Tag Archives: review

Album review: STEELEYE SPAN – Wintersmith

Park Records This is a departure for the revered folk rockers Steeleye Span, as the album is based on the novel ‘Wintersmith’ by Terry Pratchett, who also appears on the album and has a hand in writing the songs too. … Continue reading

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Gig review: SIMPLE MINDS and ULTRAVOX, O2 Arena, London, 30 November 2013

Simple Minds, Liverpool Empire, 20 April 2013

It’s an 80’s revival tonight with one of the 80’s big stadium bands Simple Minds headlining, but first we had Ultravox who had their own series of hit singles in the early to mid-80’s. They reformed with their classic line-up … Continue reading

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Album review: RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Dark Wings Of Steel

Rhapsody Of Fire - Dark Wings Of Steel

AFM Records – [Release date 25.11.13] Keyboard wizard Alex Staropoli, founding member of the Symphonic Metal outfit Rhapsody (Rhapsody Of Fire since 2006),  is a man who has suffered trials and tribulations and undoubtedly grown a second skin through relentless … Continue reading

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Album review: ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD – Songs From The Road

Ruf [Release date 18.11.13] Royal Southern Brotherhood ‘Songs From the Road’ cements their place as one of the most essential live experiences in 2013. From their self titled debut album to their incendiary live shows, it’s been a long time … Continue reading

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Single reviews: STEVE BLOOD, TESS CUNNINGHAM

The Last Xmas

STEVE BLOOD The Last Xmas [Release date 8.12.13] www.thelastxmas.com Christmas songs.  Bah.  Humbug.  Who’d have ‘em?  Frequently cheesy, easily forgotten.  Here at GRTR! Towers we get our share.  This offering is refreshingly different. Steve Blood has an interesting career plying … Continue reading

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Album review: ANGELICA – Thrive

Angelica - Thrive

Frontiers www.frontiers.it Murder of My Sweet front woman Angelica Rylin has moved away from their symphonic metal sound for her debut solo release – Thrive is another one of Frontier’s all-star melodic rock records. Angelica has brought fellow band members … Continue reading

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DVD review: JON ANDERSON – Tour Of The Universe

Store For Music www.thestoreformusic.com Although this is released this year by Store For Music, this DVD first saw the light of day back in 2005 when it was released by Classic Pictures. A word of caution for fans as the … Continue reading

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Single review: JOSH TAERK – Casie

Josh Taerk, aircheck (Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 26 November 2013)  Misty Creek Records [Release Date 9.12.13] We live in the age of the self expressive singer songwriter, whose hegemony of the air waves must make the more enduring folkies … Continue reading

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Album review: BADHOVEN – Obsession

        ATS Records (Release date – out now) The last group I can think of that broke out of Austria were the Von Trappe Family Singers who went on to find success in America. With the right … Continue reading

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DVD Review: SPRINGSTEEN AND I

Springsteen & I

Eagle Vision [Release Date 28.10.2013] Bruce Springsteen is an artist who seems to inspire a unique awe and affection among his fans, so it somehow seems appropriate that he is the subject of a music film with a difference. Concert … Continue reading

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Album review: ZOE SCHWARZ BLUES COMMOTION – The Blues Don’t Scare Me

33 Jazz [Release date 04.11.13] Zoe Schwarz’s clarity of diction and unique phrasing mark her out as a special singer capable of making any song exclusively her own. She’s equally happy as a sultry, soulful blues singer or as a … Continue reading

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Album review: BOSTON – Life, Love & Hope

Boston - Life, Love & Hope

Frontiers www.frontiers.it [Release date 09.12.13] Relatively quick in Boston terms at just over ten years since the last album ‘Corporate America’ and some songs of that album get reworked by Tom Scholz on this album, a man always on a … Continue reading

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Album review: MICK FARREN AND ANDY COLQUHOUN – Black Vinyl Dress

Gonzo [Release date 28.1013] Mick Farren once said: ‘I’m a lousy singer, but a brilliant rock star’. And while that may be true, the rock scene has all but dissipated and our anti heroes need to do more than come … Continue reading

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Album review: DEF LEPPARD – Viva Hysteria!

Def Leppard - Viva Hysteria

Frontiers (2CD/DVD) www.frontiers.it One of Britain’s best and hardest working rock bands, Def Leppard have always been at the melodic end despite growing up with the NWoBHM scene. After the classic third album ‘Pyromania’ (which went diamond in the USA), the … Continue reading

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Album review: RHAPSODY OF FIRE – Dark Wings Of Steel

Rhapsody Of Fire - Dark Wings Of Steel

  AFM Records www.afmrecords.de [Release date 25.11.13] Rhapsody of Fire return with their first studio album since the amicable split of main songwriters Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli in 2012 – Luca has his own version of the band called … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE UNION – Manchester Academy 3, 8 November 2013

The Union - Manchester Academy 3, 8 November 2013

There was definitely no doubt who the crowd were here for tonight as the sea of Union T-shirts was clear to see, midway through their UK tour The Union are touring after the release of their DVD ‘Live in Guildford’ … Continue reading

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DVD review: VARIOUS – The Sunflower Superjam 2012

The Sunflower Superjam 2012

Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2DVD) www.thesunflowerjam.com The Sunflower Jam was started back in 2006 by Jacky Paice, wife of Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice and sister-in-law to the late Jon Lord, as a charity event to raise funds … Continue reading

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Album review: CRYSTAL GRENADE – Lo! And Behold

CRYSTAL GRENADE - Lo! And Behold

Gonzo [Release date 14.10.13] A wonderful name, Crystal Grenade.  One that belongs to Mancunian songstress Carol Hodge, described as ‘Shakespears Sister fighting Amanda Palmer and Tori Amos in a dimly lit Victorian pub’.  If that conjures up images of heavily … Continue reading

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Album review: PAUL GUZZONE – Chasing The Moon

Triple Z Music [Release date 2013] New York based Paul Guzzone describes himself as ‘an electronic troubadour’.  He’s big on sonic textures, wry narratives, catchy hooks and songs that draw you in. ‘Chasing The Moon’ is an unlikely but successful … Continue reading

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Gig review: MOTT THE HOOPLE – London O2 Arena,18 November 2013

Mott The Hoople - London O2 Arena, 18 November 2013

After a successful reunion tour back in 2009 Mott The Hoople where they only played in London, they were back for a UK tour culminating at the O2 Arena which had a very good turnout especially as it was a … Continue reading

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Album review: SAXON – Unplugged And Strung Up

Saxon - Unplugged And Strung Up

UDR Music [Release date 18.11.13] Saxon are one of the enduring British rock bands who have consistently delivered the metal clad goods. This new album though offers something a little different in that the band have taken some of their … Continue reading

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Album review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell – Volume 2

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell – Volume 2

Eleven Seven Music [Release date 18.11.13] This album is the second instalment of Five Finger Death Punch’s masterplan to dominate the top spot in my end of year best of album round up. ‘Volume 1’ released earlier this year gained … Continue reading

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Gig review: KT TUNSTALL – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 16 November 2013

KT Tunstall, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 16 November 2013

It’s probably fair to say that the albums since 2004′s award-winning ‘Eye To The Telescope’ may have progressively alienated those who loved its breezy, folky – and highly accessible – pop. Since that time KT Tunstall has released four more … Continue reading

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Gig review: CAPERCAILLIE – Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, 16 November 2013

 CAPERCAILLIE - Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, 16 November 2013

Capercaillie put down a marker for Celtic fusion back in the late 1980s.  They straddled the divide between the Celtic rockmeister Alan Stivell and the more commercial early incarnation of The Corrs.  Most recently, live gigs have been rare and … Continue reading

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Gig Review: REEF – O2 ABC, Glasgow – 15 November 2013

Interview with James Toseland by David Wilson, 15 November 2013 Reef are a band that hold a place dear in many people’s hearts. At their peak they were one of Britain’s hardest working and most down to earth bands with … Continue reading

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