Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: ELECTRIC BLUES MATES – Electric Blues Mates

Posted on February 18, 2021 by petefeenstra

Timezone [Release date 18.12.20] Given the recent number of lockdown and remotely recorded albums, ‘Electric Blues Mates’ is by no means a unique project. But when it comes down to the spirit of cooperation, focus, intensity and sheer exuberance, this … Continue reading →

Album review: VARIOUS – Oh! You Pretty Things Glam Queens And Street Urchins

Posted on February 18, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 26.02.21] Oh! You Pretty Things is a 3 disc, 66 track Glam (and more) boxfest, which disappointingly, despite its title, doesn’t feature the late David Bowie song. And ironically, nothing from Hermans Hermits, who turned it … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged boxset, Cherry Red Records, ELO, Glam Queens And Street Urchins, Glamrock, Ian Hunter, Mott the Hoople, Oh! You Pretty Things, Roxy Music, Slade, SPARKS, Sweet, Thin Lizzy | Leave a comment

Quick plays: IVY GOLD, BLACK PISTOL FIRE

Posted on February 17, 2021 by jason

IVY GOLD Six Dusty Winds A1 Records/Golden Ivy Records [Release date 12.03.21] Ivy Gold is built around singer Manou and guitarist Sebastian Eder (Avalon). Rounding out Ivy Gold are drummer Tal Bergman (Joe Bonamassa, Billy Idol, Rod Stewart, Simple Minds, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, alt rock, Black Pistol Fire, blues rock, indie rock, Ivy Gold, Look Alive, review, rock, Six Dusty Winds, soul | Leave a comment

Album review: SCARDUST – Strangers

Posted on February 16, 2021 by brianmc

M-Theory Audio [Release date 30.11.20] Progressive Rock’s most famous unknown band, Scardust, released their second album, Strangers, to widespread critical acclaim in November last year. It was an unauspicious time to be releasing new product. Consequently, the label has “re-released” … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, concept, Jens Bogren, M-Audio, Progressive Rock, progrock, review, Scardust, symphonic, Yonaton Kossof | Leave a comment

Album review: NINEBARROW – A Pocket Full Of Acorns

Posted on February 16, 2021 by jason

www.ninebarrow.co.uk [Release date 05.03.21] Ninebarrow – the duo of Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere – were planning to carry on their impressive and relentless series of gigs up and down the country last year. Of course the pandemic put paid … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Pocket Full Of Acorns, album, folk, Jay LaBouchardiere, Jon Whitley, melodic, modern folk, Ninebarrow, review, sea shanty | Leave a comment

Album review : KREEK – Kreek

Posted on February 16, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 12.02.21] Debut album from Kreek, a new band built around ex Bigfoot vocalist, Antony Ellis. It’s produced by Night By Night & Passion vocalist/guitarist, Dan Rosall. It’s surprising that this one got past Frontiers generally on-the-ball quality … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Antony Ellis, Bigfoot, Dan Rosall, Danny Vaughn, Frontiers, Kreek, melodic hard rock, night by night, Passion, review, Steve Augeri | Leave a comment

Album review: JOHN PAUL KEITH – The Rhythm of the City

Posted on February 14, 2021 by jason

Wild Honey Records [Release date 19.02.21] The over-riding descriptor of John Paul Keith’s fifth solo album is, “Vintage”. With twelve years’ experience as part of the Memphis music scene, plugging away as a session player and live act, there is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, John Paul Keith, melodic, review, rock 'n' roll, soul, Stax, The Rhythm of the City | Leave a comment

Album review: ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN – The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest

Posted on February 13, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

InsideOut Music [Release date 26.02.21] There is no doubt that some of the best music is made as a result of emotional adversity. This explains why we cannot, perhaps, expect any great emotional pull from aged rockers who are more … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Anneke van Giersbergen, review, rock, soft rock, The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest, The Gathering | Leave a comment

Album review: THE HOLD STEADY – Open Door Policy

Posted on February 13, 2021 by jason

Thirty Tigers [Release date 19.02.21] The Hold Steady return to action with eighth album which as vocalist Craig Fin explains – “This album was written and almost entirely recorded before the pandemic started, but the songs and stories explore power, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt pop, alt rock, Craig Finn, indie rock, Open Door Policy, review, rock, the Hold Steady | Leave a comment

Album review: RADAR – Lost In The Atlantic

Posted on February 12, 2021 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 19.02.21] Escape Music have a knack of uncovering long lost albums, or in the case of Radar, one that has never had a proper release until now. Radar was formed in 1981 by David West (keyboards, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 80's pop, album, Go West, Lost In The Atlantic, Nik Kershaw, pop, Radar, review, synth pop | Leave a comment

Album review : GEORGE LYNCH & JEFF PILSON – Heavy Hitters

Posted on February 12, 2021 by brianmc

Cleopatra Records [Release date 15.01.21] Two of Dokken’s original members who left and developed into marquee names themselves are guitarist, George Lynch and bass player/vocalist, Jeff Pilson. The prediction that all rock bands will eventually do a covers’ album might … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Brian Tichy, Cleopatra Records, Covers, Dokken, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson, Lynch Mob, melodic hard rock, review, USA | Leave a comment

Album review: ALLY VENABLE – Heart Of Fire

Posted on February 11, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Ruf Records [Release date 26.02.21 ] I chatted to Ally when she toured with Blues Caravan in the autumn of 2019 when it was evident she was a sassy, talented performer from Texas. And very young! This gig was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ally Venable, blues, blues rock, Devon Allman, guitar, guitarist, Heart Of Fire, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, review | Leave a comment

Album review : DURBIN – The Beast Awakens

Posted on February 10, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 12.02.21] By spinning a fourth place finish on American Idol into 4 solo albums and a stint fronting Quiet Riot, singer/guitarist James Durbin clearly had more than TV celebrity on his side.The Beast Awakens is the next … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, American Idol, Frontiers, James Durbin, Malmsteen, metal, Quiet Riot, review, rock, Schenker, The Beast Awakens, Y&T | Leave a comment

Album review: INGLORIOUS- We Will Ride

Posted on February 8, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release Date 12.02.21] It has been a rocky road for Inglorious since they burst onto the scene as one of the great hopes of classic rock. For a while their huge potential, not least in the powerful vocals … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Danny De La Cruz, hard rock, Inglorious, Nathan James, We Will Ride | Leave a comment

Album review: JASON BIELER & THE BARON VON BIELSKI ORCHESTRA – Songs For The Apocalypse

Posted on February 6, 2021 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 29.01.21] Jason Bieler scored a winner with hard rockers Saigon Kick (who had a US hit with ‘Love Is On The Way’ in 1991), and since then Jason Bieler has been mixing up styles. Indeed, when asked … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt rock, Devin Townsend, Jason Bieler, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic, progressive, review, rock, Saigon Kick, Songs For The Apocalypse, THE BARON VON BIELSKI ORCHESTRA | Leave a comment

Album review: OSIBISA – New Dawn

Posted on February 5, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Marquee Records/Right Track [Release date: 23.04.21] I remember Osibisa as that rather colourful outfit who squeezed into the Old Grey Whistle Test TV studio in the early 1970s with their infectious brand of soulful groove. They purveyed what we would … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afro-rock, album, funk, Gregory Kofi Brown, New Dawn, Osibisa, review, Robert Bailey, world | Leave a comment

Album review: NICK FLETCHER – Cycles Of Behaviour

Posted on February 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 26.03.21] www.hacktrax.co.uk Getting a glowing affirmation from none other that Steve Hackett, printed clearly on your album cover, may give a relatively unknown guitarist a definite leg up. Nick Fletcher is a member of brother John’s band and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Cycles Of Behaviour, Dave Bainbridge, fusion, guitar, guitarist, jazz fusion, John Hackett, Nick Fletcher, prog, Progressive Rock | Leave a comment

Album Review: EXPLORERS CLUB – Rarities Vol 1

Posted on February 4, 2021 by brianmc

Gold Star Recordings [Release date 05.02.21] Explorers Club dropped two acclaimed new albums last year (To Sing And Be Born Again/Explorers Club). We reviewed both. In their own way they proved that Sixties Pop is timeless. Jason Brewer, the band’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Explorers Club, Gold Star Recordings, Jason Brewer, melodic, pop, power pop, Rarities Vol 1, Retro Pop, review | Leave a comment

Album review: MILTON HIDE – Temperature’s Rising

Posted on February 4, 2021 by jason

www.miltonhide.com [Release date 05.03.21] Milton Hide emerged out of the East Sussex open mic and folk club circuit five years ago, where the acoustic duo picked up many plaudits for their debut EP, ‘Little Fish’, released in 2018. Now husband … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, country, folk, melodic, Milton Hide, review, singer songwriter, Temperature’s Rising | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK SABBATH – Vol.4 Super Deluxe Edition

Posted on January 30, 2021 by jason

WIN A COPY!! Competition closes 14.02.21 Sanctuary (5LP) [Release date 12.02.21] Now here really is a special edition of a genuinely classic album, by one of the original developers of the whole heavy metal genre, Black Sabbath. Originally a blues … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Reissues | Tagged Bill Ward, Black Sabbath, box set, Geezer Butler, heavy metal classic album, Ozzy Osbourne, review, Steve Wilson, Tony Iommi, Vinyl, Vol.4 Super Deluxe Edition | Leave a comment

Album review: THE GOLD NEEDLES – What’s Tomorrow Ever Done For You?

Posted on January 30, 2021 by jason

Jem Records [Release date 19.02.21] The Gold Needles are onto album number three that features nine new original songs plus three covers including The Hollies ‘Have You Ever Loved Somebody’ and The Beatles ‘If I Needed Someone.’ Formed in 2015, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Larry Fast, melodic, pop rock, power pop, review, the Gold Needles, What’s Tomorrow Ever Done For You? | Leave a comment

Album review: W.E.T. – Retransmission

Posted on January 29, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release Date 22.01.21) Of all the melodic rock supergroups assembled, usually on the Frontiers roster, W.E.T. have proved to have staying power. This fourth studio release comes a relatively recent three years after its predecessor ‘Earthrage’, which is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Eclipse, Erik Martensson, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic rock, Robert Sall, W.E.T. | Leave a comment

Album review : WALTER EGAN – Fascination

Posted on January 29, 2021 by brianmc

Red Steel Music [Release date 05.02.21] Westcoast/Americana/AOR wizard, Walter Egan is back, with a smoothed out rock’n’roll love story, Fascination, just 2 years after his Burritos’ album, Sound As Ever, created a few fresh waves. Imbued with bygone vibes, it … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Lindsay Buckingham, review, Stevie Nicks, Walter Egan, Westcoast Rock | Leave a comment

Album review: ZED MITCHELL – Route 69

Posted on January 28, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Pete Feenstra chatted to Zed Mitchell for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in January 2021 and playing tracks from ‘Route 69′. Timezone Records [Release date 15.12.20] Zed Mitchell may only be known to his loyal coterie of blues aficionados but, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, guitar, guitarist, interview, review, Route 69, Zed Mitchell | Leave a comment

Album review: DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION – Halcyon Hymns

Posted on January 28, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 05.02.21] Fourth album from DBA, the fruitful poprock collaboration between Geoff (Asia/Yes) Downes and uber songwriter/producer, Chris (Guetta/Aguilera) Braide. Halcyon Hymns is their living-in-the-lockdown album, and as the title more than subtly suggests, it’s a recording … Continue reading →