Album review: PHIL VINCENT – Passive/Aggressive

Rock Company Records [Release date 21.10.26]

Seriously, does Phil Vincent ever sleep?! This is Phil’s second solo album of the year, and third overall when Tragik are included.

Phil Vincent never skimps on value either, as the CD adds two exclusive tracks – a cover of the Eric Carmen classic ‘All By Myself‘ and ‘Turn Up the Music‘, originally recorded by Sammy Hagar.

As always, Phil handles the vast majority of the instrumentation himself, joined by long-time collaborators Max Piccolo on drums and Vince O’Regan on lead guitars. Shaun McGovern contributes lead guitar to ‘Memory of Yesterday‘, with the album mastered by Jacob Hansen.

The opening duo of ‘Storm on the Rise’ and ‘Take You Down’ are classy melodic hard rockers, full of heavy riffs and both with sing-a-long choruses. In fact, the hard rocking can be heard throughout the album with ‘Memory of Yesterday’ another firm favourite.

Of the covers, ‘All By Myself’ – this listener is not entirely convinced, more so on the electronic beats, however, the vocals and guitar solo bring it back from the brink of cheesy. Eagles ‘After the Thrill Has Gone’ is a much better proposition, again heavier guitar than on the original gives it a Phil Vincent touch. A Sammy Hagar rocker like ‘Turn Up the Music’ was made for the musical style of Phil Vincent and provides a rollicking hard rocking end to the CD version.

Luckily Phil Vincent shows no drop in either the quality or quantity of his musical releases. ‘Passive/Aggressive’ is a very enjoyable, no frills, melodic hard rocker of an album. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

This is the first show broadcast on 27 September. Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.

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 20 September 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 28 September 2026

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR – Halo (Frontiers)
THUNDERMOTHER Bimbo Boost (Napalm Records)
ELYSION Dead Loves (Massacre Records)
CHRIS JOHNSON & THE HOLLYWOOD HILLBILLIES Till The End Of Time (Rustbelt Electric)
LAKE Ordinary People (indie)
CRASHING WAYWARD Bullet For Heart (Golden Robot Records)
DEAD POET SOCIETY Miami For The Weekend (Spinefarm)

Featured Albums w/c 28 September 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.