Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: TODD RUNDGREN – A Wizard A True Star, Live

Posted on September 26, 2020 by jason

Cleopatra Records, USA [Release date 25.09.20] Eleven Years ago this month, Todd Rundgren and his band, suitably garbed in white “coat’n’tails” played “A Wizard, A True Star” in its entirety, at the Akron Ohio Civic Theatre, one of the last … Continue reading →

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Album review: RISING STEEL – Fight Them All

Posted on September 26, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 04.09.20] Second album from Grenoble’s finest metal band, Rising Steel. And you can see the tongue in their cheek from space. Allegedly. The band’s amusingly phallic name is the first Freudian nod and wink. And then, endearingly, … Continue reading →

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Album review: MARTIN BARRE – 50 Years Of Jethro Tull (2-CD)

Posted on September 26, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

On Sunday 18 October, Martin Barre chatted to Pete Feenstra for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, about his time in Tull and beyond. (40:33) The Store For Music [Release date 16.10.20] The first thing to say is that the cover, … Continue reading →

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Album review: STRYPER – Even The Devil Believes

Posted on September 25, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 04.09.20] Stryper’s 13th studio album, “Even The Devil Believes” follows hard the heels of “God Damn Evil” (their fourth on Frontiers). When you’re hot you’re hot. Vocalist/Guitarist/producer, Michael Sweet lets loose a high pitched howl as he … Continue reading →

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Album review: SIMON COLLINS – Becoming Human

Posted on September 23, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 04.09.20] Fourth solo album by Simon Collins and his first since leaving Sound Of Contact, on whose 2013 debut album ‘Dimensionaut’ he handled lead vocals. Simon Collins played drums and keys on this album, along with vocals. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Becoming Human, electronica, Frontiers, melodic, Phil Collins, prog rock, progressive, review, Simon Collins, Sound Of Contact | Leave a comment

Album review: LANDFALL – The Turning Point

Posted on September 22, 2020 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 04.09.20] This is up and coming Brazilian band, Landfall’s first album with talented vocalist Gui Oliver. His high tenor has encouraged the label to compare him to Steve Perry, but his vocal timbre is often much closer … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE LAST DINOSAUR – Wholeness

Posted on September 21, 2020 by jason

Indie [Release date 23.10.20] Music can move us in so many ways, filtering through our lives in both the subtle and the obvious. It can seem to be that ever-present soundtrack to our days, a faintly heard radio, the background … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alternative, indie, Jamie Cameron, melodic, review, the Last Dinosaur, Wholeness | Leave a comment

Album review: SANDRA BOUZA – Falling Away From Me

Posted on September 21, 2020 by petefeenstra

Sabucedo Records [Release date 18.09.20] If Toronto has provided a creative backdrop to the recent renewed interest in all aspect of soul, Sandra Bouza takes things a step further with a cross genre, radio friendly album that is refreshingly lyrically … Continue reading →

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Album review: OVERLAND – Scandalous

Posted on September 20, 2020 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 18.09.20] FM vocalist Steve Overland returns with a new album, aided by Tommy Denander, along with Brian Anthony (bass, piano, Hammond) and drummer Brian Tichy (Foreigner, Whitesnake, Dead Daisies et al). The album’s contrasting styles can … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, FM, melodic rock, review, rock, Solo, soul, Steve Overland, Tommy Denander | Leave a comment

Album review: BIG COUNTRY – Out Beyond The River, The Compulsion Years Anthology

Posted on September 18, 2020 by jason

Cherry Red [Release date 25.09.20] The late great Stuart Adamson and his band, Big Country, made an indelible musical mark on UK popular culture. Their history is well documented. This anthology focuses on a very narrow, but hugely fertile period … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Big Country, box set, Celtic, Cherry Red Records, melodic, Out Beyond The River, pop rock, review, rock, Stuart Adamson, The Compulsion Years Anthology | Leave a comment

Album review: TRIPLE J TRIO – Better Days

Posted on September 17, 2020 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 20.03.20] Triple J Trio is a powerhouse British rock-into-blues and boogie outfit, powered by the formidable rhythm section of Jeff Rich (Quo/Stretch/Climax Blues Band etc) and The Beat’s bassist Andy Pearson. They are joined by the … Continue reading →

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Album review: FORNDOM – Fapir

Posted on September 17, 2020 by jason

Nordvis Produktion [Release date 03.04.20] A new genre has been created: Viking Chill-out and Forndom is the King. Skillfully mixing the best of Icelandic bands like Sigur Ros along with traditional Scandinavian folk, this Swedish artist brings a stunning world … Continue reading →

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Album review: STONE FOUNDATION – Is Love Enough?

Posted on September 16, 2020 by jason

100 Percent Records [Release date 11.09.20] Ever since Stone Foundation’s 2005 bow ‘Small Town Soul’, the band’s ethos has been collaboration. With their new album ‘Is Love Enough?’ this approach spills over into the thematic content of the record too. … Continue reading →

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Album review: IAN DURY – Hit Me! The Best Of

Posted on September 16, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

BMG [Release date 16.10.20] 3-CD Reasons To Be Cheerful? Well we certainly need some of those and who better than to supply a cheery soundtrack to covid-crocked times than the cheeky chappy from Harrow. Ian Dury may have died in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged anthology, Blockheads, Charley Charles, Chaz Jankel, compilation, funk, Hit Me! The Best Of, Ian Dury, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, John Turnbull, Mick Gallagher, Norman Watt-Roy, pop, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BILLY WALTON – Dark Hour

Posted on September 15, 2020 by petefeenstra

Harmonized Records [Release date 04.09.20] ‘Dark Hour’ is a ground-breaking album for the Billy Walton Band. It kicks like a mule but also searches for soulful subtly. ‘Dark Hour’ also finds a meaningful role for the band’s horn section, beyond … Continue reading →

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Album review: JACKIE MCAULEY– The Cherryvale Files

Posted on September 14, 2020 by petefeenstra

Red Button Records [Release date 21.02.20] ‘The Cherryvale’ Files is Jackie McAuley’s first album for about 4 years and though it’s an introspective aggregation of songs rather than a full-blown album, it’s been worth the wait. The former Them, Belfast … Continue reading →

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Album review: ERROL LINTON – No Entry

Posted on September 13, 2020 by jason

Bra$$dog Records [Release date 02.10.20] Normally our blues maestro Pete Feenstra would be waxing lyrical I am sure on this release, however I like a little traditional blues now and then, something Errol Linton is steeped in. Errol has releases … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Digital only | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, Chicago Blues, Errol Linton, harmonica, No Entry, review | Leave a comment

Album review: SLADE – Come On Feel The Hitz: The Best Of Slade

Posted on September 13, 2020 by jason

BMG [Release date 25.09.20] You have to love Slade – one of Britain’s finest hit makers during the 70s and were strongly associated with the glam rock and hard rock scenes. But with a unique frontman (and one of the … Continue reading →

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Album review: KAT RIGGINS – Cry Out

Posted on September 11, 2020 by petefeenstra

Gulf Coast Records [Release date 14.08.20] ‘Cry Out’ is a high energy album full of heartfelt lyrics, stylistic diversity and booming arrangements that gives Kat Riggins the best possible context for her gritty and soulful vocals. The album’s arts work … Continue reading →

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Album review: TRAPEZE – The Box Sets

Posted on September 10, 2020 by jason

Cherry Red (Release date 18/09/20) The talented trio at the core of Trapeze, Mel Galley, Glenn Hughes and Dave Holland, progressively elevated the band’s unique brand of hard/funk rock, constantly overhauling their own template during that lineup’s short lifespan (1970-73). … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 70's rock, box sets, classic rock, Dave Holland, funk rock, Glenn Hughes, hard rock, Mel Galley, review, rock, Trapeze | Leave a comment

Album review: SOUTH OF SALEM – The Sinner Takes It All

Posted on September 9, 2020 by jason

Indie [Release date 25.09.20] South Of Salem hail from Bournemouth, consisting of vocalist Joey, guitarist Fish and Kodi, bassist Dee and drummer Pip. You can get some idea of the band’s music with the choice of producer Scott Atkins, who … Continue reading →

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Album review: AYREON – Transitus

Posted on September 9, 2020 by jason

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 25.09.20] Ayreon’s latest album comes complete with the book and vinyl offerings accompanied by a 28 page graphic novel illustrated by Felix Vega. It’ll see Arjen Lucassen, Dutch songwriter, singer, musician and record producer, tackle … Continue reading →

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Album review: LOUISIANA’S LE ROUX – One Of Those Days

Posted on September 8, 2020 by petefeenstra

Gulf Coast [Release date 24.07.20] In keeping with the gumbo tradition of Louisiana cuisine, Louisiana Hall Of Fame inductees Le Roux’s brand new album ‘One Of Those Days’ is a musical hotch-potch of all that’s good about Louisiana roots music and … Continue reading →

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Album review: EDDIE & THE HOT RODS – New York Live

Posted on September 8, 2020 by jason

Angel Air Records [Release date 21.08.20] This album is the last official live recording for the band with Barry Masters on vocals. Barry was a fixture in the Hot Rods from the beginning back in 1975 and until his death … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE CHRIS BEVINGTON ORGANISATION – Sand & Stone

Posted on September 8, 2020 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 18.07.20] The Chris Bevington Organisation’s fourth album ‘Sand & Stone’ is a booming, gospel tinged, big band blues-rock outing. And while the songs are written by guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick and vocalist /multi instrumentalist Scott Ralph, it’s … Continue reading →