Author Archives: brianmc

Album review: FRANKIE MILLER – Full House and Double Trouble (remasters w/bonus tracks)

Posted on August 14, 2021 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date 30.07.21] With 3 outstanding albums under his belt, but no substantial success, you could have forgiven Frankie Miller for just accepting his fate. Judging by his genre hopping fourth album, Full House, (1978) he never … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Ace, album, Andy Fraser, blues, ELO, Eric Troyer, Frankie Miller, Free, funk, Jack Douglas, Marvin Gaye, Mike And The Mechanics, Paul Carrack, pop, review, rock, Rock Candy Records, Squeeze, Steven Tyler, The Record Plant | Leave a comment

Album review: DONNIE IRIS AND THE CRUISERS – Remasters

Posted on August 8, 2021 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [release date 30.07.21] Back On The Streets (1980) King Cool (1981) High And Mighty (1982) Fortune 410 (1983) Donnie Iris’s first 4 albums have at last been nailed down by Rock Candy Records. The pursuit has been … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Boston, Brian Wilson, Donnie Iris, Mark Avsec, Police, Powerpop, review, rock, Talking Heads, Wondermints | Leave a comment

Album review: MIRKA RANTANEN’s CIRCUS OF ROCK – Come One Come All

Posted on August 5, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date 06.08.21] Circus Of Rock is a multiple guests band … singers, musicians … put together by King Company drummer boy, Mirka Rantanen. The album, Come One Come All is the realisation of a life long ambition, a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Circus Of Rock, Danny Vaughn, Elize Ryde, Hardline, Johnny Gioeli, Marco Hietela, Mirka Rantanen, Nightwish, Pasi Rantanen, review, Rick Altzi, Tarot, Thunderstone, Tyketto | Leave a comment

Album review: SPEKTRA – Overload

Posted on July 31, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 06.08.21] Still mining Brazil’s rich seam of hard rock heroes, Frontiers latest South American hopefuls are Spektra, a melodic rock band built around the talents of the vocalist/ guitarist with no name, BJ. And like his countryman, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alirio, BJ, Boston, Edu Cominato, Foreigner, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic hard rock, review, Winger | Leave a comment

Album review: ALIRIO – All Things Must Pass

Posted on July 30, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 06.08.21] Alirio (Netto) is big in Brazil. Arguably, he’s paid his dues several times over, appearing on stage in several rock musicals through the years to considerable acclaim, as well as being the frontman for Khalice, Age … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alice Cooper, Alirio, Brazil, Frontiers, hard rock, Icon Of Sin, Inner Stream, Journey, Raphael Mendes, review, Vera Ortiz | Leave a comment

Album review: VARIOUS ARTISTS – Separate Paths Together (An Anthology Of British Male Singer/Songwriters 1965-75, 3 CD set)

Posted on July 27, 2021 by brianmc

Grapefruit [Release date 30.07.21] Hard to see how an anthology could get any more specific. And interesting that it’s a companion piece to 2017′s female version. Well, interesting that the female version came first. In those ten years that spanned … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Stewart, album, anthology, boxset, Donovan, Eric Clapton, Gerry Rafferty, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Graham Gouldman, Grapefruit Records, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, John Martyn, like Richard Thompson, Ralph McTell, review, Singer songwriters | Leave a comment

Album review: JAGGED EDGE – Fuel For Your Soul / Trouble (Remasters w/bonus tracks)

Posted on July 27, 2021 by brianmc

Bad Reputation [Release date 30.07.21] A cracking little package: 2 CDs remastered and laden with bonus material, from Eighties’ hard rock band, Jagged Edge, brought to us by French label, Bad Reputation. The band, formed by guitarist Myke Gray in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Bad Reputation, bonus tracks, Matti Alfonzetti, melodic hard rock, Myke Gray, reissue, remaster, remasters, review | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACKTHORNE – Afterlife and Don’t Kill The Thrill (2-CD package)

Posted on July 24, 2021 by brianmc

In October 2021, Pete Feenstra chatted to Jimmy Waldo about Blackthorne for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 3 October 2021. The Store For Music [Release date 23.07.21] Blackthorne is probably one of the more obscure Graham (Rainbow/MSG/Alcatrazz) Bonnet … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, Reissues | Tagged album, Alcatrazz, Blackthorne, Bob Kulick, Chuck Wright, Frankie Banali, Graham Bonnet, hard rock, interview, Jimmy Waldo, Kiss, MSG, New England, Quiet Riot, Rainbow, review, WASP | Leave a comment

Album review: 38 SPECIAL – Wild Eyed Southern Boys and Special Forces (2021 Vinyl Remasters)

Posted on July 23, 2021 by brianmc

Snakefarm Records [Release date 30.07.21] In 2008, a major fire in Universal Studios’ Hollywood Warehouse devastated the company’s music archives. 38 Special were one of the bands to suffer a significant loss…and if nothing else, that gives these releases added … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged .38 Special, albums, Don Gaines, Donnie Van Zant, Doobie Brothers, Gregg Allman, Jim Peterik, Lynyrd Skynyrd, remasters, reviews, Rodney Mills, southern rock, Survivor, Vinyl | Leave a comment

Album review: INNER STREAM – Stain The Sea

Posted on July 14, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 16.07.21] Produced by talented Argentinian producer, Guillermo De Medio, Inner Stream’s debut album, Stain The Sea is a minor delight of Symphonic Metal, programmed sounds and Gothic Rock. The band is primarily singer/songwriter, Inez Vera Ortiz, who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Evanescence, Frontiers, gothic rock, Guillermo De Medio, Inner Stream, Rata Blanca, review, symphonic rock, Tarja Turunen, Vera Ortiz, Within Temptation | Leave a comment

Single review: MAGPIE – Dancing With The Devil

Posted on July 14, 2021 by brianmc

3MS Records [Release date 17.07.21] It’s no exaggeration to say that the late Cozy Powell’s seventies’ classic, ‘Dance With The Devil’ is etched into every rock fan’s consciousness. It’s an eminently durable mini masterpiece that has withstood sweeping changes in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged 12 " vinyl, Bernie Torme, classic rock, Cozy Powell, David Stone, Frankie Aiello, Garry (Magpie) Bowler, Mickey Most, Neil Murray, single | Leave a comment

Album review: RIAN – Twenty Three

Posted on July 9, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 16.07.21] Here’s a genuine contender. Rian, a Swedish melodic rock band formed by singer/writer, Richard Andermyer. On their second album now, and first for Frontiers. It’s produced by the hugely talented musician, Daniel Flores. He gives the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blue Tears, Brother Firetribe, Eclipse, Frontiers, Gotthard, Harem Scarem, melodic rock, review, Rian, Twenty-Three, Work Of Art | Leave a comment

Album review: RESURRECTION KINGS – Skygazer

Posted on July 8, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 16.07.21] The Resurrection Kings are less of a supergroup, and more a ragtag collection of talented musicians who struck gold at the box office a few times, but most often found their place in supporting roles. Craig … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Sabbath, Derringer, Dio, Dokken, Foreigner, Frontiers, Giuffria, metal, Resurrection Kings, review, rock, Rough Cutt, Skygazer | Leave a comment

LAURENNE/LOUHIMO – The Reckoning

Posted on July 3, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date 09.07.21] Laurenne/Louhimo’s The Reckoning is an interesting new release from Frontiers. A musical “lockdown made me do it” marriage of Smackbound’s Netta Laurenne and Battle Beast’s Noora Louhimo. They’ve written a dozen or so Symphonic Rock songs … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Alicia Keys, Battlebeast, Frontiers, Laurenne Louhimo, Netta Laurenne, Nino Laurenne, Noora Louhimo, Norah Jones, review, Smackdown, Symphonic Metal Rock, Thunderstone | Leave a comment

Album review: GERRY MARSDEN – My Home Town

Posted on June 21, 2021 by brianmc

Angel Air [Release date 26.06.21] Back in 1963, the song ‘How Do You Do It’, penned by prolific UK hit writer, Mitch Murray, was offered to Gerry &The Pacemakers, manager Brian Epstein’s second signing. This was after the Beatles had … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Brian Epstein, Classic Pop and Rock, David Martin, Dusty Springfield, Elvis, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Gerry Marsden, John Lennon, Liverpool FC, Mama Cass. Bill Shankly, Mitch Murray, review, The Beatles | Leave a comment

Album review: DUFFY – Scruffy Duffy (remaster w/bonus tracks)

Posted on June 20, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 25.06.21] An undiscovered gem of an album. That’s a familiar phrase, and one that too often disappoints when exposed to the light. Scruffy Duffy doesn’t let us down. This was Brit band, Duffy’s second album, recorded … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 1973, album, Beatles, bonus tracks, Cherry Red, pop, prog, remaster, review, rock, Rush, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Album review: SOCIAL DISORDER – Love 2 Be Hated

Posted on June 18, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date 18.6.21] Social Disorder is not just another punk rock band, in fact despite its misleading name (and album title), it’s not a punk rock band at all. Love 2 Be Hated is pretty cool melodic metal, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged AFM Records, album, LA Guns, melodic metal, Quiet Riot, review, Rudy Sarzo, Social Disorder, Thin Lizzy, Tracii Guns, Whitesnake | Leave a comment

Album review: VARIOUS ARTISTS – I’m A Freak Baby 3

Posted on June 17, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red Records [release date 25.06.21] The immortal words of Edgar Broughton – I’m A Freak Baby – have reached their third iteration in Cherry Red’s estimable series of “The British Heavy Psych and Hard Rock Underground Scene 1968-1973” collections. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 3 CD Boxset, album, British Heavy Psych And Hard Rock Underground Scene 1968-1973, Deep Purple, Free and Trapeze, Hawkwind, Mott, Nazareth, review, Spooky Tooth, The Deviants and the Edgar Broughton Band, The Pink Fairies, Thin Lizzy, UFO, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Album review: KENT HILLI – The Rumble

Posted on June 13, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 18.06.21] After two albums fronting A Perfect Plan, Kent Hilli has gone solo (helped by wunderkind, Michael Palace, who has arranged and produced), with The Rumble, on which he has written the bulk of the material. Unsurprisingly, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Perfect Plan, album, AOR, Crown Of Thorns, eighties, Foreigner, Frontiers, Giant, Kent Hilli, melodic rock, Michael Palace, review, Survivor, the Storm | Leave a comment

Album review: TIMO TOLKKI’s AVALON – The Enigma Birth

Posted on June 11, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date 18.06.21] Living legend of power/symphonic metal, Finland’s Timo Tolkki has again hooked up with fast rising guitarist/ writer/ producer Aldo (Secret Sphere/Sweet Oblivion) Lonobile on this, Avalon’s fourth album. As the memory of Tolkki’s longtime band, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Aldo Lonobile, Avalon, Caterina Nix, Fabio Lione, Frontiers, Jake E, James LaBrie, Marina LaTorraca, PELLEK, Raphael Mendes, review, Stratovarius, Symphonic Rock Metal, The Enigma Birth, Timo Tolkki | Leave a comment

Album review: DOOGIE WHITE – As Yet Untitled (2 CD remaster)

Posted on June 10, 2021 by brianmc

Pete Feenstra chatted to Doogie White for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 8 August 2021. The Store For Music [Release date 07.06.21] In 2011, ubiquitous gun-for-hire Doogie (Rainbow/Malmsteen/Schenker) White released a cracking little solo album called As Yet … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, Reissues | Tagged album review, Alcatrazz, Alex Dickson, As Yet Untitled, Doogie White, Malmsteen, melodic hard rock, Mick Tucker, Rainbow, remaster, Schenker, Store For Music, Tank | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BULLETBOYS – The Warner Albums 1988-93 (3 CDs)

Posted on June 9, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red Records [release date 18.06.21] No doubt about it, The Bulletboys started out as contenders. This package of CD remasters, comprising the band’s first 3 albums, The Bullet Boys, Freakshow and Za-Za, covers the most important chapters of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Bulletboys, Freakshow, Led Zeppelin, Marc Torien, melodic hard rock, Mick Sweda, review, Rush, Sunset Strip, Ted Templeman, Van Halen, Warner Albums, Za-Za | Leave a comment

Album review: TERRA ODIUM – Ne Plus Ultra

Posted on June 6, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Records [Release date 11.06.21] In its more expansive moments, Norwegian band Terra Odium’s album resonates with the sci-fi dissonance of tech metal. The kind that Brad Fiedel and Wendy Carlos wielded on “The Terminator” and “The Shining” film scores. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Brad Fiedel, Dream Theater, Frontiers Records, Ne Plus Ultra, Pagan's Mind, progressive metal, Progressive Rock, review, Transatlantic, Wendy Carlos | Leave a comment

Album review: BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER – S/T

Posted on June 6, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Records [Release date 11.06.21] Frontiers clearly think highly of Brother Against Brother. The label compares this recording by two vocalists, Renan (Electric Mob) Zonta and Nando (Sinistra) Fernandes, relatively unknown outside of their native Brazil, to the Allen/Lande project. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Brother Against Brother, Electric Mob, Frontiers, heavy metal, Nando Fernandes, power metal, Renan Zonta, review, Sinistra | Leave a comment

Album review: NERGARD – Eternal White

Posted on June 5, 2021 by brianmc

Pride & Joy Music [release date 21.04.21] Norwegian musician/songwriter/producer, Andreas Nergard creates symphonic experiences which enthrall audiences. The fact that he uses “Metal” as his chosen vehicle is almost incidental. You could add that the fact he uses voices is … Continue reading →