Tag Archives: pop rock

Single reviews: PYLON POETS, FOARN, FORGE HOUNDS, CHOLE CHADWICK

Posted on November 22, 2025 by jason

Pylon Poets – Not to Blame (feat. Call Yourself Karma) Big fans of Pylon Poets here at GRTR! and following the release of their album ‘Demise of the Divine’ in Jun, Pylon Poets have teamed up with Call Yourself Karma … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Americana, blues, Call Yourself Karma, Chole Chadwick, Christmas, country, Foarn, Forge Hounds, indie, Paulie Boy, pop, pop rock, power pop, punk, Pylon Poets, review, rock, singles | Leave a comment

Album review: SMITH & LIDDLE – Songs For The Desert

Posted on November 2, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

Legere Recordings [Release date 31.10.25] There must be something in the air at the moment, or at least this year. We’ve had excellent albums from Morganway, First Time Flyers, and now Smith & Liddle. The connecting theme is melodic classic pop … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, classic rock, pop rock, review, singer songwriter, Smith & Little, Songs For The Desert | Leave a comment

Album review: PAVLOV’S DOG – Wonderlust

Posted on October 10, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

Ruf Records [Release date 03.10.25] As we’ve indicated elsewhere, reviewing the 5-CD retrospective, Pavlov’s Dog have never received the success they might deserve and never sustaining the acclaimed heights (and large sign-up fee) of their debut album released in 1974. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Pavlov's Dog, pop prog, pop rock, review, Wonderlust | Leave a comment

Album review: LAURA EVANS – Out Of The Dark

Posted on September 28, 2025 by jason

Website [Release date: 17.10.25] Laura Evans returns with her second album, which is set to further her building musical reputation to add to daytime plays on BBC Radio 2, along with a recent tour supporting Robben Ford. ‘Out Of The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Elles Bailey, Laura Evans, Out Of The Dark, pop rock, review, rock, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL ARCHER – Art

Posted on September 24, 2025 by jason

Website [Release date 08.08.25] First solo release from Disraeli Gears/Burning Codes frontman Paul Archer, which has been designed to be enjoyed best on vinyl. ‘Art’ splits in two: Leeds-recorded alt-rock anthems on Side A, and Belfast-grown cosmic soul on Side … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, art, Burning Codes, Disreali Gears, Duke Special, indie, Paul Archer, pop rock, review, rock, Snow Patrol, Solo | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID PALFREYMAN – Opening Time For The Battered

Posted on September 21, 2025 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 26.09.25] David Palfreyman has released music in various guises in the past, including 2017’s ‘Decades’, a concept album with Nicholas Pegg. ‘Opening Time for the Battered’ David refers to as his debut solo album, musically aided by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, David Palfreyman, melodic, Opening Time for the Battered, pop rock, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Single review: TORA DAA – Dear Lord

Posted on September 4, 2025 by jason

Instagram [Release date 05.09.25] I am quite often late to the table with bands, and Tora Daa are no exception, but I find that being late, you have no preconceived ideas. I was more than pleasantly surprised with this discovery … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged blues, Dear Lord, pop rock, Prince, review, rock, single, Tora Daa, Tora Dahle Aagard | Leave a comment

Single reviews: THE BEATLES, CHEAP TRICK, COASTLAND FAIR

Posted on August 22, 2025 by jason

The Beatles have announced ‘Anthology 4’ (13 previously unreleased demos and session recordings, as well as new mixes of ‘Free As A Bird’ and ‘Real Love’) due on November 26, as a follow-up to the original ‘Anthology 1’ (1995), along with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Cheap Trick, Coastland Fair, Jeff Lynne, pop, pop rock, power pop, review, Robin Taylor Zander, rock, singles, The Beatles | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL ARMSTRONG – 10

Posted on June 14, 2025 by jason

Pete Feenstra chatted to Mike Armstrong for Get Ready To ROCK! Radio and playing tracks from the compilation ’10′. First broadcast 14 September 2025. Website [Release date 27.06.25] 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the release of London singer/songwriter, Michael … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 10, 10CC, album, best of, Billy Joel, Cats In Space, ELO, melodic, Michael Armstrong, pop, pop rock, review, singer songwriter, The Beatles, Warren Bennett | Leave a comment

Album review: CARL BALDASSARRE – Retroduction

Posted on May 5, 2025 by jason

www.carlbaldassrremusic.com [Release date: 16.05.25] ‘Retroduction’ is the first of a planned series of four album releases – each offering a different slant and flavour from guitarist, composer and producer Carl Baldassarre. Baldassarre released the well-received ‘Grand Boulevard’ project in 2023, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Burt Bacharach, Carl Baldassarre, Chris de Burgh, easy listening, pop, pop rock, Retroduction, review | Leave a comment

Gig review: GRAHAM GOULDMAN – Cadogan Hall, London, 20 March 2025

Posted on March 22, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

GRAHAM GOULDMAN - The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7 March 2025

Graham Gouldman’s ‘Heart Full Of Songs’ is an inspirational evening built round his own remarkable song history and related stories. The show is fleshed out by glistening harmonies, salient hooks and a set list which interweaves the substance of his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 10CC, 20 March 2025, acoustic, Cadogan Hall, gig, Graham Gouldman, London, pop rock, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE VAPORS Album Launch – The Water Rats, London, 27 February 2025

Posted on March 7, 2025 by jason

The return of Guildford New Wave Power Popper’s The Vapors in 2016 after thirty-four years away from the scene was cause for celebration amongst the sharper observers on the scene. Best known for the iconic hit ‘Turning Japanese’ and their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 27 February 2025, Album Launch, Dave Fenton, London, New Wave, pop rock, power pop, review, Steve Smith, The Vapors, The Water Rats, Wasp In A Jar | Leave a comment

Album review: THE VAPORS – Wasp In A Jar

Posted on February 11, 2025 by jason

Website [Release date 28.02.25] The Vapors formed back in 1978 and readers of a certain vintage will recall the band’s biggest hit, ‘Turning Japanese’, released a mere 45 years ago! They split in 1981, reforming many years later in 2016 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dave Fenton, New Wave, pop rock, power pop, punk pop, review, The Vapors, Wasp In A Jar | Leave a comment

Album review: MORGANWAY – Kill The Silence

Posted on January 1, 2025 by jason

Earache Records [Release date 31.01.25] Morganway are back with a new album and their line-up remains as on their 2023 release ‘Back To Zero’, namely Callum Morgan (vocals, bass), Kieran Morgan (guitar, vocals), SJ Mortimer (lead vocalist), Matt Brocklehurst (keyboards, vocals), Nicole J Terry (fiddle, vocals) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Amerciana, folk, Kill The Silence, Morganway, pop rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Feature: Baker’s Dozen – Librarians With Hickeys

Posted on December 7, 2024 by jason

LIBRARIANS WITH HICKEYS - How To Make Friends By Telephone

Librarians With Hickeys are an indie pop rock duo consisting of Ray Carmen and Mike Crooker. Here both of them choose an eclectic Baker’s Dozen… Ray Carmen (in more or less no particular order) 1. Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged alternative, Bakers Dozen, feature, indie, Librarians With Hickeys, Mike Crocker, Paul McArtney, playlist, pop, pop rock, power pop, Ray Carmen, Robyn Hitchcock, rock, XTC | Leave a comment

Feature: Box Sets are for life, not just for Christmas…(December 2024)

Posted on November 29, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

The reissues and recycling still come thick and fast, not least in the unashamed “reissue” of vinyl – another income stream for the record labels designed to extract more wedge from our hard-pressed wallets. Here is our round-up of recommended … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, FEATURES | Tagged anthology, Black Sabbath, box sets, boxsets, classic rock, collections, folk rock, Glenn Hughes, heavy rock, pop rock, Progressive Rock, singer songwriter, The Producers, Thunder, Tony Iommi, Trevor Horn | Leave a comment

Album review: LIBRARIANS WITH HICKEYS – How To Make Friends By Telephone

Posted on November 8, 2024 by jason

Big Stir Records/Bandcamp [Release date 08.11.24] Librarians With Hickeys are an indie pop rock duo consisting of Ray Carmen (vocals, guitars, drums) and Mike Crooker (vocals, bass, organ, piano, keys). They released their debut album in 2020 and this is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Byrds, How To Make Friends By Telephone, indie pop, Librarians With Hickeys, melodic, pop rock, power pop, REM | Leave a comment

Gig review: CATS IN SPACE – The Wilde Theatre, Bracknell, 16 October 2024

Posted on October 17, 2024 by jason

CATS IN SPACE- Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Bracknell, 20 July 2023

First time in the Wilde Theatre, part of the South Hill Park complex that includes a small cinema and cellar bar (where on my first visit to South Hill Park enjoyed a gig by folk duo Ninebarrow). Despite being all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 70's rock, Bracknell, Cats In Space, classic rock, gig, piano, pop rock, review, rock, the Wilde Theatre, Time Machine, Wednesday 16 October 2024, Willie Dowling | Leave a comment

EP review: CLUB PARADISE – Life On TV

Posted on October 6, 2024 by jason

Facebook [Release date 11.10.24] Club Paradise is made up of school friends Ryan Young (vocals/guitar), Jackson Vert (lead guitar), Harry Webb (bass) and Nathan Hogg (drums). They have been together for over a decade and it shows in that they have a tight sound/decent production values. The EP features … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Club Paradise, EP, indie, indie pop, indie rock, Life On TV, melodic, pop rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE CORONAS – Thoughts & Observations

Posted on September 24, 2024 by jason

So Far So Good [Release date 27.09.24] The Coronas are a big deal in their native Ireland where their last three albums have gone straight to number 1 in the Irish charts. Although technically a three-piece, with Danny O’Reilly (vocals, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Gabrielle Alpin, indie, Jamie Duffy, melodic, pop rock, rock, the Coronas, Thoughts & Observations | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOHNNY HATES JAZZ – Waterside, Sale, 7 September 2024

Posted on September 8, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to Clark Datchler for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio following an earlier interview tracing his early career with Johnny Hates Jazz. He discusses the band, his solo career, and the 2024 tour dates. First broadcast 14 April … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 7 September 2024, Clark Datchler, gig, Johnny Hates Jazz, pop, pop rock, review, Sale, Waterside | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AUTUMN KILLERS, PETE LAMBERT, DELICATE STEVE

Posted on August 11, 2024 by jason

AUTUMN KILLERS Making Waves [Release date 12.09.24] Autumn Killers are Rob Reece (vocals, bass), Duncan Richardson (guitar, keys, synths & backing vocals) and Graeme Hoy (drums, percussion & backing vocals). They are a bit different as they mix dance beats with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, Autumn Killers, Covers, Delicate Steve, electronic, guitarist, Peter Lambert, pop rock, Quick Play, reviews, rock, singer songwriter | 2 Comments

Album review: TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS – Rogue To Redemption

Posted on July 19, 2024 by jason

tuk smith and the restless hearts rogue to redemption

Gypsy Rose Records [Release date 30.08.24] Second album by Tuk Smith & the Restless Hearts, who are fronted by ex-Biters frontman Tuk Smith. Produced by Tuk and mixed by Chris Dugan (Green Day, Iggy Pop, U2), the album was written over the last three years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 70's rock, album, hard rock, melodic, pop rock, review, rock, Rogue To Redemption, The Restless Hearts, Thin Lizzy, Tuk Smith | Leave a comment

Gig review: TIM ARNOLD ‘Super Connected’ – The Cockpit Theatre, London, Tuesday 4 June 2024

Posted on June 13, 2024 by jason

Where do we start with effect of screen addiction and the role social media plays on one’s mental health? This is what singer/songwriter Tim Arnold has been researching for the past seven years culminating in the release of his latest … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged gig, Kate Alderton, Lindsay Kemp, London, pop, pop rock, review, Sarah Kershaw, special live event, Stephen Fry, Super Connected, the The Cockpit Theatre, Tim Arnold, Tuesday 4th June 2024 | Leave a comment

Book review: On track…OASIS, NEIL YOUNG, AC/DC, PROCOL HARUM (every album, every song)

Posted on May 9, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Publishing www.sonicbondpublishing.com [Publication dates 26.01.24*, 29.02.24**, 05.04.24***, 10.05.24****] The wide spread of the On Track… series is confirmed by Paul Tornbohm’s dissection of Carpenters*. Surveying the pop duo’s output from 1969, Tornbohm approaches his task from the viewpoint of a … Continue reading →