Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

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 →

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 →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, blues, folk, funk, jazz, Leave It Up To Me, live, Luke Jackson, pop, Quick Plays, review, singer songwriter, Solo, Tom Townsend | Leave a comment

Album review: LONG DISTANCE CALLING – Boundless

Posted on January 23, 2018 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 02.02.18] Germany’s Long Distance Calling – guitarists David Jordan and Florian Füntmann, bassist Jan Hoffman and drummer Janosch Rathmer – have been around since 2006 and although their last album featured guest vocalists, on this album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Boundless, instrumental, Long Distance Calling, Post-rock, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ – My ReGeneration/The Further Adventures Of

Posted on January 23, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 01.12.17] The Down ‘N’ Outz were formed by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, when he was asked to be involved in the Mott The Hoople reunion shows in 2009. For this he was backed by Quireboys’ members Paul Guerin … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, classic rock, Def Leppard, Down N Outz, Ian Hunter, Joe Elliott, live, Mott the Hoople, My ReGeneration, Quireboys, re-issue, review, the Further Adventures Of | Leave a comment

Album review: FIVE GRAND STEREO – Sex & Money

Posted on January 20, 2018 by jason

Five Grand Stereo [Release date 26.01.18] Five Grand Stereo are Chris Singleton (vocals/guitar/piano), Jane Fraser (vocals), Stelios Kalisperides (guitar), Michael Kirkland (sax/synths), Zane Maertens (bass) and Ben Woollacott (drums). Chris Singleton has of course released a series of excellent pop/rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chris Singleton, David Bowie, debut, Five Grand Stereo, melodic, pop, review, rock, Sex & Money | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DELLA GRANTS – Live Sessions

Posted on January 19, 2018 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 22.11.17] Whether or not The Della Grants take their name from Muddy Waters grandmother or the American roots reggae singer Della Grant, there’s certainly a musical meeting of minds on an album that references blues, soul … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Andy Boulton, blues, Chris Barron, Della Grant, Leicester, Live Room Sessions, Max Manning, Muddy Waters, review, rock, Rolling Stones, soul, The Band, The Della Grants, The Faces, The Spin Doctors, Tom Best, Tom Walker, Tony Robinson | Leave a comment

Album review: JONO – Life

Posted on January 18, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 01.12.17] Jono joining Frontiers will be good for both parties, as Jono will get greater exposure to their marvellous mix of pomp, rock and prog, whilst Frontiers have a band who I am sure as Mr Halford … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Jono, Life, melodic, Muse, pomp, progressive, Queen, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DARK ELEMENT (featuring Anette Olzon & Jani Liimatainen)

Posted on January 16, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Frontiers Records [Release date 10.11.17] After Anette Olzon’s unceremonious departure from Nightwish in 2012 she took stock, brushed herself down, and fashioned the beginnings of a solo career. ‘Shine’ was released in 2014 and was one of my favourite albums, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anette Olzon, Jani Liimatainen, Nightwish, pop metal, review, Sonata Arctica, symphonic metal, symphonic rock, The Dark Element | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL LANDAU – Rock Bottom

Posted on January 16, 2018 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 23.02.18] From the free form intro of ‘Squirrels’ to the Noirish spoken word intro and melodic resolution of ‘Speak Now, Make Your Peace’, Michael Landau takes up on a complex musical journey that promises much and delivers … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, BB King, blues, Brendan Perry, David Frazee, David Garfield, Dead Can Dance, fusion, guitar, jazz, Jim Morrison, John Cale, Joni Mitchell, Karizma, Michael Landau, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, review, rock, Rock Bottom | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN, ALL THE LUCK IN THE WORLD, RAINTIMES

Posted on January 16, 2018 by jason

BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN Hearts Of Glass Proper Music [Release date 09.02.18] www.bethnielsenchapman.com Beth Nielsen Chapman’s latest album is nearly all her own songs, with many of them being re-recorded versions where the piano on the originals is replaced by guitar. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged A Blind Arcade, albums, All The Luck In The World, alternative, Beth Nielsen Chapman, country, folk, Frontiers, Hearts Of Glass, inide, melodic, melodic rock, Raintimes, reviews, the Storm, Von Groove | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL SCHENKER – A Decade Of The Mad Axeman

Posted on January 15, 2018 by jason

[Release date 28.01.18] A completely mad axeman indeed, Michael Schenker is one of the world’s shining lights when it comes to rock and metal guitar. Whether with Scorpions, UFO, the Michael/McAuley Schenker Group, UFO again, solo or his own Temple … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Decade Of The Mad Axeman, album, best of, classic rock, collection, Gary Bardens, guitarist, review, rock, Scorpions, UFO | Leave a comment

Album review: SAXON – Thunderbolt

Posted on January 15, 2018 by jason

UDR [Release date 02.02.18] Bastions of British heavy metal, NWoBHM stalwarts, basically if you like trad heavy metal, Saxon are where it’s at and have been for longer than I can remember. Album number 22 comes two and a half … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Biff Byford, heavy metal, metal, Motorhead, NWOBHM, review, Saxon, Thunderbolt | Leave a comment

Album review: LEAVES’ EYES – Sign Of The Dragonhead

Posted on January 11, 2018 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 12.01.18] Back in April 2016 Leaves’ Eyes parted ways with singer Liv Kristine, which led to various accounts of how the departure came about surfacing on social media and ill feeling between both parties. So this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Leaves' Eyes, metal, review, Sign Of The Dragonhead, symphonic metal | Leave a comment

Album review: KAYAK – Seventeen

Posted on January 10, 2018 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 12.01.18] Kayak was founded in 1972 by keyboardist/composer Ton Scherpenzeel, who is the sole remaining original member, as the band release their seventeenth studio album. Ton is joined in Kayak by singer Bart Schwertmann and guitarist Marcel Singor, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Latimer, Camel, Kayak, melodic, prog, prog rock, Progressive Rock, review, Seventeen, Ton Scherpenzeel | Leave a comment

Album review: BLOOD RED SAINTS – Love Hate Conspiracies

Posted on January 10, 2018 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 26.01.18] Blood Red Saints return with their second album and joining the original trio of Pete Godfrey (vocals), Rob Naylor (bass) and Lee Revill (guitars) are guitarist Neil Hibbs (ex-Shy) and Andy Chemney on drums. There are a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blood Red Saints, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, hard rock, Love Hate Conspiracies, melodic, Paul Laine, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE LYNNeS – Heartbreak Song For The Radio

Posted on January 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

The LYNNeS [Release date 02.02.18] It’s been a while since GRTR! last encountered Lynne Hanson – with her third album Once The Sun Goes Down (2010) – a finger picking folk/country/Americana artist with loyal followings in Canada, the States, Europe … Continue reading →

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Album review: TONOCHROME – A Map In Fragments

Posted on January 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Bad Elephant Music [Release date 02.02.18] The debut album from London based art rock quartet, has proggy undertones, but at heart is more rooted in jazz and ambient soundscapes. The brainchild of singer and main songwriter Andres Razzini, it’s an … Continue reading →