Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: LANDFALL – Elevate

Posted on November 29, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 9.12.22] Much more assured second album from Landfall, the Brazilian band led by Eric Martin soundalike, Gui Oliver. And boy does it sound good, graced with melodic, tightly constructed songs, great playing, a lean, taut production, no … Continue reading →

Quick plays: STAR CIRCUS, THE ROADS

Posted on November 27, 2022 by jason

STAR CIRCUS Seperate Sides Diamond Formation Music [Release date 02.12.22] Star Circus is the brainchild of Dave Winkler (Bordello Rose, Renegade Playboys, Trophies of Man). After a detour playing guitar and touring as a hired gun for acts such as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Boston, Gary Pihl, hard rock, melodic rock, Mick Devine, review, rock, Simple Man, Star Circus, Styx, the Roads | Leave a comment

Album review: TRIALS OF CATO – Gog Magog

Posted on November 27, 2022 by jason

Website [Release date 25.11.22] Trials Of Cato have been building a healthy following alongside rave reviews from the likes of Mark Radcliffe and John Davis of Metropolois Studios, who has dubbed them ‘”the Sex Pistols of folk”. Will Addison left … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, folk rock, Gog Magog, progressive, review, Steeleye Span, traditional, Trials Of Cato | Leave a comment

Album review: LEE AARON – Elevate

Posted on November 26, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Metalville [Release date 25.11.22] We’ve been impressed with the last few offerings from Canadian songstress (and one-time Metal Queen) Lee Aaron. Over the past few years she’s been reasserting her role in female fronted hard rock. after going through a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Elevate, hard rock, Lee Aaron, review | Leave a comment

Album review : AUTOGRAPH – Beyond

Posted on November 26, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers Records [Release date 18.11.22] We all want to love this album because it’s Autograph. Even though they’re one-hit-wonders, and even though bassman Randy Rand is/was the only remaining original member. (Rand took part in the recording sessions, but died … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Autograph, Beyond, Def Leppard, eighties, Jimi Bell, Marc Wieland, melodic rock, Our Lady Peace, Randy Rand, review, Simon Daniels, Steve Plunkett, The Beatles | Leave a comment

Album review: ROADHOUSE – 2000 Miles

Posted on November 25, 2022 by petefeenstra

Dark Road Rekords [Release date 25.11.22] ‘2000 miles’ is a typical Roadhouse album featuring Gary Boner’s narrative driven songs straddling rock, blues, Americana and Southern Rock with subtle dynamics, over arching themes supported by Martin Cook’s redolent art work, and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 2000 Miles, album, Americana, Barry McGuire, Bill Hobley, blues, Charlie Whitney, Chris Walker, Cohen Brothers, Danny Gwilym, Frank Dymore, Gary Boner, George Harrison, Kelly Marie, Mandie G, Martin Cook, Neil Young, review, Roadhouse, Robin Bibi, rock, southern rock, Tom Waits | Leave a comment

EP review : RONNIE ATKINS – Symphomaniac

Posted on November 25, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers Records [release date 18.11.22] There is yet to be an “orchestral” album of rock songs that outdoes Wang Chung’s Orchesography, but this EP from Ronnie Atkins gets close. In fairness, this is Symphonic Rock in all its bombastic splendour. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Danish National Concert Choir, EP, orchestral, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE CITY KIDS – Filth

Posted on November 25, 2022 by jason

Website [Release date 25.11.22] The City Kids, according to their bio are “forged from Northern grit and Danish flair, a bunch of ragtag, rock n’ roll reprobates, part punk, part sleazy gutter-trash dirt.” They have released a rather good Motorhead covers … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Filth, punk, punk pop, review, rock, sleaze, the City Kids, the Wildhearts | Leave a comment

Album review: WALTER TROUT – Ride

Posted on November 24, 2022 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 19.08.22] ‘Ride’ is Walter Trout’s 30th album, and it’s testament to his impressive and honest song-writing skills that he avoids the trap of repeating what he’s done before. This well crafted album barely wastes a word or … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, Chuck Leveall, Eric Corne, Gary Moore, Keith Richard, Marie Trout, review, Ride, rock, soul, Teddy Andreadis, Walter Trout | Leave a comment

Feature: Box sets for life, not just for Christmas – LOVE, EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, MARILLION (2022)

Posted on November 23, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Love - Expressions Tell Everything (Box set)

We had it first with CDs in the 1980s and 90s, more recently with resurgent vinyl. The big record labels want us to rebuy our past! And in many cases there are re-releases of re-releases. Why, oh why, can’t they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Collectible Collections, FEATURES, Reissues | Tagged album, Arthur Lee, box sets, Emerson, Harry Chapin, Lake & Palmer, Love, Marillion, Progressive Rock, review, singer songwriter, singles | Leave a comment

Album review: WIND OF CHANGE – Progressive Sounds Of 1973 (4 CD Boxset)

Posted on November 23, 2022 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date: 25.11.22] The logistics: Wind of Change comprises 4 CDs, 5 hours of music and 49 tracks. No doubt many will look at compilations like this one and think you just cannot maintain the quality level over … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 4 CDs, Al Stewart, album, boxset, Camel, Caravan, ELO, ELP, Family, Hawkwind, John Martyn, Jon Anderson, Kevin Parrish, Manfred Mann, Procol Harum, Progressive Rock, review, Roy Dyke, Tony Kaye, Traffic, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: JAMES OLIVER – Live In The USA

Posted on November 22, 2022 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to James Oliver for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in November 2022. Bandcamp [Release date 05.10.22] From the the exuberant count-in of ‘T Bone Shuffle’ to the rip roaring finish of ‘It Wasn’t Me’, James Oliver’s ‘Live … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged Arthur Smith, Bo Diddley, Danny Gatton, Dr Feelgood, Glas, interview, James Oliver, live album, Live In The USA, Mick Green, Paul Riley, review, Steve Peck, Tommy Reed | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BONESHAKERS – One Foot In The Groove

Posted on November 22, 2022 by petefeenstra

The Boneshakers - One Foot Into the Groove

Take It To The Bridge [Release date 30.09.22] The Boneshakers ‘One Foot In The Groove’ is an intuitive old school album forged by Detroit funk and Memphis soul that taps right into the current soul renaissance that has permeated the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bernard Fowler, Bill Withers, Donnie Fritts, Jenny Langer, Joe Sublett, John Wooler, Jon Gilutin, Julian Burdock, Mark Pender, Moonlight Society, Nathan Brown, One Foot in The Groove, Randy Jacobs, review, Ron Holloway, Sergio Gonzalez, Sir Harry Bowens, Sophie Baudry, Texaclai Horns, The Boneshakers, William Bell | Leave a comment

Album review: KIDS ON THE STREET, UK POWER POP AND NEW WAVE 1977-81 (3 CD Boxset)

Posted on November 21, 2022 by brianmc

Cherry Red [release date: 25.11.22] Kids On The Street is a great title for this 3 CD, 77 track compilation, emphasising the uncomplicated vitality of that era’s popular music. The better informed will know it’s from The Stiffs’ song of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alex Chilton, Big Star, boxset, eighties, Elvis Costello, Jellyfish, New Wave, review, seventies, The Damned, The Motors, The Records, The Ruts, The Searchers, The Skids, The Stranglers, UK power pop, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: THRESHOLD – Dividing Lines

Posted on November 20, 2022 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 18.11.22] Album number twelve from Threshold and their first in five years since the excellent ‘The Legend of the Shires’, which also marked the return of vocalist Glynn Morgan. A darker style and sound overall than … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Dividing Lines, Glynn Morgan, Karl Groom, melodic metal, metal, prog metal, review, Richard West, Threshold | Leave a comment

Album review: SARO COSENTINO – The Road To Now

Posted on November 17, 2022 by brianmc

Cat Sounds Music [Release date 18.11.22] If only we knew just how much musical talent flies below the mainstream radar. You look at the line up on this, Saro Cosentino’s third “solo” album, and you find, amongst others, Gavin Harrison, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, David Rhodes, Disney, Gavin Harrison, Karen Eden, King Crimson, Michael McDonald, Pete Hammill, Peter Gabriel, Porcupine Tree, review, Saro Cosentino, The Road To Now, Tim Bowness, Trey Gunn, Van Der Graff Generator | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN NORUM – Gone To Stay

Posted on November 16, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

GAIN [Release date 28.10.22] In the absence of a Europe album (last sighted 2017) we have at least a new album from the band’s guitarist. Norum’s last solo outing in 2010 was called ‘Play Yard Blues’. But as I said … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Europe, Gone To Stay, guitar, guitarist, hard rock, heavy rock, John Norum, review | Leave a comment

Album review: LADY MAISERY – Tender

Posted on November 13, 2022 by jason

www.ladymaisery.com [Release date 11.11.22] Lady Maisery return with ‘Tender’, their first studio album in six years. Lady Maisery combines the talents of Hazel Askew, Hannah James and Rowan Rheingans. All three contribute vocally and between themselves add in harp, banjo, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bjoork, folk, Hannah James, Harmony, Hazel Askew, Lady Maisery, review, Rowan Rheingans, Tender, traditional | Leave a comment

Album review: ARC OF LIFE – Don’t Look Down

Posted on November 13, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 18.11.22] Arc Of Life is a Progrock supergroup, arguably. In order of fame : Jon (Yes) Davison, Billy (Yes/ World Trade) Sherwood, Jay (Unruly Child) Schellen, Dave (Sound Of Contact) Kerzner and Jimmy (Air Supply/ Circa) Haun. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Air Supply, album, AOR, Arc Of Life, Billy Sherwood, Circa, Dave Kerzner, Don't Look Down, Frontiers, Jay Schellen, Jimmy Haun, Jon Davison, melodic rock, Mr Mister, progrock, review, Sound Of Contact, Third Matinee, Unruly Child, World Stage, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: ENUFF Z’NUFF – Finer Than Sin

Posted on November 12, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 11.11.22] If there’s any band that just keeps on keeping on, it’s Enuff Z’Nuff. The band has undergone enough line up changes to fill a Wikipedia page, yet the man who started it all, Chip Z’Nuff is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Beatles, Cheap Trick, Chip Z'nuff, Enuff Z'Nuff, Finer Than Sin, Frontiers, hard rock, psychedelic pop, review, Strawberry Fields | Leave a comment

Album review: ABOUT US – About Us

Posted on November 10, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date: 11.11.22] It’s a pleasure to welcome a band from the Asian continent, About Us, to the world of AOR and Melodic Rock (despite the album’s Proggy cover). They are a well established, award winning band in their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Asia, Blue Tears, Bon Jovi, Danger Danger, Dark Horse, Eclipse, India, melodic rock, review, Unruly Child, Wigelius | Leave a comment

Album review: JERUSALEM – Jerusalem

Posted on November 10, 2022 by jason

Talking Elephant Records [28.10.22] The one and only album by Jerusalem was originally released back in 1971 on Deram Records. It has since been released on a number of unofficial and bootleg editions before this official CD release on Talking … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 70's rock, album, classic rock, Deep Purple, hard rock, Ian Gillan, Jerusalem, re-issue, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: RING OF FIRE – Gravity

Posted on November 9, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 11.11.22] Spend an hour with Ring Of Fire’s new album, Gravity, and you’re sure to find the music impossible to nail down. It’s a moving target. A neo-classical, Prog/Power Metal sub genre, or maybe that’s a a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Aldo Lonobile, Artension, Johnny Cash, Malmsteen, Mark Boals, neoclassical metal, power metal, prog metal, review, Secret Sphere, Shining Black, TSO, Vitali Kuprij | Leave a comment

Album review: AVANTASIA – A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society

Posted on November 9, 2022 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 21.10.22] The ninth studio album from Avantasia, the musical concept created by Tobias Sammet. Vocal wise the list is as impressive as ever with Bob Catley, Floor Jansen, Geoff Tate, Ronnie Atkins and Eric Martin amongst … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society, album, AVANTASIA, Bob Catley, Eric Martin, Floor Jansen, Jorn, metal, progressive metal, Ralph Scheepers, review, symphonic metal, theatrical, Tobias Sammet | Leave a comment

Album review: DR FEELGOOD – Damn Right!

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Davoski

Grand Records [Release date: 04.11.2022] Before we get on to the album review, there’s something we need to clear up. Calling the current incarnation of Dr Feelgood a tribute act is just too harsh. Whist some have pointed to the … Continue reading →