Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: GENE CLARK – Gene Clark Sings For You

Posted on June 1, 2018 by jason

Omnivore Recordings [Release date 15.06.18] After leaving The Byrds, Gene Clark’s solo output contained some wonderful music, even though releases were fairly sporadic – particularly in his later years. There have been a small number of archival releases since his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, country, country rock, Gene Clark, Gene Clark Sings For You, review, The Byrds, the Rose Garden | Leave a comment

Album review: TRACEY BROWNE – The Doctrine Of Song

Posted on May 31, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 4.05.18] You could be forgiven – listening in a ‘blindfold test’ to this sophomore release from Manchester-based singer songwriter Tracey Browne, for occasionally thinking, “blimey, where did these ‘lost’ Thea Gilmore songs come from?” But dig a little … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, indie, Liz Hanks, Nigel Stonier, review, singer, songwriter, The Doctrine Of Song, Thea Gilmore, Tracey Browne | Leave a comment

Album review: BRAM TCHAIKOVSKY – Strange Men, Changed Men (The Complete Recordings 1978-1981)

Posted on May 31, 2018 by jason

Cherry Red [Release date 27.04.18] Bram Tchaikovsky left The Motors in 1978 after playing on their 1977 debut album. Born Peter Bramall, he’d been christened Bram Tchaikovsky by fellow Motor, Andy McMaster. This new 3CD set collects all three albums … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Andy McMaster, box set, Bram Tchaikovsky, Cherry Red, melodic, Mike Oldfield, Nick Garvey, pop rock, power pop, review, rock, Strange Men Changed Men, The Motors | Leave a comment

Quick plays: SAGA, CUDDLY SHARK, THADEUS GONZALEZ

Posted on May 30, 2018 by jason

SAGA Live In Hamburg earMUSIC [Release date 01.06.18] ‘Live In Hamburg’ was recorded back in 2015 in one of Saga’s main national fan bases Germany. It was originally released as limited-edition, however now it gets a full release. Some of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, alternative, CUDDLY SHARK, live, Live In Hamburg, prog, punk pop, reviews, rock, Saga, Silver Inside, Thadeus Gonzalez | Leave a comment

Album review: IAN SIEGAL – All The Rage

Posted on May 30, 2018 by petefeenstra

Nugene Records [Release date 16.03.18] There’s a lot to be said for just following your stream of consciousness and moulding it into a song by simply plugging in and laying down your art. It’s something Ian Siegal and his exemplary … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, All The Rage, Bob Dylan, Chicago Blues, Cody Dickenson, Dusty Ciggaar, Hook Herrera, Howlin Wolf, Ian Siegal, Jimbo Mathus, Mississippi Hill Country, Nick Cave, North Mississippi Allstars, Rafael Schwiddessen, review, singer, songwriter, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, vocalist | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK COFFEE – Take One

Posted on May 29, 2018 by jason

[Release date 21.04.18] Columbus, Ohio represents the US industrial heartland the same way Birmingham and Wolverhampton do in the UK so it’s entirely unsurprising that Black Coffee hail from there. Formed in 2017 by drummer Tommy McCullough, singer/bassist Ehab Omran … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Coffee, classic rock, debut, Ehab Omran, melodic, review, rock, Stoner, Take One | Leave a comment

Quick plays: TALITHA RISE, GIULIA MILLANTA

Posted on May 28, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

TALITHA RISE An Abandoned Orchid House Sonicbond [Release date 01.06.18] This full length debut from Sussex based indie folk singer songwriter Talitha Rise is an ambitious, ethereal, set that at times bears the hallmarks of Robert Plant’s Zeppelin and solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, An Abandoned Orchard House, Conversation With A Ghost, David Fitzpatrick, folk, Guilia Millanta, indie pop, jazz, Parachutes In Hurricanes, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Talitha Rise | Leave a comment

Album review: RITCHIE DAVE PORTER– End Of The Line

Posted on May 27, 2018 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 01.04.18] From the opening filmic feel of ‘Blues At Sunrise’ to the conceptually opposite of ‘Blues At ‘Twilight’ – two ambient blues instrumentals that top and tail Ritchie Dave Porter’s ‘End Of The Line’ – this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged acoustic, ambient, blues, Electric, End Of The Line, guitar, gypsy jazz, Michael Tingle, Ritchie Dave Porter, Roy Harper, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: DS4 – Sweet Georgina

Posted on May 27, 2018 by petefeenstra

Critical Discs [Release date 11.05.18] DS4′s ‘Sweet Georgina’ is a lyric-led album, full of Ray Davies style vocals and coloured by imaginative narratives that leap from the page. And right there at the bottom of the credits is the great … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Becci Wallace, blues, Bob Dylan, David Sinclair, Derek White, DS4, Geoff Peel, Jimi Hendrix, Keir Adamson, Laurie Garman, Neil Young, Ray Davies, review, rock, Rolling Stones, songwriting, soul, Sweet Georgina, The Beatles, Ursula K. Le Guin | Leave a comment

Quick plays: PAUL RODGERS, ATOMIC ROOSTER

Posted on May 27, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

PAUL RODGERS – Free Spirit Quarto Valley Records [Release date 29.06.18] This account of Paul Rodgers revisiting his Free-form past was recorded at London’s Royal Albert Hall in May 2017 . It was the culmination of his UK tour where … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged A Classic History Of, album, Atomic Rooster, blues rock, classic rock, compilation, Deborah Bonham, Free, Free Spirit, John DuCann, Paul Hammond, Paul Rodgers, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Vincent Crane | Leave a comment

Album review: CARL PALMER’S ELP LEGACY – Live (CD/DVD)

Posted on May 27, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

In this exclusive, extended, interview edit, Carl Palmer chats about his formative years and the influence of his musical family in terms of career direction. (9:14) The full interview with Carl was broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Carl Palmer, Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy, CD, classic rock, classical rock, David Frangioni, DVD, ELP, Greg Lake, interview, Keith Emerson, live, Mark Stein, prog, Progressive Rock, review, Steve Hackett | Leave a comment

Album review: JOE BONAMASSA – British Blues Explosion Live

Posted on May 24, 2018 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 18.05.18] ‘British Blues Explosion Live’ is the latest conceptual vehicle for the prodigiously talented Joe Bonamassa and his constant search for a meaningful context with which to keep the blues alive. Playing to a seated outdoor crowd … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Alvin Lee, Anton Fig, blues, Bluesbreakers, British Blues Explosion Live, Cream, Eric Clapton, Free, George Harrison, guitar, Ian Anderson, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Joe Bonamassa, John Martyn, Led Zeppelin, Liverpool, Reese Wynans, review, Robert Plant, rock, Rod Stewart, Rory Gallagher, Russ Irwin, Steve Winwood, The Cavern, The Yardbirds | Leave a comment

Album review: ASH JOHNSON – The Mad Ship

Posted on May 24, 2018 by jason

Stunted Records www.stuntedrecords.co.uk [Release date 25.06.18] Ash Johnson has been a key figure on the North Lincolnshire music scene for many years working in various bands in the area. Now on the suggestion of the record label boss he has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged album, alternative, Americana, Ash Johnson, Mad Ship, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MISHAPED PEARLS, LORDS OF BLACK

Posted on May 22, 2018 by jason

MISHAPED PEARLS Shivelight [Release date 25.05.18] Mishaped Pearls latest album’s title Shivelight comes from a word created by the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins. The word describes the lances of sunshine that pierce through a woodland canopy. An apt description as Mishaped Pearls have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, country, folk, Frontiers, Lords Of Black, metal, Mishaped Pearls, Rainbow, review, Ritchie Blackmore, rock, Ronnie Romero, Shivelight | Leave a comment

Album review: PRAYING MANTIS – Gravity

Posted on May 17, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 11.05.18] Originally part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, albeit at the more melodic almost AOR end of the spectrum, Praying Mantis are still going strong. This new album is their 10th studio outing, 11 if you include … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Chris Troy, Friontiers, GRAVITY, melodic, melodic rock, NWOBHM, Praying Mantis, review, Rodney Matthews, Tino Troy | Leave a comment

Album review: MANSUN – Attack Of The Grey Lantern

Posted on May 17, 2018 by jason

Kscope [Release date 08.06.18] Mansun’s ‘Attack Of The Grey Lantern’ gets a 21st anniversary re-issue with all the bells and whistles you’d expect. This reissue is remastered from the original multi-tracks and is available on all digital platforms and as a media book … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 21st anniversary, Attack of the Grey Lantern, Britpop, classic album, Kscope, Mansun, Paul Draper, progressive, re-issues, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK SABBATH – Supersonic Years The Seventies Singles Box Set

Posted on May 17, 2018 by jason

BMG [Release date 08.06.18] This is no ordinary reissue; for a catalogue that has been reissued more times stamps have first day covers, last year’s 8LP + crucistick box took reissues to a new sonic and packing level, and this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 7" singles, Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, box set, classic rock, Geezer Butler, metal, Ozzy Osbourne, review, rock, the 70s Collection, The Supersonic Years, Tony Iommi, Vinyl | Leave a comment

Album review: RYAN ROXIE – Imagine Your Reality

Posted on May 16, 2018 by jason

Cargo When I look through my record collection there are not many other guitarists that feature as much as Ryan Roxie. Having recorded with the likes of Slash, Gilby Clarke, Electric Angels, Casablanca, Roxie 77, more than a few Alice … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album, Alice Cooper, Cheap Trick, Coldplay, guitarist, Hollywood Vampires, Imagine Your Reality, interview, melodic rock, review, Robin Zander, rock, Ryan Roxie | Leave a comment

Album review: JAMES CHRISTIAN – Craving

Posted on May 15, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 20.04.18] Fourth solo album from House Of Lords frontman James Christian sees him work with a variety of songwriters including Tommy Denander (who also plays guitars, bass and keys), Cliff Magness (who has his solo album released … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Craving, Frontiers, hard rock, House of Lords, James Christian, melodic, melodic rock, review, Tommy Denander | Leave a comment

Album review: ANTHRAX – Kings Among Scotland

Posted on May 14, 2018 by david.wilson

Nuclear Blast [Release date 27.04.18] Hard to believe that it is 30 years since the release of the ‘Among The Living’ album from Anthrax. This was the album which spawned some of the band’s biggest songs and raised their profile to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Among The Living, Anthrax, Barrowlands, big 4, DVD, For All Kings, Glasgow, live, metal, Nuclear Blast, review, Scotland, Scott Ian, Thrash | Leave a comment

Album review: BULLETBOYS – From Out Of The Skies

Posted on May 14, 2018 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 23.03.18] I’ll be honest, I was never a huge fan of the Bulletboys , sure they were on my radar but that was about as far as it got. So when I saw that long term fans … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Bulletboys, From Out Of The Skies, Frontiers, hair metal, hard rock, Marq Torien, melodic, melodic rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: LAST GREAT DREAMERS – 13th Floor Renegades

Posted on May 12, 2018 by jason

Ray Records [Release date 13.04.18] Last Great Dreamers first surfaced in the UK in the 90′s, previously going under the name Silveheart and split in 1997, coming back to life again in 2014 with original members Marc Valentine (vocals/guitar) and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/10 Questions | Leave a comment

Album review: SPOCK’S BEARD – Noise Floor

Posted on May 12, 2018 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 25.05.18] Spock’s Beard return with their thirteenth album and it also marks the return of original drummer Nick D’Virgilio who guests on the album, after the previous drummer Jimmy Keegan left the band in 2016. On … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Morse, album, Dave Meros, Enchant, Inside Out, Kansas, melodic, Nick D’Virgilio, Noise Floor, prog, progressive, review, rock, Ryo Okumoto, Spock's Beard, Ted Leonard, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: SMOKING MARTHA – In Deep

Posted on May 12, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Bad Reputation [Released date 25.05.18] I’ll say one thing for our cousins ‘down under’. They like a bit of female fronted raunch ‘n’ roll. And there’ve been some great bands over the years – stretching back as far as Cheetah … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Australia, hard rock, In Deep, review, Smoking Martha | Leave a comment

Album review: LAURA MEADE – Remedium

Posted on May 12, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Doone Records [Release date 18.05.18] Anyone heard of New York-based progressive rock band Izz? No, me neither, but they’re another in a long line of bands inspired by the pioneers such as Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, ELP, and Renaissance. Laura … Continue reading →