Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: COLIN JAMES – Open Road

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jason

Stony Plain Records [Release date 05.11.21] Since releasing his debut album in 1988 Colin James has been a stalwart of the blues scene, with trips into swing and rock ‘n’ roll with his Little Big Band and on this, his … Continue reading →

Album review : BARRIE JAMES – Strange Desire

Posted on November 14, 2021 by brianmc

Vacancy Records [release date 12.11.21] Strange Desire is the third solo album from Glasgow’s ex Kassidy frontman, Barrie James O’Neil (now minus the surname). Barrie decamped to LA in 2016, motivated by the usual young-artist-seeks-wealth-and-fame ambition. A handful of years … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Ashely Campbell, Barrie James, Jeff Buckley, Kassidy, Lana Del Rey, Melancholy Melodic Rock, review, Vacancy Records | Leave a comment

Album review: SETH LAKEMAN – Make Your Mark

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 19.11.21] Seth Lakeman’s eleventh album, and his follow-up to 2020’s Mayflower-themed A Pilgrim’s Tale, was conceived during lockdown when, like countless other singer-songwriters the world over, he used the down-time from live performance to ponder the meaning … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Benji Kirkpatrick, folk, Make Your Mark, review, Seth Lakeman, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: RICHARD TOWNEND & THE MIGHTY BOSSCATS – Short Stories

Posted on November 13, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Richard Townend for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 28 November 2021. Self Release [Release date 21.10.21] There’s a lovely song on Richard Townend’s new ‘Short Stories’ album called ‘Everyman’. It’s a punchy track full … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Anton Ilyin, blues, country, David Booth, David Flanagan, Dennis Nazaroff, gospel, JJ Cale, Leon Redbone, Marcus Cliff, Mark Knopfler, review, Richard Townend, rock, roots, Short Stories, The Mighty Bosscats | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BRICK BRISCOE & THE SKINNY, HANNAH JAMES & TOBY KUHN

Posted on November 7, 2021 by jason

BRICK BRISCOE & THE SKINNY www.brickbriscoe.com [Release date 15.10.21] Brick Briscoe is a composer, filmmaker and producer, who has been working in ‘the biz’ for over thirty years now. Joining Briscoe (who sings and plays guitar) on his latest album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, alt rock, Brick Briscoe, folk, Hannah James, indie, Quick Plays, review, singer songwriter, Sleeping Spirals, the Skinny, Toby Kuhn | Leave a comment

Album review: ENUFF Z’NUFF – Hardrock Nite

Posted on November 6, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 12.11.21] Enuff Z’Nuff do an album of Fab Four covers, at last. We used to think it was a given, but it never happened. There’s distance now, and with that comes perspective. Arguably, only Wilson Pickett (Hey … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bullet Boys, cover versions, Enuff Z'Nuff, EZN, John Lennon, Magical Mystery Tour, melodic hard rock, Paul McCartney, review, The Beatles, Tony Fennell, Tory Stoffregen, ULTRAVOX | Leave a comment

Album review: JOE TILSTON – Tightrope

Posted on November 6, 2021 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 08.11.21] Joe Tilston is the son of Steve Tilston and Maggie Boyle, who along with his sister Martha Tilston, was brought up in and around the English folk scene. He is the bass player in ska/punk band … Continue reading →

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Album review: BEAST IN BLACK – Dark Connection

Posted on November 3, 2021 by jason

Nuclear Blast [Release date 29.10.21] Beast In Black, the band that love to mix synths, Europop beats and their love of Anime into the more traditional power metal mix. This is the band’s third album with both of their previous … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Beast In Black, Dark Connection, Manowar, melodic metal, Michael Jackson, Nuclear Blast, pop metal, power metal, review, synths | Leave a comment

Album review: FURBABY & THE TIGHT SPACES – S/T

Posted on November 2, 2021 by jason

Cargo Records [Release date 15.10.21] Furbaby & the Tight Spaces was initially a lockdown project for Chicago based guitarist Adam Arling (The Last Vegas), and was originally intended to release a series of singles, as it happens there are eight … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged alt rock, Furbaby & the Tight Spaces, garage rock, indie rock, Last Vegas, review, rock, self-titled album | Leave a comment

Album review: MEMORIA AVENUE – Memoria Avenue

Posted on November 1, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 05.11.21] Debut album from Memoria Avenue, a collaboration between talented writer/ guitarist/ Producer, Tor Talle, and up and coming vocalist, and fellow Norwegian, Jan Le Brandt. A polished production and neatly tailored arrangements define the early part … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Frontiers, James Reyne, Jan Le Brandt, melodic rock, Memoria Avenue, review, Tor Talle | Leave a comment

Album review: TONY MITCHELL – Hot Endless Summer Nights

Posted on October 31, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 26.11.21] Nearly two years on, Tony Mitchell releases his third album as he goes full on 80s AOR. Tony Mitchell spent several months travelling coast to coast taking in the sights, sounds & overall American culture … Continue reading →

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Album review: JEFF SCOTT SOTO – The Duets Collection Vol. 1

Posted on October 31, 2021 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 08.10.21] The pandemic and resulting lockdowns certainly had musicians thinking about ways to carry on with their musical passion. One such artist Jeff Scott Soto wanted to do a retrospective ‘best of’ from the many bands and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, duets, Eric Martin, Frontiers, hard rock, Jeff Scott Soto, Johnny Gioeli, melodic rock, Nathan James, review, rock, Russell Allen, The Duets Collection Vol. 1 | Leave a comment

Album review: ORANGE GOBLIN – Rough and Ready, Live and Loud, 25 Years of British Rock and Heavy Metal

Posted on October 31, 2021 by brianmc

Dissonance/Cherry Red [Release date: 5.11.21] Counting back to 1995, Orange Goblin are a ten album band, whose latest live recording was available only as a digital release in 2020, due to the unforseen circumstance we call Covid. Now it’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Black Sabbath, Covid, Doom Metal, Eulogy for The Damned, live, Orange Goblin, review, stoner rock, Time Travellers Blues | Leave a comment

Album review: BURNTFIELD – Impermanence

Posted on October 31, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Progressive Gears [Release date 12.11.21] Hands up all those feeling reflective and romantic? This band – a Dutch/Finnish hybrid – will provide your soundtrack. Skip to ‘Trust In You’ an early single/video to give you an idea of the vibe. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Burntfield, Impermanence, pop, prog, progressive, review | Leave a comment

Album review: FANS OF THE DARK – Fans Of The Dark

Posted on October 29, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 05.11.21] Fans Of The Dark are a new Melodic Rock band formed by songwriter / drummer, Freddie Allen, the driving force behind AOR legends-in-the-making, Houston. He’s brought in Alex Falk on vocals, with guitarist, Oscar Bromvall and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Fans of the Dark, Frontiers, Hollywood, Houston, melodic rock, Movies, Norway, Oscar Wilde, review, Tor Talle | Leave a comment

Album review: MISHRA – Reclaim

Posted on October 29, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Shedbuilt Records [Release date 29.10.21] Described as a “global folk collective” Mishra brings together banjo player Kate Griffin (The Magpies) and flautist Ford Collier (The Drystones) who fashion a contemporary take on folk fusion. Together with their cohorts tabla player … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Celtic, folk, folk fusion, Ford Collier, Indian, Kate Griffin, Mishra, Reclaim, review, The Drystones, The Magpes | Leave a comment

Album review: MISSISSIPPI MacDONALD – Do Right, Say Right

Posted on October 29, 2021 by jason

Another Planet Music [Release date 19.11.21] Mississippi MacDonald (despite his name!) is a 3-times British Blues Awards nominee, from London, England. He has been playing since he was 11 years old and has travelled on the US Blues trail, meeting … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, Do Right Say Right, guitarist, Mississippi MacDonald, review, rock, soul | Leave a comment

Album review: MARCO MATTEI – Out Of Control

Posted on October 28, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

7D Media/Third Star Records [Release date 19.11.21] There seems to be a trend amongst aspiring proggers to acquire the services of the “prog-whores” who – in the nicest way possible – lend their talents to any number of albums. In … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chad Wackerman, Jerry Marotta, Marco Mattei, Out Of Control, prog, progressive, review, Tony Levin | Leave a comment

Album review: ASTRAL DRIVE – Astral Drive (Orange album)

Posted on October 27, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Phil Thornalley for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast Sunday 31 October 2021. Lojinx [Release date 24.09.21] ‘Astral Drive’ is the musical vehicle for producer, singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist Phil Thornalley. The ‘Astral Drive’ … Continue reading →

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Album review: ORGAN FAIRCHILD – Brewed In Buffalo

Posted on October 27, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Organ Fairchild Records [Release date 15.09.21] Here at GRTR! Towers we are privileged to receive any number of albums from aspiring or jobbing musicians, some obviously hitting the mark more than others. Occasionally a real gem emerges and in Organ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Brewed In Buffalo, funk, instrumental, jazz fusion, Organ Fairchild, review, soul jazz | Leave a comment

Album review: NAKED RAYGUN – Reissues

Posted on October 26, 2021 by jason

Audio Platter / Plastic Head Chicago punk band Naked Raygun formed in 1980 and their style strongly dipped into post punk and hardcore. They have been an influence on the likes of Dave Grohl and Blink192, and they have toured … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged All Rise, Jettison, Naked Raygun, punk rock, punkm, reissues, Review. album, Throb Throb | Leave a comment

Album review: HEARTLAND – Into The Future

Posted on October 25, 2021 by andynathan

Escape Music [Release date 15.10.21] I assumed Chris Ousey had kicked the long career of Heartland on the head with their last album of new material coming back in 2007. However, after his time with Snakecharmer and also fronting Kingdom … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chris Ousey, Heartland, Into The Future, melodic rock, Mike Slamer, review | Leave a comment

Album review: ECLIPSE – Wired

Posted on October 25, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records [Release date 08.10.21] Eclipse have been on one the hottest streaks in melodic rock of recent years- even last year’s stop-gap live album ‘Viva la Victouria’ being a reminder of quite how many anthems they have written. And … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album, Eclipse, Erik Martensson, interview, Magnus Henriksson, melodic rock, review, Wired | Leave a comment

Album review: THE FOREIGN FILMS – Starlight Serenade

Posted on October 25, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Bill Majoros for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 21 November 2021. Curve Music [Release date 30.07.21] What’s the significance of a band’s name? In the case of The Foreign Films (aka Canadian singer songwriter … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Bill Majoros, Phil Spector, pop, psychedelia, Ray Davies, review, rock, Roy Wood, Starlight Serenade, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Byrds, The Foreign Films, The Hollies, The Zombies, Todd Rundgren, Wizzard | Leave a comment

Album review: LOVERBOY – Loverboy and Get Lucky (Remasters)

Posted on October 24, 2021 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [release date 24.09.21] Selling 6 million between them, Loverboy’s self titled debut (1980) and follow up, Get Lucky (1981), have now had the treatment from Rock Candy Records. Forty years of remastering evolution has brought us to … Continue reading →