Tag Archives: review

Album review : THE LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY – Ocean Drive 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (4 CD boxset)

Posted on August 26, 2025 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 29.08.25] A more than interesting remaster from pop soul duo, the Lighthouse Family. This 4 CD set comprises their debut album, the almost 2 million selling Ocean Drive, plus 3 CDs of remixes. More on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged California, Lifted, Lighthouse Family, Newcastle, Ocean Drive, Paul Tucker, Pop soul, review, Tunde Baiyewu | Leave a comment

Album review : UNEN – Forever Winter

Posted on August 25, 2025 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 29.08.25] Broadly speaking, in English, the Finnish word “Unen” means “We stand united”. No surprise really. Arriving at a definitive line-up has taken time, and you could almost hear a joint sigh of relief from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Evanescence, Finnish, Frontiers Music, melodic metal, review, Stina Girs, symphonic rock, Unen | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE HEWITT – Never Two Days The Same

Posted on August 25, 2025 by jason

Facebook [Release date 26.09.25] It’s a creeper this album. At first I put it in the Jack Johnson, David Gray area of music. Kind of easy listening folk music, pleasant enough but not a lot of depth. But scratch beneath … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, folk, Never Two Days the Same, review, singer songwriter, Steve Hewitt | Leave a comment

Album review: SUSY WALL – Black Lights

Posted on August 24, 2025 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 05.09.25] The Black Country, England’s Midlands, home of Black Sabbath. And Susy Wall, but Susy Wall is not heavy metal, she is more delicate porcelain, with a voice like crystal glass, pure and refined, and dare I say … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Black Lights, folk, review, singer songwriter, Susy Wall | Leave a comment

Album review : RISING STEEL – Legion Of The Grave

Posted on August 23, 2025 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date : 29.08.25] Third full studio album on the Frontiers’ label from French metallers, Rising Steel, who remain a solid line up. Steel Zard – drums, Tony Steel – guitar, Steff Leadmaster – lead guitar , Stone … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged French, heavy metal, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Legion Of The Grave, review, Rising Steel, Saxon, thrash metal | Leave a comment

Single reviews: THE BEATLES, CHEAP TRICK, COASTLAND FAIR

Posted on August 22, 2025 by jason

The Beatles have announced ‘Anthology 4’ (13 previously unreleased demos and session recordings, as well as new mixes of ‘Free As A Bird’ and ‘Real Love’) due on November 26, as a follow-up to the original ‘Anthology 1’ (1995), along with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Cheap Trick, Coastland Fair, Jeff Lynne, pop, pop rock, power pop, review, Robin Taylor Zander, rock, singles, The Beatles | Leave a comment

Album review: GLENN HUGHES – Chosen

Posted on August 21, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

Frontiers [Release date: 05.09.25] It’s been nearly a decade since Glenn Hughes’ last solo album. But he’s no slouch. He’s contributed to any number of albums by other artists not least Black Country Communion (BCC). This does beg the question: … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Black Country Communion, Chosen, classic rock, Deep Purple, Glenn Hughes, hard rock, review, Trapeze | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DEAD DAISIES – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton, 16 August 2025

Posted on August 21, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

First up in a packed venue was Dan Byrne, who simply set the place on fire with his set, this was no warm up, this was full on and have no doubt, this is one of those times you feel … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 16 August 2025, blues rock, classic rock, Doug Aldrich, gig, KK's Steel Mill, review, The Dead Daisies, Wolverhampton | Leave a comment

EP review: THE OVINES – Two Bucks and a Bottle of Ketchup

Posted on August 21, 2025 by jason

Roulette Records London based The Ovines have just released their latest EP ”Two Bucks and a Bottle of Ketchup”. Produced by Bill Gautier (Wings, The Cure, Brian May) my first impressions were Blur meets the Arctic Monkeys and throw in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, indie rock, punk, review, rock, the Ovines, Two Bucks and a Bottle of Ketchup | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROBIN MCAULEY – Classic Grand, Glasgow, 16 August 2025

Posted on August 19, 2025 by david.wilson

On Friday 13th May 1983 I went along to the Playhouse in Edinburgh as a fresh faced teen to see the mighty Iron Maiden for the first time. Maiden were superb and the gig was one to remember, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 16 August 2025, Classic Grand, Edinburgh Playhouse, gig, Glasgow, Grand Prix, Iron Maiden, Keith Atack, live, Lyin' Rampant, Michael Schenker, review, Robin McAuley, rock, Samurai, Stewartie Adams, Up and Cumin' | Leave a comment

Album review : SWEET FREEDOM – Blind Leading The Blind

Posted on August 18, 2025 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 29.08.25] Swedish band Sweet Freedom is the real deal. Head and shoulders above most others walking the Classic Rock road nowadays (even if occasionally going off tangentially). The band: founder member Jorgen Schelander’s background is in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile) | Tagged album, Blind Leading The Blind, classic rock, Deep Purple, Frontiers, Jorgen Schelander, Matti Alfonzetti, prog, review, Swedish | Leave a comment

Album review: ROULETTE – Go!

Posted on August 17, 2025 by andynathan

Black Lodge Records [Release Date 25.07.25] Swedish melodic rockers Roulette have had a chequered history- around since the eighties, they never got as far as releasing an album till 2008. It was another eleven years before a very well received … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Go!, melodic rock, review, Roulette, Thomas Lundgren | Leave a comment

Book review: DEREK SHULMAN – Giant Steps

Posted on August 16, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

Jawbone Press [Publication date 07.10.25] Let’s be clear. This is an essential book for Gentle Giant fans, another wallet siphon on the back of the recent revamped live set. For those, like this reviewer, who are just as interested in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged autobiography, Bon Jovi, book, Derek Shulman, Gentle Giant, Giant Steps, management, My Improbable Journey from Stage Lights to Executive Heights, Progressive Rock, review | Leave a comment

Album review – WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN : Story Of US Folk Music 1963-69

Posted on August 15, 2025 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 29.08.25] The transition of folk music into chart-aimed rock and pop accelerated through the sixties, especially in the USA. This 4 CD set is cleverly constructed to show that evolution, disc by disc. So, on Disc … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged boxset, Dylan, folk music, folk rock, Joan Baez, Judy Henske, review, Simon and Garfunkel, sixties, The Byrds, USA | Leave a comment

Album review : CROWNE – Wonderland

Posted on August 13, 2025 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date 22.08.25] Wonderland is Crowne’s third album. Here’s what we said about the band’s second album, Operation Phoenix (2023): “This is grab you by the lapels, get right in your face melodic rock. Macho, slick, streamlined.” This one … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alexander Strandell, Art Nation, Christial Lundqvist, Crowne, Dynazty, Europe, H.E.A.T., John Leven, Jona Tee, Love Magnusson, melodic hard rock, review, supergroup, The Poodles | Leave a comment

Album review : ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL: The UK Pop Explosion 1967-69

Posted on August 13, 2025 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date 22.08.25] All Things Bright And Beautiful comprises of 82 tracks and 3 CDs. Several of the songs in the boxset were used to launch the first hour of the BBC’s pop music flagship, Radio One, in … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alan Price, album, All Things Bright And Beautiful: The UK Pop Explosion 1967-69, Amen Corner, box set, Freddy Mercury, Love Affair, Marmalade, Peter Frampton, review, The Foundations, The Herd, The Hollies, The Move | Leave a comment

EP review: FANGSLINGER – We Are the Night

Posted on August 9, 2025 by jason

Website [Release date 29.07.25] Who doesn’t like a bit of gothic blues rock with a Western setting sung & performed by three vampires? Fangslinger are FangSlinger on vocals, BloodRose on vocals, harmonica & percussion and HangMan on guitar & vocals. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged blues, country, EP, Fangslinger, hard rock, metal, review, rock, We Are The Night, Western | Leave a comment

Album review: LUKE MORLEY – Walking On Water

Posted on August 9, 2025 by jason

Website [Release date 01.08.25] Thunder guitarist Luke Morley has been a busy chap whilst Thunder remains on hiatus as frontman Danny Bowes continues his recovery from a stroke in 2022. Morley returned to his solo career with his second solo … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, guitarist, Luke Morley, melodic, Quireboys, review, rock, Solo, Thunder, Walking On Water | Leave a comment

Album review : UFO – Misdemeanour Live At The Oxford Apollo 1985 (CD+DVD)

Posted on August 8, 2025 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 22.08.25] The early eighties were a turbulent time for UFO. Judging by the band’s poorly received Making Contact album in 1982, it looked like they were a spent force. Members left, most notably, Pete Way … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AOR, CD and DVD, eighties, hard rock, Misdemeanour Live, Oxford Apollo, Phil Mogg, review, Tommy McLendon | Leave a comment

Album review : HELLOWEEN – Giants And Monsters

Posted on August 6, 2025 by brianmc

Reigning Phoenix Music [Release date 29.08.25] The Magnificent Seven : Daniel Löble (drums), Markus Grosskopf (bass), Sascha Gerstner (guitars), Kai Hansen (guitars, vocals) Michael Weikath (guitars), Michael Kiske (vocals), Andi Deris (vocals). The longer gap between Helloween albums again seems … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged Andy Deris, Charlie Bauerfind, Giants and Monsters, HaLLoween, Kai Hansen, Michael Kiske, review | Leave a comment

Album review: WALTER TROUT – Sign Of The Times

Posted on August 3, 2025 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 05.09.25] Walter Trout’s ‘Sign of the Times’ is an uncompromising rock album with a bluesy heart and insightful lyrics penned by himself and his partner Marie Trout. It’s an album rich in story telling, unflinching social observation … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, guitar, John Avila, Marie Trout, Michael Leasure, Neil Young, review, Sign of the Times, Teddy Andreadis, Walter Troout | Leave a comment

Album review: BEN GRANFELT – It’s Personal

Posted on July 31, 2025 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to Ben Granfelt for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio playing tracks from the new album ‘It’s Personal’. First broadcast 27 July 2025. A1 Records [Release date 30.05.25] ‘Its Personal’ is Ben Granfelt’s 21st solo album and his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged Al Stewart, album, Ben Granfelt, blues, fusion, Gringos Locos, guitar, Guitar Slingers, interview, It's Personal, Jari Saminen, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, JJ Cale, Los Bastardos Finlandeses, Masa Maijanen, Pink Floyd, review, Robin Trower, rock, soul, Stoney Curtis, The Leningrad Cowboys, Wishbone Ash | 1 Comment

Album review : YESTERDAY & TODAY – S/T and Struck Down (Remasters)

Posted on July 31, 2025 by brianmc

Rock Candy Records [Release date 18.07.25] 1972 : In the days before they abbreviated to Y&T, they called themselves Yesterday & Today, after the Beatles’ latest US album release of the time, allegedly. The band line up got shuffled a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Cream, Dave Meniketti, hard rock, review, Rock Candy Records, Struck Down, UFO, Y&T, Yesterday & Today | Leave a comment

Album review: STAR CIRCUS – From The Wreckage

Posted on July 25, 2025 by GRTR! HQ

Renaissance Records [Release date 13.06.25] There’s a big debate going on about the use of AI and whether it compromises modern music making and musicians. After a lifetime of exposure to classic rock I for one am receptive. Time and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, From The Wreckage, melodic rock, review, Star Circus | Leave a comment

Album review : KIX – Kool Atomic Kix (8 CD Boxset)

Posted on July 23, 2025 by brianmc

Cherry Red [Release date : 25.07.25] Something of a pop metal institution, KIX, the band, the brand, retired gracefully from the musicbiz in 2023, more than forty long years after the self titled debut album hit the streets. CD1 : … Continue reading →