Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: THE STEVE THOMPSON BAND – The Long Fade

Posted on June 13, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

www.steve-thompson.org.uk [Release date 31.05.19] Steve Thompson may not be a name you’re familiar with, but after 50 years in the business, his debut ‘solo’ album pays tribute to career served largely ‘behind the scenes’ as a songwriter, producer and session … Continue reading →

Album review: DANNY VAUGHN – Myths, Legends & Lies

Posted on June 13, 2019 by jason

Self-release [Release date 14.06.19] It has been eleven years since Danny Vaughn’s last solo outing, although this one was delayed by issues caused by Pledge Music going into administration. Luckily Danny Vaughn has a loyal fan following meaning this album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, country, Danny Vaughn, folk, jazz, review, rock, singer songwriter, Solo, Tyketto, Waysted | Leave a comment

Album review: LUCIFER’S FRIEND – Black Moon (featuring John Lawton)

Posted on June 12, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Lucifers Records [Release date 26.04.19] If ‘Black Moon’ doesn’t quite reach the heady heights/atmosphere of the early 1970s when John Lawton released a string of albums pre-Uriah Heep, we still have no right to expect a brand new offering in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Moon, classic rock, hard rock, John Lawton, Lucifer's Friend, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (April 2019 – June 2019)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

January-March 2019 July-September 2019 October-December 2019 ERJA LYYTINEN Another World (Tuohi Records) [Release Date 26.04.19] From the tension building intensity and a harmony guitar break of ‘Hard As Stone’ to the gently paced ‘Without You’, with its angst filled and … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2019, albums of the month, April, Big Big Train, blues rock, classic rock, Diamond Head, Erja Lyytinen, hard rock, Izz, June, May, melodic rock, Michael Thompson Band, Prince, Progressive Rock, Rebecca Downes | Leave a comment

Quick plays: ROYAL REPUBLIC, ROB MORATTI, FINE SOFT DAY, TRAGIK

Posted on June 10, 2019 by jason

ROYAL REPUBLIC Club Majesty Nuclear Blast [Release date 31.05.19] Royal Republic are on the up and up with their mix of rock, dance, disco, funk, rock n roll – heck they will put in any style of music into their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Club Majesty, dance, disco, Fine Soft Day, folk, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, Pink Floyd, pop rock, progressive, Quick Plays, review, Rob Moratti, rock, rock 'n' roll, Royal Republic, Saga, Survival Code, Tragik | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (January 2019 – March 2019)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

April-June 2019 July-September 2019 October-December 2019 STEVE HACKETT At The Edge Of Light (Inside Out) [Release date 25.01.19] In his long and distinguished career at the forefront of everything that’s good about progressive rock, Steve Hackett has consistently delivered albums … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2019, albums of the month, blues rock, classic rock, DEL BROMHAM, Elles Bailey, February, hard rock, January, Keith Howe, March, melodic rock, Progressive Rock, RPWL, Steve Hackett, Wily Bo Walker | Leave a comment

Album review: PRINCE – Originals

Posted on June 9, 2019 by jason

Warner Brothers Records [Release date 07.06.19 exclusively on Tidal, 21.06.2019 CD, vinyl, streaming] In this multi-platform, content driven age it would be hard to imagine an artist ever producing too much material but such were his prolific studio habits, that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, funk, Kenny Rogers, Originals, pop, pop rock, Prince, rarities, review, rock, Sinead O'Connor, synth pop, The Bangles, The Time | Leave a comment

Album review: NAZARETH – coloured vinyl reissues (July 2019)

Posted on June 9, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 05.07.19] Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, Nazareth are still going, albeit with just founder member and bassist Pete Agnew at helm. Last year BMG issued the amazing Loud And Proud box (33CDs, 3 7” 45s, LP, picture disc … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, blues rock, Classic Albums, classic rock, coloured vinyl, Dan McCafferty, LP, Nazareth, Pete Agnew, re-issue, review, rock, Zal Cleminson | Leave a comment

Album review: MYRATH – Shehili

Posted on June 8, 2019 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 03.05.19] Tunisian metallers Myrath have been around since 2001, gaining more rave reviews and fans after 2016’s ‘Legacy’ album, one which saw them embrace their Arabic sounds more and ditch some of the Eurometal clichés. On ‘Shehili’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, melodic metal, metal, Myrath, power metal, prog metal, review, Shehili, traditional music, Tunisian | Leave a comment

Quick plays: THE BRINK, RESTLESS SPIRITS, ZEPHYRA

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

THE BRINK Nowhere To Run Frontiers [Release date 17.05.19] The Brink – Tom Quick (vocals), Lexi (lead guitar), Izzy Trixx (rhythm guitar), Gary Connor (bass guitar) and Davide Drake Bocci (drums) – are another up and coming band, part of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Leave a comment

Album review: CRAZY LIXX – Forever Wild

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 17.05.19] “Forever Wild” is the sixth studio album from Swedish band Crazy Lixx, and could very well be their best to date. This is good, solid melodic rock n’ roll that is full of those ‘80’s style … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bon Jovi, Crazy Lixx, Def Leppard, Forever Wild, glam metal, hair metal, melodic rock, review, Skid Row | Leave a comment

Album review: THIS WINTER MACHINE – A Tower of Clocks

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

F2 Music [Release date 24.06.19] Second album by the Yorkshire based progressive rockers This Winter Machine, who are relative newcomers having formed in 2016. They consist of Al Winter (vocals), Mark Numan (keyboards, vocals), Graham Garbett (guitars, vocals), Scott Owens … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Tower of Clocks, album, Fish, Marillion, melodic, neo prog, prog rock, progressive, review, rock, This Winter Machine | Leave a comment

Album review: WARRIOR SOUL – Rock N Roll Disease

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

Cargo/Livewire [Release date 07.06.19] This is big ballsy rock n roll, just the way it should be, and Warrior Soul’s new album “Rock n Roll Disease” pretty much picks up where 2017’s “Back On The Lash” left off. With nods … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Kory Clarke, Lemmy, metal, punk, review, rock, Rock N Roll Disease, Warrior Soul | Leave a comment

Album review: DE WOLFF – Live & Outta Sight II

Posted on June 5, 2019 by petefeenstra

Mascot Records [Release date 14.06.19] Dutch rock band De Wolff is a contemporary cross-genre band who tap into the moment to produce a varied, but coherent live album with plenty of innovation and spark. Variously described … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged country, De Wolff, drums, Gov't Mule, Grateful Dead, Greta Van Vleet, guitar, Hammond, jam band, Jerry Garcia, Josh Kiszka, keys, Led Zeppelin, Live & Outta Sight 11, Luka van de Poel, Nektar, Pablo van de Poel, Prince, prog rock, Psychedelic Rock, Robert Plant, Robin Piso, rock, THE DOORS | Leave a comment

Album review: JACK BRUCE – Live At Rockpalast 1980, 1983 and 1990 (CD/DVD)

Posted on June 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

MIG Music [Release date 26.04.19] 2 DVD/5 CD This multi-disc box set is a fine summary of Jack Bruce playing live from 1980 through to 1990. Culled from the legendary German TV show “Rockpalast” this 5-CD set also contains 2 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 1983 and 1990, album, Billy Cobham, blues rock, box set, CD, Clem Clempson, Cream, David Sancious, DVD, German, Jack Bruce, Jazz rock, Live At Rockpalast 1980, review, TV | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DIVINE COMEDY – Office Politics

Posted on June 3, 2019 by jason

DC Records [Release date 07.06.19] Never one to do things by halves, Neil Hannon and the Divine Comedy return with a double album, three years after their last album ‘Foreverland’. As the album’s title suggests it has a loose theme … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, chamber pop, melodic, Neil Hannon, Office Politics, pop, power pop, review, The Divine Comedy, The Duckworth Lewis Method, Thomas Walsh | Leave a comment

Album review: TIM STAFFELL – aMIGO

Posted on June 2, 2019 by jason

Moscodisc [Release date 12.07.19] Tim Staffell’s 2006 solo album ‘aMIGO’ gets a timely re-issue, given the ongoing success of the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ film, plus Tim Staffell released his latest solo album ‘Two Late’ last year (the title a nod to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, aMIGO, Brian May, jazz, Jazz rock, Morgan Fisher, Mott the Hoople, Queen, review, Santana, Smile, Snowy White, Solo, Thin Lizzy, Tim Staffell | Leave a comment

Album review: STING – My Songs

Posted on June 2, 2019 by jason

A&M Island [Release date 24.05.19] Longevity can be both a blessing and a curse. Music industry economics are such that a tour is more successful with an album behind it and if that album isn’t of new material, a compilation … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Summers, classic rock, classic songs, My Songs, pop, reggae, review, rock, Solo, Stevie Wonder, Stewart Copeland, Sting, the Police | Leave a comment

Album review: D-A-D – A Prayer For The Loud

Posted on June 2, 2019 by jason

AFM Records [Release date 31.05.19] D-A-D are a band whose sound is instantly recognisable and are consistent in the quality of their albums, and I have always been surprised that they have not received the success and recognition that they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Prayer For The Loud, AFM Records, album, classic rock, D A D, melodic, revew, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: FICTION SYXX – The Alternate Me

Posted on May 30, 2019 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 28.06.19] Fiction Syxx follow up last year’s debut ‘Tall Dark Secret’ with ‘The Alternate Me’. Fiction Syxx is the brain child of songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Mark Allen Lanoue and he is joined again by guitarist JK Northrup (King … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alternate Me, Eric Ragno, Fiction Syxx, JK Northrup, Mark Allen Lanoue, melodic rock, progressive, review, rock, Styx, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BUFORD POPE, WORLD OF MICK, LENY’S GIRL

Posted on May 30, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

BUFORD POPE The Waiting Game [Release date 08.04.19] Swedish singer songwriter Buford Pope (aka Mikael Liljeborg) – with raspy vocals reminiscent of a young (albeit tight trousered) Rod Stewart – literally plays the waiting game with his eighth release, in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Leave a comment

Album review: IZZ – Don’t Panic

Posted on May 30, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Doone Records [Release date 21.05.19] Don’t Panic – the ninth studio album by New York based proggers Izz, may feature – as one of the band’s four vocalists – Laura Meade who’s debut solo album Remedium topped my 2018 best … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Don't Panic, Izz, Laura Meade, prog.progressive rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: BIG BIG TRAIN – Grand Tour

Posted on May 30, 2019 by jason

English Electric [Release date 17.05.19] Big Big Train return with ‘Grand Tour’ – the first since the band’s inception without founder Andy Poole – and they are joined by five brass players and 18 string players. Vocalist David Langdon helps … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Big Big Train, Genesis, Grand Tour, melodic, prog rock, progressive, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BEXATRON – Hey You!

Posted on May 29, 2019 by jason

Zube Records [Release date 07.12.18] Bexatron are Bexx (vocals), Belle Star (drums), Adam Adorjan (bass) and Greg Radcliffe (guitar), having formed in 2015. They have been building up a decent following with support slots including a recent one with the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bexatron, glam rock, Hey You, melodic, P!nk, pop rock, punk pop, review, sleaze | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND – Love & Beyond

Posted on May 28, 2019 by andynathan

Frontiers [Release Date 26.04.19] Michael Thompson is one of the most respected session guitarists in rock – alongside Steve Lukather and Bruce Gaitsch he is probably the go-to man, particularly for the so-called West Coast sound where soft rock and … Continue reading →