Autumn’s Child return with their fourth album ‘Starflower’, the second one released by Pride & Joy Music. The band still features Michael Erlandsson on vocals, keyboards & guitars, Pontus Åkesson on lead guitar, Robban Bäck on drums, Claes Andreasson (who co-produced the abum along with Erlandsson) on piano and Magnus Rosen on bass. Autumn’s Child are fast becoming as regular and prolific as Erlandsson’s previous band Last Autumn’s Dream, who releasefd fourteen albums before going on hold.
‘Gamechanger’ gets things off to a melodic hard rock start as you’d expect from Autumn’s Child, yet by the second track, ‘Aphrodite’s Eyes’, the listener can tell we are getting more progressive elements added into the musical mix, including a tasty keyboard solo.
‘Welcome To The Show’ is a proper heads down, no nonsense rocker, as is the lead song ’1995′. ‘I Can’t Get Enough’ is fairly run of the mill hard rock. Luckily the passionate ballad ‘Love From Tokyo’ compensates and features the album’s stand out guitar solo.
Snatches of Brian May approved guitar on ‘Opera’, the album’s big showpiece and one with a distinct Queen influence. Keen Queen fans listen out for the lifted Queen solo on this one… ‘Dorian Gray’ is the other ‘kitchen sink’ production number and again the song uses plenty of harmony vocals and Micheal Erlandsson on good vocal form.
The album has a theatrical theme running through many of the songs as Autumn’s Child perhaps deliver their ‘Paradise Theater’? Albeit with less pomp and more rock than the Styx’s album.
Easily the best Autumn’s Child album to date and a great way to kick off 2023 melodic rock wise. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Album review: DOKKEN – The Elektra Albums 1983-1987
BMG [Release date 27.01.23]
Formed in the late 70s by vocalist and guitarist Don Dokken, the band Dokken shot to fame in the 80s, with their very enjoyable (and successful) blend of hard rock, glam and AOR. BMG continue their fine series of album collections with this set, which covers the band’s 80s Elektra period.
It does exactly what it is says on the tin; four albums, each with a nicely packaged digipak with original album booklet, all in a box. There’s plenty of scope for expansion (especially on the debut), but for a damn fine listen of a complete set of period albums, this does the job. And very well too.
The band’s 1983 debut full, Breaking The Chains, was originally released in the UK and Europe a year or two earlier (on Carrere), subsequently remixed and repackaged. Although technically a flop at the time, it is a fine mix of tunes that drive and rock.
‘I Can’t See You’ is a real stomper, if commercial, but thoroughly enjoyable. There’s some fine work from lead guitarist George Lynch. Collectors may be interested in the (very limited) original LP, but for most purposes the 1983 LP is as good a listen as any.
The 1984 follow up, with new bassist Jeff Pilson, Tooth And Nail, was much more successful. Full blown hair metal, again mixing FM friendly rock and glam, saw beefed up production, lots of shred, and a fine album, surprising given the tensions (ego classes leading to a change of producer) during recording. The title track is intense, blistering, and shows the band and the individual members at their best. ‘Just Got Lucky’ is a very fine tune, some good chords too.
The same line-up recorded the following year’s Under Lock And Key which gave more of the same, and then some. Hailed as their most complete album, there’s a nod to Def Leppard, and a cliché or two, as was the style of the music at the time. But that’s no bad thing here, it’s another excellent listen enjoyable beginning to end. ‘The Hunter’ is almost epic, ‘In My Dreams’ exemplifies the layered vocals, and ‘Lightning Strikes Again’ the crunchy guitars.
1987’s Back For The Attack was even more of a solid album. Running at about an hour, it’s longer and more intense than before, the band making a concerted effort but it doesn’t quite match the predecessor. Even so, it’s a fantastic album, some great noodling, and it’s almost too heavy to considered glam.
Individual album expansion aside (which I’m not too worried about on sets like this), I’m a little puzzled by the omission of Beast From The East, the excellent live album (also issued on Elektra), which would have rounded off the decade nicely.
Even so, the sound and packaging are excellent and a reminder of how good the studio albums were. ****
Review by Joe Geesin
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Album review: URIAH HEEP – Sweet Freedom, Return To Fantasy (vinyl reissues)
BMG [Release date 20.01.23]
BMG continue their marvellous reissue campaign, and these heavyweight discs not only feel and look as good as they sound, but fit in perfectly with the current trend for some quality vinyl.
Prog legends Uriah Heep formed in the late 60s and their keyboard heavy (organ grinding) sound laid a foundation that influenced many. And with the ever grinning guitarist Mick Box still leading the band, they’re still going very very strong.
Their first five albums, recorded over a three year period, always seem to get the spotlight. Strong though they are, later albums are perhaps unfairly overlooked by comparison.
And that starts with the first disc here, 1973’s Sweet Freedom. The line-up is pretty classic, as alongside Box you have the operatic vocals of David Byron, keyboardist/guitarist/songwriter Ken Hensley, bassist Gary Thain and drummer Lee Kerslake.
The sound of the album is more experimental, nodding away from the classic prog and exploring whimsical hard rock to heavy metal. Opener ‘Dreamer’ has some solid guitar work and is quite heavy, while the lighter ‘Stealin’’ has a catchy vibe, a track that has remained a favourite (and live too) for many years. The glorious title track nods back to earlier works. ‘If I Had Time’ is another wonderful and complex track.
Overall this is a lovely album that should be given the same praise and attention as earlier albums.
Skipping 1974’s Wonderworld (a shame, I would love to see that given this treatment), and we get 1975’s Return To Fantasy. And first off is the striking artwork that suits the picture disc format perfectly.
Gary Thain had been fired post Wonderworld, and later died of drug related issues later in 1975. Here, his replacement was former King Crimson bassist John Wetton who fitted in perfectly.
Continuing the hard rock relocation and some exploration, this is a more consistent album than the previous two, and while Byron’s vocals are a little less operatic, there’s some finely layered backing vocals (especially on the glorious opening title track). That track the band opened some shows with in 2000 at my suggestion, after a meeting with Box and current singer Bernie Shaw at a promo event earlier that year.
This was the band’s first top 10 album and, with some lovely extra touches like the slide guitar on ‘Shady Lady’, it’s a criminally overlooked album. The backing vocals and horns on ‘Prima Donna’ give a power-soul rock feel, but it still knocks your rocks off.
A long time Uriah Heep fan, I love both albums, Return To Fantasy more so, and both take pride of place in my collection.
Review by Joe Geesin
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Gig review: ALTER BRIDGE – 02 Arena, London, 12 December 2022
A combination of bitter weather and transport snarl ups meant I missed opening act and Wolfgang Van Halen’s current project, Mammoth WVH. I was, however, in plenty of time to see Halestorm’s fiery, combative set. Plenty of others were too. The arena was as busy for Halestorm as for the headliners. Lzzy Hale is a phenomenon. Fronting the band with her terrifying yell, she has become one of the most popular and recognizable vocalists in heavy rock. She uses her position to champion mental health awareness and is a role model for women in rock. More power to her.
I last saw the band at Ramblin’ Man in 2018 where the reception was healthy, but tonight – with a couple of successful album releases since then – this felt like a step up. Indeed only three tracks have survived from that setlist: the towering ‘Love Bites (So Do I)’; ‘I Get Off’ with an extended, set-piece guitar/vocal section and the crowd-rousing closer ‘I Miss The Misery’. There’s also an opinion-dividing drum solo from Lzzy’s livewire brother Arejay Hale.
Material from the new album gets a good airing. The best is the furious title track ‘Back From The Dead’ and the anthemic ‘The Steeple’. This is a band that puts a lot in to the show and leaves nothing behind, all enthusiastically acknowledged by the audience.
The same goes for Alter Bridge. But there’s gulf in talent and style. Everything about this Alter Bridge show screamed masterclass. I dug out my review of the band from late 2019. One of my last gigs before lockdown. There’s an overwhelming urge to use the same phrases and reflections. Not because the band are repetitive, but because their standards are so high and the experience so fulfilling. ‘A near perfect immersive experience of dense, layered riffs over shifting powerful rhythms and soaring vocals’, I wrote. Yes, yes. I can do no more than to offer up the same overview this time around.
The new album ‘Pawns and Kings’ is very strong and tonight’s gig features three cuts, but there is a strong emphasis on early material, with the 2004 debut ‘One Day Remains’ and the follow up ‘Blackbird’ contributing eight songs between them.
It was the new album that kicked things off, with a grungy ‘Silver Tongue’ firing up the crowd and then straight in to a heavyweight ‘Addicted To Pain’. Mark Tremonti on guitar wringing out the solos with his foot on the wedge, throwing old school shapes; and stage left, Brian Marshall on bass, head tossed backwards, grinding out the rhythm. Between them, Myles Kennedy gets chance to properly open his lungs on the gorgeous ‘Ghost of Days Gone By’ and then on ‘Before Tomorrow Comes’, both of which have more melodic elements in the chorus and encourage the arena masses into backing vocals.
There’s nothing melodic about ‘This Is War’ which is the heaviest, dirtiest, most brutal track on show and which has me and my mate mouthing respectful expletives at each other. Fantastic.
It is this balance and changing emphasis between power and melody, between lead-weight rhythms and harmonic, descant vocals – sometimes in the same song, sometimes back-to-back in different cuts – that sets Alter Bridge apart. By turns I’m marvelling at Tremonti’s guttural riffs and screaming solos, next I’m blown away by Kennedy’s compelling vocal hooks and tones.
Then, to confuse things, they swap roles. ‘Burn It Down’ has Tremonti with a fine lead vocal and Kennedy on stirring lead guitar. The reworking turns a track that might be passed-by on album into a highlight of the set.
‘Cry of Achilles’ comes next with another murderous riff and that gigantic chorus that has everyone singing. Marshall’s bass catches the ear in the mid-song change-down, before a melodic guitar solo brings us back to the choruses and a smoking second solo/outro.
The now traditional acoustic interlude sees Tremonti and Kennedy side by side for ‘In Loving Memory, leading sweetly into ‘Blackbird’ which seems to embody the gilded hallmark of every Alter Bridge highlight in one track. The two principles share the lead breaks. The former offering something measured and tonal before the latter’s screaming fireworks.
The rest of the main set passes in a blur. ‘Pawns and Kings’ bleeds into ‘Wouldn’t You Rather’ with that little guitar/synth/rhythm shuffle on the chorus that is so addictive. Then a couple of crowd favourites in the harsh, riff-driven ‘Isolation’ and ‘Metalingus’ to keep the intensity levels high.
There’s a mercifully short break before the encore. Alter Bridge tend to tweak their setlists during the tour and on this last night of the current outing, we get ‘Rise Today’ and ‘Open Your Eyes’ to bring the house down. Cue extended thank-yous and selfies. I called the 2019 gig one of the best I’d seen in the decade, little realising how few would be the subsequent medium-term opportunities for live music. With all that has passed, three years later I find myself even more grateful that this band continue to hit those ever-so-lofty standards. Simply awesome.
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Gig review: THE NEW ROSES – Camden Underworld, London, 1 December 2022
It’s been a case of making up for lost time for German rockers The New Roses. I’d been highly impressed by their headline London show at this same venue in late 2018 and the following year’s ‘Nothing But Wild’ was one of my favourite albums of the year. However they had barely scratched the surface of capitalising on this interest when the pandemic struck.
Other things have changed in the meantime with guitarist Norman Bites departing, replaced by original member Dizzy Daniels returning to the fold, and the Brexit agreement being signed.
The effect on British bands touring is well known but it also is making it more difficult for our former EU brethren to do business here and one casualty was that it was uneconomic to bring merch, missing a further opportunity to raise their profile.
To add to the sense this band are fated, the London date was on the worst possible night with Shinedown, Gun and Kira Mac just three of those pesky gig clashes. Combined with economic pressures in the run up to Xmas I am sure that impacted the attendance which was barely into three figures, if that.
The band would have been forgiven for being even gloomier as they took the stage about 15 minutes after their national team’s shock exit from the World Cup was confirmed. Whether football fans or not they did not let this affect a performance which was enthusiastic from the off.
The tour was in support of a new album I unfortunately hadn’t had time to acquaint myself with in ‘Sweet Poison’ which featured heavily, including the opening two numbers. People at the front, many of whom I suspected were their fellow countrymen, were bouncing to the catchy opener ‘The Usual Suspects’, with the first but not last ‘who oah’s of the night. ‘The Lion in You’ made less of an impact on my melodic self, the sort of souped up rock n roll purveyed by the Supersuckers or Volbeat, an impression which Dizzy’s image and playing style also lent itself to. The first of the old favourites was ‘Every Wild Heart’ with people bouncing along to the chorus.
If The New Roses they have a distinctive selling point it is their versatility: a basic lineup of four musicians, including a raspy-voiced frontman in Timmy Rough can turn their hand to such a variety of styles, yet none of them Teutonic in the slightest.
So semi ballad ‘All I Ever Needed’ could have been Bon Jovi, ‘Whiskey Nightmare’ Black Stone Cherry and ‘Life Ain’t Easy For a Boy With Long Hair’ (an autobiographical tale many present could relate to) an outtake from Bryan Adams’ ‘Waking Up the Neighbours’ album.
I could perhaps have done without a cover of ‘Rocking In The Free World’, once a song I used to love but now sorely overplayed, but it suited them though with Timmy unleashing the first of his periodic solos.
In contrast to the more metallic ‘Warpaint’, on numbers such as ‘My Kind Of Crazy’ and ‘First Time For Everything’ the ‘who-oahs’ were given full reign ‘and ‘Nothing But Wild’ was a glammy anthem. The band were impressively tight and only the ACDC//Airbourne- esque ‘Gimme Love’ was dragged out for any length of time.
After the roosty bluesy ‘Without A Trace’ set closer ‘Down by the River’ got the best reception yet. It boasts classic Americana lyrics about six packs and the radio yet as Timmy recounted it was inspired by growing up in the Rhineland town of Wiesbaden.
The start of the encores saw the usual tradition of people shouting and one enthusiastic fanboy on the right of the stage was delighted when his request for the rarely played ‘Meet Me Half Way’ was played, albeit with a single verse. The more mainstream choices were another catchy anthem in ‘Glory Road’, the supercharged crowd favourite ‘Thirsty’, and to close a cover of ‘Old Time Rock and Roll’, given a similar treatment with Timmy again letting rip on guitar.
Even though they offer nothing original, with the new album adding to their already impressive body of work the night was a brilliant demonstration of the song writing quality of a band who deserve to be much bigger. I only hope the poor turnout doesn’t deter them continuing to put in the roadwork to become established favourites on these shores.
Review and Photos by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
‘Birds’ is the latest single from Little Lore, the alter-ego of London-based Americana singer-storyteller Tricia Duffy. She is joined on this song by Oli Deakin who adds the instrumental backing.
Little Lore: “I wrote ‘Birds’ at a friend’s home in Hampshire. They live near the Hamble river, very close to where I grew up just outside Portsmouth. I had been devastated by a terrible event that had happened to someone close to me a few weeks before, which all sounds a bit cryptic, but without going into details I’ll just say I was craving some time away to be inside my head. My friends have a gorgeous black Manx cat called Scooter…(who) is rather old and almost completely deaf, but seemed to enjoy the vibrations created by my guitar. He spent my entire stay close to me, purring a lot of the time at full volume. The birds in that area are also incredible, doves, blackbirds, thrushes, woodpeckers were enveloping me in warm calming song.”
A beautifully composed and sung song, that highlights the soothing and engaging singing of Little Lore. Here’s hoping we get more new music from her in 2023.
Always a pleasure to hear a new tune from the Finnish masters of melodic rock Brother Firetribe. Not sure if this new song heralds a new album or just to gather momentum ahead of their co-headliner UK & European tour with One Desire in March and April.
A wave of synths ushers in another finely crafted melodic hard rock song and loving the guitar solo. The band manage to sound retro – 80′s melodic rock – and modern rock at the same time, not as easy as it sounds as many fellow melodic rock bands just rehash the 80s sounds without adding anything from themselves.
Whether we have a new album or not, this song should be on your playlist pronto!
A band I discovered after they followed me on Twitter, King Cujo (formerly Cujo) are back with ‘Lost Inside The Landfill’, their first full album in 18 years, on February 10. King Cujo consists of singer/guitarist Kevin Dawson, bassist Ben Keep and drummer Jamie Hook.
Lockdown impacted so many people’s lives which has led to many songs being written about that time and the effect it has had on mental health, which ‘In My Vein’ covers.
The song lulls you in with a slow melody before kicking in big time on the chorus. Recalls the Stereophonics at times and that chorus is immense – big enough to fell a forest! Impressive and looking forward to their upcoming album.
Reviews by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Led from the front by multi instrumentalist, Nick Van Dyk, LA’s Power/Prog Metal maestros, Redemption aren’t the most prolific.
I Am The Storm, the album, due for release early 2023, is only the band’s third recording since 2011.
Over that period of time, Tom (Evergrey) Englund has become the band’s vocalist, joined by Vikram Shankar, known for his Silent Skies’ collaborations with Englund, and for keyboard sound orchestration on the recent Borealis album.
Out of that small world of immensely talented artists comes this fabulous title track.
Englund continuously turns up the vocal heat on Van Dyk’s world-in-turmoil polemic, conveying blasts of strident, accusatory phrases: “Monuments come tumbling down and expectations die”.
The unrelenting bass rhythms and noisy guitars ensure the song maintains forward momentum, matching Englund’s powerful lyrics, blow for blow.
Roll on 2023. ****
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
‘Rapture’ is the first trailer track / single from the forthcoming Elevenking (2023) album, Reader Of The Runes Part 2 (of 3).
The band’s fascination with backing vocals that are rooted in Gregorian chants and perhaps too, arguably, Orff’s Carmina Burana cantata are constant reminders that much of 21st century metal leans heavily on classical music.
‘Rapture’ is operatic in presentation. From its brief piano and choir overture to powerful, dominating lead vocals telling the story, punctuated by darkly theatrical backing vocals, sparingly used. All making way as the heavy metal axes launch, going from zero to hero in the blink of a jaundiced eye.
Lyrically, it continues a complex, but satisfying story concept. But you could almost brush that to one side because, musically it sounds like everything you could ever want from a Melodic Metal song. That also assumes you like the tones of a brisk hornpipe, dredged up from 17th century British theatre, weaving its way merrily through the heavy riffing and melodic chanting.
Heady stuff. ****
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
News: Get Ready to ROCK! announces first band in the Grotto of Greatness (December 2022)
Rock website Get Ready to ROCK! has announced the first band to be inducted in its “GRTR! Grotto of Greatness”.
The website’s version of the “Hall of Fame” is part of its 20th anniversary celebrations in 2023. A different artist/band will be announced each month until the end of the year.
The Darkness are the first to be named ahead of UK tour dates in late January.
News and Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie was responsible for one of the band’s earliest online interviews in 2003 and GRTR! has followed the band’s progress ever since.
Managing Editor David Randall commented that the “Grotto” idea reflects the coverage at the website and an artist’s consistency over a twenty year period. “Each month we’ll plunder the archive, highlighting our reviews and interviews, but also adding new material.”
“The Darkness have proved durable, and resilient considering they were regarded as the proverbial “marmite” band at the outset and of course they had a difficult period after releasing two albums then reforming in 2010. They’ve gone from strength to strength ever since.”
Jason adds: “The emphasis in all our coverage is the sheer entertainment value of the band, and our month long promotion will reinforce this.”
The Grotto starts on 1 January 2023.
Get Ready to ROCK! is celebrating 20 years in 2023 and will be revisiting an impressive archive of material. During the year the review team will be naming their Top 10 albums and live acts of two decades amongst other activities. The GRTR!@20 promotion was launched in October with a series of unique essays written by genre experts highlighting changes over the website’s lifetime.
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Album review: RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STAR BAND – Live at the Greek 2019
BFD [Release date 25.11.22]
When you are the most famous drummer on the planet and want to tour, there really is a who’s who of musicians in your little black book to call upon. Having first started playing with his stellar ensemble in 1989, the line-up has had multiple line-up changes, Ringo bringing in old friends who are free at the time. Their eighth in concert recording, ‘Live at the Greek 2019’ sees the band back at one of their favourite venues, the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and on phenomenal form, the current cohort of players arguably the best blend brought together under the banner.
Joined by Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Hamish Stuart, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Gregg Bisonette, Starr romps through a set that encompasses the careers of all onstage and throws in some other tasty treats along the way, including rocking opener, Carl Perkin’s ‘Matchbox’. It’s straight into Ringo’s ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ and the Beatles ‘What Goes On’, the pair adding gasoline to the fire, the drummer an engaging frontman. With Rolie taking over lead vocals, Santana’s ‘Evil Ways’ was full of a captivating magic and an extended romp through ‘Rosanna’ sees Toto six-stringer Lukather tearing into a fiery solo, Ham’s joint vocals adding a wonderful edge.
The full-on proto funk of Average White Band’s ‘Picking Up the Pieces’ and Men At Work’s ‘Down Under’ turned the amphitheatre into a party, Stuart and Hay obviously having a ball as they led the band through their respective hits and the good times rolled on and on. Watching the show, you can’t help but be swept up with the enthusiasm and the whole is laden with the feeling that you’re witnessing the world’s best, and most expensive, living jukebox. ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’, with its cheeky snatch of ‘Day Tripper’ from Lukather, are great singalongs and ‘Cut the Cake’ features some great sax by Ham.
With Starr by his side, their two kits synchronised perfectly, Bisonette brings a real, dynamic groove to ‘Black Magic Woman’ and later ‘Hold the Line’ rocks hard, its famously propulsive riff ringing out clear and true. Despite the star wattage of their band leader, everyone gets their fare share of the spotlight throughout and the highlights are many, the ferocious ‘Work to Do’ and Hay’s extraordinary vocals on ‘Overkill’ and ‘Who Can It Be Now’ to name just three. Throughout, the stellar ensemble shine and it’s the multi-instrumentalist Ham who is their secret weapon, his tenor sax and upper register voice splashing glorious colours throughout the mix.
With numbers from Starr’s storied back catalogue like the aptly titles ‘Anthem’, a lovely run through of ‘Photograph’ and ‘Act Naturally’ and the Fab Four’s ‘I Wanna BE Your Man’, it’s an evening of wildly euphoric nostalgia and an appreciation of world class players. By the time the band is joined by fellow past alumni like Eric Carmen, Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren and Edgar Winter amongst others for a triumphantly heartfelt ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ and ‘Give Peace A Chance’ a sea of dancing, cheering and singing bodies fills every space in this famous place. A life affirming event, perfectly captured, ‘Live at the Greek 2019’ makes you feel good to be alive and you can’t say any better than that. Brilliant. *****
Review by Paul Monkhouse
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
The all-star rock project Barnabas Sky, led by guitarist and songwriter Markus Pfeffer (Lazarus Dream, Winterland), is back a year later with album number two. Tyketto’s Danny Vaughn and Silent Rage’s Jesse Damon are back again, who join new guests including Doogie White (Rainbow, Alcatrazz), Dan Reed, Carsten Schulz (Domain, Evidence One, Lazarus Dream) and Lee Small (Sweet, Lionheart, Phenomena).
The stand outs are ‘A Dying Song’ which features Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz in fine form over a mini-epic melodic metal treat. The guitars on here in particular are a treat.
Danny Vaughn shows he has lost none of his vocal prowess on the album’s title track and Lee Small gives ‘We Are Electric’ a bit of an Alcatrazz vibe. Top quality melodic rock to be heard on this song.
For something a little more metal Watchtower’s Alan Tecchio blasts away the cobwebs on ‘One Or The Other’, whilst it is always good to hear Doogie White, who sings on ‘Circus Of Delight’.
‘Isolation’ introduces Venezuelan singer Deibys Artigas Venegas to a wider audience. Based on this performance don’t be surprised to see him feature on more hard rock oreintated releases on the future. Nice tone and range on this fella.
Having Markus Pfeffer oversee it all means the songs gell well together despite having a different vocalist feature on each one. An enjoyable album to kick off 2023′s hard rock offerings. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Gig review: DANNY VAUGHN – The Grace, London, 4 December 2022
Danny Vaughn was one of those troubadours who made lockdown life more bearable for rock fans with his ‘Vaughnsday’ on line acoustic performances from his living room. The pandemic had interrupted his usual busy schedule, whether solo, with Tyketto or the Snake Oil and Harmony combo with Dan Reed. Indeed the latter’s shows were among the earliest casualties when covid started to take its deadly grip, and after countless more postponements and with Dan now busy with filming activity Danny took the decision to take his own solo show on the road.
The New Yorker opened with ‘The Last Sunset’, one of the Tyketto songs naturally suited to this format but what struck me on the next two, Snake Oil and Harmony’s ‘Last Man Standing’ and the title track from the last Tyketto album ‘Reach’ (apparently written for his wife) -was how raw and powerful his voice was even in this stripped down format. It was even more praiseworthy as clearly suffering from a cold, he was self medicating between songs.
The real treat for fans- a healthy number of which packed this small venue -was a setlist that changed nightly and reflected fan requests. Even better, radio DJ like he read out the requesters by name, adding to the feeling we were at an intimate private party and confirming how his lockdown activity had strengthened an already close bond with his fans.
This connoisseur’s choice included a song off each of the From the Inside project albums in ‘Telemetry’ and ‘Blessing in Disguise’, the latter one of my favourites of the night, and ‘Missouri Kid’ from the recent ‘Myths Legends and Lies’ album. The variety of styles was impressive including lighter moments such as ‘That’s What She Said’ and the country rock ish ‘Circle the Wagons’, yet there was no need to resort to a single cover, often a staple when an artist goes acoustic.
Though there was a lusty singalong to ‘Nothing But Love’, there were relatively few Tyketto classics which can be saved when their revamped line-up hits the road in 2023. Instead a generous selection from the two Vaughn albums brought back memories of the early 2000s when he constantly seemed to be on the road – the tongue in cheek ode to good ole southerners in ‘Dulcimer Street’, ‘Shadowlands’, pretty much the only song where there was an acoustic guitar solo of any length , and ‘Is That All There Is’, where he left a gap for fans to shout out the ‘co-dependent and f**ked up as hell’ line.
Always one of the best raconteurs (along with his Snake Oil partner) it was a pleasure to hear stories of inspiration of songs, everywhere from his New York childhood to trying to make it in LA. I’ve seen him countless times and yet still heard fresh insights such as his recruitment by Waysted when their management sought someone who could soar to those higher notes, though this time he requested assistance for ‘Heaven Tonight’.
Those Tyketto songs that were played either suited the format such as ‘Seasons’ or were ones that would never make a live set such as a song from ‘Dig in Deep’ that they never played live in the poppy ‘Evaporate’. ‘Where the Water Goes’ was another Dan Reed collaboration while ‘The Voice’ could almost have been autobiographical.
By now the strain of his cold was starting to show on his voice so there was no shame whatsoever in calling it a day after an hour and three quarters, finishing with the Gaelic strains of what he called an Irish fighting song in ‘The Shadow of King John’ and a rootsy, bluesy take of ‘Don’t Come Easy’ favourite ‘Lay Your Body Down’.
Acoustic shows are not easy to perform well but Danny Vaughn has the voice, the songs and the communication skills to be a master of the format, and ensure his bandmates and collaborators were not missed in this compelling performance.
Review and Photos by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Single review : FASTER PUSSYCAT – Like A Ghost and Pirate Love (Double A-Side)
Golden Robot Records [release date: 28.11.22]
If any artists can claim to have emerged as true survivors in the post grunge period, it’s Faster Pussycat.
Over two million albums sold, not a world record, but a tidy number just the same. Align that with quarter of a million monthly listeners on Spotify and several million YouTube streams. Successful? Yes. Influential? Yes. Still touring after all these years? Yes. Tour of Australia next month? Yes, and why not.
You just have to doff a respectful hat.
Now on the fast growing Robot Records’ roster, Faster Pussycat (basically just Taime Down + others now) present a surprising reinvention.
‘Like A Ghost’ and ‘Pirate Love’ is a double A side “single” release. No indication if it’s from a “forthcoming” album. So maybe just testing the water.
It’s only the band’s second release of new material since 1992, when their third recording, Whipped (1992) hoisted the primary colours of country, rock and blues high above the scores of Glamrock bands who couldn’t find the exit fast enough.
Thirty years later, the Glamrock 2.0 ‘Like a Ghost’ begins life as a the swaggering, drawling ghost of sunset strip. It’s a walk down memory lane, with just enough grit in the mix to give it contemporary relevance. You’re thinking, well, that’s pretty good, then a fabulous chorus makes a dramatic entrance. A distillation of all the Glamrock / Melodic Rock, pulse quickening hooks you might ever have heard.
It closes with the last line of the chorus : “A little Easy Action on the end, solid gold”.
Nuff said.
The whipsmart ‘Pirate Love’ is a cover of the Johnny Thunders’ classic. It tells us (as if we didn’t know) that the band gets their influences/inspiration from Thunders and his prototype Sex Pistols’ band, New York Dolls. ****
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Gig review: JOHN OTWAY – Face Bar, Reading, Thursday 15 December 2022
This time last year when penning my John Otway gig I noted… “Welcome to the Brave New World/1984 as this was the first gig I was asked to show my covid pass. Sign of the times but if it keeps live music and entertainment going then it is a small price to pay considering the hit on incomes artists and venues & their staff have taken these past couple of years.” Fast forward a year, the covid pass is a thing of MySpace and Friends Reunited but some things in life you can rely on and that is a John Otway gig!
He is backed by his Big Band, who have been been together thirty years in January. As Otway was given an honorary doctorate surely his long suffering band each deserve a medal?! They celebrate this event on Gibraltar between January 27-29.
Starting off with the oldest of his two hit singles, the 1977 hit ‘Really Free’ started things off in suitably manic style, swiftly followed by the single’s B-side ‘Beware of the Flowers (‘Cos I’m Sure They’re Going to Get You Yeah)’, which as were reminded sold as many copies as the A-side!
The band really add some ‘oomph’ to ‘Delilah’, where Otway shows his punk rock roots. This reached the dizzy heights of 186 in the singles charts on the back of it being used to advertise Weetabix.
Otway turned seer with ‘I’m Cured (And I Can’t Catch Love)’, which involves plenty of injections in its lyrics, whilst things take a even more bizarre turn with the use of a coat hanger with seven bits of sticky backed plastic on ‘Louisa On A Horse’. This allowed him to roam stage hands free with the mic attached to aforementioned coat hanger. Madonna may have been his inspiration for the idea but bet she couldn’t pull it off on a cold night in Reading…
His other hit ‘Bunsen Burner’ is rocking affair , although sadly no theremin solo, and the use of the venue’s glitterball. Audience participation is key to the success of ‘The House of the Rising Sun’. The start’s as a spoken word call and response, before the band all join in. The bonus is you get a guitar solo (from Richard) and stylophone solo (from Murray), one made the original version and the other didn’t.
‘We Rock’ does just that, an anthem made for the stadiums, or at least reasonably sized venues up and down the country.
‘Seagulls on Speed’, with a finale of Otway wearing a seagull’s head mask, is almost Otway does thrash metal. At the other end of the scale ’Josephine’ clams things down a bit.
For an encore we had ‘I Shouldn’t Be Doing This’ and ‘Geneve’, a gentler song and one of his best.
Get the 8 December in your 2023 diaries folks as he’s back at this venue on that day.
Right now we need the mavericks and one-offs to keep us going & entertained. John Otway is one of the best night’s entertainment and live music you’ll witness this side of a Spinal Tap or Krankies reunion. Legend.
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Debut album from Prog Rock classicists, After Lapse.
As any aficionado will tell you, Progrock bands need more time than others to tell their story. Credit to After Lapse for holding track lengths to around 5 minutes. Sometimes slightly less, other times slightly more.
The band, hailing from Spain, are another one of Frontiers’ European signings. And Al DeV gets nowhere near it.
The really great thing about this band’s lean, mean, yet ambitious progressive rock, is that it is exciting, electrifying fare, as tight as Mike Portnoy’s drum.
They manage to cram a lot of prog into the shorter than industry standard track lengths, but none of it is too hot to handle, and it means their compositional and lyrical choices need to be both vital and long lasting, and they are.
‘Thrive’ and ‘Facta Non verbal’ are all of the above. Technical brilliance has the bad habit of sucking the warmth out of a song, but in these cases a myriad instrumental and lyrical passages merge and separate in the heat of a moment.
Vast sonic panoramas pepper the music. ‘Where No One Cares’ navigates through several time changes to reach a huge melodic chorus. And in the case of ‘Come Undone’ the band skillfully place a power metal chorus inside a symphonic rock landscape.
But it is the utterly compelling title track that is all these things and more.
By compressing a taut, high pressure production into 4 plus minutes, they make the whole experience of softly lit guitars, pulsating bass, epic keyboard swells and vocal acrobatics into a user friendly, Play It Again Sam experience.
A band to watch. ****1/2
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
After contributing to the Big Deal album earlier this year, with several other female singers, Nevena strikes out now as a solo performer. Her debut walks a high wire between modern pop and melodic rock, as she looks to find her forte in terms of both style and genre.
As an accomplished musician – a Berklee College of Music alumnus – and a serial competition winner in Eastern Europe – including her home country’s (Serbia) version of The Voice, Nevena’s got quite some pedigree as a singer.
Here, she’s aided and abetted by Mike Palace, a musician, songwriter, producer whose reputation is growing exponentially with each album he’s involved in.
So, given it’s a solid combination of talents, you could still argue that the duo just can’t nail down their direction of travel. Let’s assume that’s deliberate, and that they’re using this album to establish what works best, and … well, what doesn’t.
Several songs stand out. The gleaming, melodic rock immediacy of ‘Bad Sun Rising’ lifts it above the surrounding tracks. Palace’s guitar sound is pretty tough, for once. Like the dramatic ‘Miracles’, a big booming ballad, it’s done in the style of eighties’ chart ever presents, Pat Benatar and Heart. So, we’re looking back to AOR’s glory days.
Then there’s the hi-tech AOR/contemporary pop of ‘Too Late’, ‘Bulletproof’ and ‘Writers Block’. These are songs with energy to spare. You can easily imagine them climbing charts all over Europe, filling dancefloors with catchy, easily accessible hooks and rhythms.
But the one song that really cuts it here is ‘Straight Into Madness’, a country rock cracker. There are plenty of well worn country tropes trailing through the song – it’s full of dirt roads and blue collar sentiments. Palace and Nevena use that sense of familiarity to draw us in, then hook us with the music and the emotion. A signpost to the future, perhaps. ***
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Album review : GERRY JABLONSKI and THE ELECTRIC BAND – 105
Independent [Release date: 02.12.22]
Fifth album from one of the UK’s lesser known Rock’n'Blues outfits, Gerry Jablonski and The Electric Band. (Not their one hundred and fifth).
Looking at the band’s incessant touring schedules, it’s a surprise they had time to go into the studio to record this material. Headline slots at the HRH Blues festival, The Rory Gallagher Festival and sell out shows at the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival put them on the radar of many genre fans.
Plus endless slogs through the UK and Eastern Europe (they’re just coming off a 22 gig tour, and by the looks of it they’ve squeezed a few more unannounced appearances into North Of Scotland venues this month).
No surprise then that road miles have turned them into a tight, tight outfit.
In places the emphasis is clearly on Rock, which might disappoint some blues fans, but it’s an album of exceptional maturity and mastery of the bluesrock brief.
“Music and art should reflect the world we live in and right now the world feels dark and heavy!”. So says Jablonski. He’s referring to the Russia / Ukraine conflict. The band use this tragic turn of events and its fallout as the fulcrum around which their songwriting spins.
The raw, Hendrixian ‘Broken Stones’ and ‘Strange Love’ are both sharp, well observed narratives that describe the state of the UK and the wider world today. These are rough, riff heavy rock songs, pierced by a very emotive, very detailed harmonica wail that plays like lead guitar.
‘Heavy Water’, ‘Tiny Thoughts’ and the first single ‘Goddam’ are constructed and presented in much the same manner. Each takes aim at societal flaws, usually on a global scale.
There’s clearly a communicative skill and energy to these and other songs. But sometimes they lack the sophistication needed to translate protest into sought after rock’n'roll. ***
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Jess Hayes has a distinguished musical pedigree as the daughter of Val Cowell and Richard Hayes of long-running blues rockers Bad Influence, and has been making a name with her own band on the South and West London gig circuit. Indeed both acts were on the bill at this year’s Ealing Blues Festival and created a very favourable impression on me.
Her six track mini-album keeps it in the family as both parents and bassist Pete Stroud are among the musicians and share the writing credits.
This is not a blues release as such, but her voice is soulful throughout and has a purity that is pleasant on the ear, aided by an impressive production for an indie release. The closest comparison I reached for was another musical offspring making a name for herself in Mollie Marriott.
‘Hung Up on Your Love’ has a great structure, culminating into a country rock ish guitar solo, then another rockier solo to close with Jess singing the chorus over the outro. ‘No One’ starts as a breezy Pretenders or Blondie-like pop rocker before it goes into overdrive with a epic fuzz-toned guitar solo, almost making it two songs in one.
‘Just Gotta Know’ is a quality song, instantly catchy with wah-wah guitar and ‘Can’t Find Love’ is up-tempo with another tidy, lengthy guitar solo. The sixties soul influences of ‘Lately’ show off her vocals and the same is true with the slow, soulful balladry of the six minute title track, concluding a very impressive effort marking Jess Hayes as one to watch in her own right. ****
Review by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Of the multitude of Scandinavian melodic rock bands to emerge in recent years, Perfect Plan have been one of the best. Indeed their second album ‘Time for a Miracle’ was my album of 2020. The superb vocals of Kent Hilli were their biggest selling point and have since graced both a solo album and the controversial new incarnation of Giant, but here he returns to the day job.
Their first two albums were a glorious mix of old school AOR and classic hard rock. On this third effort, the emphasis is generally on their harder rocking, bluesy repertoire- indeed several times I was drawing comparisons with the legion of Scandi acts inspired by classic Whitesnake such as Snakes in Paradise, Damned Nation and even Jorn. I’m pleased to report that my only issue with the previous albums has been addressed with significantly better production with the drum sound in particular beefed up.
With repeated listens, the opening quartet are outstanding: ‘Surrender’ has a lot going on with multiple bridges and choruses, and even an intro and mid-section bridge reminiscent of prime time Queensryche. The naggingly familiar ‘If Love Walks In’ is more melodic with big hooks and backing vocals ploughing similar territory to Europe (‘Prisoners in Paradise’ era) and ‘Can’t Let You Win’ a good example of their heavier sound, especially in the rapid fire bursts of Rolf Nordstrom’s guitar.
On ‘Gotta Slow Me Down’ some classic Hammond organ sounds are kept in the background in a song reminiscent of Whitesnake or Tangier, yet there is a unexpected but wonderful synth solo from Leif Echlin leading into another fine guitar solo. However the next two songs are in their own way just a little too overwrought: the intense heaviness of ‘Stop the Bleed’ and the only real ballad ‘My Angel’ where his extravagant delivery combines with a piano intro and power chords to tick every single cliché in the book.
‘Devil’s Got the Blues’ , ‘Bring Me a Doctor’ and ‘Still Undefeated’ are a trio of swaggering, bluesy hard rockers pitched somewhere between Whitesnake and a bluesier Europe with Kent sounding like Joey Tempest in places, most notably on the last of the three, where the ‘who-oahs’ could have been taken from their ‘Little Bit of Lovin’, and boasting a fine passage where keyboard and guitar solos are traded.
‘Emilie’- another overused girl’s name in the world of AOR- boasts eighties style layered keyboards and is an excellent piece of mid tempo AOR, a comparatively rare style on the album, before the smouldering ‘Walk Through Fire’ is more in keeping with the rest of the album without offering anything new.
While perhaps inevitably falling a little short of its predecessor’s classic status, with a new and beefed up approach Perfect Plan have kept up their standard of quality so far. **** ¼
Review by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Album review : WOLF MOON – How Do You See Yourself
Pete Feenstra chatted to Kelly Lethbridge and Jimmy Owen for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 6 November 2022.
Lethbridge Owen Music [Release date: 21.10.22]
Wolf Moon’s ‘How Do You See Yourself’ is a triumph of song craft, intuitive interplay, magical harmonies and musical motifs that embed themselves in the mind.
You could almost ask the band the same question that their album title poses, in as much as their musical style straddles a retro AOR folk-rock arc, fleshed out by strong songs and musical exuberance which gives them sparkle and polish. In other words are they trying to reinvent the wheel, or genuinely forging something of their own?
The album confirms the latter. So even though their name change from Lethbridge Owen to Wolf Moon still falls short of a complete re-brand, their mid-70’s West coast musical sweep is shot through with contemporary production values, spine tingling harmonies and the afore mentioned song craft to make it something unique in today’s musical landscape.
Their musical antecedents remain exactly the same as before – think the nascent Buckingham Nicks and post Peter Green Fleetwood Mac – with subtle echoes of Eric Johnson and perhaps the lesser celebrated Bob Welch.
The latter’s soft rock approach and mellifluous vocal style informed much of what became the ‘Rumours’ line-up and his harmony laden and melodic approach is an inherent part of an album like this.
What gives this splendid band line up of Jimmy Owen (guitars/vocals) Kelly Lethbridge vocals, Emily Francis (synths/keys), Eric Stams (drums) and Noah Nelson (bass) their majesty, is an essential exploratory feel which pushes them into original arrangements.
Everything has a sense of place, whether it’s alternate lead vocals and harmony guitars on ‘Just To Hear It Back’, the catchy chorus of ‘Love In The Sun’, the unexpected moments of electronica, subtle percussion and hypnotic repeated hook of the uplifting ‘Tell Me What I Don’t Know’, or indeed Owen’s core guitar line on the outstanding opener ‘Variation on a Feeling’.
It’s also an album threaded with a wistful aesthetic ranging from Alicia Raitt’s art work, through duo’s own experience and imagination. For example, there’s an enveloping feel at the core of the mesmerising opener ‘Variation Of A Feeling’, which via the slightest hint of reggae is resolved by an intricately woven, deep toned solo. It finishes with a pulsing amoeba style outro that leaves an aching void.
The single ‘Love In The Sun’ is predicated on Erik Stams’s lovely percussion, Jimmy incisive lead vocal and the duo’s rich harmonies.
We are imperceptibly drawn into a familiar mid 70s’s West Coast folk-rock tableaux born of silky harmonies and lingering melodies, framed by a beautiful layered sound and sumptuous hooks.
And if there was ever any doubt about the way the duo wear their musical hearts on their sleeves, they are quickly dispelled by a cover of Buckingham Nicks breakthrough song ‘Frozen Love’.
It perfectly melds Wolf Moon’s trademark folk rock with a proggy undertow. Their use of space and Owen’s deft touch on the guitar driven slow-build is mesmerising, as he evokes Eric Johnson and ushers in the duo’s shimmering vocals to provide the perfect resolution to a brilliant cover.
Championed all those years ago by Alabama’s WJLN-FM Alabama rock station, it might not have been the moment soft rock was born, but it certainly became a significant moment in terms of an emerging musical influence.
This album illustrates the point, as it celebrates and updates the duo’s Californian musical influences, born of beautiful melodic shapes and defining cadences.
Wolf Moon is also about the integrity of the song, whether it’s the right choice of notes to evoke an emotion, or subtle harmonic emphases that create a mood and feel.
There’s a dynamic ebb and flow, be it the rhythmic tension and acapella finish of ‘Give Me My Heart’ or the contrasting catchy hook of the very commercial ‘Love In The Sun’, delivered over a gently thumbed bass line.
The harmony duet on ‘Smiled At By You’, is another radio friendly song that could actually be mistaken for being Buckingham Nicks. What makes the difference is an open ended style that sometimes provides an unexpected musical diversion.
On the very catchy ‘Hold On’, a Christine McVie style opening piano line gives way to Kelly’s very best phrasing and subsequent vocal gymnastics.
‘Colours I Dream In’ is an aptly titled song that could be a comment on the band’s own song writing, as they capture a moment in time over some delicate percussion.
Everything flows into the final Kelly vocal on ‘Very Best Version Of Me’, which moves from a fusion style opening to an uplifting animated vocal.
The ironic thing about this album is that for all their excellent songs and intricate playing, it’s their rearrangement of Buckingham Nicks ‘Frozen Love’ that will probably draw most people to this album.
The most significant thing about that is the way they re-interpret it, refresh it and make it their own, suggesting that Wolf Moon have learned from the best to forge their beguiling style. ****
Review by Pete Feenstra
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Album review : THE WHITE BUFFALO – Year Of The Dark Horse
Snakefarm [Release date : 02.12.22]
The White Buffalo (aka Jake Smith) is hard to pin down. Aged 49, and hailing from the beautiful state of Oregon, this is his eighth studio album. So sustainability is not a problem. In fact he’s looking to build on a big YouTube hit pedigree over the years, recently including Problem Solution in 2020.
The Buffalo can sing. He can write a mean song. Good songs, good music, delivered well. However, he is described as country, folk, pop, rock, americana, hard rock – none fitting all that well !
To these ears he is accompanied by a kind of quirky, contemporary sound – not a bad thing at all, but not standard musical backing for these genres.
Production is by Jay Joyce who has superstar country credentials with Eric Church and Brothers Osborne.
Yes The White Buffalo is hard to pin down. The label Snakefarm itself is redolent of the swampy south, and I wonder if the title Year of the Dark Horse is in fact a self portrait.
Certainly the idea of the album is good. Four seasons sung in twelve songs. One year of life in the lyrics. A year of debauchery and blame, of love and loss, a life lived against the odds. Good year then !
If that’s not enough the album has a companion art film, little vignettes done by four different directors, each allocated a season in the year.
Buffalo is tuneful, tasteful and certainly well topped up with creative juices ! ***1/2
Review by Iain McGonigal
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
What it does is incrementally fine tune the sound that’s now established as their MO. Their epic, keyboard driven symphonic/melodic metal just bursts with energy and invention, pushing them streets ahead of every other band in this genre. ****1/2
Not one filler, production is top notch and the album was recorded by a band, not a studio project. AOR with a country edge, easily one of the albums of a year by a country mile. ****1/2
…a proper five-star belter of an album crafted by a band who choose to tweak a winning formula rather than invent a new one. Often copied, never bettered. Alter Bridge are the masters of multi-layered classic metal. *****
…an album full of melody, riffs, keys & effects, thought provoking lyrics and, above all, an album you will keep coming back to time and time again. ****1/2
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
What happens when the Pure Assassins’ drum and bass hedonist picks up a guitar and embraces existentialism?
It is sometimes suggested that existentialism is just this bygone cultural movement rather than an identifiable philosophical position.
But here, by adding more layers to the band’s traditional Drum and Bass sound, Pure Assassins turn their urban noir lyrics and primal guitar howl into something emotionally captivating.
This “visionary rock”, hewn by the hands of multi instrumentalist / producer Chris (Calyx) Rush, poses lost of questions and only hints at the answers.
Add the fact that he has an extraordinary grasp of what sound can do to the senses.
Lets have a ‘sounds like’ first. Rush sounds like Raine Maida on the drawling, dragging title track, ‘Questions’, shouting into the void, looking for answers.
The “Buster Keaton/ Silent Movie” video that accompanies this trailer track injects a bit of surreal humour into the song, but even without the video, it’s an impressive opener. And to quote from Lou Reed’s five rules of songwriting, “use simple words to convey rich thoughts”. The Pure Assassins music inclines toward that same hypnotic repetition that we hear in the songs of The Velvet Underground.
Equally impressive is ‘Time Machine’s simple strum, full of discordant guitar and clanging notes as the vocals rise to a despetrate howl and a sighing choir.
Rush’s concise, mesmeric lyrics, are often vocalised with a question mark on the end. There’s a deeper meaning in there that’s struggling to get out.
“Observe and describe characters in situations”. Another of Reed’s songwriting rules, is a perfect fit for ‘Dance With Me’. The glassy guitars, dreamy soundscapes and soporific pacing carefully reveal words that echo into the distance.
The message is clearly that the turbulence of modern life numbs the emotions.
Personal relationships suffer. We need to work at it harder.
We hear you. ****
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
Album review: TOMMY DECARLO – Dancing In The Moonlight
Frontiers [Release date: 09.12.22]
Tommy DeCarlo, the singer who joined Boston in 2007, after being discovered on MySpace by Tom Scholz, is now on his second “solo” album for Frontiers.
The current iteration of his studio band includes, on guitar, Producer/ Musician, David Julian, who’s opened for Bon Jovi, The Black Crowes, The GooGoo Dolls and other major acts. Also on guitar, Martin Jepsen Andersen has recorded with George Clinton and David Reece. He adds a heavier tone to the mix.
No surprise to learn that the production is handled by the ubiquitous Frontiers’ gatekeeper, Alessandro DelVecchio. He also plays bass and keys.
Julian and Andersen accurately mimic Scholz’s sophisticated yet incredibly accessible guitar sound all the way through Dancing In The Moonlight. The sound that Boston created was heavier perhaps than people remember – it was the late seventies after all – here it is mirrored by DelVecchio’s production, lightened and brightened by DeCarlo’s own engaging vocal style.
There’s a fair bit of autobiographical philosophising on Dancing… From the catchy, life affirming ‘Life is Just a Game’ – “catch your dreams, don’t be afraid” spiced up by a ripe slice of Rockman soloing in the song’s middle section; To the initially downbeat ballad, ‘The Hands Of Fate’, where DeCarlo pours his heart out, always with one eye on the rainbow and the reward at the end, underpinned by Andersen’s sweetly sympathetic axework.
‘Spread Your Wings And Fly’ makes most impact, emphatically confirming that a thread of humanism runs through De Carlo’s lyrics. Like he always remembers being plucked from Home Depot 15 years ago.
Elsewhere, the theatrical rock of ‘Change Our Fate’ nods respectfully to Denis DeYoung, Tommy Shaw and Styx, another pioneer melodic rock startup from the seventies.
Once again, on the romantic, understated drama, ‘Beyond Forever’ and the chest beating, heart rending ‘This Road Will Lead You’, Decarlo’s vocals are powerful and convincing. Perhaps even moreso on ‘No Surrender’, arguably the album standout.
Dancing In The Moonlight is a huge improvement over his anaemic debut. Perhaps only now is DeCarlo realising his true potential. ***
Review by Brian McGowan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
News: The Best of 2022 – Get Ready to ROCK! reviewers choose their Top Albums of the Year
Marillion made several lists for their album releases and UK tour in 2022
Finally, in 2022, there was something like a return to normality for live music, although more latterly the economic crisis impacted on punters’ disposable income and therefore may have curtailed their usual gig-going gregariousness. In addition, the energy crisis was leaving venues with massive bills, in some cases three times their usual expenditure.
Again, we’re focusing this year on albums and predictions for breakthrough acts. News and Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie: “Due to the wide tastes of the GRTR! review team it’s sometimes difficult to come up with an overall Top 5 listing. However Marillion appeared in several lists and Brave Rival were mentioned in both album and breakthrough categories, along with Austin Gold.
We hope that this annual feature will encourage readers to check out albums or artists they are not familiar with or may have overlooked. In this respect, the listing becomes a useful reference tool and we are using our archive to revisit significant albums in connection with our 20th Anniversary during the coming year.”
Throughout December Get Ready to ROCK! Radio will be featuring Best of 2022 selections in the playlists including featured albums in the melodic rock and singer songwriter genres and this year’s “power plays”.
“The Best of 2022″ two-hour special was first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on 18 December 2022
Agree or disagree? Register via desktop and post your own thoughts. Have we overlooked an album or artist? Tell us about it!
Top Albums
1. MARILLION An Hour Before Its Dark 2. GHOST Impera
3= JOE SATRIANI The Elephants Of Mars
3= SAXON Carpe Diem
3= BRAVE RIVAL Life’s Machine
Rock meets country down a pop boulevard. This albums oozes class not only in the musicians involved – including former vocalists from Chicago and Rascal Flatts, but also in the strength of the songs and production.
There have been many excellent folk & roots albums this year with this one just taking spot ahead of the likes of Sam Sweeney, Dom Prag, Amy Goddard, Mike Vass, Spiers & Boden and Oysterband. One of the finest folk singers around today.
Jessica Lynn put together an acoustic set for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in 2021.
Tom Webber gets more confident each time I see him live and after seeing the Hawkmen at the Face Bar in Reading, I became a fan of their modern take on rock n roll.
Couple of great singles released in the second half of this year bode well for this four piece rock band from Basingstoke. Few decent support dates next year and they will surely reap the success their music deserves.
Still at the top of his game, groove-laden and song-based. Once again a wholly instrumental guitar album is sustained by Satriani’s good taste and melody.
Less “political” than its predecessor, although affected by the pandemic, Marillion return with a sumptuous album full of lusciousness and loveliness.
David Randall chatted to Timothy B.Schmit for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio discussing his career with Poco and The Eagles and the album ‘Day By Day’. First broadcast on 3 July 2022.
In a different age this would garner mainstream radio play and big sales. As it is, a decidely low key release from Eagles bassist/vocalist. Superbly retro, romantic, and really rather good.
David Randall chatted to Chuck Wright about his career and including tracks from the new album. First broadcast on 12 June 2022.
Marvellous contributions from vocalist Whitney Tai and some erudite musicianship throughout in mainly rock fusion mode and all marshalled by sometime Quiet Riot bassist/songwriter.
Disappointing that the band’s UK tours were repeatedly cancelled this year, as it seemed Dan prioritised film work. One of their best albums, possibly even edging their formative works.
David Randall chatted to Vinnie Moore for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, playing tracks from UFO and his solo albums. First broadcast Sunday 11 December.
50/50 vocal and instrumental, great follow-up to previous ‘Soul Shaker’, and demonstrating further that Vinnie has a life away from U.F.O. Readers should also check previous albums, especially 2009′s ‘To The Core’.
Really strong offering from the bluesy rocker which would give some arena-packing bands a run for their money. Consistent, gritty and memorable. Carch them on an extensive headlining tour in January/February 2023.
Breakthrough Act 2023
There are a healthy handful of hopefuls this year, but my money is on:
AUSTIN GOLD – mature, pop sensibilities grafted on to a mean riff or two when necessary and a fine return this year with ‘Those City Lights’. They were Breakthrough Act 2017 in our popular poll.
Honourable mentions to COLLATERAL (Breakthrough Act, 2019) and WOLF MOON who released an excellent album ‘How Do You See Yourself’. BRAVE RIVAL must also be contenders. Pete Feenstra’s choice in 2019. And not forgetting THE KUT, pure visceral rock referencing classic proto-punk female bands such as The Runaways and Girlschool.
Pete Feenstra chatted to Kelly Lethbridge and Jimmy Owen (Wolf Moon) with tracks from the album ‘How Do You See Yourself. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio
A great repackaging of their underrated 1991 album which could be called “transitional” before they got a bit more courageous. The ominously entitled ‘Brave’ followed, and so eventually did band autonomy.
Buyers should note that all the contemporaneous bonus tracks appeared on the 1998 2-CD which was 24 bit mastered. This version knocks that in to touch with a 48 bit and 5.1 mix. Whilst it’s a shame we’ve waited two decades for a definitive version, the addition of live recordings, videos, and a making of delivers the complete package.
A perfect blend of the classic AOR of the debut and subsequent celtic-themed atmospherics, with Darren Wharton’s wonderfully warm vocals, made for their best album in a long while.
In this two hour special, David Randall chats to Dare’s Darren Wharton following his story from Thin Lizzy to the present and with a track from each of Dare’s albums. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.
Those fearful for the Swedes future after Erik Gronwall’s departure need not have worried with a brash, anthemic album in which returning singer Kenny Lekremo showed a surprisingly heavy side.
Journey, Chicago and Rascal Flatts members turn out a classy, if uneven, album that blends west coast AOR and country pop with some superb vocal arrangements.
A real grower with Gary Hughes’ songwriting at its best and an improved production making this their most satisfying album in some time.
Breakthrough Act 2023
In these troubled times, expect people to hanker after familiar, good time comforts. In which case both the USA’s Dirty Honey, who made quite an impression last year, and the very promising home grown The Karma Effect will please many with their blend of the Black Crowes, Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.
Having finally progressed to headline status, a third album from Those Damn Crows early in 2023 should see them consolidate as a major act, under Shane Greenall’s charismatic command. Also from South Wales Cardinal Black offer something refreshingly different with singer Tom Hollister and guitarist Chris Buck’s deep, soulful epics.
A new festival which instantly became my favourite one with a bucolic setting, ease of movement between stages and facilities, and friendly staffing. The 31 acts were a who’s who of the New Wave of Classic Rock and many of my favourite live acts of the year (FM, Those Damn Crows, Mason Hill and King King to name but four) also starred there.
The legendary songwriter on a rare headline UK show delivered a mix of hits in his and other hands, and gems from a back catalogue I hadn’t previously fully appreciated. A measure of how good it was, was that I felt compelled to do it again in Chislehurst five days later.
Russ Ballard chatted to David Randall for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in a two-part special first broadcast 26 July 2015. In Part 1 he chats about his career, songwriting and solo work.
A three night stand where he played a classic album each night. The Anglophile Canadian and band seemed inspired by the august surroundings and proved he can still rock, and those songs brought back a feast of rich memories for me.
The two year wait was worth it to see my most satisfying Crowes gig yet, with the classic Shake Your Moneymaker played in full and their trippier tendencies largely reined in.
An unplugged set of masterful songs and engaging storytelling, but it was the beautiful stark surroundings and his emotional response that made the show particularly special.
Pete Feenstra chatted to Emma Wilson for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio playing tracks from her album. First broadcast on 4 December 2022.
‘Wish her Well’ is a fresh groundbreaking album that is rooted in the blues, but with heartfelt songs that demand a wider musical canvas.
Emma has a warm, expressive voice and always seeks to make an emotional connection with the listener while the musical accompaniment is superb.
She evokes everyone from Bonnie Rait to Cara (from Hatfitz & Cara). She thinks nothing of getting soulful on an album that also explores rock, funk, gospel and blues.
There’s much to enjoy here from the spiky ‘Not Paying’ to the unflinching title track and the percussive and spacious ‘Rack Em Up’. Emma Wilson is the real deal!
The perfect accompaniment to the best touring period of his career, ‘Ride’ is a career hand bringing emotional honesty to his rock-blues palette; ‘Ride’ takes him further out the comfort zone with heartfelt songs, which in the case of ‘This Fertile Soil’ pushes him into Americana.
‘Better Days Ahead’ and ‘So Many Goodbyes’ counterweights optimism with poignant refection, while the exuberant title track and the after hours feel of ‘Destiny’ combine lyrical substance with musical versatility.
BUDDY GUY The Blues Don’t Lie on Silvertone
This album may be somewhat formulaic with the usual suspect involved in the songs, as was the case of James Cotton’s ‘Cotton Mouth Man’.
But if that’s what it takes along with a raft of special guests to get the best out of the octogenarian Buddy Guy, then so be it.
Highlights include the title track, the self explanatory ‘I Let My Guitar Do The Talking’ and a cover of Lennon & McCartney’s ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’
It’s hard to recall that Buddy’s career stuttered with a fallow mid-period in terms of recording output. His renaissance began in the early 90’s and this album squares the 30 year circle.
JANIVA MAGNESS Hard To Kill
She sings her blues the way she feel them, over blues stomps, infectious funk (‘Standing On The Moon’), blues ballads and sultry grooves such as the delicate ‘Comes Around’, while the closing stripped down ‘Pearl’ focuses on raw emotion and her vocal purity.
She’s a fiercely independent artist who continues to impressively tread her own path.
Taking a well earned sabbatical from Voodoo Six, Matt Pearce steps out with his 2nd solo album full of good songs and confident playing on some broad based material. It’s an album which as the title suggests has a Southern feel rooted in funk, soul, a bluesy undertow and his trademark rock intensity. Standout tracks include the riff and horn driven stomp ‘King Of The World’.
The genre busting Hampshire band refreshingly put glistening harmonies and a killer live show at the forefront of what they do, which is to these aged ears is to make contemporary connection with the enduing soulful funk of Kokomo.
The band play dates 8th December (Worthing), 9th (Southampton) and 16th (Emsworth). More dates to come in February 2023.
THE CINELLI BROTHERS
In fact The Cinelli’s have already broken through in terms of generating a sizeable following and picking up deserved awards. Their boundless energy and the way they have tapped into Chicago blues with an Anglo Italian style all of their own means bigger things beckon for them.
A change of name and just a slightly significant push towards crossover commercial songs with sweeping hooks should mean bigger things for the duo formerly known as Lethbridge Owen.
Their scintillating band locks into West Coast harmonies, undulating melodies and an all round uplifting feel.
Kelly Lethbridge’s Americana feel is the perfect foil for Jimmy Owen‘s guitar chops, while the latter’s cool set of ears gives ‘How Do You See Yourself’ a sonic tonic.
Top Live Acts
A hard call this year given the live scene has taken such a hiding in the post covid months
This Californian band were the hardest working band in Europe in the post Covid days, bringing joy, musical excellence and Californian sunshine to bear across Europe
This vibrant New York based performer and her excellent band came, saw and conquered with her ability to draw an audience into songs with a universal core. She got the charisma, the sensuality, the songs and a kicking band – in fact the full package.
Whether in solo, duo or band mode, the ubiquitous TR never gives less than 100%. 2022 also saw him add to his versatility by moulding his shows to a bewildering number of different crowds to great effect. The net result should be a well deserved break-out niche all of his own.
WALTER TROUT
Probably the most popular festival and club band last summer, leading into a breathtaking European Autumn tour full of sold out shows with a communal atmosphere, an array of special guests topped by a memorable appearance at Sweden Rocks.
With a staggering amount of gigs topping 300 in a calendar year, South Wales’s king of Twang effortlessly straddles rockabilly, old school r&b, swing and blues, and jokes that he’s running out of drummers.
He’s already been booked in for a repeat USA tour and he’d destined to be all over Europe in 2023, showing that hard work and raw talent can still pay off in a hyped-up world..
TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
A huge band with a huge set list and a breath taking ability. Their London Palladium show fully justified their very expensive ticket price.
Papa and the Nameless Ghouls returned with a melodic rock masterpiece that has quite rightly earned the band many awards over the course of the year. Laden with huge hooks and great melodies, this album has helped push the band to festival headline status and sold out tours across Europe and the US.
A further study on some of the lesser known stories of World War One through the medium of power metal. History has never sounded so good!
D’VIRGILLO, MORSE & JENNINGS Troika
This album proved to be a real joy. Acoustic led with harmonies and melodies to die for, the trio managed to distil a beautiful sunny day into 11 songs.
RAMMSTEIN Ziet
With the band on lockdown hiatus, they used their time well to return to the studio to record Ziet. Time well spent in my book!
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Afterlife
They may have recruited a new drummer and guitarist since their last album, but the music hasn’t changed thankfully. Another metal masterpiece from Las Vegas finest.
David Coverdale’s final farewell to the faithful Glasgow crowd was a lesson in how a rock show should be done. All the hits, a fantastic band and one of the best frontmen in rock provided a great night and a perfect end to the Whitesnake legacy. Hearing Coverdale and the crowd singing ‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City’ together one last time was a special moment.
Steve and his excellent band were out on tour once again this time celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ‘Nursery Cryme’ album. The set included the album played in full along with other Genesis and Hackett solo classics and went down a storm with the capacity crowd.
Another great line up from Chris and the Stonedead crew, the highlight being an amazing headline set from Michael Schenker. The sun shone and both the music and the organisation were spot on.
There are some albums that are just of their time – that have the capacity, to not only entertain, but also to provide a catharsis for the soul.
The sophomore album from Norwegian post prog/art rock trio Dim Gray is an essential antidote to all that’s going on in the world at the moment – its strangely uplifting melancholia has the power to calm everything down and, together with its outstanding songwriting and musicianship, lift the heaviest of hearts.
Album number God-knows-what from the fretboard genius and it’s still a mystery how he manages to sustain not only interest in guitar instrumental albums, but also the sheer creative ability to make every one of them sound fresh.
And he’s excelled himself here with a clutch of jaw-dropping tracks that feature finger-snapping guitaring from a different planet that most of his contemporaries could only dream of emulating.
In a genre where “who’s the best player” has always been a rallying point for aficionados - from the early days of Robert Johnson, through Buddy Guy, Clapton and Bonamassa – another blues guitar slinger has been on a kick-ass trajectory of late.
“Crown” heralds Eric Gales’ acceptance into the firmament of blues guitar Gods with an album of staggering guitar dexterity – not only the Hendrix-like, fuzz-box fuelled bangers but also a more soulful and even funky style that complements the mayhem brilliantly.
Martin Barre chats to Pete Feenstra for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in 2020. (This is an edited version of the original broadcast).
A live recording capturing the ex-Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre and his rather fine band in fine form on their, er, ‘Play The Music Of Jethro Tull’ tour.
I saw the band on this tour and it was a gig that will live long in the memory, both for the chance to hear a classic Tull set and to hear such an outstanding band of musicians – Dan Crisp on vocals is a shoo-in for Anderson and it was great to see Dee Palmer and Clive Bunker from the early days.
This recording does the tour justice – an excellent gig and a reminder, as if one was needed, just what an integral part of Tull’s sound Martin Barre was.
Progressive rock of the highest order from one of those bands whose talent is in inverse proportion to their commercial success.
Essentially the brainchild of rock journeyman and keyboard maestro John Young, he has gathered together an exceptional band of musicians which includes the go-to plank-spanker of the moment, Dave Bainbridge, to realise his project.
Sumptuous 3CD+BluRay remixed and remastered ‘book’ edition of Marillion’s criminally underrated ‘Holidays In Eden’ – replete with all sorts of bonus material.
This was Steve Hogarth’s second album with the band and it took a fair bit of slagging off at the time – very unfairly I thought.
Yes, it’s a bit poppy in places (‘No One Can’, ‘Dry Land’) but there’s also some Marillion classics: ‘Cover My Eyes’, ‘The Party’ and the glorious opener ‘Splintering Heart’.
This wasn’t just a stop-gap between ‘Season’s End’ and ‘Brave’ – this was a top album and fully deserving of the treatment it’s been given here.
Grand are as good an AOR/Melodic Rock band as we’ve heard on Frontiers for some time now. They make it sound effortless, and you’ve got to work damn hard to achieve that.
Their epic, keyboard driven symphonic/melodic metal just bursts with energy and invention, pushing them streets ahead of every other band in this genre.
On the title track, he avoids the kind of sentimentality that often weighs down heavy metal, choosing instead to take us with him on an epic, 11 minute journey of self discovery, looking back on his life.
This band have been on my radar since their debut album and this second steps things up a notch or ten! The tracks on the album continue as the debut album, to be split vocally between Cameron and Gregory, which adds real depth and interest to the songs.
It is clear that this band have moved to a new level of maturity and established ‘Jamie’s Guns’ unique sound, gravelly, blues rock. My personal stand out tracks are ‘Anymore’, ‘Good n’Gone’, ‘The Road’, and ‘For You’ – but it was tough to choose, they’re all so good! I’ve listened to this album so many times, it feels like a classic.
As soon as this album started, I knew I was onto an absolute winner, there’s no messing about, there’s no self-indulgence, this is classic rock at its finest, delivered with passion and it needs to be played loud!
This album may be a debut, but it is clear from the opening title track, just how tight the musicianship is. Every track is action packed, pure rock and I love it. I was only half-way through the album, foot-tapping, singing along (already to a song I’ve never heard before!) when it was obvious that this is an absolute belter and I immediately added it to my albums of 2022 list.
The album has 10 tracks of Petal Falls signature catchy rock, which doesn’t fit neatly into any category, it stands proudly out from anything else. This whole album is an absolute gift to anyone who loves their rock a little lighter, with a classic feel, it’s a belter! The Petal Falls, your music rocks and I am looking forward to what comes next. As the band say, “Let The Music Do The Talking”, give them a listen, you’ll be in for a treat.
Fozzy have been present on the rock scene for over two decades and their pedigree is clearly demonstrated on this latest album – it’s a master class in pure Rock ‘n’ Roll! I started a list of highlights but quickly realised that the list would pretty much be the whole
album. Of course, Rich Ward has been doing this for 30 plus years now so it’s no surprise he’s at the top of his game, but it would be unfair not to call out the class musicianship throughout, this band are on fire and the passion is clear!
This latest album from TDmH delivers 12 tracks and 3 bonus recordings, including 2 charity singles. The album literally has been a work of blood, sweat and tears with a reflection on relationships, this is what happens when 2 people’s worlds collide, be it good or bad, there’s some songs that will resonate with us all. If you like heavy, melodic rock this album is for you.
A 5 five piece from South Wales, who have been together since 2018, their warm Welsh tones bely the heavy Kraken sound that is about to be unleashed! Their debut album, ‘MCLXXX’ is due out in January – get to see them live, they bring one hell of a party delivering full-on, high-octane rock, played by accomplished musicians.
Formed the end of 2019, they released their first single ‘Over and Over’ in February 2020 at just about the worst time to launch a new band, but that gave the band plenty of time to write and their debut self-titled album (released July) is getting a lot of interest. They have played the festival circuit this year, catch them if you can. Plans are afoot to record their second album in December.
3. BAD ACTRESS
Bad Actress are a Scottish 5 piece, formed in 2018, with a shared love of the rock music they grew up listening too. Their band mantra band is ‘be the band you’d want to go and see’. They certainly weren’t born in the 1990s, however their original material all sounds like pure classic rock, and they perform it with gusto, simply put, they’re absolute crowd pleaser! Catch them on tour, you won’t regret it.
Top Live Acts
1. RAMMSTEIN – what a show, what pyrotechnic insanity, how loud? A must-see IMHO.
2. THE TREATMENT- high voltage, master class in rock and performance live, what a band!
3. SONS OF LIBERTY – from Bristol, with their southern rock style are such a good time, feel good, rock band to see, they always deliver.
NIKK GUNNS
SKID ROW The Gang’s All Here
This is more than a band re-energised, this is a band reborn. Great songs and easily their best record in 30 years. This album will no doubt have resulted in a load of “Sebastian who?” type comments.
Monroe has released consistently good albums throughout his lengthy career and this one is no different. Featuring his long-time band, you would not think this is a man that recently celebrated his 60th birthday.
THE CULT Under The Midnight Sun
Anyone who saw the band on their 30th anniversary of Sonic Temple tour (just pre-pandemic) or caught their recent shows supporting Alice Cooper may have been fooled into thinking their new album would be a return to that era of the band’s sound (I was). However, The Cult have taken a different route and released an album that will please fans of every era of their career.
ANDY McCOY Jukebox Junkie
ex-Hanoi Rocks guitarist McCoy has released a collection of covers that, unusually for him, feature other people on vocals. The album has some great tracks on it and encompasses a number of musical styles. This is a fun record and one to be played very loudly.
This album is a reworking of their debut album, and if they had released this in the early ’90′s, they would have been huge.
Top Live Acts
BILLY IDOL Wembley Arena
He doesn’t appear to age, sounds as good live as he did 30 years ago and has a great stage show
SKID ROW @ The Forum
With a great new singer, a great new album and an ability to take their career back to the arenas, this was a great gig.
WHITESNAKE @ The O2
Great line-up that included Foreigner and Europe, we all knew this was David Coverdale’s last hurrah and yes, the band acted as the Whitesnake Choir, this was a slightly better show then we saw at Nottingham a few days later, purely down to the banter with the crowd. Unfortunately, it looks like DC has now retired early from the road.
In an unpredictable world of turbulence and chaos, it is reassuring to know that Alter Bridge bring regular and dependable quality. ‘Pawns and Kings’ continues a sequence of outstanding multi-tiered, intense rock and metal that began with ‘One Day Remains’ in 2004. Often copied, never bettered.
The band are on tour in the UK 5-12 December 2022.
This excellent album is full of longform pieces of immersive, cinematic and lyrically conscious music. Arguably better than its predecessor ‘F.E.A.R.’ in the way its moods and textures are given a jolt of power and energy on tracks that are engrossing and edgy with dollops of sparkle and shine.
One of their best albums in years. As heavy as anything from their vintage days, but consistent and energetic and punchy as well. And anthemic, of course. Familiar lyrical themes are belted out with passion by eternal frontman, Biff Byford. By Jove, I think the band are enjoying themselves.
This first Feelgood’s album of predominantly original material since 1993 is a fine addition to the canon. It’s immediate, bristling with sharp and wiry, sometimes low and dirty guitar riffs across a set of livewire well-played, well-sung, well-produced tracks by a band who still do it their own way.
I can’t remember the last time I put up unashamedly melodic rock album in my ‘best of the year’ selections. It might have been this lot on a previous outing. Because they have consistently found a an infectious, slick, bright, powerful formula. And this one is even better than the others.
I last saw this lot at Ramblin’ Man Fair in 2019 and was impressed. They have been quiet since, but have roared back with their second full length album ‘Those City Lights’. Classic rock with gritty riffs, keyboard fills and great vocals. 2023 should be big for Austin Gold.
TOBY LEE
A prodigious talent, spotted supporting Joanne Shaw Taylor in April. At 17 years old he is touring his own four-piece band with two albums and an EP already on the racks. ‘Hotly-tipped blues guitarist’ might be an understatement after garnering 350 million views of his appearance as a 10-year-old at BB King’s blues club and being anointed by that ubiquitous saviour of blues-rock, Joe Bonamassa.
The band hail from the home counties and bring an eclectic mix of powerful blues, hard rock, soul washes and touches of folk. Debut album ‘Life’s Machine’ has garnered significant praise. Ed Clarke provides delicious loud and proud guitar, but it is the pairing of Chloe Josephine and Lindsay Bonnick on lead vocals that gives the band a point of difference.
Bonamassa is getting better. Previously the songs could feel like they were mere platforms for another face-melting solo. At the Royal Albert Hall in May, the depth of material, thoughtful arrangements, quality of the musicians and respectful inter-play between them gave a rounded, intense and fully-immersive experience. Absolutely stunning.
Joe Bonamassa returns to the UK for dates 9-14 May 2023.
Always a joy to see live, the material on Marillion’s latest studio album has elevated the band’s show even in comparison to their own lofty standards. The album demands to be played end-to-end and the quality shines through in the live arena. After 40-odd years, maybe Marillion are still getting better.
Old school metal played by a band who mean it. It was heaving, sweaty and enthusiastic in the Black Heart with a mixture of old and new fans lapping up a NWOBHM original. Assured, loud, riff-heavy and northern. Brilliant.
Along with Mob Rules, two game changers that, albeit not consistent with the bonus tracks, show us the importance of the Dio-era Sabbath at every level.
Thrilling and rammed full of great songwriting, great blues licks and the incredible voices of Chloe Josephine and Lindsey Bonnick. If they aren’t as big as Fleetwood Mac within a couple of years, there’s no justice in the world.
2) THE BLACKHEART ORCHESTRA Hotel Utopia
Another beautiful album from the duo. Darker and more emotional than ever before but still shot through with a radiant light.
3) SILENT SKIES Nectar
See above. Stunning.
4) MAGGIE ROGERS Surrender
Great songs, well performed and a total delight to listen to. A very adult album that you feel smarter after listening to.
5) AMY BIRKS In Our Soul
Some people have cited Kate Bush as a touchstone but Amy Birks has her own identity that brings its own wonder.
Top Live Acts
GHOST supreme gothic pop metal at the O2. TRIBE OF GHOSTS Bloodstock’s hottest unsigned band. BRAVE RIVAL Phenomenally good at the 100 Club WARD XVI An arena show in a Norwich pub. BLOODYWOOD World changing Indian metallers at Bloodstock. BUTCHER BABIES The visceral power of metal at Bloodstock. DOM LAWSON Stripped down, brilliant blues, More soul than James Brown. BRITISH LION Steve Harris’s other band showing how it’s done at Download in a rammed Dogtooth Stage. THE DAMN TRUTH Canada’s finest soulful retro rockers absolutely blazing in Camden. FOO FIGHTERS Playing through the tears at Wembley Stadium.
Breakthrough Act 2023
TRIBE OF GHOSTS Young Brighton quartet who already have cornered the market with their own, thoroughly modern metal style. Big riffs, even bigger emotions.
TEIGER Prog Metal Folk from a bedsit as written by Jane Austen, Jeff Buckley, Patti Smith and Maynard James Keenan.
FEED THE WOLF Classic rock, blues, soul and indie influences instruct this most individual of bands. The party is here.
THE KUT Already very well known, but Princess Maha’s crew of hard rocking Riot Girls deserve to be huge. A band to change the world and cause a revolution.
LOZ CAMPBELL (pictured) She has the songs and the style to make her one of the hottest names on the scene. A compelling live act, girls with loud guitars are going to rule the world.
BORSTAL The London crew with their roots deeply in Oi and sounding as wildly ferocious as Motorhead at their most feral, there’s a sense of family here that few bands achieve. See one show and you’ll want to join the crew.
The two albums that saved Black Sabbath and still sounding as great today. Some great extras and shows just what they could do with Ronnie replacing Ozzy, defeating the odds and the naysayers.
The crown princes of Glam, they were an incredible live band but also wrote some of the best songs of 20th century rock ‘n’ roll.
THESE ANIMAL MEN Too Sussed/ Taxi For These Animal Men
Two releases from the NWONW scallywags that have outlasted all the other trendsetters at the time. Full of snotty attitude and great riffs, these boys were top of their class.
THE BEATLES Revolver
The Fab Four’s best album. Enough said.
KISS Creatures Of The Night Super Deluxe Edition
Still one of the greatest things the band did and can stand alongside of ‘Alive’ and ‘Destroyer’. Heavier and hungrier than before, all with added bells and whistles.
“The Best of 2022″ two-hour special was first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on 18 December 2022
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026
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Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026
BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
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Facebook [Release date 20.04.26] Brick Briscoe, what a great discovery. Hands up who’s heard of him. One or two at the back yeah. So I’d never heard of him either, but I’m damned glad I’ve been hipped to him now. … Continue reading →
Pride & Joy Music [Release date 20.01.23] Autumn’s Child return with their fourth album ‘Starflower’, the second one released by Pride & Joy Music. The band still features Michael Erlandsson on vocals, keyboards & guitars, Pontus Åkesson on lead guitar, … Continue reading →
BMG [Release date 27.01.23] Formed in the late 70s by vocalist and guitarist Don Dokken, the band Dokken shot to fame in the 80s, with their very enjoyable (and successful) blend of hard rock, glam and AOR. BMG continue their … Continue reading →
BMG [Release date 20.01.23] BMG continue their marvellous reissue campaign, and these heavyweight discs not only feel and look as good as they sound, but fit in perfectly with the current trend for some quality vinyl. Prog legends Uriah Heep … Continue reading →
A combination of bitter weather and transport snarl ups meant I missed opening act and Wolfgang Van Halen’s current project, Mammoth WVH. I was, however, in plenty of time to see Halestorm’s fiery, combative set. Plenty of others were too. … Continue reading →
It’s been a case of making up for lost time for German rockers The New Roses. I’d been highly impressed by their headline London show at this same venue in late 2018 and the following year’s ‘Nothing But Wild’ was … Continue reading →
LITTLE LORE Birds ‘Birds’ is the latest single from Little Lore, the alter-ego of London-based Americana singer-storyteller Tricia Duffy. She is joined on this song by Oli Deakin who adds the instrumental backing. Little Lore: “I wrote ‘Birds’ at a friend’s … Continue reading →
AFM Records [release date 14.12.22] Led from the front by multi instrumentalist, Nick Van Dyk, LA’s Power/Prog Metal maestros, Redemption aren’t the most prolific. I Am The Storm, the album, due for release early 2023, is only the band’s third … Continue reading →
AFM Records [release date: 14.12.22] ‘Rapture’ is the first trailer track / single from the forthcoming Elevenking (2023) album, Reader Of The Runes Part 2 (of 3). The band’s fascination with backing vocals that are rooted in Gregorian chants and … Continue reading →
Rock website Get Ready to ROCK! has announced the first band to be inducted in its “GRTR! Grotto of Greatness”. The website’s version of the “Hall of Fame” is part of its 20th anniversary celebrations in 2023. A different artist/band … Continue reading →
BFD [Release date 25.11.22] When you are the most famous drummer on the planet and want to tour, there really is a who’s who of musicians in your little black book to call upon. Having first started playing with his … Continue reading →
Pride & Glory [Release date 20.01.23] The all-star rock project Barnabas Sky, led by guitarist and songwriter Markus Pfeffer (Lazarus Dream, Winterland), is back a year later with album number two. Tyketto’s Danny Vaughn and Silent Rage’s Jesse Damon are … Continue reading →
Danny Vaughn was one of those troubadours who made lockdown life more bearable for rock fans with his ‘Vaughnsday’ on line acoustic performances from his living room. The pandemic had interrupted his usual busy schedule, whether solo, with Tyketto or … Continue reading →
Golden Robot Records [release date: 28.11.22] If any artists can claim to have emerged as true survivors in the post grunge period, it’s Faster Pussycat. Over two million albums sold, not a world record, but a tidy number just the … Continue reading →
This time last year when penning my John Otway gig I noted… “Welcome to the Brave New World/1984 as this was the first gig I was asked to show my covid pass. Sign of the times but if it keeps … Continue reading →
Frontiers [Release date : 09.12.22] Debut album from Prog Rock classicists, After Lapse. As any aficionado will tell you, Progrock bands need more time than others to tell their story. Credit to After Lapse for holding track lengths to around … Continue reading →
Frontiers [Release date: 09.12.22] After contributing to the Big Deal album earlier this year, with several other female singers, Nevena strikes out now as a solo performer. Her debut walks a high wire between modern pop and melodic rock, as … Continue reading →
Independent [Release date: 02.12.22] Fifth album from one of the UK’s lesser known Rock’n’Blues outfits, Gerry Jablonski and The Electric Band. (Not their one hundred and fifth). Looking at the band’s incessant touring schedules, it’s a surprise they had time … Continue reading →
Independent (Release Date 2021) Jess Hayes has a distinguished musical pedigree as the daughter of Val Cowell and Richard Hayes of long-running blues rockers Bad Influence, and has been making a name with her own band on the South and … Continue reading →
Frontiers Records (release date 14.10.22) Of the multitude of Scandinavian melodic rock bands to emerge in recent years, Perfect Plan have been one of the best. Indeed their second album ‘Time for a Miracle’ was my album of 2020. The … Continue reading →
Pete Feenstra chatted to Kelly Lethbridge and Jimmy Owen for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 6 November 2022. Lethbridge Owen Music [Release date: 21.10.22] Wolf Moon’s ‘How Do You See Yourself’ is a triumph of song craft, intuitive … Continue reading →
Snakefarm [Release date : 02.12.22] The White Buffalo (aka Jake Smith) is hard to pin down. Aged 49, and hailing from the beautiful state of Oregon, this is his eighth studio album. So sustainability is not a problem. In fact … Continue reading →
DYNAZTY Final Advent (AFM Records) What it does is incrementally fine tune the sound that’s now established as their MO. Their epic, keyboard driven symphonic/melodic metal just bursts with energy and invention, pushing them streets ahead of every other band … Continue reading →
Independent [release date 25.11.22] What happens when the Pure Assassins’ drum and bass hedonist picks up a guitar and embraces existentialism? It is sometimes suggested that existentialism is just this bygone cultural movement rather than an identifiable philosophical position. But … Continue reading →
Frontiers [Release date: 09.12.22] Tommy DeCarlo, the singer who joined Boston in 2007, after being discovered on MySpace by Tom Scholz, is now on his second “solo” album for Frontiers. The current iteration of his studio band includes, on guitar, … Continue reading →
Marillion made several lists for their album releases and UK tour in 2022 Finally, in 2022, there was something like a return to normality for live music, although more latterly the economic crisis impacted on punters’ disposable income and therefore … Continue reading →
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***** Out of this world
**** Pretty damn fine
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan of the artist or genre
** Instant bargain bin fodder
* Ugly, just ugly
