Tag Archives: pop

Single reviews: BILLY IDOL, 1+1 with MICHAEL ARMSTRONG, PERFECT PLAN

Posted on August 18, 2022 by jason

Billy Idol is lining-up his second EP release in just over a year with ‘The Cage’ due out on September 23. Ahead of this we can enjoy the title track which is a bit of a belter, featuring a heavy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Billy Idol, folk, Hardline, indie, Johnny Gioeli, metal, Michael Armstrong, Perfect Plan, pop, prog, review, rock, single, White Skies | Leave a comment

Album review: THE HOOTENANNY – Plays The Songs Of Ron Ryan

Posted on August 13, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Think Like A Key Music [Release date 02.09.22] By all accounts, Ron Ryan was the writing force behind several of The Dave Clark Five’s hits in the sixties. He was introduced to Clark via his brother, early band member Mick … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dave Clark Five, DC5, Joe Nontague, Plays The Songs Of Ron Ryan, pop, review, sixties, The Hootenanny | Leave a comment

Album review: SLYDER SMITH & THE OBLIVION KIDS – Charm Offensive

Posted on August 13, 2022 by jason

Ray Records [Release date 19.08.22] Slyder Smith you may know from glam-tinged power popsters, Last Great Dreamers, who have released four studio albums and one live album to date. He’s now decided to take the place behind the mic stand. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Charm Offensive, Last Great Dreamers, melodic, pop, pop rock, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Rolling Stones, SLYDER SMITH & THE OBLIVION KIDS | Leave a comment

Album review: RESTLESS SPIRITS – Second To None

Posted on August 4, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 12.08.22] Restless Spirits’ guitarist Tony (Lords Of Black) Hernando’s melodic rock project gains some momentum here, with 4 outstanding singers. 3 of them, Chez Kane, Kent Hilli and Renan Zonta are on the verge of wider recognition. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Axel Rudi Pell, Chez Kane, Giant, Hardline, Johnny Gioeli, Journey, Kent Hilli, Lou Gramm, melodic rock, metal, Neal Schon, pop, Renan Zonta, review, Tony Hernando | Leave a comment

Book review: DECADES – ROXY MUSIC IN THE 1970’s by Dave Thompson

Posted on July 31, 2022 by jason

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 10.06.22] As the book’s title suggests it covers Roxy Music’s career between 1972 and their first break-up in 1976, along with their 1979 reunion. Unlike other titles in this series the author Dave Thompson focuses more … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged 1970's, art rock, book, Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry, Dave Thompson, experimental, pop, review, Roxy Musix | Leave a comment

Single reviews: JMS, COYOTE CREED, HOUSE OF LORDS, PHIL THORNALLEY

Posted on July 30, 2022 by jason

JMS (the name coming from the initials used on a highscore table in an arcade) is an Oxford musician with a penchant for pinball. He is also the frontman of quirky pop rockers Alphabet Backwards. ‘Election Day’ is a record … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Chez Kane, Coyote Creed, House of Lords, JMS, Jupiter's Beard, Lotusbliss, melodic rock, new music, Phil Thornalley, pop, review, rock, single, southern rock, Tom Webber | Leave a comment

EP review: VERITY WHITE – Distilled

Posted on July 15, 2022 by jason

www.veritywhite.com [Release date 08.07.22] Latest release from singer & songwriter Verity White who is joined by husband Alex White (guitar, synths, drums & sax). Musically Verity White draws her influences from the likes of Skunk Anansie, Paramore and electronica. Lyrically … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged alt rock, Distilled, electronica, EP, melodic, pop, review, rock, Verity White | Leave a comment

Album review: THE KUT – GRIT

Posted on July 10, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Criminal Records [Release date 08.07.22] “The Kut” is essentially the band’s songwriter and vocalist Maha and ‘Grit’ is the second album. The barometer is set somewhere between the American rock and roll of The Runaways, the post-punk attitude of Girlschool, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, GRIT, indie, pop, punk, review, The Kut | Leave a comment

Book review: Phil Collins in the 1980s by Andrew Wild

Posted on July 6, 2022 by jason

Phil Collins in The Eighties by Andrew Wild

SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 30.06.22] Love him or hate him, there was no getting away from Phil Collins in the 1980’s. Whether it be as a mega successful solo artist, the massive high that Genesis were on, being a great … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Andrew Wild, book, drummer, Genesis, In The 1980s, Phil Collins, pop, prog rock, review, rock, singer, Solo | Leave a comment

Album review: CHAS CRONK – Liberty

Posted on July 2, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Renaissance Records [Release date 11.02.22] It’s only when you look at the Discography in the liner note that you may realise that Chas Cronk has been a long-time member of The Strawbs but also worked with Steve Hackett and Rick … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chas Cronk, classic rock, Dave Bainbridge, Dave Lambert, Liberty, pop, prog, progressive, review, The Strawbs | Leave a comment

Album review: ARDOURS – Anatomy Of A Moment

Posted on June 29, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 08.07.22] A merger of two musical forces who once crossed paths, Ardours are Mariangela (Tristania) Demurtas, who sings and writes. And Kris Laurent, who writes, plays all instruments and produces. Their album, Anatomy Of A Moment, frames … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Electronic Rock, Kris Laurent, Mariangela Demurtas, pop, review, symphonic, Tristania | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRISTINE McVIE – Songbird: A Solo Collection

Posted on June 25, 2022 by jason

Rhino/Warner [Release date 24.6.22] This is the first release to bear Christine McVie’s name since her excellent 2017 collaboration with Lindsey Buckingham (which was essentially a Fleetwood Mac album without Stevie Nicks). “Songbird” contains a remixed selection from her 1984 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Christine McVie, classic rock, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham, pop, review, Rhino, rock, Songbird: A Solo Collection | Leave a comment

Interview: THE NOMADIC

Posted on June 15, 2022 by jason

New York based Australian guitarist and singer/songwriter Robert Gaylard a.k.a. lead singer-songwriter in alternative indie band The Nomadic brings a unique perspective and vision when it comes to creating music by fusing alternative rock-tinged blues and electronic pop. The band’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged interview, melodic, My Mind Is Racing, pop, Rising Stars, Robert Gaylard, rock, singer songwriter, the Nomadic | Leave a comment

Album review: FRANKY PEREZ – Crossing The Great Divide

Posted on June 4, 2022 by jason

Black Sea Music [Release date 24.06.22] Singer-songwriter Franky Perez releases his fifth solo album. He has worked and toured with the likes of Slash, Scars On Broadway and Apocalyptica (for whom he is the band’s touring singer). On this album … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Crossing The Great Divide, Franky Perez, Latino, melodic, pop, review | Leave a comment

Album review: GRACE – Hope

Posted on June 2, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date 10.06.22] Under the Grace moniker, Hope is an album put together by twenty year music biz veteran, Isra Ramos, and it’s a genre hopping blast. Ramos has toured to support Europe, Nightwish, The Scorpions, Angra and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ANGRA, Eletcronic, Europe, Isra Ramos, metal, Nightwish, pop, Queen, review, Robby Valentine, rock, Scorpions, symphonic, T-Ride | Leave a comment

Book review: BRITPOP, BLUR

Posted on May 31, 2022 by jason

Britpop – Decades by Peter Richard & Matt Pooler SonicBond Publishing The 1990’s in the UK in pop terms, and indeed charts, were dominated for the most part by Britpop, which these two authors (themselves in a 90s band) provide … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged Blur, book, Britpop, classic pop, Matt Bishop, Matt Pooler, Oasis, On Track, Peter Richard, pop, Pulp, review, Suede | Leave a comment

Album review: LEE ROGERS – Gameblood

Posted on May 21, 2022 by jason

Zenith Café/Membran [Release date 13.05.22] This is Carrickfergus based Lee Rogers long awaited second album (his debut album, ‘Clocks’, was released way back in 2006). Produced by Gareth Dunlop (who also plays guitar, piano, synth and percussion on the album), … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Foy Vance, Gameblood, Lee Rogers, pop, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Single review: JESSIE DIPPER – Where Do I Go

Posted on May 18, 2022 by jason

Website [Release date 20.05.22] ‘Where Do I Go’ is taken from Jessie Dipper’s forthcoming new album ‘Sticky Floors’. Jessie Dipper has successfully self-released five singles, two EPs and an album over the last five years. Sehe describes her music as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged folk, grunge, Jessie Dipper, pop, review, Scouting For Girls, single, Where Do I Go | Leave a comment

Album review: THE BIG DEAL – First Bite

Posted on May 9, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date: 06.05.22] The Big Deal is a Serbian Melodic Rock band, an offshoot of highly successful Progrockers, Alogia. Husband and wife team, Srdjan and Nevena Brankovic are the band’s centrepoint, handling guitar, production, songwriting and vocals. Nevena … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Alogia, Ana Nikolic, AOR, FM Radio, melodic rock, pop, progrock, review, Serbia, Srdjan and Nevena Brankovic | Leave a comment

Album review: GARETH DUNLOP – Animal

Posted on April 24, 2022 by jason

Zenith Café/Membran [Release date 22.04.22] Belfast born singer songwriter Gareth Dunlop may only be on this, his second, solo album but he has found success with his songs featuring on TV series including ‘Lucifer’, ‘Best of Me’, along with adverts … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Animal, cinematic, Foy Vance, Gareth Dunlop, melodic, pop, review | Leave a comment

Album review: FRANKIE MILLER – Falling In Love and Easy Money (Remasters w/bonus tracks)

Posted on April 23, 2022 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [release date 18.03.22] 1980 now, and Frankie Miller’s label are looking for another hit song like ‘Darlin’, from his 1978 long player, Falling In Love. And so, knowing there’s no substitute for throwing money at it, they … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged albums, Allan Taylor, blues rock, country rock, Darlin, Frankie Miller, pop, review, Ronnie Milsap, Troy Seals | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE CHRISTIANS – Sub 89, Reading, Friday 15 April 2022

Posted on April 16, 2022 by jason

A pretty decent turn out for a Good Friday, however, you do wonder if the cost of living crisis, coupled with the lingering effects of the pandemic, are hitting audience numbers, as I would have expected a few more in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged folk, gig, live music, melodic, pop, reading, review, rock, soul, Sub 89, the Christians, Tomorrow Bird | Leave a comment

Five Quick Q’s: SUZI QUATRO

Posted on April 14, 2022 by jason

Suzi Quatro is celebrating her 58-year career with a show at the Royal Albert Hall on April 20th. Get Ready to ROCK! caught up with the trailblazing Queen of Rock’ n’ Roll for a quick pre-show chat… You have a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged bass, Cherry Red Records, Five Quick Q's, gig, glam rock, live music, pop, rock, rock 'n' roll, Royal Albert Hall, Suzi Quatro | Leave a comment

Album review: FASHION – fashion music

Posted on April 13, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

Easy Action [Release date 01.05.22] This double CD is a great opportunity to hear a proto Fashion, the Birmingham band who made some impact in the early 1980s with their blend of electro funk. They signed to Arista in 1981, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, collection, compilation, electronica, Fashion, fashion music, pop, reggae, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE PORTRAITS & DOM PRAG, Harwell Village Hall, Friday 18 March 2022

Posted on March 19, 2022 by jason

Another lovely little venue literally on my doorstep, where Big Ginger Tom Music have been putting on monthly folk themed gigs for a few years now. Of course the pandemic brought a halt to these, but credit to the husband … Continue reading →