Quick plays: VINDICATA, REVOLUTION HIGHWAY, ROCKICKS

VINDICATA Beneath The Surface Grooveyard Records [Release date 23.11.18]

The “secret weapon” on this debut album might be construed as early Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland (who handles most of the solos) but in actual fact it’s vocalist Mary Magill who provides the major attraction.

Against a full metal onslaught, Magill’s vocals shine through. It’s the strength of the songs that determine repeat playability and the album is filled with the catchy choruses including on ‘Death Defying Years’ and ‘Carry My Dreams Away’ whilst ‘Would You’ and ‘Fragile’ are groove-laden standouts where guitarists Jim McCrostie and Brett Pedersen provide relentless metal riffage throughout.

Play this loud. ****1/2

Review by David Randall

REVOLUTION HIGHWAY Grooveyard Records [Release date 23.11.18]

Let’s be honest, this isn’t going to win any prizes for originality. It mines a deep vein of hard rock previously well trodden by Messrs. Coverdale, Rodgers and Plant.

This is plainly evident on the opener ‘Renegade’ which reminds of ‘Black Dog’ and sums up this band’s meld of Zeppelin via early Whitesnake and latter-day Bad Company. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as the songs are well constructed and the playing exemplary. And thankfully this self-titled debut does meet these exacting requirements.

With main-men, vocalist David Fefolt and Savros Papadopoulos (guitar), eleven riff-driven, ballsy tracks have been fashioned with a high quotient of memorable choruses (including ‘Young And Wild’ and ‘Rollin’ Train’) whilst the longer ‘Sister Of The Devil’ provides suitable respite but is no less impressive.

If melodic hard rock is your thing, you’ll certainly like this. ****

Review by David Randall

ROCKICKS Keep On Rockin’ (A Retrospective Anthology)
Grooveyard Records [Release date 23.11.18]

This retrospective set from Rockicks might have been distilled to a more impressive single disc, celebrating a band who flourished briefly in late 1970s Los Angeles.

The first disc is impressive, the band’s brand of southern rock purposeful and well executed. The second disc seems to be culled mainly from demos with several alternate versions and the sonic quality doesn’t really do the band justice. However, there’s plenty of evidence of the band’s quality, fast forwarding to 1991-1992 when’Jesse James’ and ‘Get The Lead Out’were recorded.

The band were originally signed to RSO and probably didn’t sit easily in that label’s roster (with the likes of Yvonne Ellman and Bee Gees). They released one album – Inside – in 1977 which is featured on Disc One in its entirety together with other tracks which may have been destined for a follow-up.

This package is let down by the complete lack of historic information, given also the lack of band visibility over the years.

Yes, we’ve never heard of Rockicks and maybe one clue to their ultimate lack of success lies in the rather naff name. This leads you to have perhaps lower expectations but stick with it, this a slice of forty year old classic melodic hard rock that demanded – and still demands – a wider audience. ***1/2

Review by David Randall

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

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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 on 1 December 2024.

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). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)