on February 1, 2018 by petefeenstra

Self Release [Release date 01.12.18] ‘God Bless America’ is an album full of colourful narratives – both real and imagined – deep grooves, intricate guitar work and an array of sparkling tones. It invites us to immerse ourselves in a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Allan Kelly, Americana, blues, British Blues Awards, country, Electric, George Harrison, Glen Buck, Greg Camburn, guitar, J.J. Cale, Jerry Garcia, Mark Knopfler, Phil Wilson, Philip Ockelford, review, Richard Townend, roots, singer, songwriter, Sting, The Mighty Bosscats | Leave a comment

Album review: IGNORE THE SIGN – A Line To Cross

Posted on February 1, 2018 by jason

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 23.02.18] Ignore The Sign are a new band formed around the trio of vocalist/keys/guitarist Ossy Pfeiffer, guitarist/vocalist Anca Graterol (Rosy Vista) and guitarist Steve Mann (MSG/Lionheart). The are joined by bass player Lars Lehmann (Uli Jon Roth), percussionist … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Line To Cross, album, classic rock, debut, Def Leppard, Ignore The Sign, Lionheart, melodic, review, rock, SPV | Leave a comment

Album review: BILLY WALTON BAND – Soul Of A Man

Posted on January 31, 2018 by petefeenstra

Vizztone Records [Release date 12.01.18] Not to be confused with the Blind Willie Johnson song, the Billy Walton Band’s ‘Soul Of A Man’ album strikes the perfect balance between their natural exuberance and nascent song craft. If you include a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Billy Walton, Billy Walton Band, Blind Willie Johnson, blues, Bob Jones, guitar, John Fogerty, Johnny D'Angelo, Michael Bloomfield, R&B, review, rock& roll, soul, William Paris, Wish For What You Want | Leave a comment

Album review: ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION – The Blues And I Should Have A Party

Posted on January 30, 2018 by petefeenstra

33 Records [Release date 02.03.18] ‘The Blues And I Should Have A Party’ is as much a thematic statement of the band’s musical intent – let alone history – as it is a specific title track about a troubled relationship. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 33 records, album, blues, grooves, guitar, Hammond, Paul Robinson, Pete Whittaker, review, Rob Koral, rock, Spencer Davis Group, Steve Winwood, swing, The Blues And I Should Have A Party, vocals, Zoe Schwarz, Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion | Leave a comment

Album review: SPREADING THE DISEASE – Insurrection

Posted on January 30, 2018 by jason

Facebook page [Release date 26.01.18] I reviewed Spreading The Disease’s EP a couple of years ago and that featured the awesome song ‘Bulldozer’ – a song that did what it said on the tin, namely rolling over the listener with some … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Pure Metal/Interviews | Tagged album, band, Breed 77, Insurrection, interview, modern metal, Pantera, review, Rising Stars, SLIPKNOT, Spreading The Disease, Thrash | Leave a comment

Quick plays: LUKE JACKSON, TOM TOWNSEND

Posted on January 25, 2018 by jason

LUKE JACKSON Solo, Duo, Trio First Take Records [Release date 09.02.18] Luke Jackson has been steadily building a name for himself since his debut album ‘More Than The Boys’ was released in 2013. Indeed, he has been nominated for the BBC … Continue reading →