Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review: MILES NIELSEN AND THE RUSTED HEARTS – Ohbahoy

Posted on November 21, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 10.01.20] The cynic in me always puts extra scrutiny on the veracity of projects by the offspring of famous ‘rock ‘n’ roll parentage – in this case, the son and heir of Cheap Trick lead guitarist and principle … Continue reading →

Album review: CHANTEL McGREGOR – Bury’d Alive

Posted on November 20, 2019 by petefeenstra

Tis Rock Music Ltd [Release date 24.09.19] ‘Bury’d Alive’ is an album that celebrates honesty, integrity and intensity. It’s honest because what you hear is what went down on the night. It’s full of integrity because Chantel McGregor champions new … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE ROLLING STONES – Bridges to Buenos Aires

Posted on November 19, 2019 by jason

Eagle Records [Release date 08.11.19] It would be somewhat of an understatement to say that I am a huge Stones fan, and the band’s live releases over the last few years has been prolific to say the least. The latest, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Bob Dylan, Bridges to Buenos Aires, classic rock, DVD, Eagle Rock, Eagle Vision, Keith Richards, live, Mick Jagger, review, rock, The Rolling Stones | Leave a comment

Album review: PRETTY MAIDS – Undress Your Madness

Posted on November 18, 2019 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 08.11.19] This new album by the Pretty Maids (number 16 from a band who have been around for nearly 40 years now), has been overshadowed by the sad news that vocalist Ronnie Atkins has been diagnosed with … Continue reading →

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Album review: RODNEY MATTHEWS & JEFF SCHEETZ – Trinity

Posted on November 17, 2019 by jason

Rodney Matthews Studios [Release date 13.12.19] Renowned fantasy artist Rodney Matthews, illustrator of over140 album covers, is also a jazz/rock/prog drummer of note, and has previously recorded solo and with guitarist Jeff Scheetz. Here he teams up again with Scheetz … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged album, album covers, artwork, Asia, classic rock, Eloy, instrumental, jazz, Jeff Scheetz, Magnum, melodic, Nazareth, Oliver Wakeman, prog, review, Rick Wakeman, rock, Rodney Matthews, Tony Clarkin, Trinity | Leave a comment

Album review: YES – From A Page/In The Present Live From Lyon (box set)

Posted on November 16, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Yes [Release date 27.10.19] This boxed set is perhaps best considered as a “stop-gap” for fans in the absence of any new product following this summer’s Yes 50 Live release, and ahead of the band’s 2020 UK tour. One-time Yes … Continue reading →

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Album review: JOE BONAMASSA – Live At The Sydney Opera House

Posted on November 16, 2019 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 25.10.19] ‘Live At The Sydney Opera House’ is staggeringly Joe Bonamassa’s 17th live album and while the geography may change and the material recycles recent studio material, the performance is consistently good. If his strategy is to … Continue reading →

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Album review: RAY ALDER – What the Water Want

Posted on November 13, 2019 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 18.10.19] It takes a lot of guts to step out from the safety an established band but Fates Warning frontman Ray Alder has produced an album of extraordinary depth and passion in this, his debut solo … Continue reading →

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Album review: SPARKS – Past Tense: The Best Of Sparks

Posted on November 12, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 08.11.19] For many people of a certain age Sparks are famed for the high vocals and scary looking bloke on the keyboards, yet there is so much more to their music aside from the big hits ‘This … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, best of, classic rock, dance, Franz Ferdinand, pop, quirky, review, rock, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, SPARKS, synth pop | Leave a comment

Album review: SPARKS – Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason

BMG [Release date 01.11.19] ‘Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins’ originally came out in 1994 and came after a six year gap by Sparks since 1988’s ‘Interior Design’ album. The band were said to be on hiatus, something Ron Mael takes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Christo Haydon, dance, Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins, pop, quirky, review, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, SPARKS, synth pop, Techno | Leave a comment

Album review: INCOGNITO – Tomorrow’s New Dream

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason

Absolute [Release date 08.11.19] While the name may not immediately trigger recognition, acid jazz group Incognito are a group that have a long association with the London club scene. Formed in 1979 by Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick and Paul “Tubbs” Williams, … Continue reading →

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Album review: MOLLY HATCHET – Battleground

Posted on November 10, 2019 by jason

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 29.11.19] Formed in the early 70s by guitarists Steve Holland and Dave Hlubek, Molly Hatchet released their eponymous debut on Epic in 1978, and were at the forefront of the second wave of Southern Rock. Inspired by … Continue reading →

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Album review: BUCK AND EVANS – Write A Better Day

Posted on November 9, 2019 by petefeenstra

Departure Records [Release date 15.11.19] Buck And Evans have called themselves a rock and soul band, but they also embrace a palpable West coast feel, especially so on Sally Ann Evans more introspective moments which recall Christine McVie. Then there’s … Continue reading →

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Quick plays: WILDWOOD KIN, PAMELA SUE MANN, CATTLE & CANE, CHRISTOPHER HOLLAND

Posted on November 8, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

WILDWOOD KIN Wildwood Kin Silvertone/Sony [Release date 04.10.19] Alt-folkies Wildwood Kin – sisters Beth and Emillie Key, and cousin Meghann Loney follow up their 2017 debut (Turning Tides) with an altogether more ‘grown up’ sounding sophomore self-titled release. Majoring on … Continue reading →

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Album review: KRIS BARRAS – Light It Up

Posted on November 7, 2019 by petefeenstra

Provogue Records [Release date 13.09.19] Kris Barras is a contemporary rock-blues hero for the new generation. He’s got the chops, the back story, a booming voice, an eye for a good melody and a catchy chorus, topped by some coruscating … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, guitar, Josiah J. Manning, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kris Barras, Light It Up, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: KING OF HEARTS

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 22.11.19] King Of Hearts are another band making a comeback many years after their first shot at musical stardom back in the late 80s. However, their label at the time didn’t release their debut album which … Continue reading →

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Album review: RINGO STARR – What’s My Name

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jason

Universal Music Group [Release date 25.10.19] The world’s most famous drummer doesn’t need to keep bringing out new albums and could rest on his laurels and enjoy the fruits of his past labour but no, here is a man who … Continue reading →

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Album review: EMPYRE – Self Aware

Posted on November 5, 2019 by david.wilson

Self Release [release date 05.07.19] This is the debut album from Empyre who hail from Northampton. The band formed in 2016 and have had a run of high profile outings including featuring on ‘BBC Introducing’ and recording a session for the … Continue reading →

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Album review: SABATON – The Great War

Posted on November 5, 2019 by david.wilson

Nuclear Blast [Release date 19.07.19] With the recent commemorations taking place to mark 100 years passing since the First World War it is the perfect time for Sabaton to tackle the war to end all wars. They have touched on the subject … Continue reading →

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Album review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Seize The Day

Posted on November 5, 2019 by jason

Winkelrant Records [Release date 01.11.19] The Darker My Horizon are back with their third album and one that sees them produce their best album to date. The core duo of Paul Stead (lead vocals, guitar) and Mark Stephenson (guitars, backing … Continue reading →

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Album review: GRAND SLAM – Hit The Ground

Posted on November 5, 2019 by jason

Marshall Records [Release date 22.11.19] Great things should have happened for Grand Slam when they emerged in 1984 from the dust that settled after the tangled and anti-climactic end of the great Thin Lizzy, who themselves were just seeing a … Continue reading →

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Album review: LARRY MILLER – The Sinner And The Saint

Posted on November 4, 2019 by petefeenstra

Code7 – Big Guitar Records [Release date 06.09.19] Just given Larry Miller’s serious health issues alone, ‘The Sinner And The Saint’ double album is a remarkable achievement. Released exactly three years since his last self-titled album, it’s arguably his most … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ballads, blues, Gary Moore, guitar, Larry Miller, review, rock, Rory Gallagher, The Beatles, The Saint And The Sinner | Leave a comment

Album review: DAN REED NETWORK – reissues

Posted on November 3, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

UMC [Release date 25.10.19] For fans, the question for these reissues has to be – firstly – why has it taken 30-odd years to get definitive remasters? And, secondly, where are the bonus tracks? OK, the analogue to digital transfer … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Dan Reed Network, funk rock, reissue, review, Slam | Leave a comment

Album review: CHASING THE MONSOON – No Ordinary World

Posted on November 2, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 20.09.19] Once upon a time, in a Galaxy far, far away – well, OK, maybe not a Galaxy far away, but Swansea isn’t a place most people could pinpoint on a map without the help of Google – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ambient, Chasing The Monsoon, Karnataka, No Ordinary World, prog, Progressive Rock, review, world | 1 Comment

Album review: THE SOUL REBELS – Poetry In Motion

Posted on November 2, 2019 by jason

Rebelution Music Group [Release date 25.10.19] From the opening of notes of ‘Blow the Horns’ The Soul Rebels exude swagger and confidence, promising to “shake the world up like an earthquake”. ‘Poetry in Motion’ marks the first release in seven … Continue reading →