Author Archives: brianmc

Album review : BRIAN ROBERTSON – Diamonds And Dirt (2 CD Reissue)

Posted on May 26, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 29.05.26] Scottish guitarist/ songwriter Brian Robertson played on what were arguably Thin Lizzy’s top 5 studio albums. Over a four year period, 1974-78, he contributed as guitarist and co-writer with Phil Lynott on Nightlife, Fighting, Jailbreak, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Brian Robertson, Frankie Miller, hard rock, Ian Haugland, Leif Sundin, melodic rock, Nahle Palsson, Phil Lynott, review, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Album review : FAITH NYC – Love Is A Wish Away

Posted on May 19, 2026 by brianmc

Bandcamp [Release date : 15.05.26] Faith NYC is immensely talented singer/ writer/ bass player, Felice Rosser. “Felice Rosser brought her Detroit ears to punk, having been teethed on Motown. Reggae became a powerful influence too” (Rolling Stone/ New York Times … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Bandcamp, blues, Detroit, Faith NYC, Felice Rosser, Justin Adams, Love Is A Wish Away, New York, punk, rock'n'roll | Leave a comment

Album review : THE 5th DIMENSION – Let The Sunshine In – The Soul City and Bell Albums (6CD Boxset)

Posted on May 17, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 29.05.26] The 5th Dimension, five vocalists, three male, two female, burst onto the US music scene in 1966. Nobody comes from nowhere of course, no matter what the media headlines might say. Each one, Jimmy Davis, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Aquarius, Billy Davis, Fifth Dimension, Jimmy Webb. Laura Nyro, Let The Sunshine In, Marilyn McCoo, pop, review, soul | Leave a comment

Album review : ROBIN BECK – Living Proof

Posted on May 12, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 15.05.26] Despite releasing 11 albums, many of them just bristling with songs written by proven hit makers, Robin Beck has survived an absence of best selling music, beyond her debut single ‘The First Time’, in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Chris Lord Alge, Denis Ward, Frontiers Music, James Christian, Living Proof, melodic rock, modern, Robin Beck, Tommy Denander | Leave a comment

Album review : FRONTLINE – Rebirth

Posted on May 10, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 15.05.26] Calling your new album Rebirth, 20 years after your last release, seems quite an understatement. But still, Frontline wade back out confidently into melodic rock’s fast flowing waters. Many have attempted the same kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Christian Muhlroth, Frontiers, Frontline, melodic rock, Rebirth, review, Robert Bobel, Stephan Kammerer | Leave a comment

Album review : VON GROOVE – Born To Rock

Posted on May 6, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 15.05.26] There can be few more explosive opening tracks than Von Groove’s ‘Once Is Not Enough’ from their self titled debut, 1992. 30 years later : they’ve got the band back together – Michael Shotton, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Def Leppard, Frontiers, hard rock, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, M'laden, Matthew Gerrard, metal, Michael Shotton, Once is Not Enough, review, Von Groove | Leave a comment

Album review : JOHN CORABI – New Day

Posted on May 2, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 24.04.26] John Corabi is the ex man…ex Motley Crue, ex Ratt, ex Brides Of Destruction but not yet ex-frontman of The Dead Daisies, a band with a greater membership turnover than Deep Purple. There’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dead daisies, Frontiers Music, Joe Walsh, John Corabi, Marti Frederiksen, Motley Crue, New Day, Paul Taylor, Ratt, review, Richard Fortus, The Eagles | Leave a comment

Album review : DEGREED – Curtain Calls

Posted on April 28, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 24.04.26] Eighth full length album from respected Swedish Hard Rock band, Degreed…Robin Eriksson, Mats Eriksson, Mikael Blanc and Daniel Johansson. Their sound is impossible to categorise. Is it toughened up AOR, melodic hard rock, metallised hard rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Curtain Calls, Degreed, Frontiers Music, hard rock, Mats Eriksson, review, Robin Eriksson, Swedish | Leave a comment

Album review : GENERATION RADIO – Take 2

Posted on April 22, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date: 24.04.26] “In the beginning of 2020, Generation Radio came together with the intent to form a band with a purpose — to bring classic 1980s rock back to life.” So says the band’s website. Formed by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Chicago, country rock, Frontiers Music, Generation Radio, Jason Scheff, Jay DeMarco, Rascal Flatts, review, Steve Ferrone | Leave a comment

Album review: SOMETHING FOR THE LONGING – Scottish Independent Pop 1985-1999 (3 CDs)

Posted on April 20, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release Date : 24.04.26] Compiled by Scottish film director, cinematographer and writer, Grant McPhee, Something For The Longing is a deep dive into “Scottish Independent Pop”. A 15 year, widescreen snapshot taken as the 20th Century was coming … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Arab Strap, Belle And Sebastien, BMX Bandits, C86, Grant McPhee, King Creosote, Mogwai, Postcard Records, review, Scottish Indie Pop, The Delgados, The Jesus and Mary Chain | Leave a comment

Album review : CREYE – IV Aftermath

Posted on April 19, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 24.04.26] Scandi band Creye hit their stride with their fourth album, Aftermath, delivering melodic rock of depth and width, polished, full of neat gearshifts, and verses as strong as the choruses, just about. The fact … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Aftermath, Andreas Gulstrand, AOR, Boybands, Creye, Frontiers Music, melodic rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review : JACK BRUCE – Halfway To The Stars – The Recordings 2001-2003 (5 CD Boxset)

Posted on April 18, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 24.04.26] Shadows In The Air (2001) More Jack Than God (2003) Live At The Milky Way part 1 (2001, with the Cuicoland Express) Live At The Milky Way part 2 (2001, with the Cuicoland Express) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Cuicoland Express, Dr John, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Jack Bruce, Kip Hanrahan, Latin American, Pete Brown, review, Vernon Reid | Leave a comment

Album review : URIAH HEEP – Beautiful Dream, The Recordings 1975-77 (4CDs)

Posted on April 15, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 24.04.26] Return To Fantasy (1975) High And Mighty (1976) Firefly (1977) Innocent Victim (1977) Cherry Red’s latest Uriah Heep boxset, Beautiful Dream, is essentially a follow up to their Shadow And The Wind set released last … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Beautiful Dream The Recordings 1975-77, box set, Cherry Red, David Byron, hard rock, John Lawton, John Wetton, review, seventies, Trevor Bolder, Uriah Heep | Leave a comment

Album review : PRAYING MANTIS – The Official Bootleg Boxset Vol 1 – Live In Japan

Posted on April 13, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 24.04.26] CD1 : Live From The Bottom Line, Nagoya Japan, 1993 Part One. CD2 : Live From The Bottom Line, Nagoya Japan, 1993 Part Two CD3 : Live From The Bottom Line, Nagoya Japan, 1998 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Chris Troy, Denis Stratton, Japan, Mark Thompson-Smith, melodic metal, Nagoya, Praying Mantis, review, Tino Troy, Tony O'Hora | Leave a comment

Album review : FIGHTER V – Deja Vu

Posted on April 6, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 10.04.26] We couldn’t help thinking that we’d heard this album somewhere before. Maybe it’ll come back to us. Deja Vu is the third album from Swiss melodic rock band, Fighter V. Emmo Acar (v), Lobe … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, David Coverdale, Deja Vu, Emmo Acar, Fighter V, Frontiers Music, melodic rock, review, Steely Dan | Leave a comment

Album review : MICHAEL SWEET – The Master Plan

Posted on April 2, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 03.04.26] The Master Plan is Michael Sweet’s tenth solo album. He’s yet to surpass his largely ignored Truth album from year 2000 (4 stars from Allmusic, Cross Rhythms, and Hard Roxx), but this one might … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Christian rock, Faith based music, Frontiers Music, Michael Sweet, review, Stryper, The Master Plan | Leave a comment

Album review : JON ANDERSON – Survival And Other Stories / Earth Mother Earth (2 CDs / remasters)

Posted on March 25, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date: 27.03.26] Yes, you read that right, two Jon (Yes) Anderson reissues, Survival And Other Stories, and Earth Mother Earth, both now resurrected, dusted down and freshened up. Survival and Other Stories, based on music submitted to … Continue reading →

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

Album review : CHEZ KANE – Reckless

Posted on March 22, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 27.3.26] We’re cranking the machine back to 1986. Yes, sounding like every Desmond Child Holly Knight/Diane Warren penned AOR hit 40 years ago, the album launches with the title track, ‘Restless’. Only this time with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, Chez Kane, Crazy Lixx, Danny Rexon, Desmond Child, Dian Warren, eighties, Holly Knight, melodic rock, Reckless, review | Leave a comment

Album review : JOHNNY COUGAR (MELLENCAMP) – American Dream, The Mainman Recordings 1976-77 (2 CDs)

Posted on March 20, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 27.03.26] John Mellencamp, now an accomplished artist (visually as well as musically) and gallery owner, took the Cougar surname at his manager’s insistence. He thought the record buying public would find the Cougar name much … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Cherry Red, Chestnut Street Incident, heartland rock, Johnny Cougar, Mellencamp, review, The Kid Inside, Tony Defries | Leave a comment

Album review : LOU GRAMM – Released

Posted on March 18, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date: 27.03.26] Foreigner’s Lou Gramm and Mick Jones were one of melodic rock’s divine pairings who eventually separated. 25 years, 10 band albums, 2 solo albums and 60 million sales later, Gramm has survived a life threatening … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR/Melodic Rock, Bruce Turgon, Cherry Red, Foreigner, Lou Gramm, Mick Jones, Peter Wolf, review | Leave a comment

Album review : THE LOVIN SPOONFUL – What A Day For A Daydream – The Complete Recordings 1965-69 (7CD Boxset)

Posted on March 17, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date: 27.03.26] The Lovin Spoonful lineup – John Sebastian, Zal Yanovsky, Joe Butler and Steve Boone – coalesced in New York’s folk music hub, Greenwich Village in 1964, honing their sound in the city’s nightclubs before they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Box sets, Reissues | Tagged Cherry Red, Country Joe, Greenwich Village, Jefferson Airplane, John Sebastian, Lovin Spoonful, New York, review, The Sixties, Woodstock | Leave a comment

Album review : IGNESCENT – Eternal

Posted on March 15, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 20.03.26] Judge a hot band by the company they keep. Ignescent have opened for Flyleaf, Skillet, Stryper and many other headline metal/hard rock acts in recent years. You could hear the influences of these bands … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Eternal, Fight In Me, Flyleaf, Frontiers Music, Ignescent, Jennifer Benson, Lambretta, metal, review, Skillet, Stryper | Leave a comment

Album review : WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT – Film and TV Music Of The Swinging Sixties (3 CDs)

Posted on March 14, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 27.03.26] The label says : “An aural soundtrack for a generation who grew up listening, not only to great pop music, but a feast of TV and Film themes”. Indeed it is, for more than one … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Box sets | Tagged Big Bands, Danger Man, Fifties, James Bond, review, Swinging Sixties, The Avengers, The Saint | Leave a comment

Album review : BLODWYN PIG – The Recordings 1969-74 (3 CDs, Remastered and Expanded)

Posted on March 12, 2026 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 20.03.26] Blodwyn Pig had quite some pedigree. 1968: Founding member Mick Abrahams (guitar/vocals) came straight from Jethro Tull, after some conflicts with Ian Anderson over musical direction. Co-founder Jack Lancaster, sax and flute virtuoso, had … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Andy Pyle, Blodwyn Pig, blues rock, Cherry Red, Jack Lancaster, jazz, Mick Abrahams, review, Ron Berg | Leave a comment

Album review : VENUS 5 – The March Of The Venus 5

Posted on March 11, 2026 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date: 20.03.26] What’s so attractive about Venus 5’s second album is its refusal to choose one discrete genre, sub-genre, whatever. It dances around the fringes of pop metal, heavy metal and symphonic metal, all laced with tight … Continue reading →