Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: ALLY VENABLE – Texas Honey

Posted on June 23, 2019 by petefeenstra

Ruf Records [Release date 22.03.19] Ruf Records has long established its niche in the contemporary blues market with a roster of up and coming talent that reflects the best of the global blues scene. From Aynsley Lister, Ian Parker, Erja … Continue reading →

Album review: GENERATION AXE – The Guitars That Destroyed The World (Live In China)

Posted on June 20, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

earMUSIC [Release date 28.06.19] Generation Axe, coordinated by Guitar God Steve Vai, brought together a summit of shredders from 2016 when the circus toured North America. Subsequent sorties saw them in Asia, when this outing was recorded in April 2017. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Animals As Leaders, Black Label Society, Extreme, Generation Axe, guitar, heavy rock, live, metal, Nuno Bettencourt, review, shred, Steve Vai, The Guitars That Destroyed The World (Live In China), Tosin Abasi, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde | Leave a comment

Album review: BARBE-Q-BARBIES – Borrowed Time

Posted on June 20, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Dissonance Productions [Release date 17.05.19] As fellow scribe Andy Nathan observed in his recent review of the Sweden AOR Convention, a fresh generation of Scandi bands now lead the pack in genres they were too young to have lived through … Continue reading →

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Album review: WARMRAIN – Back Above The Clouds

Posted on June 20, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Rain Recordings [Release date 07.06.19] Promoted as a ‘must have’ for fans of Pink Floyd, Steven Wilson and Anathema, a double ‘concept’ album is one hell of a gamble for a full length debut. But such is the conviction of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Back Above The Clouds, prog, Progressive Rock, review, WarmRain | Leave a comment

Album review: HEATHER FINDLAY – Wild White Horses

Posted on June 20, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Black Sand Records [Release date 05.07.19] Heather Findlay’s first full solo album is long overdue. And really, you might have expected it to follow relatively hot on the heels of her excellent The Phoenix Suite EP way back in 2011. … Continue reading →

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Album review: PATTERN-SEEKING ANIMALS – Pattern-Seeking Animals

Posted on June 20, 2019 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 05.07.19] Pattern-Seeking Animals maybe a new band, however its members have a long and shared history as it features John Boegehold, who started the idea of this band and writes and works with Spock’s Beard. Joining … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Tagged album, interview, John Boegehold, Laurence Archer, melodic rock, Pattern-Seeking Animals, prog rock, progressive, review, Spock's Beard, Ted Leonard | Leave a comment

Album review: JIMMY’S COUSIN – Wax Wings

Posted on June 18, 2019 by jason

Desertion Records [Release date 08.03.19] There is something endearingly conversational about the music of Jimmy’s Cousin. The new album from the Irish originating jazz man, ‘Waxwings’, is an exercise in raconteur style. Singer-songwriter Ian Dosdson aka Jimmy’s Cousin opens the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dave Keary, Ian Dosdson, jazz, Jimmy's Cousin, melodic, review, singer songwriter, Waxwings | Leave a comment

Album review: JONES – Carver’s Law

Posted on June 17, 2019 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 12.07.19] Jones is Trevor Jones, principle songwriter with the critically acclaimed duo Miracle Mile, the other half of this duo being arranger and musical partner Marcus Cliffe. Jones has released four solo albums to date, with ‘Carver’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, BJ Cole, Carver’s Law, JONES, melodic, MIRACLE MILE, review, singer songwriter, Solo, Trevor Jones | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BEN HEMMING

Posted on June 13, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

BEN HEMMING The Devil Beside Me [Release date 31.05.19] ‘Nu-blues’ man Ben Hemming opens his latest release with the impressively broody/ doomy Dead Man Blues which reminds me (strangely) of PJ Harvey circa Bring Your Love To Me. It’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Ben Hemming, blues, review, roots, singer, songwriter, The Devil Beside Me | Leave a comment

Album review: THE STEVE THOMPSON BAND – The Long Fade

Posted on June 13, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

www.steve-thompson.org.uk [Release date 31.05.19] Steve Thompson may not be a name you’re familiar with, but after 50 years in the business, his debut ‘solo’ album pays tribute to career served largely ‘behind the scenes’ as a songwriter, producer and session … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, pop, review, singer, songwriter, The Long Fade, The Steve Thompson Band | Leave a comment

Album review: DANNY VAUGHN – Myths, Legends & Lies

Posted on June 13, 2019 by jason

Self-release [Release date 14.06.19] It has been eleven years since Danny Vaughn’s last solo outing, although this one was delayed by issues caused by Pledge Music going into administration. Luckily Danny Vaughn has a loyal fan following meaning this album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, country, Danny Vaughn, folk, jazz, review, rock, singer songwriter, Solo, Tyketto, Waysted | Leave a comment

Album review: LUCIFER’S FRIEND – Black Moon (featuring John Lawton)

Posted on June 12, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Lucifers Records [Release date 26.04.19] If ‘Black Moon’ doesn’t quite reach the heady heights/atmosphere of the early 1970s when John Lawton released a string of albums pre-Uriah Heep, we still have no right to expect a brand new offering in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Moon, classic rock, hard rock, John Lawton, Lucifer's Friend, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (April 2019 – June 2019)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

January-March 2019 July-September 2019 October-December 2019 ERJA LYYTINEN Another World (Tuohi Records) [Release Date 26.04.19] From the tension building intensity and a harmony guitar break of ‘Hard As Stone’ to the gently paced ‘Without You’, with its angst filled and … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2019, albums of the month, April, Big Big Train, blues rock, classic rock, Diamond Head, Erja Lyytinen, hard rock, Izz, June, May, melodic rock, Michael Thompson Band, Prince, Progressive Rock, Rebecca Downes | Leave a comment

Quick plays: ROYAL REPUBLIC, ROB MORATTI, FINE SOFT DAY, TRAGIK

Posted on June 10, 2019 by jason

ROYAL REPUBLIC Club Majesty Nuclear Blast [Release date 31.05.19] Royal Republic are on the up and up with their mix of rock, dance, disco, funk, rock n roll – heck they will put in any style of music into their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, AOR, Club Majesty, dance, disco, Fine Soft Day, folk, melodic rock, Phil Vincent, Pink Floyd, pop rock, progressive, Quick Plays, review, Rob Moratti, rock, rock 'n' roll, Royal Republic, Saga, Survival Code, Tragik | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (January 2019 – March 2019)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

April-June 2019 July-September 2019 October-December 2019 STEVE HACKETT At The Edge Of Light (Inside Out) [Release date 25.01.19] In his long and distinguished career at the forefront of everything that’s good about progressive rock, Steve Hackett has consistently delivered albums … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2019, albums of the month, blues rock, classic rock, DEL BROMHAM, Elles Bailey, February, hard rock, January, Keith Howe, March, melodic rock, Progressive Rock, RPWL, Steve Hackett, Wily Bo Walker | Leave a comment

Album review: PRINCE – Originals

Posted on June 9, 2019 by jason

Warner Brothers Records [Release date 07.06.19 exclusively on Tidal, 21.06.2019 CD, vinyl, streaming] In this multi-platform, content driven age it would be hard to imagine an artist ever producing too much material but such were his prolific studio habits, that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, funk, Kenny Rogers, Originals, pop, pop rock, Prince, rarities, review, rock, Sinead O'Connor, synth pop, The Bangles, The Time | Leave a comment

Album review: NAZARETH – coloured vinyl reissues (July 2019)

Posted on June 9, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 05.07.19] Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, Nazareth are still going, albeit with just founder member and bassist Pete Agnew at helm. Last year BMG issued the amazing Loud And Proud box (33CDs, 3 7” 45s, LP, picture disc … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, blues rock, Classic Albums, classic rock, coloured vinyl, Dan McCafferty, LP, Nazareth, Pete Agnew, re-issue, review, rock, Zal Cleminson | Leave a comment

Album review: MYRATH – Shehili

Posted on June 8, 2019 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 03.05.19] Tunisian metallers Myrath have been around since 2001, gaining more rave reviews and fans after 2016’s ‘Legacy’ album, one which saw them embrace their Arabic sounds more and ditch some of the Eurometal clichés. On ‘Shehili’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, melodic metal, metal, Myrath, power metal, prog metal, review, Shehili, traditional music, Tunisian | Leave a comment

Quick plays: THE BRINK, RESTLESS SPIRITS, ZEPHYRA

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

THE BRINK Nowhere To Run Frontiers [Release date 17.05.19] The Brink – Tom Quick (vocals), Lexi (lead guitar), Izzy Trixx (rhythm guitar), Gary Connor (bass guitar) and Davide Drake Bocci (drums) – are another up and coming band, part of … Continue reading →

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Album review: CRAZY LIXX – Forever Wild

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 17.05.19] “Forever Wild” is the sixth studio album from Swedish band Crazy Lixx, and could very well be their best to date. This is good, solid melodic rock n’ roll that is full of those ‘80’s style … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bon Jovi, Crazy Lixx, Def Leppard, Forever Wild, glam metal, hair metal, melodic rock, review, Skid Row | Leave a comment

Album review: THIS WINTER MACHINE – A Tower of Clocks

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

F2 Music [Release date 24.06.19] Second album by the Yorkshire based progressive rockers This Winter Machine, who are relative newcomers having formed in 2016. They consist of Al Winter (vocals), Mark Numan (keyboards, vocals), Graham Garbett (guitars, vocals), Scott Owens … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Tower of Clocks, album, Fish, Marillion, melodic, neo prog, prog rock, progressive, review, rock, This Winter Machine | Leave a comment

Album review: WARRIOR SOUL – Rock N Roll Disease

Posted on June 6, 2019 by jason

Cargo/Livewire [Release date 07.06.19] This is big ballsy rock n roll, just the way it should be, and Warrior Soul’s new album “Rock n Roll Disease” pretty much picks up where 2017’s “Back On The Lash” left off. With nods … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Kory Clarke, Lemmy, metal, punk, review, rock, Rock N Roll Disease, Warrior Soul | Leave a comment

Album review: DE WOLFF – Live & Outta Sight II

Posted on June 5, 2019 by petefeenstra

Mascot Records [Release date 14.06.19] Dutch rock band De Wolff is a contemporary cross-genre band who tap into the moment to produce a varied, but coherent live album with plenty of innovation and spark. Variously described … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged country, De Wolff, drums, Gov't Mule, Grateful Dead, Greta Van Vleet, guitar, Hammond, jam band, Jerry Garcia, Josh Kiszka, keys, Led Zeppelin, Live & Outta Sight 11, Luka van de Poel, Nektar, Pablo van de Poel, Prince, prog rock, Psychedelic Rock, Robert Plant, Robin Piso, rock, THE DOORS | Leave a comment

Album review: JACK BRUCE – Live At Rockpalast 1980, 1983 and 1990 (CD/DVD)

Posted on June 4, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

MIG Music [Release date 26.04.19] 2 DVD/5 CD This multi-disc box set is a fine summary of Jack Bruce playing live from 1980 through to 1990. Culled from the legendary German TV show “Rockpalast” this 5-CD set also contains 2 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged 1983 and 1990, album, Billy Cobham, blues rock, box set, CD, Clem Clempson, Cream, David Sancious, DVD, German, Jack Bruce, Jazz rock, Live At Rockpalast 1980, review, TV | Leave a comment

Album review: THE DIVINE COMEDY – Office Politics

Posted on June 3, 2019 by jason

DC Records [Release date 07.06.19] Never one to do things by halves, Neil Hannon and the Divine Comedy return with a double album, three years after their last album ‘Foreverland’. As the album’s title suggests it has a loose theme … Continue reading →