Tag Archives: review

EP review: MUDDIBROOKE – Luncay

Posted on September 12, 2021 by jason

Self-release [Release date 22.10.21] ‘Lunacy’ is the debut EP from Derby based alt rockers MuddiBrooke who formed in January 2020. They have previously released two singles and music videos which have seen them receive airplay on Kerrang! Radio and earn … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged alt rock, EP, grunge, Lunacy, MuddiBrooke, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: GUS G – Quantum Leap

Posted on September 12, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

AFM Records [Release date 08.10.21] When I interviewed Gus G back stage in Manchester in 2012 all the talk was how he had fared with Ozzy. He contributed to the album ‘Scream’ (2010) and there were high hopes of a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Firewind, guitar, guitarist, Gus G, instrumental, metal, Quantum Leap, review | Leave a comment

Album review: EDGE OF PARADISE – The Unknown

Posted on September 12, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Music [Release date 17.09.21] Edge Of Paradise is a duo made up of Armenian/ Russian/ American singer, “the female Robin McAuley”, Margarita Monet, and American guitarist and songwriter, Dave Bates. The Unknown is their fourth album, and second on … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Dave Bates, Edge Of Paradise, Frontiers, Howard Benson, Margarita Monet, Mike Plotnikoff, review, Symphonic Rock Metal, Unknown | Leave a comment

EP review: JESSICA LYNN – Reimagined

Posted on September 12, 2021 by jason

www.jessicalynnmusic.org/music [Release date 17.09.21] This new four song EP from Jessica Lynn is influenced by her weekly livestreams during the pandemic. “Since the pandemic started,” Jessica reflects, “I have been performing piano livestreams every week, where my fans have challenged … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged acoustic, country, EP, Jessica Lynn, melodic, pop, Reimagined, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: IAN PARRY’s ROCK EMPORIUM – Brute Force

Posted on September 11, 2021 by brianmc

Metal Mind [release date 14.07.21] Singer/songwriter, Ian Parry has always been master of his own destiny, moving from project to project and label to label over the course of his 30 year career. He counts Hammerhead, Elegy, Ayreon and Vengeance … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Allan Sorensen, Ayreon, Elegy, Hammerhead, Ian Parry, Kris Gildenlow, Lucas Sillito, Metal Mind, Neo Classical, Patrick Johansen, Patrick Rondat, review, Rock Emporium, symphonic metal, Vengeance | Leave a comment

Album review: PETER H NILSSON – Sign Of Myself

Posted on September 11, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 10.09.21] Peter H Nilsson’s debut ‘Little American Dream’ was a very enjoyable AOR/ West Coast listen and still played regularly by this reviewer. The good news is that this follow-up album sees Nilsson still teamed up … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Chris Biano, melodic rock, Peter H Nilsson, review, Sign Of Myself, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Book review: BOBBY RUSH with Herb Powell – I Ain’t Studdin Ya: My American Blues Story

Posted on September 10, 2021 by petefeenstra

Bobby Rush with Herb Powell - I Ain't Studdin' Ya - My American Story

Hachette Books [Publication date 15.07.21] Grammy award winner Emmett Ellis Jnr aka Bobby Rush’s ‘I Ain’t Studdin’ Ya: My American Blues Story’ is easily one of the best musical biographies of the year. It’s the life and time of a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged 'I Ain't Studdin ya: My American Blues Story, Alan Freed, BB King, Big Joe Turner, biography, Bobby Rush, book, Chess Records, Chitlin Cicuit, Chuck Berry, comedy, drums, fats Domino, guitar, harp, Herb Powell, Little Richard, Little Walter, Luther Allison, Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, review, Rufus Thomas, Sonny Boy Williamson | Leave a comment

Album review: THE PETAL FALLS – All These Years

Posted on September 10, 2021 by jason

[Release date 03.09.21] Just about a year ago I reviewed this band’s debut album, ‘Workin All Night, Workin All Day’ and I was literally blown away. I knew then that this band had reach and would appeal to a broader … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, All These Years, AOR, Keith Leahy, melodic rock. rock, review, the Petal Falls | Leave a comment

Album review: BRAINSTORM – Wall Of Skulls

Posted on September 10, 2021 by brianmc

AFM Records [release date 17.09.21] Judging by this new release, Brainstorm turned the pandemic related lockdown to good advantage, in writing and recording Wall Of Skulls. It’s no more than an incremental step up from last album, Midnight Ghost, but … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Brainstorm, Maiden, power metal, Priest, review | Leave a comment

Album review: GAMMA RAY – 30 Years Live Anniversary

Posted on September 8, 2021 by brianmc

Ear Music/Edel [Release date 10.09.21] In 2020, it looked like this could become the new normal. A live gig without an audience. Kai Hansen’s Gamma Ray know what it is to play live…they’ve been doing it for 30 years. It becomes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Gamma Ray, Kai Hansen, live, power metal, Ralf Scheepers, review, Teutonic Metal | Leave a comment

Album review: THE LIVESAYS – Not What I Bargained For

Posted on September 5, 2021 by jason

www.thelivesaysmusic.com [Release date 03.09.21] The Livesays – singer/songwriter/guitarist Billy Livesay, drummer Howard Goldberg, bassist Jorge Laplume, Victor “Cuqui” Berrios on Hammond B-3 organ, Tim Murphy on piano – are back with their second album in two years. During the pandemic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Billy Livesay, blues rock, Clarence Clemmons, melodic, Not What I Bargained For, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Springsteen, The Livesays | Leave a comment

Album review: OVERKILL – The Atlantic Years 1986-1994

Posted on September 5, 2021 by jason

BMG [Release date 29.10.21] New Jersey band Overkill, named after the Motorhead album/song, formed in 1980 and were part of the early US thrash scene. Nineteen studio albums, three live and three EPs later, there’s quite a legacy there. There … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Reissues | Tagged Bobby Elisworth, box set, metal, NWOBHM, Overkill, review, The Atlantic Years 1986-1994, thrash metal | Leave a comment

EP review: THE MANGOES – Pale Blue Dot

Posted on September 5, 2021 by jason

www.themangoesband.com [Release date 19.07.21] The Mangoes are a pop-rock duo formed by Tim Morse (vocals, keys) and Bret Bingham (lead vocals, guitarist, bass, keys, drum samples) in 2014 and conceived as a song writing collective. This new EP is as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Beatles, EP, melodic, Pale Blue Dot, pop, progressive, review, rock, Styx, the Mangoes | Leave a comment

Album review: AL ROSS & THE PLANETS – Blue Crystal

Posted on September 5, 2021 by brianmc

Wienerworld Music [Release date 10.09.21] Al Ross & The Planets’ “stylistically diverse” (it sez ere) second album, Blue Crystal, had a difficult birth. As well as being handicapped by the pandemic’s side effects of lockdown and quarantine, this international band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Al Ross & The Planets, album, BB King, blues, Cocker, country, Dolby, Jack Bruce, Lyndon Connah, Norman Beaker, pandemic, Patrick Leonard, review, Richard Page, Squeeze, Third Matinee, Van Morrison, Westcoast Rock | Leave a comment

Quick plays: JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE, LEGENDS PLAY THE BEATLES, ACROSS THE SEA

Posted on September 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

JACK RUSSELL’s GREAT WHITE Great Zeppelin II Deadline Music/Cleopatra [Release date 13.08.21] There can be few reasons for revisiting Zeppelin back catalogue unless you can bring something new to the party. And, in truth, something more radical and it might … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Across The Sea, Air Supply, album, Andrew Gold, Ann Wilson, classic rock, concept album, Glenn Hughes, Great White, Great Zeppelin II, Howard Jones, Jack Bruce, Jack Russell, John Wetton, Judy Collins, Led Zeppelin, Legends Play The Beatles, Molly Hatchet, prog rock, review, space rock, Steve Morse | Leave a comment

Album review: THREE COLOURS DARK – Love’s Lost Property

Posted on September 4, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Firefly Music [Release date 10.09.21] www.threecoloursdark.com 2020 marked the musical reunion of Rachel Cohen and Jonathan Edwards founder members of long-standing prog rockers Karnataka. In the hiatus following The Reasoning (Cohen) and Panic Room (Edwards) they released an exquisite debut … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Dave Gregory, Jonathan Edwards, Karnataka, Love's Lost Property, Luna Rossa, Panic Room, prog, progressive, Rachel Cohen, review, singer, songwriter, Steve Balsamo, The Reasoning, Three Colours Dark | Leave a comment

EP review: DEAD MAN’S WHISKEY – Breakout

Posted on September 2, 2021 by jason

Self-release [Release date 01.10.21] Dead Man’s Whiskey are back in action with an appearance at this year’s Stone Dead festival and a string of tour dates this month (September at the time of publication). This five song EP is produced … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged album, Breakout, Dead Man's Whiskey, EP, hard rock, John Mitchell, NWOCR, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: ANETTE OLZON – Strong

Posted on September 1, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers Records [release date 10.09.21] A Symphonic Rock album for the ABBA generation, Anette (Dark Element/ Nightwish) Olzon’s collaboration with maestro, Magnus Karlsson, titled Strong, is huge, confident and full of heartstopping hooks. It has a lovely gloss to it… … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Allen/Lande/Hearthealer//Freefall, Anette Olzon, Dark Element, Frontiers Records, Magnus Karlsson, Nightwish, review, symphonic rock | Leave a comment

Album review: MEDICINE HEAD – Warriors Of Love

Posted on August 31, 2021 by petefeenstra

Pete Feenstra chatted to John Fiddler in September 2021 playing tracks from the new album ‘Warriors Of Love’. Living Room Records [Release date 03.09.21] ‘Warriors of Love’ is a career high for Medicine Head founder member, British Lions and Box … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Radio interview | Tagged album, Allman Brothers, Americana, Belinda Campbell, blues, Bob Dylan, Box of Frogs, British Lions, Chuck Leavell, Dave 'Bucket' Colwell, drums, Dzal Martin, folk, interview, Jack Kerouac, JJ Cale, John Bonham, John Fiddler, Led Zeppelin, Medicine Head, Morgan Fisher, Pete Hope Evans, Pink Floyd, review, rock, Roy Shipston, The Waterboys, Tom Petty, Warriors Of Love | Leave a comment

Album review: THE MOTELS – All Four One, Little Robbers

Posted on August 30, 2021 by jason

BGO Records [Release date 03.09.21] The Motels are an American new wave band fronted by Martha Davis. This Motels double CD re-issue features the band’s two US Top 30 albums from the early 1980s. ‘All Four One’ (1982) features the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 80's pop, album, All Four One, BGO Records, Little Robbers, New Wave, reissue, review, synth pop, The Motels | Leave a comment

Album review: FINNY McCONNELL – The Dark Streets Of Love

Posted on August 29, 2021 by jason

Whiskey Devil Records [Release date 03.09.21] After 30 years of leading renowned Celtic punk rockers, The Mahones – who have released over 20 albums and shared stages with the Dropkick Murphys, Shane MacGowan, Stiff Little Fingers, Billy Bragg, The Buzzcocks, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bruce Springsteen, Finny McConnell, folk, review, rock, singer songwriter, The Dark Streets Of Love, The Mahones, The Pogues | Leave a comment

Book review: ERJA LYYTINEN – The Blues Queen by Mape Ollila

Posted on August 26, 2021 by petefeenstra

Docendo Oy Publishing [Publication date 06.11.20] ‘Erja Lyytinen – The Blues Queen’ is a refreshingly honest biography about a hugely talented classically trained violinist turned rock blues guitarist, singer-songwriter, band leader and perfectionist in search of respect and acceptance. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged album, AYNSLEY LISTER, Carlos Santana, Davide Floreno, Erja Lyytinen, Europe, Finland, guitar, Ian Parker, Jennifer Batten, Mape Ollila, Nightwish, review, Shiley Bassey, Sibelius, Tasavallan Presidentti, The Blues Queen, Thomas Ruf, vocals | Leave a comment

Album review: M.ILL.ION – Back On Track

Posted on August 26, 2021 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 10.09.21] Four original M.ILL.ION members reunited in the autumn of 2020 – Hans Dalzon (vocals), CT Rohdell (guitar), Marcus Berglund (keyboards) and B.J Laneby (bass) – and they were joined by new recruits Henrik Andersson (lead … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR Heaven, Back On Track, classic rock, hard rock, M.ILL.ION, melodic hard rock, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON & FRIENDS FESTIVAL, The Vic, Coalville, 20-22 August 2021

Posted on August 25, 2021 by jason

I think it would be fair to say that travelling to the venue on 20th was challenging for most, due to a number of accidents and roadworks everywhere, however, none so much as The Darker My Horizon (TDmH) as their … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 20-22 August 2021, alt rock, Coalville, Daylight Robbery, festival, Guns for Girls, hard rock, live music, modern rock, Psycho Dollz, Rawkus Redz, review, rock, the Darker My Horizon, the Vic, Voddoo Sioux | Leave a comment

Album review: VANDENBERG – The Complete Atco Recordings 1982-2004 (4 CD Boxset w/bonus tracks)

Posted on August 24, 2021 by brianmc

Cherry Red [release date 27.08.21] Vandenberg (1982) Heading For A Storm (1983) Alibi (1985) Demos and Live (2004) Emerging unbloodied and unbowed from the golden age of AOR, Vandenberg’s 3 albums (now remastered) embody all that was good and all … Continue reading →