Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: APE SHIFTER – II

Posted on February 28, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Brainstorm Records [Release date 29.03.19] This trio from Germany released their debut in 2017 . ‘II’ continues the guitar driven hard rock instrumental vibe. Opener ‘Gravity’ gives a fair impression of the album as a whole, decidedly retro with classic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Ape Shifter, guitar, hard rock, II. album, instrumental, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: KINETIC ELEMENT – The Face Of Life

Posted on February 25, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Melodic Revolution Records Great, just what we need – another bunch of old buffers, sorry, I mean proggers, flogging early Genesis/Yes inspired symphonic prog. The latter, in particular. To be fair, the Richmond, Virginia based band – formed by veteran … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Kinetic Element, prog, Progressive Rock, review, The Face Of Life | Leave a comment

Quick plays: KRISTINA STYKOS, DANNI NICHOLLS

Posted on February 25, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

KRISTINA STYKOS River Of Light Thunder Ridge Records [Release date 05.04.19] With many of the songs delivered in an enforced semi-spoken style (in 2017, she was diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a disorder that makes speaking and singing difficult or even … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, album, Americana, country, Danni Nicholls, folk, Kristina Stykos, Nashville, review, River Of Light, singer, songwriter, The Melted Morning | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MICHAEL McDERMOTT, DANNY SCHMIDT

Posted on February 25, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

MICHAEL McDERMOTT Orphans Pauper Sky Records [Release date 12.04.19] In Orphans, a set of songs that while not making earlier records refused to be left to collect dust, Michael McDermott has come up with perhaps his best album yet – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, album, Americana, Danny Schmidt, Louise Lemon, Michael McDermott, Orphans, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Standard Deviation | Leave a comment

Album review: RUTH NOTMAN & SAM KELLY – Changeable Heart

Posted on February 25, 2019 by jason

Pure Records [Release date 15.03.19] In young folk terms this is a bit of a star studded collaboration, with former BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award finalist Ruth Notman making a return to making music (she took time out to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Damien O'Kane, Ewan MacColl, folk, melodic, Paul Brady, pop folk, review, Ruth Notman, Sam Kelly | Leave a comment

Album review: JEREMY & THE HARLEQUINS – Remember This

Posted on February 25, 2019 by jason

Yep Roc Records [Release date 01.03.19] Jeremy Fury is the singer and main songwriter in the band, which is completed by guitarists Craig Bon and Patrick Meyer, bassist Bobby Ever and Jeremy’s brother Stevie Fury on drums. They have released … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bruce Springsteen, Jake Bugg, Jeremy, Jeremy Fury, Little Steven, Madonna, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, the Harlequins | Leave a comment

Album review: JETBOY – Born To Fly

Posted on February 24, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 25.01.19] With their first full album of new material since 1990, “Born To Fly” is a welcome return for Jetboy. The band includes original members Micky Finn on vocals alongside guitarists, and founder members, Fernie Rod and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Born To Fly, Frontiers, hair metal, Hanoi Rocks, hard rock, Jetboy, review, sleaze rock | Leave a comment

Album review: QUIET RIOT – One Night In Milan

Posted on February 21, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 25.01.19] Veteran rock band Quiet Riot are the latest live offering from the Frontiers “One Night In Milan” series. Recorded at the 2018 edition of the annual festival in Milan, hence the title, highlighting the labels roster … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Frankie Banali, hard rock, Kevin DuBrow, live, One Night In Milan, Quiet Riot, review, rock, Slade | Leave a comment

Album review: PETER H. NILSSON – Little American Dream

Posted on February 18, 2019 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 29.03.19] Swedish guitar player Peter H. Nilsson has been in the music business for many years in different bands in and extensive touring in his native Sweden. He hooked-up with singer Chris Biano (a Nashville based … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, guitarist, Little American Dream, melodic rock, Peter H Nilsson, review, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: REESE WYNANS AND FRIENDS – Sweet Release

Posted on February 18, 2019 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 01.03.19] It’s hard to dislike a guest filled covers album that beats with a southern heart, be it Texas rocking blues, white boy soul meets Muscle Shoals, or out and out Southern Rock. But it takes the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged blues, Boz Scaggs, Chris Layton, Double Trouble, Doyle Bramhall 11, funk, jazz, Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, Keb Mo, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Led Dudek, Mike Bloomfield, Mike Henderson, Muscle Shoals, Noah Hunt, Otis Rush, Paul McCartney, Reese Wynans, Reese Wynans And Friends, Robbie Robertson, rock, Sam Moore, soul, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Sweet Release, The Allman Brothers, Tommy Shannon, Van Morrison, Warren Haynes, Willie Mitchell | Leave a comment

Album review: AVANTASIA – Moonglow

Posted on February 17, 2019 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 15.02.19] ‘Moonglow’ is the eighth full-length album by Tobias Sammet’s metal opera project Avantasia. As with previous Avantasia’s albums he calls upon an impressive list of guest vocalists including returns for Magnum’s Bob Catley, former Queensryche and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, AVANTASIA, Bob Catley, Candice Night, Edguy, GEOFF TATE, Jorn Lande, melodic metal, Moonglow, Nuclear Blast, pomp, power metal, review, symphonic metal, Tobias Sammet | Leave a comment

Album review: TIM BOWNESS – Flowers At The Scene

Posted on February 14, 2019 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 01.03.19] ‘Flowers At The Scene’ is Tim Bowness and Steven Wilson’s first joint production in over a decade – they have been working as a duo under the no-man name since 1987 – although it is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Partridge, art rock, Big Big Train, Dylan Howe, Flowers At The Scene, Jim Matheos, melodic, No-Man, progressive, review, Steve Wilson, Tim Bowness, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: TRAGEDY: ALL METAL TRIBUTE TO THE BEE GEES & BEYOND – Goes To The Movies

Posted on February 14, 2019 by jason

[Release date 11.02.19] Do you remember the Disco/Metal Peace accord of 1977? No me neither, however from this momentous event came the seeds for the founding of Tragedy: All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees & Beyond. Looking like the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, disco, glam rock, Goes To The Movies, Grease, metal, Poison, review, Tragedy: All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees & Beyond | Leave a comment

Album review: TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND – Signs

Posted on February 13, 2019 by petefeenstra

Concord [Release date 15.02.19] ‘Signs’ is the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s 6th album and it finds them unwittingly embracing middle age with mature songs, deep emotion and intricate playing. What it lacks is a sense of equilibrium, as there’s surfeit of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Green, Barrett Strong, blues, Bobby Bland, Butch Trucks, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II, funk, Gregg Allman, Jackson Brown, Marvin Gaye, Motown, Oliver Wood, R&B, rock, Signs, Sly Stone, soul, Susan Tedeschi, Tammy Terrell, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Warren Haynes | Leave a comment

Album review: SIMON TODD – Half Empty/Half Full

Posted on February 11, 2019 by petefeenstra

Ginger Tom Music [Release date 21.09.18] Produced by the esteemed songwriter Boo Hewerdine, Northumberland singer/songwriter Simon Todd’s ‘Half Empty/Half Full’ is an aptly titled album that keeps the listener guessing until very end. The title might be interpreted as a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged a cappella, album, Americana, Boo Hewerdine, Boy George, Clive James, folk, Half Empty/Half Full, Nick Cave, Northumberland, Pete Atkin, review, rock, Simon Todd, singer, songwriter, Tony Hadley | Leave a comment

Album review: DESIGN – Children Of The Mist – The Best Of

Posted on February 9, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Market Square Music [Release date 05.04.19] You may well ask: was there a Design flaw? This six-piece pop harmony group had great exposure in the early-1970s via several major TV shows but they never had a hit single. Their ultimate … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Children Of The Mist, Design, Harmony, pop, review, The Best Of | Leave a comment

Album review: MUSCLE SHOALS – Small Town Big Sound

Posted on February 9, 2019 by petefeenstra

BMG Soundstage [Release date 28.09.18] ‘Small Town Big Sound’ is an ambitious attempt to update the famous Southern Muscle Shoals sound for the new generation. A well received documentary led to this all star affair, on a musical meeting of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alison Krauss, Aloe Blacc, blues, Bob Dylan, Brently Stephen Smith, Chris Stapleton, Eli 'Paperboy' Reed, Fame Studios, funk, gospel, Grace Potter, Gregg Allman, Keb Mo, Michael McDonald, Muscle Shoals, Nuno Bettencourt, review, Rick Hall, rock, Rodney Hall, Rolling Stones, Small Town Big Sound, soul, Steven Tyler, Vince Gill, Wendy Moten, Willie Nelson | Leave a comment

Quick plays: VINDICATA, REVOLUTION HIGHWAY, ROCKICKS

Posted on February 9, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

VINDICATA Beneath The Surface Grooveyard Records [Release date 23.11.18] The “secret weapon” on this debut album might be construed as early Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland (who handles most of the solos) but in actual fact it’s vocalist Mary Magill who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged A Retrospective Anthology, album, Beneath The Surface, Chris Poland, hard rock, Keep On Rockin', metal, review, Revolution Highway, Rockicks, Vindicata | Leave a comment

Album review: RPWL – Tales From Outer Space

Posted on February 8, 2019 by alanjones

Gentle Art Of Music [Release date: 22.03.19] You know what it’s like. You go to a gig and there’s a couple of support bands and you’re thinking to yourself “these are quite good” – then the main band comes on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blind Ego, Guy Pratt, Kalle Wallner, Pink Floyd, Progressive Rock, review, RPWL, Tales From Outer Space, Yogi Lang | Leave a comment

Album review: CLIMAX BLUES BAND – Hands Of Time

Posted on February 8, 2019 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 05.01.19] The Climax Blues Band moniker has existed since 1972 when after 5 years as a blues-rock band they quietly dropped the Chicago part of their name to reflect a broadening of their musical palette. The … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Chris Aldridge, Climax Blues Band, Colin Cooper, funk, George Glover, Graham Dee, Hands Of Time, jazz, Lester Hunt, Michael McDonald, Neil Simpson, review, rock, Roy Adams, soul, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder | 1 Comment

Album review: STEVE EGGS – We Humans

Posted on February 7, 2019 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 08.02.19] The Steve Eggs Band is a Brit-Americana into country rock outfit with strong songs, sparkling harmonies and a significant Tom Petty influence. ‘We Humans’ showcases ten original Eggs songs and one co-write with bassist Peter … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Brooks, ballads, Brit Americana, Celtic, country, David Surkamp, Jon Kershaw, Mark Taylor, Neil Young, Pavlov's Dog, Peter Wass, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Sonny Landreth, Steve Eggs, Steve Eggs Band, The Beatles, Tom Petty, We Humans | Leave a comment

Album review: CATS IN SPACE – Daytrip to Narnia

Posted on February 5, 2019 by jason

Harmony Factory [Release date 08.03.19] Album number three already from these groove filled Cats In Space who since their last album ‘Scarecrow‘ have been touring with the likes of Status Quo and Deep Purple, plus their own headlining tour. In … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 10CC, 70s music, album, Andy Scott, Cats In Space, disco, ELO, Greg Hart, melodic, pomp rock, pop, power pop, Queen, review, rock, Sweet | Leave a comment

Album review: DEL BROMHAM – White Feather

Posted on February 4, 2019 by petefeenstra

In February 2019 Pete Feenstra chatted to Del Bromham for his Feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, playing tracks from ‘White Feather’. Estoteric Antenna [Release date 12.10.18] After a 50 odd year career, ‘White Feather’ finally reveals who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 60's, album, blues, Brinsley Schwarz, DEL BROMHAM, George Harrison, George Martin, guitar, interview, Jamie Masters, Jethro Tull, John Lennon, Latino, Long John, Nat Turner, NICK LOWE, Paul Buckmaster, pop, psychedelia, rap, review, Ringo Starr, rock, Rolling Stones, Stray, The Beatles, The Hollies, White Feather | Leave a comment

Album review: CURVED AIR – The Second British Rock Meeting 1972

Posted on February 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Curved Air [Release date: 05.10.18] Dawn breaks grey on the last day of the 1972 Second British Rock Meeting at Germersheim, Germany. The festival has included sets from Pink Floyd, Humble Pie, The Strawbs, Savoy Brown, Lindisfarne and many other … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Curved Air, festival, Germany, Germersheim, live, prog, progressive, review, rock, Sonja Kristina, The Second British Rock Meeting 1972 | Leave a comment

Album review: EMPIRE CIRCUS – Ti

Posted on February 1, 2019 by jason

Paper Scissors Rock [Release date 01.02.19] Empire Circus formed in 2012 and released their self-titled debut album the following year. The line-up remains that of Alan Doyle (vocals, guitar), Neil Eurelle (bass, vocals), David Walsh (guitar, keyboards) and Brian Ellis … Continue reading →