Tag Archives: review

Album review: WASTED SHELLS – The Collector

Posted on August 17, 2014 by david.wilson

Broken Bones Productions [Release date – out now] Yet more quality metal from Sweden, the clear waters in Scandinavia must have a high iron content which gets into the blood at an early age. Wasted Shells are the latest in … Continue reading →

Quick plays: HENRIC BLOMQVIST & FRIENDS, DYLAN KAY, MICHAEL STANLEY

Posted on August 17, 2014 by jason

HENRIC BLOMQVIST & FRIENDS All Of Your Illusions www.henricblomqvist.com [Released 01.05.14] Guitarist Henric Blomqvist hails from Finland and has worked with various bands and musicians over the years. This album is his debut solo release and the friends include vocalists … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, All Of Your Illusions, AOR, Big Trouble, Bob Seger, classic rock, Doogie White, Dylan Kay, hard rock, HENRIC BLOMQVIST & FRIENDS, Intentions Of A Man, Michael Stanley, Rainbow, review | Leave a comment

Album review: WAKING AIDA – Eschaton

Posted on August 14, 2014 by alanjones

Robot Needs Home Records – Release Date: 2 June 2014 OK, I admit it. I’m thrashing about in utter confusion these days trying to understand all the weird and wonderful names given to various genres of music. Post-rock, neo-prog, jazz-fusion … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Eschaton, Post/Math Rock, review, Waking Aida | Leave a comment

Gig review: CAMBRIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL – 8-10 August 2014

Posted on August 14, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Photo: Darran Scott Arriving early afternoon on Saturday, and focusing on the main stage, I was blown away by the confidence and vitality of my first band, Walkway. Somehow the young Suffolk band had slipped under my radar as their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 8-10 August 2014, Cambridge Rock Festival, Cloud Atlas, Fireroad, FM, gig, Jorn Lande, Mostly Autumn, Pearl Handled Revolver, review, Walkway, Wishbone Ash | Leave a comment

Quick plays – MANUMIT, COLT 45, SUSAN AQUILA

Posted on August 11, 2014 by david.wilson

Album review: MANUMIT – Digital and Hostile Lost Generation Records [Release date - 01.09.14] Manumit is a solo artist from Bridgend in Wales. Influenced by the likes of Pendulum and Paramore he attempts to ‘bond genres’. A DVD will also … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Adam Lewis, album, Bandit, Bridgend, CD, Colt 45, Cumbria, Digital and Hostile, Download Festival, electro, Gareth Jenkins, Larusso, Manumit, Neil Harper, Paramore, Pendulum, pop, punk, review, rock, Skullfunk, Susan Aquila, Tanyth, The Tide Is Turning, Young Guns | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL KATON – Hard On! (The Boogie)

Posted on August 11, 2014 by petefeenstra

Mystic [Release date 31.03.14] Michael Katon’s back with a hard hitting album full of boogie, blues and lashing of guitar. In fact he’s never really been away, except that his last few albums have been digital download only, so ‘Hard … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, boogie, Canned Heat, Erwin Gielen, F.P.White, guitar, Hard On! (The Boogie), hard rock, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Katon, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: JETHRO TULL’S IAN ANDERSON – Thick As A Brick – Live In Iceland

Posted on August 11, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Eagle Vision [Release date 25.08.14] Also available as a DVD/Bluray When I interviewed Ian Anderson in 2010 he stated that “Thick As A Brick 2 is not on the cards” when asked about revisiting former glories. I wonder what changed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged album, Bluray, DVD, gig, Ian Anderson, interview, Jethro Tull, live, review, TAAB2, Thick As A Brick - Live In Iceland, Tour | Leave a comment

Album review: CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN – El Camino Real

Posted on August 11, 2014 by petefeenstra

Freeworld [Release date 11.08.14] It’s not essential to have heard this album’s predecessor ‘La Costa Perdida’, but it certainly helps to explain the dark lyrical quality, David Lowery’s weary vocals and the sardonic nature of Camper Van Beethoven’s ruminations on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Arcade Fire, Camper Van Beethoven, David Lowery, El Camino Real, Greg Lisher, Jonathan Segel, Michael Urbano, review, The Tubes, Victor Krummenscher | Leave a comment

Album review: enkELINATION – Tears Of Lust

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Phil Berisford

enkElination [Release date 21.07.14] Finnish opera singer Elina Siirala moved to the UK back in 2008 in order to study music. She formed enkElination back in 2011 and “Tears of Lust” is their first full album following on from an … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Elina Siirala, enkElination, female fronted rock, review, Tears Of Lust | Leave a comment

Album review: THE GRAND – The Rebel Son

Posted on August 10, 2014 by petefeenstra

Self release [Release date 15.03.14] The Grand hail from British Columbia Canada, but they play a very commercial brand of southern influenced rock with a big production. Their bristling style comes with a layered sound and impossibly catchy hooks, topped by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AC/DC, album, Anthony Fiddler, Craig David, Fleetwood Mac, James Hrankowski, Mark Needham, Neil Morgan, Nickelback, Randy Staub, review, Ryan Stead, Shylo Sharity. Spin Doctors, southern rock, The Grand, The Killers, The Rebel Son | Leave a comment

Album review: XANADU – Follow The Instinct

Posted on August 9, 2014 by alanjones

Pronet Records – Release Date: 4 June 2014 Ahhh… the Polish progressive rock runaway train still shows no sign of running out of steam. With excellent releases this year from the likes of Pinkroom and Riverside, here is the follow-up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Follow The Instinct, Poland, Progressive Rock, review, Xanadu | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACK STATE HIGHWAY – Black State Highway

Posted on August 9, 2014 by petefeenstra

HNE Recordings Ltd [Release date 18.08.14] ‘Black State Highway’ is a self titled 8 track debut album by a young Brighton band of retro rockers who provide their own contemporary take on classic hard rock. They may unashamedly tip their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged AC/DC, album, Black Sabbath, Black State Highway, Deep Purple, Gordon Duncan, hard rock, Harry Bland, Led Zeppelin, Liva Steinberga, Oli Trethewey, Ozzy Osbourne, review, Yonnis Crampton | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVE McGRAW & MANDY FER – Maritime

Posted on August 8, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

www.daveandmandymusic.com [Release date 09.14] The gentle folk/Americana debut self-release by songwriters Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer – Seed Of A Pine (2012) – was a rather fine, if somewhat understated example of the genre. Deploying the ‘less is more principle’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Dave McGraw, folk, Mandy Fer, Maritime, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: NELL BRYDEN – Wayfarer

Posted on August 8, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

157 Records NYC [Release date 28.07.14] It’s no surprise to read that the title track and lead single from Nell Bryden’s latest album has been play listed on Radio 2. It’s equally of little surprise that, back in 2008, we … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Nell Bryden, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Wayfarer | Leave a comment

Album review: THE RISING – Coming Home

Posted on August 8, 2014 by jason

Renegade Maverick Records [Release date 25.08.14] Debut album from this three piece Belfast band who were originally called EXIT and featured in the likes of Kerrang! Now they have reinvented their sound and changed names (based on a Bruce Springsteen … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Coming Home, Exit, review, the Hooters, the Rising | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE HILLAGE – Rainbow 1977

Posted on August 8, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Gonzo Multimedia [Release date 23.06.14] Those of a certain age may remember Steve Hillage more for his range of woolly hats than his music. That’s a little bit cruel, but his headgear may have overshadowed sometimes patchy and meandering albums. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Canterbury Scene, Gong, guitar, guitarist, Kevin Ayers, Khan, Mike Oldfield, prog, progressive, psychedelic, Rainbow 1977, review, rock, Steve Hillage | Leave a comment

Album review: THE D PROJECT – Making Sense

Posted on August 7, 2014 by alanjones

Universal Music Canada – Release Date: 10 June 2014 Three years ago, when reviewing The D Project’s previous album ‘Big Face’ (qv) – I suggested that, along with Mystery, Stephane Desbiens and his bandmates were carrying the torch for French … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Canada, Making Sense, Progressive Rock, review, Sean Filkins, Stephane Desbiens, The D Project | Leave a comment

Album review: PHILIP SAYCE – Influence

Posted on August 7, 2014 by petefeenstra

Provogue [Release date 25.08.14] ‘Influence’ is a curious but enjoyable album that finds guitar slinger Philip Sayce in tandem with busy producer Dave Cobb searching out different musical directions. By busy, I mean Cobb is an in demand producer (Rival … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, California Breed, Chris Powell, Dave Cobb, Don Covay, Eric Clapton, Graham Nash, Influence, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Savage, Lenny Kravitz and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Little Feat, Little Richard, Lowell George, Mahalia Jackson, Philip Sayce, Psychedelic Rock, review, Rival Sons | Leave a comment

Gig review: BLACK STAR RIDERS – Tivoli, Buckley, 6 August 2014

Posted on August 7, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Do you dream? Red spotlights bathe a small stage, dry ice drifts into an audience who dream of the 1970s. Scott Gorham, backstage, dreams of glory days and friendships lost. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and relax … the boys … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 6 August 2014, Black Star Riders, Buckley, Damon Johnson, gig, hard rock, Jimmy DeGrasso, North Wales, review, Ricky Warwick, Robbie Crane, rock, Scott Gorham, Thin Lizzy, Tivoli | Leave a comment

Gig review: BOSTON, CHEAP TRICK – Sandia Casino Amphitheatre, Albuquerque, New Mexico USA, 22 July 2014

Posted on August 6, 2014 by andynathan

In Boston’s own words ‘it’s been such a long time’ for UK fans who would need to be 50 or over to have seen their last shows here in 1979. To catch the legendary band whose self-titled 1976 monster arguably … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 22 July 2014, Albuquerque, AOR, Boston, Cheap Trick, gig, Kimberley Dahme, melodic rock, New Mexico USA, review, Robin Zander, Sandia Casino Amphitheatre, Tom Scholz | Comments Off

DVD review: ZZ TOP – Live At Montreux 2013

Posted on August 6, 2014 by david.wilson

Eagle Vision [Release date – out now] ZZ Top are proof, if proof was needed, that old rockers never die they just grow bigger beards: hell, these days even Frank Beard has a beard! The Texas trio also show that … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS | Tagged Billy Gibbons, blues, Bluray, Claude Nobs, Dusty Hill, DVD, Eagle Vision, Frank Beard, gig, jazz, Live In Montreux 2013, Mike Flanigin, review, rock, Smoke On The Water, Texas, Van Wilks, ZZ Top | Leave a comment

Album review: DRAGONFORCE – Maximum Overload

Posted on August 6, 2014 by david.wilson

earMUSIC [Release date – 15.08.14] Dragonforce are a band with the ability to split opinions within rock and metal fans. Some are amazed by their technical abilities and breakneck playing whilst others find the band a bit of a joke … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, CD, Dragonforce, EarMusic, Herman Li, Johnny Cash, Marc Hudson, Matt Heafy, maximum overload, metal, Phantom Of The Opera, power metal, review, Ring of Fire, rock, Sam Totman, Trivium | Leave a comment

Album review: RICH ROBINSON – The Ceaseless Sight

Posted on August 6, 2014 by petefeenstra

The End [Release date 03.06.14] Rich Robinson’s ‘The Ceaseless Sight’ gently washes over you, invites you to immerse yourself in its deep textures and lyrical reflection, leaving you with a gentle uplifting feeling of having shared Rich’s heartfelt feelings and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Amy Helm, country rock, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Fleet Foxes, guitar, Jackson Brown, Joe Magistro, Leon Helm, Litte Feat, Marco Benevento, Neil Young, review, Rich Robinson, Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, The Ceaseless Sight | Leave a comment

Album review: SHAMAN’S HARVEST – Smokin’ Hearts & Broken Guns

Posted on August 6, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Mascot [Release date 15.09.14] If you had a secret liking for ‘Hero’ the Chad Kroeger song that featured Saliva’s Josey Scott in the original re-boot Spiderman movie, you will like Shaman’s Harvest. The band had some U.S. success with their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, alt rock, post grunge, review, Shaman's Harvest, Smokin' Hearts & Broken Guns | Leave a comment

Album review: PERVY PERKIN – Ink

Posted on August 5, 2014 by alanjones

Rock CD Records – Release Date: March 2014 OK, settle down at the back of the class – we’ve all had a dodgy teacher called Pervy Perkin at one time or another during our schooldays haven’t we? So why, given … Continue reading →