Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: BLACKTHORNE – Afterlife and Don’t Kill The Thrill (2-CD package)

Posted on July 24, 2021 by brianmc

In October 2021, Pete Feenstra chatted to Jimmy Waldo about Blackthorne for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 3 October 2021. The Store For Music [Release date 23.07.21] Blackthorne is probably one of the more obscure Graham (Rainbow/MSG/Alcatrazz) Bonnet … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview, Reissues | Tagged album, Alcatrazz, Blackthorne, Bob Kulick, Chuck Wright, Frankie Banali, Graham Bonnet, hard rock, interview, Jimmy Waldo, Kiss, MSG, New England, Quiet Riot, Rainbow, review, WASP | Leave a comment

Album review: 38 SPECIAL – Wild Eyed Southern Boys and Special Forces (2021 Vinyl Remasters)

Posted on July 23, 2021 by brianmc

Snakefarm Records [Release date 30.07.21] In 2008, a major fire in Universal Studios’ Hollywood Warehouse devastated the company’s music archives. 38 Special were one of the bands to suffer a significant loss…and if nothing else, that gives these releases added … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged .38 Special, albums, Don Gaines, Donnie Van Zant, Doobie Brothers, Gregg Allman, Jim Peterik, Lynyrd Skynyrd, remasters, reviews, Rodney Mills, southern rock, Survivor, Vinyl | Leave a comment

Album review: TANTRIC – The Sum Of All Things

Posted on July 23, 2021 by jason

Cleopatra Records [Release date 23.07.21] Tantric have been around since 1999 and have more ex-members (especially drummers) to give Spinal Tap a run for their money! Vocalist/rhythm guitarist Hugo Ferreira is the sole remaining original member joined by bassist, backing … Continue reading →

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Album review: MR BIG- Lean Into It (30th anniversary reissue)

Posted on July 22, 2021 by andynathan

EvoXS (Release Date 23.07.21) While their debut appeared a couple of years earlier, it was their sophomore effort, ‘Lean Into It’ in 1991 that marked melodic rock supergroup Mr Big’s finest hour. It is of course remembered for their worldwide … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged Billy Sheehan, Eric Martin, Lean Into It, Mr Big, Paul Gilbert, reissue | Leave a comment

Album review: HARDLINE – Heart, Mind and Soul

Posted on July 20, 2021 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 09.07.21] Album number seven from melodic hard rockers Hardline who still feature sole remaining original member vocalist Johnny Gioeli. The rest of Hardline is guitarist Mario Percudani, bassist Anna Portalupi, drummer Marco Di Salvia and on keyboards, … Continue reading →

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Album review: BARENAKED LADIES – Detour de Force

Posted on July 17, 2021 by jason

Raisin’ Records [Release date 16.07.21] It has been four years since Barenaked Ladies released their excellent ‘Fake Nudes’ and like many artists it was started before the outbreak of the pandemic, which delayed its completion and has played havoc with … Continue reading →

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Album review: TRAGEDY – Disco Balls To The Wall

Posted on July 17, 2021 by jason

Napalm Records [Release date 30.07.21] It was a genius idea to take some classic disco and pop music hits from the 70’s and 80’s, add some very loud guitars into the mix and crank things up to the max. Fortunately, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Abba, album, Bee Gees, disco, Disco Balls To The Wall, glam rock, pop rock, review, rock, Tragedy | Leave a comment

Album review: TITO JACKSON – Under Your Spell

Posted on July 14, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Tito Jackson for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in July 2021. Gulf Coast Records And Hillside Global [Release date 06.08.21] ‘Under Your Spell’ is an expected delight. Having made his solo debut in 2016 with ‘Tito … Continue reading →

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Album review: INNER STREAM – Stain The Sea

Posted on July 14, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 16.07.21] Produced by talented Argentinian producer, Guillermo De Medio, Inner Stream’s debut album, Stain The Sea is a minor delight of Symphonic Metal, programmed sounds and Gothic Rock. The band is primarily singer/songwriter, Inez Vera Ortiz, who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Evanescence, Frontiers, gothic rock, Guillermo De Medio, Inner Stream, Rata Blanca, review, symphonic rock, Tarja Turunen, Vera Ortiz, Within Temptation | Leave a comment

Album review: MIKE ZITO – Resurrection

Posted on July 12, 2021 by petefeenstra

Gulf Coast Records And Hillside Global [Release date 16.07.21] It is 13 years since Mike Zito cut his first major label album, the David Z produced ‘Home’. 7 collaborations later, the duo reunite again on a project that sounds as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Blind Faith, blues, David Z, Eric Demmer, funk, Guy Hale, JJ Cale, John Fogerty, Lewis Stephens, Mike Zito, Resurrection, review, rock, soul, swamp, Willie Dixon, Yool Kim, Zach Zito | Leave a comment

Album review: VARIOUS – New Wave of Classic Rock Vol 1

Posted on July 12, 2021 by jason

RPM [Release date 23.07.21] New Wave of Classic Rock (NWOCR) will be a term familiar to many but for the uninitiated, the NWOCR Facebook group was set up in October 2017 to support and promote the many new bands who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bad Touch, Dust Coda, Elles Bailey, Massive Wagons, New Roses, New Wave of Classic Rock Vol 1, NWOCR, review, various artists | Leave a comment

Album review: EMILY WOLFE – Outlier

Posted on July 11, 2021 by jason

Crow’s Feet [Release date 25.06.21] With one album to her name to date Emily Wolfe – who has a recently released custom guitar the Epiphone Sheraton Stealth, Emily Wolfe – she has decided to stretch her musical boundaries on this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt pop, Emily Wolfe, indie, Outlier, review, rock, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID CROSBY – For Free

Posted on July 11, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 23.07.21] David Crosby has been prolific as a recording artist, despite various health issues, and he is back with his fifth solo album since 2014. Joining Crosby on the record are Michael McDonald, Donald Fagen, Sarah Jarosz … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Byrds, classic rock, CSN, David Crosby, Donald Fagen, folk, For Free, James Raymond, jazz, Joan Baez, melodic, Michael McDonald, review, West Coast | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (April 2021 – June 2021)

Posted on July 11, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

SMITH KOTZEN (BMG) Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Richie Kotzen (Poison, Mr Big, Winery Dogs) have pitted their combined guitaring and songwriting skills to fashion nine tracks of pure unadulterated hard rock heaven. ****1/2 Review by David Randall THE DUST … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, alt rock, April 2021, classic rock, hard rock, Ian McNabb, indie rock, June 2021, May 2021, metal, review, Smith Kotzen, symphonic metal, The Dust Coda, The John Williams Syndicate, Timo Tolkki's Avalon, Trucker Diablo | Leave a comment

Album review: RIAN – Twenty Three

Posted on July 9, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 16.07.21] Here’s a genuine contender. Rian, a Swedish melodic rock band formed by singer/writer, Richard Andermyer. On their second album now, and first for Frontiers. It’s produced by the hugely talented musician, Daniel Flores. He gives the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blue Tears, Brother Firetribe, Eclipse, Frontiers, Gotthard, Harem Scarem, melodic rock, review, Rian, Twenty-Three, Work Of Art | Leave a comment

Album review: RESURRECTION KINGS – Skygazer

Posted on July 8, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 16.07.21] The Resurrection Kings are less of a supergroup, and more a ragtag collection of talented musicians who struck gold at the box office a few times, but most often found their place in supporting roles. Craig … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Sabbath, Derringer, Dio, Dokken, Foreigner, Frontiers, Giuffria, metal, Resurrection Kings, review, rock, Rough Cutt, Skygazer | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MURRAY McLAUCHLAN, SEAN CHAMBERS, MARK GERMINO

Posted on July 8, 2021 by jason

MURRAY McLAUCHLAN Hourglass True North Records [Release date 09.07.21] Folk and country artist Murray McLauchlin has been recording and touring since the early 70’s. In his native Canada he is an eleven-time Juno award winning artist, received the Order of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, country, folk, guitarist, Hourglass, Hubert Sumlin, Mark Germino, Murray McLauchlan, review, Sean Chambers, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: HEAVY WATER – Red Brick City

Posted on July 8, 2021 by jason

Silver Lining Music [Release date 23.07.21] With, amongst others, the sons of both Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris and Bruce Dickinson’s sons kicking up serious dust in The Raven Age and As Lions respectively, it’s no surprise that Seb Byford stepped … Continue reading →

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Album review: DIM GRAY – Flown

Posted on July 3, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Grim Day Records [Release date 25.06.21] One band that came to mind when listening to Dim Gray’s debut album is Celtus. And the Norwegian “post prog” art rockers may well appeal to those who warmed to that now defunct band’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, art rock, Dim Gray, Flown, prog rock, progressive, review | Leave a comment

LAURENNE/LOUHIMO – The Reckoning

Posted on July 3, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date 09.07.21] Laurenne/Louhimo’s The Reckoning is an interesting new release from Frontiers. A musical “lockdown made me do it” marriage of Smackbound’s Netta Laurenne and Battle Beast’s Noora Louhimo. They’ve written a dozen or so Symphonic Rock songs … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Alicia Keys, Battlebeast, Frontiers, Laurenne Louhimo, Netta Laurenne, Nino Laurenne, Noora Louhimo, Norah Jones, review, Smackdown, Symphonic Metal Rock, Thunderstone | Leave a comment

Album review: STONE THE CROWS, MAGGIE BELL (reissues)

Posted on July 2, 2021 by jason

Repertoire [Release date 25.06.21] Noted blues rock band Stone The Crows formed in Glasgow 1969 after Alex Harvey introduced his younger guitarist Leslie Harvey to singer Maggie Bell. Bell already had a notable career and her voice, big bluesy and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged albums, blues, classic rock, Jimmy Page, Maggie Bell, reissue, review, rock, Stone The Crows | Leave a comment

Album review: LESLIE WEST – 5 Originals, Got Live

Posted on July 2, 2021 by jason

5 Originals (3CD) Voiceprint [Release date 21.05.21] The late great Leslie West is, perhaps, best known as the founder, guitarist and vocalist of the legendary American rock band Mountain, also pioneers of heavy metal and blues rock. The band took … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 5 Originals, albums, blues, classic rock, Got Live, guitarist, Leslie West, Mick Jagger, Mountain, reissues, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: THOR – Alliance

Posted on July 2, 2021 by jason

Deadline/Cleopatra [Release date 16.07.21] Canadian bodybuilder, historian, actor, and musician John Mikl Thor has produced some very fine metal over the years, debuting in the mid 70s. Since the turn of the millennium Thor has been particularly prolific, and this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Alliance, Danko Jones, metal, power metal, RAVEN, review, Ross the Boss, Thor | Leave a comment

Album review: DENNIS DE YOUNG – 26 East, Volume 2

Posted on July 1, 2021 by andynathan

Frontiers Records (Release date 11.06.21) This is an album I’ve been looking forward to for 12 months since the release of Volume 1. That represented the former Styx singer’s return to his melodic rock roots in far better fashion than … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Dennis De Young, Jim Peterik, melodic rock, pomp rock, Styx | Leave a comment

Album review: CROWNE – Kings In The North

Posted on July 1, 2021 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 18.06.21] Crowne is (another) gathering of Scandinavian melodic hard rockers from various bands comprising of vocalist Alexander Strandell (Art Nation), guitar, keyboards & producer Jona Tee (H.E.A.T), bassist John Levén (Europe) and drummer Christian Lundqvist (The Poodles), … Continue reading →