Tag Archives: rock

Album review: STERLING BALL, JOHN FERRARO, JIM COX – The Mutual Admiration Society

STERLING BALL, JOHN FERRARO, JIM COX  – The Mutual Admiration Society

Mascot [Release date 19.01.18] Guitarist Sterling Ball, bassist John Ferraro and drummer Jim Cox explore a musical lineage which their label tells us, is: “A celebration of up to forty years of friends making music together.” The label in this … Continue reading

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Album review: JON BUTCHER AXIS

 JON BUTCHER AXIS

Escape Music [Release date 19.01.18] If like me you were one of those who spent every fortnight reading Kerrang! and the Wimpwire column by Derek Oliver, Jon Butcher’s name came up quite often and indeed he got a feature in the AOR/melodic … Continue reading

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Album review: DRIVE, SHE SAID – Real Life

DRIVE, SHE SAID - Real Life

Escape Music [Release date  23.03.18] ‘Real Life’ was originally released back in 2003 by Drive, She Said the band who featured vocalist/guitarist/bassist Al Fritsch and keyboards wizard Mark Mangold. This album has been re-mixed in 2017 by Brian Anthony and Mark … Continue reading

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EP review: THE DARKER MY HORIZON – Phoenix Volume 1

Facebook [Release date 26.01.18] The Darker My Horizon duo Paul Stead (lead vocals/guitar) and Mark Stephenson (guitars & backing vocals) used to be in Sacred Heart previously and on this EP they have re-recorded four songs from that band, partly as a stop … Continue reading

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Album review: DAVEY LANE – I’m Gonna Burn Out Bright

DAVEY LANE  I

Capgun [Release date 16.03.18] Introspective opener ‘Hell (A Prelude)’ hardly prepares the listener for what’s to come on Davey Lane’s second solo album.  Before you know it, the belting synth epic ‘Taurus All Apart’ swirls into your head – sonically … Continue reading

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Album review: CHRIS HILLMAN – The Asylum Years

CHRIS HILLMAN - The Asylum Years

Omnivore Recordings [Release date 09.02.18] This new CD brings together Chris Hillman’s first two solo albums, from 1976 and 1977 respectively.  Hillman had a fine pedigree as a member of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Manassas. Immediately prior … Continue reading

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Album review: MARILLION – Holidays In Eden Live/Size Matters (reissues)

MARILLION - Holidays In Eden Live/Size Matters (reissues)

earMUSIC [Release date 19.01.18] Curious ‘mainstream’ releases for these two double CD sets, that fans will know were originally released on the band’s own Racket Records label (in fact, Size Matters is still currently available, albeit with a different sleeve), … Continue reading

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Album review: THE DEAD SOUTH – Illusion & Doubt

THE DEAD SOUTH - Illusion & Doubt

DevilDuck Records [Release date 23.03.18] Outlaws, modern hillbillies?  The opening strains of ‘Boots’ does, indeed, bring Jed Clampett and his clan to mind.  And regrettably, not Elly May. No, more her half-witted half-brother Jethro, having a banjo/mandolin fuelled bluegrass hoedown … Continue reading

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Album review: MISSISSIPPI STOMP – Shine

MISSISSIPPI STOMP - Shine

[Release date 22.04.17] Mississippi Stomp are an Americana outfit from, yes, you guessed it  [northeast] Mississppi.  Tupelo, to be precise  the home of the King.  Shine is their sophomore release. Together since the early nineties, with the focal point husband … Continue reading

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Album review: KORBY LENKER – Thousand Springs

KORBY LENKER - Thousand Springs

[Release date 16.03.18] Nashville singer songwriter Korby Lenker chose to record his seventh album, not in the studio, but in places that resonated with him  his guitar and vocals being captured in places as diverse as the edge of the … Continue reading

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Album review: PRETTY BOY FLOYD -Public Enemies

Frontiers [Release date 01.1.17] For a band that have been together, on and off since 1987, Pretty Boy Floyd are one of the few bands from that era that pretty much sound exactly the same as they did 30 years … Continue reading

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Album review: THE POODLES – Prisma

Gain Music/Sony [Release date 26.01.18] The Poodles add to the growing list of rock acts who have released a covers album in the past few years. On ‘Prisma’ they tackle a variety of genres and eras, including a few surprise pop choices. Jakob … Continue reading

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Album review: W.A.S.P. – Re-idolized

Napalm Records [Release date 02.02.18] Moving away from the trashy, good-time, OTT lyrics of earlier albums, The Crimson Idol (released in 1993) saw Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P. move into the territory of the concept  album. The Crimson Idol tells the … Continue reading

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News: For Your Listening Pleasure…STEVE HACKETT, FM, DUKES OF THE ORIENT (February 2018)

Steve Hackett releases a re-recorded version of GTR’s ‘When The Heart Rules The Mind’ on February 2nd. It features a guest appearance from Marillion’s Steve Rothery. More details and tour dates here FM release their new album ‘Atomic Generation’ on … Continue reading

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Album review: IGNORE THE SIGN – A Line To Cross

IGNORE THE SIGN - A Line To Cross

SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 23.02.18] Ignore The Sign are a new band formed around the trio of vocalist/keys/guitarist Ossy Pfeiffer, guitarist/vocalist Anca Graterol (Rosy Vista) and guitarist Steve Mann (MSG/Lionheart). The are joined by bass player Lars Lehmann (Uli Jon Roth),  percussionist … Continue reading

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Album review: ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION – The Blues And I Should Have A Party

ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION – The Blues And I Should Have A Party

33 Records [Release date 02.03.18] ‘The Blues And I Should Have A Party’ is as much a thematic statement of the band’s musical intent – let alone history – as it is a specific title track about a troubled relationship. … Continue reading

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EP review: BAD MOTHER EARTH

Self-released [Release date 26.01.18] Bad Mother Earth are a new four piece consisting of vocalist Jacky Rogue, guitarist Joe Kash, drummer Greg Kats and bass palyer Mitch Prax. ‘Not Comin’ Home’ has been released as lead single/video and fair pelts … Continue reading

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Gig review: KING KING – Bath Forum, 20 January 2018

KING KING - Bath Forum, 20 January 2018

Bath has never been a hot bed for rock/blues gigs but tonight the temperature rose to fever pitch when King King arrived in town and  shook the Georgian buildings to their very foundations. After the issues that Alan Nimmo has … Continue reading

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Album review: LONG DISTANCE CALLING – Boundless

LONG DISTANCE CALLING - Boundless

Inside Out [Release date 02.02.18] Germany’s Long Distance Calling – guitarists David Jordan and Florian Füntmann, bassist Jan Hoffman and drummer Janosch Rathmer – have been around since 2006 and although their last album featured guest vocalists, on this album … Continue reading

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Album review: FIVE GRAND STEREO – Sex & Money

FIVE GRAND STEREO – Sex & Money

Five Grand Stereo [Release date 26.01.18] Five Grand Stereo are Chris Singleton (vocals/guitar/piano), Jane Fraser (vocals), Stelios Kalisperides (guitar), Michael Kirkland (sax/synths), Zane Maertens (bass) and Ben Woollacott (drums). Chris Singleton has of course released a series of excellent pop/rock … Continue reading

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Album review: THE DELLA GRANTS – Live Sessions

THE DELLA GRANTS – Live Sessions

Self release [Release date 22.11.17] Whether or not The Della Grants take their name from Muddy Waters grandmother or the American roots reggae singer Della Grant, there’s certainly a musical meeting of minds on an album that references blues, soul … Continue reading

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EP review: BLACK TREE VULTURES – Sanity Isn’t Perfect

Straight outta Bournemouth (with an attitude which says “f**k you, Compton !”) come spunky pistols Black Tree Vultures with their manic and muscly debut EP, Sanity Isn’t Perfect. Tipping the hat to several heavy rock protagonists and oozing piss-and-vinegar confidence, … Continue reading

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Album review: JONO – Life

JONO - Life

Frontiers [Release date 01.12.17] Jono joining Frontiers will be good for both parties, as Jono will get greater exposure to their marvellous mix of pomp, rock and prog, whilst Frontiers have a band who I am sure as Mr Halford … Continue reading

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Album review: MICHAEL LANDAU – Rock Bottom

MICHAEL LANDAU – Rock Bottom

Provogue [Release date 23.02.18] From the free form intro of ‘Squirrels’ to the Noirish spoken word intro and melodic resolution of ‘Speak Now, Make Your Peace’, Michael Landau takes up on a complex musical journey that promises much and delivers … Continue reading

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Album review: MICHAEL SCHENKER – A Decade Of The Mad Axeman

MICHAEL SCHENKER - A Decade Of The Mad Axeman

[Release date 28.01.18] A completely mad axeman indeed, Michael Schenker is one of the world’s shining lights when it comes to rock and metal guitar. Whether with Scorpions, UFO, the Michael/McAuley Schenker Group, UFO again, solo or his own Temple … Continue reading

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