Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: ALAN PARSONS – The NeverEnding Show, Live In The Netherlands (DVD + 2CDs)

Posted on November 15, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 12.11.21] Lets face it, Alan Parsons showed good judgement and exquisite taste by recording with legendary bands, Ambrosia and Pink Floyd (but not together, though that would have interesting), back in the seventies. He could probably have … Continue reading →

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Album review: RADIO STARS – Broadcasting To The Nation

Posted on November 15, 2021 by jason

Easy Action [Release date 3.12.21] Cherry Red’s superb 2017 “Thinking Inside The Box” set appeared to be the final word on Radio Stars, compiling both albums, singles/rarities and BBC sessions. The emergence of an unreleased third album on Easy Action … Continue reading →

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Album review: TRAGIK – Ultima Ratio

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jason

Rock Company [Release date 10.11.21] By my reckoning this is album number eleven by Tragik, who still feature Damian D’Ercole (Guitars, Percussion), Dirk Phillips (Drums, Keyboards) and Phil Vincent (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards). ‘Hunter’ and ‘Wet Dog’ (contender for Worst Song … Continue reading →

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Album review: COLIN JAMES – Open Road

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jason

Stony Plain Records [Release date 05.11.21] Since releasing his debut album in 1988 Colin James has been a stalwart of the blues scene, with trips into swing and rock ‘n’ roll with his Little Big Band and on this, his … Continue reading →

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Album review : BARRIE JAMES – Strange Desire

Posted on November 14, 2021 by brianmc

Vacancy Records [release date 12.11.21] Strange Desire is the third solo album from Glasgow’s ex Kassidy frontman, Barrie James O’Neil (now minus the surname). Barrie decamped to LA in 2016, motivated by the usual young-artist-seeks-wealth-and-fame ambition. A handful of years … Continue reading →

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Album review: SETH LAKEMAN – Make Your Mark

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 19.11.21] Seth Lakeman’s eleventh album, and his follow-up to 2020’s Mayflower-themed A Pilgrim’s Tale, was conceived during lockdown when, like countless other singer-songwriters the world over, he used the down-time from live performance to ponder the meaning … Continue reading →

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Album review: RICHARD TOWNEND & THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – Short Stories

Posted on November 13, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Richard Townend for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 28 November 2021. Self Release [Release date 21.10.21] There’s a lovely song on Richard Townend’s new ‘Short Stories’ album called ‘Everyman’. It’s a punchy track full … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: BRICK BRISCOE & THE SKINNY, HANNAH JAMES & TOBY KUHN

Posted on November 7, 2021 by jason

BRICK BRISCOE & THE SKINNY www.brickbriscoe.com [Release date 15.10.21] Brick Briscoe is a composer, filmmaker and producer, who has been working in ‘the biz’ for over thirty years now. Joining Briscoe (who sings and plays guitar) on his latest album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, alt rock, Brick Briscoe, folk, Hannah James, indie, Quick Plays, review, singer songwriter, Sleeping Spirals, the Skinny, Toby Kuhn | Leave a comment

Album review: ENUFF Z’NUFF – Hardrock Nite

Posted on November 6, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 12.11.21] Enuff Z’Nuff do an album of Fab Four covers, at last. We used to think it was a given, but it never happened. There’s distance now, and with that comes perspective. Arguably, only Wilson Pickett (Hey … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bullet Boys, cover versions, Enuff Z'Nuff, EZN, John Lennon, Magical Mystery Tour, melodic hard rock, Paul McCartney, review, The Beatles, Tony Fennell, Tory Stoffregen, ULTRAVOX | Leave a comment

Album review: JOE TILSTON – Tightrope

Posted on November 6, 2021 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 08.11.21] Joe Tilston is the son of Steve Tilston and Maggie Boyle, who along with his sister Martha Tilston, was brought up in and around the English folk scene. He is the bass player in ska/punk band … Continue reading →

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Album review: BEAST IN BLACK – Dark Connection

Posted on November 3, 2021 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 29.10.21] Beast In Black, the band that love to mix synths, Europop beats and their love of Anime into the more traditional power metal mix. This is the band’s third album with both of their previous … Continue reading →

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Album review: FURBABY & THE TIGHT SPACES – S/T

Posted on November 2, 2021 by jason

Cargo Records [Release date 15.10.21] Furbaby & the Tight Spaces was initially a lockdown project for Chicago based guitarist Adam Arling (The Last Vegas), and was originally intended to release a series of singles, as it happens there are eight … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged alt rock, Furbaby & the Tight Spaces, garage rock, indie rock, Last Vegas, review, rock, self-titled album | Leave a comment

Album review: MEMORIA AVENUE – Memoria Avenue

Posted on November 1, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 05.11.21] Debut album from Memoria Avenue, a collaboration between talented writer/ guitarist/ Producer, Tor Talle, and up and coming vocalist, and fellow Norwegian, Jan Le Brandt. A polished production and neatly tailored arrangements define the early part … Continue reading →

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Album review: TONY MITCHELL – Hot Endless Summer Nights

Posted on October 31, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 26.11.21] Nearly two years on, Tony Mitchell releases his third album as he goes full on 80s AOR. Tony Mitchell spent several months travelling coast to coast taking in the sights, sounds & overall American culture … Continue reading →

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Album review: JEFF SCOTT SOTO – The Duets Collection Vol. 1

Posted on October 31, 2021 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 08.10.21] The pandemic and resulting lockdowns certainly had musicians thinking about ways to carry on with their musical passion. One such artist Jeff Scott Soto wanted to do a retrospective ‘best of’ from the many bands and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, duets, Eric Martin, Frontiers, hard rock, Jeff Scott Soto, Johnny Gioeli, melodic rock, Nathan James, review, rock, Russell Allen, The Duets Collection Vol. 1 | Leave a comment

Album review: ORANGE GOBLIN – Rough and Ready, Live and Loud, 25 Years of British Rock and Heavy Metal

Posted on October 31, 2021 by brianmc

Dissonance/Cherry Red [Release date: 5.11.21] Counting back to 1995, Orange Goblin are a ten album band, whose latest live recording was available only as a digital release in 2020, due to the unforseen circumstance we call Covid. Now it’ll … Continue reading →

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Album review: BURNTFIELD – Impermanence

Posted on October 31, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Progressive Gears [Release date 12.11.21] Hands up all those feeling reflective and romantic? This band – a Dutch/Finnish hybrid – will provide your soundtrack. Skip to ‘Trust In You’ an early single/video to give you an idea of the vibe. … Continue reading →

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Album review: FANS OF THE DARK – Fans Of The Dark

Posted on October 29, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 05.11.21] Fans Of The Dark are a new Melodic Rock band formed by songwriter / drummer, Freddie Allen, the driving force behind AOR legends-in-the-making, Houston. He’s brought in Alex Falk on vocals, with guitarist, Oscar Bromvall and … Continue reading →

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Album review: MISHRA – Reclaim

Posted on October 29, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Shedbuilt Records [Release date 29.10.21] Described as a “global folk collective” Mishra brings together banjo player Kate Griffin (The Magpies) and flautist Ford Collier (The Drystones) who fashion a contemporary take on folk fusion. Together with their cohorts tabla player … Continue reading →

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Album review: MISSISSIPPI MacDONALD – Do Right, Say Right

Posted on October 29, 2021 by jason

Another Planet Music [Release date 19.11.21] Mississippi MacDonald (despite his name!) is a 3-times British Blues Awards nominee, from London, England. He has been playing since he was 11 years old and has travelled on the US Blues trail, meeting … Continue reading →

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Album review: MARCO MATTEI – Out Of Control

Posted on October 28, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

7D Media/Third Star Records [Release date 19.11.21] There seems to be a trend amongst aspiring proggers to acquire the services of the “prog-whores” who – in the nicest way possible – lend their talents to any number of albums. In … Continue reading →

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Album review: ASTRAL DRIVE – Astral Drive (Orange album)

Posted on October 27, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Phil Thornalley for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast Sunday 31 October 2021. Lojinx [Release date 24.09.21] ‘Astral Drive’ is the musical vehicle for producer, singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist Phil Thornalley. The ‘Astral Drive’ … Continue reading →

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Album review: ORGAN FAIRCHILD – Brewed In Buffalo

Posted on October 27, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Organ Fairchild Records [Release date 15.09.21] Here at GRTR! Towers we are privileged to receive any number of albums from aspiring or jobbing musicians, some obviously hitting the mark more than others. Occasionally a real gem emerges and in Organ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Brewed In Buffalo, funk, instrumental, jazz fusion, Organ Fairchild, review, soul jazz | Leave a comment

Album review: NAKED RAYGUN – Reissues

Posted on October 26, 2021 by jason

Audio Platter / Plastic Head Chicago punk band Naked Raygun formed in 1980 and their style strongly dipped into post punk and hardcore. They have been an influence on the likes of Dave Grohl and Blink192, and they have toured … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged All Rise, Jettison, Naked Raygun, punk rock, punkm, reissues, Review. album, Throb Throb | Leave a comment

Album review: HEARTLAND – Into The Future

Posted on October 25, 2021 by andynathan

Escape Music [Release date 15.10.21] I assumed Chris Ousey had kicked the long career of Heartland on the head with their last album of new material coming back in 2007. However, after his time with Snakecharmer and also fronting Kingdom … Continue reading →