Author Archives: jason

Album review: PRETTY MAIDS – Undress Your Madness

Posted on November 18, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 08.11.19] This new album by the Pretty Maids (number 16 from a band who have been around for nearly 40 years now), has been overshadowed by the sad news that vocalist Ronnie Atkins has been diagnosed with … Continue reading →

Album review: RODNEY MATTHEWS & JEFF SCHEETZ – Trinity

Posted on November 17, 2019 by jason

Rodney Matthews Studios [Release date 13.12.19] Renowned fantasy artist Rodney Matthews, illustrator of over140 album covers, is also a jazz/rock/prog drummer of note, and has previously recorded solo and with guitarist Jeff Scheetz. Here he teams up again with Scheetz … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album, album covers, artwork, Asia, classic rock, Eloy, instrumental, jazz, Jeff Scheetz, Magnum, melodic, Nazareth, Oliver Wakeman, prog, review, Rick Wakeman, rock, Rodney Matthews, Tony Clarkin, Trinity | Leave a comment

Album review: RAY ALDER – What the Water Want

Posted on November 13, 2019 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 18.10.19] It takes a lot of guts to step out from the safety an established band but Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder has produced an album of extraordinary depth and passion in this, his debut solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Fates Warning, Inside Out, melodic, metal, progressive, Ray Alder, review, rock, Solo, What the Water Want | Leave a comment

Album review: SPARKS – Past Tense: The Best Of Sparks

Posted on November 12, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 08.11.19] For many people of a certain age Sparks are famed for the high vocals and scary looking bloke on the keyboards, yet there is so much more to their music aside from the big hits ‘This … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, best of, classic rock, dance, Franz Ferdinand, pop, quirky, review, rock, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, SPARKS, synth pop | Leave a comment

Album review: SPARKS – Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 01.11.19] ‘Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins’ originally came out in 1994 and came after a six year gap by Sparks since 1988’s ‘Interior Design’ album. The band were said to be on hiatus, something Ron Mael takes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Christo Haydon, dance, Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins, pop, quirky, review, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, SPARKS, synth pop, Techno | Leave a comment

Album review: INCOGNITO – Tomorrow’s New Dream

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason

Absolute [Release date 08.11.19] While the name may not immediately trigger recognition, acid jazz group Incognito are a group that have a long association with the London club scene. Formed in 1979 by Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick and Paul “Tubbs” Williams, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acid jazz, album, Incognito, jazz, Jocelyn Brown, melodic, Paul "Tubbs" Williams, Paul 'Bluey' Maunick, review, soul, Tomorrow’s New Dream | Leave a comment

Album review: MOLLY HATCHET – Battleground

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 29.11.19] Formed in the early 70s by guitarists Steve Holland and Dave Hlubek, Molly Hatchet released their eponymous debut on Epic in 1978, and were at the forefront of the second wave of Southern Rock. Inspired by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Battleground, Bobby Ingram, classic rock, Danny Joe Brown, Dave Hlubek, live, Molly Hatchet, review, rock, southern rock | Leave a comment

Album review: KING OF HEARTS

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 22.11.19] King Of Hearts are another band making a comeback many years after their first shot at musical stardom back in the late 80s. However, their label at the time didn’t release their debut album which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bruce Gaitsch, Chicago, CJ Vanston, Eagles, King Of Hearts, melodic rock, review, Timothy B. Schmit, Tommy Funderburk, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: RINGO STARR – What’s My Name

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jason

Universal Music Group [Release date 25.10.19] The world’s most famous drummer doesn’t need to keep bringing out new albums and could rest on his laurels and enjoy the fruits of his past labour but no, here is a man who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Colin Hay, drummer, Edgar Winter, Joe Walsh, John Lennon, Paul McArtney, review, Ringo Starr, rock, Steve Lukather, The Beatles, The Eagles, Toto, What's My Name | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Seize The Day

Posted on November 5, 2019 by jason

Winkelrant Records [Release date 01.11.19] The Darker My Horizon are back with their third album and one that sees them produce their best album to date. The core duo of Paul Stead (lead vocals, guitar) and Mark Stephenson (guitars, backing … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, hard rock, melodic, review, rock, Seize The Day, the Darker My Horizon | Leave a comment

Album review: GRAND SLAM – Hit The Ground

Posted on November 5, 2019 by jason

Marshall Records [Release date 22.11.19] Great things should have happened for Grand Slam when they emerged in 1984 from the dust that settled after the tangled and anti-climactic end of the great Thin Lizzy, who themselves were just seeing a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Grand Slam, hard rock, Hit The Ground, Laurence Archer, Mark Stanway, Phil Lynott, review, rock, Stampede, Thin Lizzy, UFO | Leave a comment

Album review: THE SOUL REBELS – Poetry In Motion

Posted on November 2, 2019 by jason

Rebelution Music Group [Release date 25.10.19] From the opening of notes of ‘Blow the Horns’ The Soul Rebels exude swagger and confidence, promising to “shake the world up like an earthquake”. ‘Poetry in Motion’ marks the first release in seven … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Branford Marsalis, funk, hip hop, jazz, Maroon 5, Poetry In Motion, pop, review, Robert Glasper, soul, the Soul Rebels | Leave a comment

Album review: OTHERWISE – Defy

Posted on October 31, 2019 by jason

Mascot Records [Release date 08.11.19] New signing to the Mascot label, although this is the fourth album from Otherwise. Otherwise are brothers’ vocalist Adrian and guitarist Ryan Patrick, bassist Tony “The Beast” Carboney and drummer Brian Medeiro. Opening with a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alternative, Defy, electronic, Fall Out Boy, metal, Otherwise, Panic At The Disco!, rap, review, rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: D’ERCOLE, THE WAY, SPEARMINT

Posted on October 29, 2019 by jason

D’ERCOLE The Ballad Of C.L. Rock Company [Release date 11.10.19] It’s that man again, Phil Vincent, on another release following hot on the heels of the Forest Field album. D’Ercole is a band affair with Damian D’Ercole (guitar) and B.F. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, D'Ercole, Frequency of Spirit, funk, hard rock, indie pop, Joe Lynn Turner, melodic rock, metal, Phil Vincent, pop, review, Spearmint, The Ballad Of CL, The Way | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BRUTALISTS – We Are Not Here To Help

Posted on October 29, 2019 by jason

Cleopatra Records [Release date 06.09.19] Following on surprisingly quickly from their superb debut album, The Brutalists have recently release new effort “We Are Not Here To Help”, and I am pleased to report that this follows on exactly as you … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, garage rock, Nigel Mogg, pub rock, reggae, review, ska, the Brutalists, The Quireboys, We Are Not Here To Help | Leave a comment

Album review: ATLANTAEUM FLOOD – One Day

Posted on October 29, 2019 by jason

Self-release www.schoolkidsrecords.com [Release date 11.11.19] Atlantæum Flood is an instrumental five-piece collective featuring former the Church and All About Eve member Marty Willson-Piper (electric guitars, acoustic guitar, bass, shaker, EBow, bongos, bouzouki, classical guitar, snare), Olivia Willson-Piper (violins, cellolin, duduk), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, All About Eve, ambient, Atlantæum Flood, classical, folk, instrumental, Marty Willson-Piper, One Day, progressive, review, Steve Knott, The Church | Leave a comment

Album review: THE FERRYMEN – A New Evil

Posted on October 29, 2019 by jason

Frontiers Music [Release date 11.10.19] Although the name may conjure up images of a Gerry & The Pacemakers tribute act playing package tours to provincial theatres, The Ferrymen are actually a European metal outfit fronted by Ronnie Romero on vocals … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic metal, Dio, Magnus Karlsson, melodic metal, Mike Terrana, Primal Fear, Rainbow, review, Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie Romero, the Ferrymen | 1 Comment

Album review: THE IRONTOWN DIEHARDS – Linchpin

Posted on October 27, 2019 by jason

www.theirontowndiehards.com [Release date 08.11.19] Second album from the Irontown Diehards who formed in 2014 and released their self-titled debut album in 2016. The band consists of Phil Dixon (vocals), Andrew Baxter (guitar), Mark McCallion (bass) and Eamon Lenehan (drums). They … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues rock, Irontown Diehards, Linchpin, melodic, modern rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: JAZ COLEMAN & The St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra – Magna Invocation

Posted on October 27, 2019 by jason

A Gnostic Mass For Choir And Orchestra Inspired by the Music of Killing Joke Spinefarm Records [Release date 29.11.19] Finding fame as a founder member of post punk band Killing Joke, Coleman became (in)famous as singer and frontman, a rasp, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alternative, Jaz Coleman, Killing Joke, Magna Invocati, orchestral, review, rock, The St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra | Leave a comment

Album review: GUN – R3loaded

Posted on October 27, 2019 by jason

Silver Lining Music [Release date 29.11.19] Scottish rock band Gun (not to be confused with the 60s band of the same name), formed in the mid 80s and had a successful run for 10 years (including the hit ‘Don’t Say … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, best of, Cameo, Gizzi, Gun, hard rock, R3loaded, review, rock, Stevie Wonder | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL MONROE – One Man Gang

Posted on October 27, 2019 by jason

Silver Lining Music [Release date 18.10.19] Vocalist Michael Monroe, once best known as the Hanoi Rocks frontman, has long since made his name fronting his own band, and the quality remains as high as ever. This new album is his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Captain Sensible, classic rock, Hanoi Rocks, hard rock, Michael Monroe, One Man Gang, review, rock 'n' roll, Sam Yaffa, Steve Conte, The Damned | Leave a comment

Album review: THEA HJELMELAND – Kulla

Posted on October 27, 2019 by jason

Proper Music [Release date 25.10.19] The third album by Thea Hjelmeland, KULLA, is the definition of artistic freedom. Hailing from Norway, Hjelmeland is a singer, writer and a multi-instrumentalist and demonstrates a genre-hopping confidence that suggests an artist completely at … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bjork, dreamy, Kate Bush, Kulla, pop, review, singer songwriter, Thea Hjelmeland | Leave a comment

Gig review: SQUEEZE – New Theatre, Oxford, 25 October 2019

Posted on October 26, 2019 by jason

A packed out New Theatre were eagerly awaiting Squeeze, however before the main event we had Heaven 17, a band who had plenty of chart success in the early-mid 80’s. Still featuring two thirds of the original line-up in vocalist … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Chris Difford, classic pop, concert, gig, Glenn Gregory, Glenn Tilbrook, Heaven 17, New Wave, Oxford, pop, pop rock, review, singer songwriter, Squeeze, synth pop | Leave a comment

Album review: FLYING COLORS – Third Degree

Posted on October 23, 2019 by jason

Music Theories Recording/Mascot Label Group [Release date 04.10.19] The third album by the supergroup Flying Colors who feature Casey McPherson (lead vocals, guitar), Neal Morse (vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar), Mike Portnoy (drums, percussion, vocals), Deep Purple’s Steve Morse (lead guitar) … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Casey McPherson, Deep Purple, Flying Colors, melodic rock, Neal Morse, pop rock, prog rock, progressive, review, rock, Spock's Beard, Steve Morse, Third Degree | Leave a comment

Album review: PHIL CAMPBELL – Old Lions Still Roar

Posted on October 23, 2019 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 25.10.19] Since the end of Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee has found a home with the Scorpions and guitarist Phil Campbell has been forging ahead with his band the Bastard Sons. Now Campbell has decided to release … Continue reading →