Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: NIGHT RANGER – Don’t Let Up

Posted on April 4, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 24.03.17] Night Ranger, unlike many of their fellow 80′s melodic hard rock bands, have been consistently releasing new music and of a high quality. In fact for me they are one of the few bands who I … Continue reading →

Album review: C-SIDES – We Are Now

Posted on March 31, 2017 by alanjones

White Knight Records [Release date: 14.03.17] Back in the day there was a TV comedy series called ‘Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width’ and it’s a maxim that applies to so much of what passes for progressive rock these … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, C-Sides, Magenta, Progressive Rock, review, Rob Reed, We Are Now | Leave a comment

Album review: COLIN HARPER – Titanium Flag (Remastered & Expanded Edition)

Posted on March 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Market Square Records [Release date 24.04.17] The sad thing about this album is that most punters will be drawn in primarily by Track 3 which features legendary Dutch guitarist Jan Akkerman. In fairness, back in 2010 when this was released … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, ambient, Andy Roberts, Colin Harper, Cormac O'Kane, Focus, folk, instrumental, Jan Akkerman, jazz, Liverpool Scene, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Phil Shiva Jones, Premik Russell Tubbs, Quintessence, review, Titanium Flag | Leave a comment

Album review: ALBERT HAMMOND – In Symphony

Posted on March 30, 2017 by petefeenstra

BMG Rights Management [Release date 16.06.17] Albert Hammond’s ‘In Symphony’ is an impressive reminder of the durability of orchestral pop. It’s a glance back to the late 60′s, when seamlessly orchestrated melodic pop was given precedence by the likes of … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: THE WEEKS, ABEL RAISE THE CAIN, HAPPYNESS

Posted on March 30, 2017 by jason

THE WEEKS Easy Lightning Rod Records [Release date 07.04.17] The Weeks have been around since 2006 and they consist of Cyle Barnes (vocals), Samuel Williams (guitar/vocals), Cain Barnes (drums) and Damien Bone (bass). They have toured with the likes of Kings Of Leon … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Abel Raise The Cain, album, alternative, Easy, For Strangers Only, HAPPYNESS, indie, Kings Of Leon, Mercury Rev, review, rock, southern rock, the Weeks, Write In | Leave a comment

Album review: MALCOLM HOLCOMBE – Pretty Little Troubles

Posted on March 29, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Gypsy Eyes Music [Release date 26.05.17] As a co-reviewer pointed out to me, I have previously reviewed an album by ‘old soul and modern day southern blues poet’ Malcolm Holcombe back in 2011 (To Drink To The Rain). But, falling … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, country, folk, Malcolm Holcombe, Pretty Little Troubles, review, roots, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: HARROW FAIR, OH SUSANNA

Posted on March 29, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

HARROW FAIR Call To Arms Roraing Girl Records [Release date 19.05.17] Deploying that now familiar White Stripes, unaccompanied two piece modus operandi, Canadian duo Miranda Mulholland and Andrew Penner let loose a kick drum fuelled debut laced with rootsy guitar … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Girl In Teen City, acoustic, album, Call To Arms, country, folk, Harrow Fair, Oh Susanna, pop, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, Suzie Ungerleider | Leave a comment

Album review: AIMEE MANN – Mental Illness

Posted on March 29, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

SuperEgo/Membran [Release date 31.03.17] Not exactly an uplifting title for an album? But then Aimee Mann’s never exactly been what you might call a happy singer, or a “heaven is a place on earth” composer. No, Aimee was born looking … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged acoustic, Aimee Mann, album, Mental Illness, pop, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: BERNIE TORME – Dublin Cowboy

Posted on March 28, 2017 by jason

Retrowrek Records [Release date 07.04.17] Bernie Torme I first came across via his days in Gillan and loving the band’s performance of ‘New Orleans ‘ on ‘Top Of The Pops’. Then I didn’t really take much notice of his solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Bernie Torme, blues, Dublin Cowboy, Gillan, GMT, guitar, review, rock, rock 'n' roll | Leave a comment

Album review: ALAN REED – Honey On The Razor’s Edge

Posted on March 27, 2017 by alanjones

White Knight Records [Release date: 14.03.17] You can take the boy out of Pallas but you can’t take Pallas out of the boy… Alan Reed, unceremoniously dumped from Scottish progsters Pallas a few years back, returns with his second studio … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Reed, album, Christina Booth, Honey On The Razor's Edge, Jeff Green, Magenta, Pallas, Pendragon, Progressive Rock, review, Scott Higham, Steve Hackett | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE HACKETT – The Night Siren

Posted on March 24, 2017 by Yiannis

Inside Out [Release date 24.03.17] Those who were lucky enough to call themselves Genesis fans back in 1977 would most certainly think that guitarist Steve Hackett had made the worst career decision of his life by leaving the ranks of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Genesis, Nick D’Virgilio, prog, Progressive Rock, review, rock, Steve Hackett, The Night Siren, Troy Donockley | Leave a comment

Album review: DOYLE BRAMHALL II – Rich Man

Posted on March 24, 2017 by jason

Concord Music [Release date 30.09.16] Doyle Bramhall II has worked with many bands and artists including Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Roger Waters and the Tedsechi Trucks Band. ‘Rich Man’ is only his third solo album and the first since 2001 and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Concord Music, Doyle Bramhall II, Eric Clapton, Norah Jones, r n b, review, Rich Man, soul | Leave a comment

Album review: DIRTY WHITE BOYZ – Down And Dirty

Posted on March 23, 2017 by jason

Escape Music www.escape-music.com [Release date 24.03.17] Not the classic one album band from the late 80′s featuring Earl Slick and David Glenn Eisley, this is a new band and they have a ‘z’ on the end of their name. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, DEMON, Dirty White Boyz, Down And Dirty, Escape Music, Kiss Of The Gypsy, LAWLESS, melodic, Nigel Bailey, review, rock, Tony Mitchell | Leave a comment

Album review: TROY REDFERN – Dirt Blues Ritual

Posted on March 23, 2017 by petefeenstra

RED7 Records [Release date 27.02.17] What’s the significance of an album title? In Troy Redfern’s hands a ‘Dirt Blues Ritual’ might be interpreted as an artistic way of life for a contemporary bluesman with a penchant for musical landscapes that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, dirt blues, Dirt Blues Ritual, dirty blues, Gary Clark Jr, Jack White, Little Hurricane, review, rock, slide guitar, The Black Keys, The Imperial Crowns, Troy Redfern | Leave a comment

Album review: ELIZA NEALS – 10,000 Feet Below

Posted on March 22, 2017 by petefeenstra

E-H Records LLC [Release date 17.02.17] Eliza Neals’ brand of rock-blues shifts from hard edged noir narratives to emotive, heartfelt and spontaneous moments that you might call blues expressionism. It’s an album full of hard hitting colourful lyrics, unique phrasing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 10000 Feet Below, album, Billy Davis, blues, Chicago Blues, Detroit, Eliz Neals, Howard Glazer, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Nelson, Paul Randolph, review, rock, Skip James, soul | Leave a comment

Album review: GOLDRAY – Rising

Posted on March 22, 2017 by Davoski

Akashic/Cargo Records [release date 05.05.17] This new-ish three-piece comprises ex-Reef guitarist Kenwyn House, Leah Rasmussen on vocals and Geoff Laurens on bass. ‘Rising’ is their first full length album following a self titled debut mini LP released in 2014. At … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, GOLDRAY, Kenwyn House, prog, psychedelic, Reef, review, Rising, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE – He Saw It Comin’

Posted on March 21, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 27.01.17] Having really liked Great White’s last album “Elation” I was somewhat wary of hearing former frontman Jack Russell’s version of the band and their new album “He Saw It Comin’”. I shouldn’t have been – the record … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Great White, He Saw It Comin', Jack Russell's Great White, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: PETER MURPHY – Bare-Boned and Sacred

Posted on March 21, 2017 by Davoski

Metropolis Records [release date 10.03.17] Best known for fronting Bauhaus, (and starring in that Maxell tape cassette advert) in the early ‘80’s, Peter Murphy has released 10 solo albums in the 30 years since. This live album was recorded in … Continue reading →

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Album review: JETHRO TULL – The String Quartets (Ian Anderson)

Posted on March 20, 2017 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Ian Anderson for his Feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio and played tracks from the new album. First broadcast 12 March 2017. BMG Rights Management [Release date 24.03.17] ‘Jethro Tull: The String Quartets’ is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, chamber music, classical, folk, Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, Jethro Tull The String Quartets, John O'Hara, review, rock, The Carducci Quartet | Leave a comment

Album review: CATFISH – Broken Man

Posted on March 20, 2017 by petefeenstra

CD Baby [Release date 29.01.17] Catfish’s ‘Broken Man’ is a good example of the high standard of contemporary British blues-rock. Their 10 track album features 9 impressive self penned tracks, shot through with enough feel and spark to satisfy all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Brit Blues, Broken Man, Catfish, Dusty Bones, Foy Vance, funk, Joe Bonamassa, Kevin Yates, Matt Long, Michael Caswell, Paul Jones, Paul Long, review, rock, soul, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Album review: STEPHEN PEARCY – Smash

Posted on March 20, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 27.01.17] “Smash” is the latest solo album from Stephen Pearcy and it really is hard not to draw comparison with Ratt as the band’s frontman is really back at his best here. The 13 track album opens … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, classic rock, Frontiers, melodic, Ratt, review, rock, Smash, Stephen Pearcy | Leave a comment

Album review: KESTON COBBLERS CLUB – Almost Home

Posted on March 20, 2017 by jason

[Release date 31.03.17] An intriguing band name, as the band are named after a penniless cobbler who by playing the violin in the local tavern got everybody dancing, thereby wearing out the soles of his customers who of course needed their shoes cobbled by him. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Almost Home, folk, Keston Cobblers Club, melodic, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: TOKYO MOTOR FIST – S/T

Posted on March 19, 2017 by andynathan

Release Date 24.02.17 Despite labouring under a rather ridiculous name, Tokyo Motor Fist (let’s just call them TMF) are actually a match made in heaven between two of the East Coast based melodic rock mafia in Trixter guitarist Steve Brown … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, Danger Danger, melodic rock, review, Steve Brown, Ted Poley, Tokyo Motor Fist, Trixter | Leave a comment

Album review – GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS – Live At Rockpalast – Dortmund 1980

Posted on March 19, 2017 by david.wilson

MIG Music [release date – 24.02.17] George Thorogood live is akin to a tornado hitting your town, fast, furious and guaranteed to lay waste to all before him. This package was recorded for posterity back when he and The Destroyers … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged 1980, blues, CD, Dortmund, DVD, George Thorogood, live, MIG Music, rock, Rockpalast, Who Do You Love | Leave a comment

Album review: PAT TRAVERS – Live At Rockpalast – Cologne 1976

Posted on March 19, 2017 by david.wilson

MIG Music [Release date – 24.02.17] This album package is one of a number of releases from MIG Records (Made In Germany in case you were wondering!) which feature old recordings from Rockpalast. They have recorded many gigs across Germany … Continue reading →