Tag Archives: melodic

Album review: KAYAK – Seventeen

Posted on January 10, 2018 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 12.01.18] Kayak was founded in 1972 by keyboardist/composer Ton Scherpenzeel, who is the sole remaining original member, as the band release their seventeenth studio album. Ton is joined in Kayak by singer Bart Schwertmann and guitarist Marcel Singor, … Continue reading →

Album review: BLOOD RED SAINTS – Love Hate Conspiracies

Posted on January 10, 2018 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 26.01.18] Blood Red Saints return with their second album and joining the original trio of Pete Godfrey (vocals), Rob Naylor (bass) and Lee Revill (guitars) are guitarist Neil Hibbs (ex-Shy) and Andy Chemney on drums. There are a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Blood Red Saints, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, hard rock, Love Hate Conspiracies, melodic, Paul Laine, review | Leave a comment

News: For Your Listening Pleasure…January 2018 – Toto, Judas Priest, Narrow Plains

Posted on January 7, 2018 by jason

A new monthly page where we give a brief mention and/or review to new lead songs from upcoming albums and more… Judas Priest are back with ‘Lightning Strikes’ off their upcoming album ‘Firepower’ which is due on 9 March via … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, ALL POSTS, Editorial & Opinion, NEWS | Tagged albums, Alex James Brierley, Fiction Syxx, Judas Priest, Kayak, melodic, melodic rock, metal, New releases, new songs, pop, prog rock, rock, Simon Lewis, singles, the Darker My Horizon, the Narrow Plains, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: DAMIEN O’KANE – Avenging & Bright

Posted on December 19, 2017 by jason

Pure Records [Release date 08.12.17] Damien O’Kane’s album ‘Areas Of High Traffic’, released last year, was nominated for ‘Album Of The Year’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Based on this new album that is hardly surprising as in the main he takes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Avenging & Bright, banjo, Damien O'Kane, folk, Kate Rusby, melodic, Proper Records, review | Leave a comment

Album review: JON BODEN – Afterglow

Posted on December 11, 2017 by jason

Hudson Records [Release date 06.10.17] ‘Afterglow’ follows on from Jon Boden’s 2009 post-apocalyptic concept album ‘Songs From The Floodplain’. Whereas that album was largely rural in its setting, ‘Afterglow’ takes the listener into the chaos of a ruined city’s street carnival, as two star-crossed lovers try to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afterglow, album, Bellowhead, concept, folk, Hudson Records, indie, Jon Boden, melodic, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: TARJA – From Spirits And Ghosts (Score For A Dark Christmas)

Posted on November 30, 2017 by jason

earMUSIC [Release date 17.11.17] Former Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen has been successfully building a solo career where she makes the music she wants to and that suits her vocal style/musical visions. It comes as no surprise then she has decided to record a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Christmas music, classical, From Spirits And Ghosts (Score For A Dark Christmas), gothic, melodic, Nightwish, Tarja, Tarja Turunen | Leave a comment

Album review: SWEET & LYNCH – Unified

Posted on November 30, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 10.11.17] Second album from Sweet & Lynch – Michael Sweet and George Lynch – who have both been busy with their respective bands Stryper and Lynch Mob. In fact the ever busy Lynch has recently announced he … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dokken, George Lynch, melodic, Michael Sweet, review, rock, Stryper, Sweet & Lynch, Unified | Leave a comment

Album review: ROBIN BECK – Love Is Coming

Posted on November 30, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 13.10.17] Robin Beck first came to the attention of the record buying public here in the UK in 1988 when she released the massively successful “First Time” single, helped by its inclusion in an advert for a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Clif Magness, Frontiers, House of Lords, James Christian, Love Is Coming, melodic, review, Robin Beck, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: LEE ABRAHAM – Colours

Posted on November 28, 2017 by jason

F2 Music [Release date 27.11.17] Lee Abraham was the bassist in prog rockers Galahad between 2005 and 2009, who he has now since re-joined but as their guitarist. He has been busy on the solo front releasing a series of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Colours, Credo, FM, Frost*, Galahad, Lee Abraham, melodic, porgressive, review, rock, Steve Overland | Leave a comment

Album review: JEFF SCOTT SOTO – Retribution

Posted on November 23, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 10.11.17] You do wonder at times when Jeff Scott Soto (JSS) finds time to rest, as he is involved in the recently released album from Sons Of Apollo, he has his more metal edged Soto band, there … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, hard rock, Howie Simon, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic, Retribution, review, rock, Sons Of Apollo, Soto | Leave a comment

Quick plays: PENDULUM OF FORTUNE, TOMI MALM, THE ESKIES

Posted on November 21, 2017 by jason

PENDULUM OF FORTUNE Searching For The God Inside [Release date 08.12.17] Pendulum Of Fortune are based around former Eloy drummer Bodo Schopf, who is joined by Pink Cream 69/Almanac vocalist David Readman, guitarist Vladimir Shevyakov and bass player Franky R (who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, And Don't Spare The Horses, AOR, Dennis Ward, hard rock, Headstrong, melodic, Pendulum Of Fortune, Pink Cream 69, review, rock, Searching For The God Inside, soul, The Eskies, Tomi Malm, Walkin' On Air, West Coast | Leave a comment

EP review: DANDELION CHARM – Riding The Flood

Posted on November 16, 2017 by jason

www.dandelioncharm.com/ Riding The Flood is a new five-track EP from Newhaven-based duo Dandelion Charm, who comprise of John and Clare Fowler. Clare Flowler says that ‘the themes we deal with in our songs are not frivolous ones. They are all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Clare Fowler, Dandelion Charm, EP, folk, John Fowler, melodic, review, Riding The Flood | Leave a comment

Album review: DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION – Skyscraper Souls

Posted on November 7, 2017 by jason

David Randall chatted to Chris Braide in October 2015 and this hour special provides background to the singer-songwriter’s career and on hooking up with Geoff Downes. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. Magical Think Tank Records [Release date … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Partridge, Asia, Big Big Train, Buggles, Chris Braide, DBA, Downes Braide Association, Geoff Downes, Marc Almond, melodic, pop, progressive, review, Skyscraper Souls, Tim Bowness, XTC, Yes | Leave a comment

Quick plays: DANTE FOX, CHEAP TRICK, KATE RUSBY, LOTS HOLLOWAY

Posted on November 1, 2017 by jason

DANTE FOX Six String Revolver AOR Heaven [Release date 24.11.17] This album sees Dante Fox re-record ten songs from their first two albums ‘Under Suspicion’ (1996) and ‘The Fire Within’ (1999) – five songs from each album. Joining the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Angels & Men, AOR, carols, Cheap Trick, Christmas Christmas, Dante Fox, folk, Kate Rusby, Lots Holloway, melodic, review, rock, Roy Wood, Six String Revolver | Leave a comment

Album review: VIRGIL & STEVE HOWE – Nexus

Posted on October 31, 2017 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 17.11.17] ‘Nexus’ is the collaborative record by Yes guitarist Steve Howe and his son Virgil Howe who passed away suddenly on September 11, 2017 aged 41. Not an easy decision then to release this album, however … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, cinematic, instrumental, melodic, Nexus, progressive, review, Steve Howe, Virgil How, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE WALSH – Black Butterfly

Posted on October 31, 2017 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 10.11.17] After Steve Walsh retired from Kansas back in 2014 many thought that would be it and we’d hear no more from Walsh, luckily this was proven wrong and here we have a new solo album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Butterfly, Kansas, melodic, Mike Slamer, progressive, review, rock, Steve Overland, Steve Walsh, Streets, Tommy Denander | Leave a comment

Rising Stars: LOUISE STEEL

Posted on October 28, 2017 by jason

Louise Steel has just released her new album ‘Heartstorm’, one for lovers of passionate melodic rock. We ask Louise a few Qs about the album, its recording and her future musical plans… Louise Steel Music What have you got planned … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged Heartstorm, interview, Jim Steinman, Louise Steel, melodic, Pat Benatar, Rising Stars, rock | Leave a comment

EP review: JOSH TAERK – Stages

Posted on October 28, 2017 by jason

Apple Music [Release date 02.02.18] Josh Taerk has long been a favourite here at Ritchie towers and he is now back with a new five song EP, although one song ‘After The Fall’ is lifted from his last album ‘Here’s To … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars Revisited, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, interview, Josh Taerk, melodic, pop, review, rock, singer songwiter, Stages | Leave a comment

Quick plays: GREGORY PORTER, DYED IN BLUE, KIRSTY MERRYN, JOE HENRY

Posted on October 25, 2017 by jason

GREGORY PORTER Nat King Cole & Me Decca/Blue Note [Release date 27.10.17] Gregory Porter has shot to fame from his jazz background to become a major name in the jazz and soul world. On his latest release he pays homage … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Dyed In Blue, folk, Gregory Porter, Harem Scarem, Harry Hess, jazz, Joe Henry, Kirsty Merryn, melodic, Moment Of Leaving, Nat King Cole, Patrick Grehan, review, rock, Show Of Hands, soul, Thrum, You & I | Leave a comment

Album review: DEVOID – Cup Of Tears

Posted on October 24, 2017 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 13.10.17] Devoid is the brainchild of French guitarist Shad Mae and features vocalist Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz (Evidence One and many other guest vocal spots), keyboardist Jorris Guilbaud, bassist Ben Toquet and drummer Ben Wanders. Joining this core … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz, Cup Of Tears, Devoid, Evergrey, Freak Kitchen, Kamelot, melodic, metal, Progresive, review, Shae Mae | Leave a comment

Album review: BIGFOOT

Posted on October 19, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 13.10.17] Bigfoot are a five piece hailing from Wigan, not the natural home of the Bigfoot beast but one that houses this band who have a penchant for classy hard rock. The line-up consists of vocalist Anthony Ellis, guitarists … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bigfoot, classic rock, debut, Frontiers, hard rock, Jeff Scott Soto, melodic, review, rock, self-titled | Leave a comment

News: Albums of the Month (September 2017 – November 2017)

Posted on October 19, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Albums of the Month September 2017 BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION BCCIV (Mascot) “…a set of tunes that rock up, for my money, a significant cut above ‘Afterglow’ and stand shoulder to shoulder with anything on the band’s first two albums…This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Albums of the Month, ALL POSTS, NEWS | Tagged 2017, albums of the month, AOR, melodic, metal, November, October, progressive, review, rock, September | Leave a comment

Album review: TYKETTO – Live From Milan 2017

Posted on October 17, 2017 by jason

Frontiers [Release date 13.10.17] A novel idea here as Tyketto play their classic ‘Don’t Come Easy’ album in its entirety but back to front! The current line-up still has two original members in vocalist Danny Vaughn and drummer Michael Clayton … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Classic Albums, Danny Vaughn, Frontiers, Live From Milan 2017, melodic, review, rock, Tyketto | Leave a comment

Album review: KANSAS – Leftoverture Live & Beyond

Posted on October 16, 2017 by jason

Inside Out [Release date 03.11.17] This release is a collection of concert performances culled from Kansas’s ‘Leftoverture’ 40th anniversary tour and it comes either as double CD or a 4-LP vinyl box. The band asked back producer Jeff Glixman, who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic album, Inside Out, Kansas, Leftoverture Live & Beyond, live, melodic, Phil Ehart, prog rock, review, Rich Williams, rock, Ronnie Platt, Steve Walsh | Leave a comment

Album review: LOUISE STEEL – Heartstorm

Posted on October 15, 2017 by jason

Louise Steel Music Louise Steel is a singer/songwriter from Leicester and she is joined by Andrew Dunmore, who played keyboards and wrote/co-wrote much of the music on the album, along with Louise. For a self-release it is very professional, from the CD … Continue reading →