Yearly Archives: 2024

Album review: ATLANTIS DRIVE – Atlantis Drive

Atlantis Drive

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 14.06.24] Composer and guitarist Markus Pfeffer (Barnabas Sky, Lazarus Dream) is the mastermind behind Atlantis Drive. As Markus explains – “I had a very clear goal with this album: To take up the sound … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: JOE BONAMASSA – Live at The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra

Joe Bonamassa - Live at The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra

J&R Adventures [Release date 21.06.24] Joe Bonamassas’s ‘Live at The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra’ is a triumph of ambition and execution, as a well chosen catalogue of songs are inbued with fresh energy and a bigger musical sweep. You’d be … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Single review: HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE – Copenhagen

https://hatsoffgentlemen.bandcamp.com/album/copenhagen

Bandcamp [Release date 11.06.24] ‘Copenhagen’ is the second single from forthcoming album ‘The Uncertainty Principle’ by Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate. It is currently available on Bandcamp, and will be on other platforms from July. ‘Copenhagen’ is about a disputed conversation … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review : TKO – Total Knockout – The Complete TKO 5 CD Boxset

tko_cover 150

Cherry Red [Release date 28.06.24] CD1: Let It Roll (1979) CD2: Lost Demos (1980) CD3: In Your Face (1981) CD4: Below The Belt (1984) CD5: Early Mixes 1979, 14 years before Brad Sinsel’s War Babies became the only band not … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: ROB TOGNONI – Rebel

Rob Tognoni - Rebel

MIG Music [Release date 18.01.24] Seemingly always a “Rebel”, it’s curious that it’s taken Aussie rocker Rob Tognoni until something like his 27th album to embrace the outsider theme as an album title. Ever since outgrowing the “latest big thing” … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND – Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland, 19 May 2024

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND- Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland, 19 May 2024

Less than 13 months after his pair of Hyde Park shows and fortunately recovered from an ulcer complaint that led to autumn gigs in the USA being cancelled, Bruce Springsteen was back on a longer European tour with the E … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review : JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – Heavy Soul

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Heavy Soul

Journeyman Records [Release date 07.06.24] Joanne Shaw Taylor’s ‘Heavy Soul’ is a decent album with a handful of good songs, some fluid guitar playing and moments of intuitive band interplay, but the inclusion of 3 covers and the overall aim … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review : ANVIL – One And Only

ANVIL One 150

AFM Records [Release date: 28.06.24] There’s Old School Heavy Metal bands, and there’s Anvil. On their 20th album now, the aptly titled One And Only, these Canadian legends have shed any pretence of “modernising” their sound, reaching back to the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: TERAMAZE – Eli: A Wonderful Fall From Grace

TERAMAZE - Eli: A Wonderful Fall From Grace

Wells Music [Release date 24.05.24] teramaze.bandcamp.com/ For some strange reason I have only just become acquainted with this Australian prog metal band. This latest offering is their eleventh full-length album, so I have some catching up to do. Strangely again, over … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Dani Tim Sarah

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION – V

Black Country Communion - V

J&R Adventures [Release date 14.06.24] After a 7 year hiatus, the Anglo-American super group Black Country Communion return with an album that rocks hard. There’s plenty of intensity, spirit and a handful of decent tunes with plenty of early 70’s … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review : AS I ROVED OUT – THE STORY OF CELTIC ROCK 1968-78 (3CDs)

celtic rock 150

Cherry Red [Release date: 21.06.24] Celtic music dates back to the 17th century. It’s part of the musical scenery in western Europe… mainly Portugal, Spain and France. And across the Atlantic in Canada … most especially among the island communities … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: CALL OF THE WILD FESTIVAL – Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln – 24th to 26th May 2024

Messenger_creation_2cc18282-10b8-4b66-8481-521a47ca43e4

Upon arrival at the showground I was taken to get checked in and get my press pass. After a short wait I was greeted by “Tosh” who was one of the friendliest guys I’ve ever met and he introduced me … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DAVE FOSTER BAND – Maybe They’ll Come Back For Us

THE DAVE FOSTER BAND - Maybe They'll Come Back For Us

English Electric Recordings [Release date 31.05.24] Several years ago when I saw The Steve Rothery Band playing live Dave Foster provided support, and then reappeared in the Marillion guitarist’s band. Half way through Foster’s own set, an ethereally toned guitar … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: HUNGRYTOWN – Circus For Sale

Hungrytown - Circus For Sale

Big Stir Records [Release date 21.06.24] Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson are Hungrytown, who have released three albums since they formed in 2005. All three have won accolades and Year’s Best Of recognition from within the roots and folk community and beyond. Expectations … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: DEFECTS – Satans Hollow, Manchester, Friday 31 May 2024

defects 5

To say I was looking forward to this would be a huge understatement. After reviewing their album “Modern Error” before it’s release, I was eagerly awaiting this album release show. I managed to get there not long before Defects started. … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: COLLATERAL- Should’ve Known Better

COLLATERAL- Should've Known Better

Cargo Records [Release date: 24.05.24] After bursting on the scene five or six years ago,  Kent melodic rockers Collateral’s rise to the top has been a bumpy one – which has included the pandemic striking at the very moment they … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review : STATUS QUO – Official Archive Series Vol.3 (2CDs)

STATUS QUO Live Archive vol 3 150

Ear Music/Edel [Release date : 12.07.24] If ever a band knew how to mine a rich back catalogue it’s Status Quo. We’ve said that before and no doubt we’ll say it again, and again. This third “Archive” release, Live at … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: GRAND SLAM – Wheel of Fortune

Grand Slam - Wheel of Fortune

Silver Lining Music [Release date 07.06.24] Grand Slam co-founding member Laurence Archer, and front man Mike Dyer, make it extraordinarily clear that theirs has been a true journey of destiny, one where early unions ended up leaving unfinished business on … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: STATUS QUO – Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow – 30th May 2024

mini_SAM_0391

The last gig I attended at the Kelvingrove Bandstand must have been 40 years ago when Radio Clyde put on a free mini festival of local rock talent, ably hosted by the ‘Beard Of Doom’, Mr Tom Russell. Around the … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review : DANA GILLESPIE – First Love

Dana Gillespie First Love album Sleeve 150

Fretsore Records [Release date : 31.05.24] Had it been published in the midst of today’s gender wars, the title of Dana Gillespie’s controversial autobiography, “Weren’t Born A Man” would have new resonance. As it is, celebrating 60 years in the … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROBIN TROWER – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 28 May 2024

ROBIN TROWER- Islington Assembly Hall, London, 28 May 2024

Very few of the greats of the classic era of British rock guitarists are still active- a fact  brought home by the loss of Jeff Beck and Bernie Marsden in the last couple of years while still at the peak … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: COLLATERAL – Camden Underworld, London, 26 May 2024

??????????????????????????

The release of ‘Should’ve Known Better’, their excellent second album (third if you count the album of mainly remixed  songs with added special guests ‘Rewired’) is a pivotal moment in Collateral’s chequered career. So it was only fitting that, after … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review: YES – Talk

YES

Spirit Of Unicorn/Cherry Red Records [Release date: 24.05.24] Originally released in 1994 and remastered here for its 30th anniversary, ‘Talk’ is very much the lost album of the Yes canon (not helped by the Victor record company going bust not … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Album review : KURT FROHLICH – 1977

Kurt Frohlich image 150

Golden Robot Records [Release Date : 07.06.24] Kurt Frohlich, currently vocalist with Riley’s LA Guns, has already fronted Faster Pussycat and Mark Ramone’s band. Limited as that pedigree might be, it lets us know where he’s coming from. 1977 is … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment