Category Archives: ALBUM REVIEWS

Album review : V/A Let’s Stomp (Merseybeat 1962-1969) 3 CD set

Posted on May 14, 2023 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date: 26.05.23] Heavily influenced by US Blues and Rock, Merseybeat was a sixties pop music phenomenon, originating in Liverpool, that swept all before it. First the UK, then Europe, ultimately invading the USA and the ROTW. Across … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, Beatles, Billy J Kramer, Cilla Black, Doc Pomus, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Jackie DeShannon, Joe Meek, Lennon & McCartney, Let's Stomp (Merseybeat 1962-1969), Liverpool, Merseybeat, Mojos, Mort Shuman, pop, review, rock, Shel Talmy, Swinging Blue Jeans, The Fourmost, The Merseybeats, The Searchers, The Sixties, US Blues | Leave a comment

Album review: MICK PINI & AUDIO54 – Way Ahead

Posted on May 14, 2023 by petefeenstra

House Of Happiness [Release Date 22.03.23] Described in some quarters as; “blues for the 21st century”, Mick Pini and Audio 54 (aka producer Craig Marshall) ‘Way Ahead’ album, is the strongest restatement of the view that blues is at its … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Audio 54, beats, blues, Captain Beefheart, Craig Marshall, dance, Dr John, dub-step, Fantastic Negrito, funk, jazz, Mick Pini, Miles Davis, Mothers of Invention, Prince, psychedelia, review, rhythm & blues, RL Burnside, swamp, Yerba Buena | Leave a comment

Album review: URIAH HEEP – Wonderworld, High And Mighty

Posted on May 14, 2023 by jason

BMG [Release date 26.05.23] BMG are continuing their fine picture disc reissue campaign by Uriah Heep, and what lovely items they are too. These British prog legends have had their catalogue reissued more times than I care to imagine, but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged album, BMG, coloured vinyl, David Byron, High And Mighty, John Wetton, Ken Hensley, Mick Box, reissues, review, Uriah Heep, Wonderworld | Leave a comment

Album review: THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT – The Turn Of A Friendly Card (Blu-Ray Edition)

Posted on May 11, 2023 by brianmc

Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red [Release date; 26.05.23] The Turn Of A Friendly Card (1980) was Alan Parsons’ fifth long player, and if you will, a concept album. Parsons and Eric Woolfson, one a producer/songwriter and the other a songwriter/studio engineer, enjoyed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Billboard, Blu-ray, Dark Side Of The Moon, Eric Woolfson, Esoteric Recordings, Lenny Zakatek, Let It Be, Pink Floyd, reissue, review, The Alan Parsons Project, The Beatles, The Turn Of A Friendly Card | Leave a comment

Album review : HANOI ROCKS – The Days We Spent Underground (1981-84)

Posted on May 10, 2023 by brianmc

Esoteric Records/Cherry Red [Release date: 26.05.23] CD1 Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks (1981) CD2 Oriental Beat (1982) CD3 Destruction Blues (1982) CD4 Back To Mystery City (1983) CD5 All Those Wasted Years (1984) In the 4 short years from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Andy McCoy, Bowie, boxset, Buzzcocks, Dale Griffin, glam rock, Gyp Casina, Hanoi Rocks, Kerrang!, LA Rock, Michael Monroe, Mott, Nasty Suicide, Overend Watts, punk, Sam Yaffa, Sounds, The Days We Spent Underground (1981-84), Undertones | Leave a comment

Album review: MIKE ROSS – Third Eye Open

Posted on May 10, 2023 by jason

Taller Records [Release date 28.04.23] This latest album Mike Ross certainly hits the listener like the proverbial musical freight train. Joining Mike Ross (vocals, guitar, organ) on engine’s footplate are Derek Randall (vocals, bass) and Darren Lee (drums). Jack Hutchinson adds … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, guitarist, hard rock, Jack Hutchinson, Mike Ross, review, rock, Third Eye Open | Leave a comment

Album review: GNOSS – Stretching Skyward

Posted on May 8, 2023 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 12.05.23] Gnoss – Aidan Moodie (vocals, guitar), Graham Rorie (fiddle, mandolin), Connor Sinclair (flute, whistles) and Craig Baxter (bodhrán, percussion) – released their last album ‘The Light of the Moon’ in 2021. On the subsequent tour supporting … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, Gnoss, instrumental, review, Stretching Skyward, traditional | Leave a comment

Album review : HOUSE OF SHAKIRA – XIT

Posted on May 6, 2023 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 19.05.23] Those melodic rock fans who mainline the uncut version of the brand might not have time for artists who add their own distinctive musical seasoning. But they might just find that this shiny new album from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Eagles, Frontiers, funk, Glenn Frey, House Of Shakira, melodic rock, New Wave, review, Valensia, Valentine, XIT | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE LUKATHER – Bridges

Posted on May 6, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

The Player’s Club/Mascot [Release date 16.06.23] Early despatches suggested that Steve Lukather’s latest solo album might merely be a continuation of Toto especially with the contributions of several band members. Sure, we have writing and vocal back up contributions from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bridges, classic rock, David Paich, guitar, guitarist, Joseph Williams, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: RAMSEY LEWIS – Legacy/ Ramsey/ Live At The Savoy/Chance Encounter (Remasters)

Posted on May 5, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 30.03.18] In the fourth of our series of reviews summarising the Ramsey Lewis reissues (see links below) here are four late-1970s/early 1980s Ramsey Lewis albums on two CDs. Once again reproducing the original credits and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged album, Chance Encounter, classical, Grover Washington Jr., jazz funk, Legacy, Live At The Savoy, Ramsey, Ramsey Lewis, reissue, review, soul jazz, Wayne Henderson | Leave a comment

Album review: IVY GOLD – Broken Silence

Posted on May 5, 2023 by petefeenstra

A1 Records [Release date 26.05.23] Ivy Gold’s ‘Broken Silence’ is a step up from their debut ‘Six Dusty Winds’ album. It’s built round the same muscular rock antecedents, but features stronger songs which are unafraid to let the funk, blues … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Anders Olinder, blues, Broken Silence, funk, gospel, Ivy Gold, Kevin Moore, Manou, review, rock, Sebastian Eder, soul, sprechgesang, Tal Bergman | Leave a comment

Album review: REDBONE – A’s And B’s

Posted on May 4, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

BGO Records www.bgo-records.com [Release date 17.03.23] For most readers of a certain age (i.e. ancient, this writer included) Redbone may be best known for their one big hit single ‘Witch Queen Of New Orleans’ which made No.2 in the UK … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 1970-1977, A's and B's, album, compilation, funk, pop, Redbone, review, rock, singles, soul, swamp rock | Leave a comment

Album review: RICHIE RAMONE – Live To Tell

Posted on May 3, 2023 by jason

Cargo/Livewire [Release date 21.04.23] If you think of the famed Ramones logo, amongst the four names around the outside you wouldn’t find Richie, however, a Ramone he was, on drumming duty between 1983 and 1987. In fact, the story is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Live To Tell, pop rock, punk pop, punk rock, review, Richie Ramone, rock 'n' roll, The Ramones | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BALLADMONGRELS – Trouble

Posted on May 3, 2023 by jason

Cargo/Livewire [Release date 12.05.23] Whether it be his work with the Dogs D’Amour, his solo albums or here in new project The Balladmongrels, there is a warmth and familiarity to the vocals of Tyla J Pallas, a man whose lyrics … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dogs D'Amour, Matty James Cassidy, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, sleaze rock, the Balladmongrels, Trouble, Tyla J Pallas | Leave a comment

Album review: JIM KIRKPATRICK – Dead Man Walking

Posted on May 3, 2023 by jason

US One Records [Release date 21.04.23] Second solo album from FM guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick, who is joined by fellow FM band member Jem Davis on keyboards and Status Quo’s rhythm section of bassist John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and drummer Leon Cave. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, blues rock, Dead Man Walking, FM, guitarist, Jim Kirkpatrick, melodic rock, review, rock, Solo | Leave a comment

Album review: KORITNI – Long Overdue

Posted on May 2, 2023 by jason

Verycords [Release date 14.04.23] Koritni, the band formed around vocalist & guitarist Lex Koritni, are now on their seventh studio album (and first in five years) since first appearing back in 2006. Lex Koritni is joined by guitarist Tom Fremont and drummer Daniel … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AC/DC, album, blues rock, hard rock, Koritni, Lex Koritni, Long Overdue, review, rock, rock 'n' roll | Leave a comment

Album review: THE 69 EYES – Death Of Darkness

Posted on May 1, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Atomic Fire Records [Release date 21.04.23] There’s an element of “Eurovision” in this album, and I reckon The 69 Eyes should ready themselves for Australia 2024. Australia? Yes, I have high hopes for Voyager this year. There is a definite … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Death Of Darkness, glam, glam metal, hard rock, review, The 69 Eyes | Leave a comment

Album review : MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND – The Love Goes On

Posted on May 1, 2023 by brianmc

The Michael Thompson Band - The Love Goes On

Frontiers [Release date 12.05.23] Michael Thompson may be one of the most gifted, sought after rock guitarists in the business – his pedigree must run to several volumes – but the Michael Thompson Band, known as MTB, will forever be … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Annas Aliaf, AOR, Hans Zimmer, How Long, James Newton Howard, Moon Calhoun, review, The Love Goes On, The Michael Thompson Band, Tom Croucier, westcoast | Leave a comment

Album review: SCREAMACHINE – Church Of The Scream

Posted on April 30, 2023 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 12.05.23] While not immediately lovable, Italy’s Metal monsters, Screamachine’s second album, Church Of The Scream inexorably works its way under your skin. And remains there. So, get your headphones on and say a prayer. They band hit … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged Accept, album, Alice Cooper, Church Of The Scream, Edoardo Taddei, KROKUS, Motley Crue, Paulo Campitelli, review, Savatage, Screamachine, speed metal, Valerio Carrichio | Leave a comment

Album review: ANGEL – Once Upon A Time

Posted on April 29, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Cleopatra Records [Release date 21.04.23] Whilst it is good to see a seventies band re-appear (in white suits) to capture former glories ‘Once Upon A Time’ isn’t the album to achieve modern notoriety. The problem is the inconsistent production. Maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Angel, glam, metal, Once Upon A Time, pop | Leave a comment

Album review : HEAVEN’S EDGE – Get It Right

Posted on April 29, 2023 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 12.05.23] Allmusic describes Heaven’s Edge as “an obscure Glam Metal band from the early nineties”. It’s a reasonable observation on the basis of one (self titled) album released in 1990 (just about clinging on to the glam … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, David Rath, Get It Right, glam rock, Heaven's Edge, Jared Gulino, Mark Evans, melodic rock, Motley Crue, MTV, Poison, Ratt, Reggie Wu, review, Steve Parry | Leave a comment

Album review: L.A. EDWARDS – Out Of The Heart Of Darkness

Posted on April 28, 2023 by petefeenstra

Bitchin’ Music Group [Release date 06.01.23] Everything about L.A. (aka Luke Andrew) Edwards from his initials and his West Coast tinged Americana, to his use of jangly pop and the fact his PR references the cultural sway of Laurel Canyon, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Dawes, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Jerry Edwards, Jesse Daniel Edwards, L.A. Edwards, Laurel Canyon, Luke Andrew Edwards, Michael Stipe, New Wave, Out Of The Heart Of Darkness, pop, REM, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: ARIELLE – ’73

Posted on April 28, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

ww.iamarielle.com [Release date 20.04.23] Arielle has had a stop-start career which has involved record label issues and rehab. Now an independent artist, the new album ’73 is her true second coming. It’s suitably titled because (whilst referencing her classic VW … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged '73, album, Arielle, blues, guitar, guitarist, review, rock, roots | Leave a comment

Album review: PAUL GILBERT – The Dio Album

Posted on April 28, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Music Theories Recordings/Mascot [Release date 07.04.23] Six string wizard Paul Gilbert reinterprets some of RJD’s finest moments from his time with Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio, substituting the master’s vocals with his own guitar lines. It’s a hugely brave move … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, guitar, guitarist, Paul Gilbert, review, Ronnie James Dio, The Dio Album | Leave a comment

Album review: L.A.GUNS – Black Diamonds

Posted on April 28, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

Frontiers [Release date 14.04.23] Since Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis buried the hatchet back in 2016 they have released four studio and two live albums in what can only be described as somewhat of a purple patch. The latest, ‘Black … Continue reading →