Dragonforce, Inhuman Rampage

Dragonforce, Inhuman Rampage (Roadrunner-2006)

Who likes power metal?

Hey no sniggering at the back! I am serious I like some power metal now and then. It reminds me of the American Wrestling with all the theater and show, add in a story and the big production it can be very entertaining. Then I have seen UK wrestling, nothing like America put it like that.

Like wrestling the UK was very bad at making power metal bands and even metal music for some time. Enter this band who had a few album out before this amazing piece of work. Guitarist Herman Li got this band going as he could not find a band who wanted to play his style (very fast solo like power metal) so he made one himself. Fast forward a few great album and the band had a change in sound a little. The change was to add in more solos and more guitars (no joke).

"Through The Fire And Flames" kicks it off in one hell of a style. The song has a great name and I think they can walk through fire and flame. The drums are none stop but still play in time to the melody. The songs here are very melodic and also very much a track for the metal clubs. The opratic vocals add that theme that I talked about, nice and clean vocals with words you can hear and sing along to. Hey it works for Abba.

"Revolution Deathsquad" is like a tribute to all metal bands and solos ever. There is even some riff tributes included but not done in a cheesy way at all. Solo after solo after solo...  I joke not, it is guitars and melodic riffs to the max the singer has time for a part-time job here. But so bloody good. Any guitar player has to hear this and I do not mean in a Eddie Van Halen way as he did something unique. This has been done before in over say five albums.

Sitting back and listening you do feel it is all production and studio work much like Hulk Hogan was in his 50s and could never do what he does without the gimmicks and set up. I have seen the band live and they are like this! They have gimmicks just as good with a Keytar and trampolines to jump off from and throw shapes.

"Operation Ground And Pound" has a real classic power metal sound with the keyboards being used as the intro but all is over soon and guitars kick in. Each song really does have a nice meladic vocal section and for people who sing in the shower you can do it here as well. But just don't expect to get round of applause at the next karaoke.

 Last track is the radio friendly ballad. "Trail Of Broken Hearts" is one for the people who enjoy a few drinks and like a slower number. Throw out the Bon Jovi and have this track.

Amazing thing about this album is it was a big hit in the UK. Selling over 100,000 copies it went gold here and gave roadrunner a very rare Gold album. Much deserved and I think I have this hear for the fans outside the UK.

Hey if you don't like it do as Hulk says "say your prayers, take your vitamins ..."

If you do get it get me a foam finger as a reward.

Easily available all over the world via Roadrunner.

Twitter: 29xthefun

Hole - My Body, The Hand Grenade

Hole - My Body, The Hand Grenade (City Slang-1997)

The first three Hole albums are quite different in contents. The jump from the first to the third is quite a leap, more so to the radio audience that seem to be attracted to Hole, sometimes due to the Nirvana connection.

The first two albums have got a good bit to do with each other, very punky and all out rock. But album number three was being made and also made with a big help from Billy Corgan who has writing credits on all the hit singles. A change in direction was the plan. This album is there to explain how the change happens.

Rewind back to a time the band was just a garage style punk band making demos. That is what the first tracks here are. This is a compilation album made up of demo, live and B sides. The early material is what is appealing here as it is so raw. The bands first song "Turpentine" starts the album off and with low production and little direction it sounds fantastic. Love is a great performer and you can feel it all over this song. A riff and some fast drumming as all you need at times if it is right.

"Phonebill song" continues the raw sound but captures it all again. You tend to hear this style of demo all the time but some of the songs here are first attempts in a real studio. And I think that adds to the appeal here as they were just so raw at the start of the bands career. Celebrity Skin really does sound like another band.

"Retard Girl" is a song that would never make the radio, it is a narrative of a girl being abused and made fun of in a playground/school. It is very much a strong subject but bands writing this early have to have something to write. All the songs follow a similar pattern in the music but for most of the time it sounds really good with the lyrics. It would be odd to sing of rape and the likes with a nice we melodic into and riff.

Cobain fans will like the "Beautiful Son" as it makes fun of his cross dressing when he was younger. There is even a song credited to him here "Old Age" was recorded for Nevermind but rejected later. Love then added her ideas to the song. From what I know is the intro is on track seven of Live Through This but in a much rockier sound. Also this version has totally new lyrics. Again hearing a band evolve is so interesting and seeing how one song can go between two bands and songwriters and a full year is great to hear. This version is an acoustic number and shows Love in a more melodic voice. This is a very basic sound again with another acoustic and possibly even a little acoustic bass to make it bigger.

Later tracks are covers and MTV Unplugged tracks. The album does seem to run very well as the live stuff mixes in well with the albums sound due to the demo quality. A great album and artistically the band had so much more to give. Love has so much to sing/rage about that it is a shame the band have only done four studio album. If you like any of the two albums by this band give this a go.

For me this is my favorite Hole album. But my taste in music is quite different and you don't come here for Oasis reviews.

This album was only released in the UK and Europe and is hard to find, second hand is the best bet with copies on E bay easy to get.

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Type O Negative, October Rust

Type O Negative, October Rust (Roadrunner-1996)

I really think this band are so overlooked. I know so as I did the same. I did buy this in the late 90s but never really liked it as much as I do now. Could be my age but I don't know why it took so long to love this band so much.

The album before was a big hit going platinum in America and cementing the band into the gothic style. But they really are just a rock band. As always all music has to be put into a sub genre. Call it metal if you like but it is still just rock n roll.

The dry humor here is what I love starting with a joke track then onto the music. "Love You to Death" is such a catchy song, nice keyboards and sample added with Peter Steele's utterly unique voice opens the album up well. Same goes for his bass playing and "Be My Druidess" shows how to make a sound with a bass guitar in a way that you have to have a go. The down tuned style is at times so un inspiring for many people but there are so many positives here as the songs are very catchy, you will be sing along at times and again it is listed in the metal section.

The big song "My Girlfriend's Girlfriend" will guarantee smiles and it is such a great song, it should have been number one, could have been in the 80s but would they take it a seriously back then? The album is so well made that I was shocked to read that all drums were programed and you really can barley notice. I think they have made such a nice little sound unique to themselves you really do not notice much of the technical side of the music.

This album was not received as well as the other albums they done and a reason was for it being more ballad like music. But it is done so well and with such a great song writer in Steele they even cover a Neil Young song (Cinnamon Girl) and do it so well in there own style of music. It may seem to be a serious album and it is as the album deals with loneliness and death but the humor is so important here as it is so hard to write funny music. Here we have a funny, serious, heavy metal pop album. Has anyone ever done that ever since?

The album is easily available but the box set is great value as all the other albums are really good.

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Nevermore, This Godless Endeavor

Nevermore, This Godless Endeavor (Century Media-2005)

Looking over past albums I have chosen you can see I like heavy metal. But much of the metal world to most people can sound and also, be quite boring. If you can't get into say Slayer and Metallica you may think you don't like that style of music. It may sound to old for you as they have been about for years. Or you just want a more modern sound, something big where you can hear the hard work in the music...

Why not give it one more go. Nevermore are an American band who have been about from the mid 90s. They have done some great albums but this is a real stand out album. Not so much as a good set of tunes but good everything. Production, sound, engineering, musicianship and of course some great riffs. The band have always done a kind of old school thrash sound that has modernized with the black metal sound.

Best way to get an idea is to listen and first track "Born" is all you have to listen to for an idea on the sound here. At times metal does sound better when underproduction helps to give that raw edge. But this band seem to be on another planet here and every single thing that they play you can hear as crystal clear as possible.

DRUMS! man I wish I could hit one drum that sounded as good as this album. Pure utter gold, amazing playing from Van Williams, you think he is just hitting everything all the time but as the album progresses "My Acid Words" shows this man knows exactly what he is doing. Slowing down and barley playing to the music and evolving the album sound from one genre to another in a few drum fills. Amazing.

"Sentient 6" is the first time this album take a ballad feel and even then it is done so well, some nice keyboards and the normal slow timing to make the song feel more emotional but the riffs are here don't worry.

And in the middle a nice instrumental "The Holocaust Of Thought" it is more of a solo lasting 90 seconds, bit odd but if there was no track list you really would not have noticed. Again this album feels so right and it all fits well. "Sell My Heart For Stones" returns to the piano and acoustic sound of before but with some real emotional lyrics. The harmonies help build up what the song is about.

The band up to this point had quite a few albums out and I think they may have got an idea it was the time to make it bigger and "The Psalm Of Lydia" shows just what they can do. Dissecting the song there are 1000 ideas here. You need to listen so close and thankfully the next track is more like a classic metal song, solos and great mountains of noise.

Last track "This Godless Endeavour" titles the album and I see why. Again including many fantastic acoustic passages and that great voice. The bass and drums work so well here and at the start supply a great riff between them. The song is a little like a reprise of the whole album, brave thing to do as I have heard this done many times before and it never really works. But it does here. It could also be a teaser for the next album.

The band and the producer Andy Sneap could not have done anything else to make this better, no tweaks to any dial could have made a single riff or snare drum sound any better. All the planets were in alignment for this one. The press did not miss this one as well, I did see 10/10 in one and all were full of praise. Tours supporting the big bands must have been on the cards.

But the band had some back luck, illness in the band made the tours impossible. No record company can promote a band who can't tour. As they want to build up to the next album. So this album fell under the radar in a way. Well not now, give it a go. This album is my tester album to any new electrical equipment I get. Richer Sounds should give this away with all new amplifiers.

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Neurosis, A Sun That Never Sets

Neurosis, A Sun That Never Sets (2001-Relapse Records)

So you think this is a metal album right? Well ok it could be to most people but it really is not metal. This band really started as a punk band. Over time the albums came out and the style changed. That is what a band should do so now album number seven is here.

The start of this album can be considered quite mellow or slow. But the contents are far from that, very well thought out and also constructed with amazing direction to consider pace and dynamics.

Big shout out to Steve Von Till on the vocals here. Amazing work and on track two "The Tide" he shows how it can be done. Nice slow speaking parts but with his voice showing the story. Acoustic guitars and violin build this into a stunning wall of noise. it is so easy to get lost in the first few tracks and even consider this album to being linked to heavy metal. You really do not notice the guitars here like on a typical metal outfit. That is why the album is chosen to be here. The textures and guitar sound are less than riffs but more harmonics. Amazing stuff, I don't know if it is just trained ears that hear this but it is a real treat to my ear drums.

At the time of the albums release the band were on a high commercially with the previous albums Through Silver and Blood and Times of Grace gaining positive reviews across the music industry and opening the band up to so many other fans (like me). So the next album could be expected to be the same but not so and this reviewer can still remember the day he got this on CD. One of those rare album where you go right back in for a listen. When on the bus I was not bothered about the congestion when I had this in the cd player. "From the Hill" has all the contents of the more noisy dynamics from the first track but slowed down. Nothing is rushed here and it again shows how good the band are at feeling what they want to do.

The title track helps give some melodic feel into the longest track here "Falling Unknown" reminds me of very early Cheap Trick mixed with an evil Thin Lizzy helping King Crimson tune up. A kind of rock start to the song thunders into more sound scape that build and build up. You never really care if it gets to the top and could be considered a little to long, but a band in this good shape has to be recorded.

The album has been listed in a folk metal category for the elements it contains. Very unusual to have violins and viola on a metal album but this really does help this album out in making it bigger. Also this was the first album the band made that had clean vocals, with the vocals rarely moving from the slow spoken style.

From this album on the Sludge metal seem to evolve into a very large part of metal music. Neurosis may not have ever wanted to be on MTV but some bands after them were very much helped by the contents of this album. This shows you do not need to sell out by becoming more pop or more radio friendly. Why not use popular art instead.

A Sun That Never Sets is available easily via Neurot Recordings

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Cheap Trick, Rockford

Cheap Trick, Rockford (Big3 Records-2006)

Album number 15 for this "Rockford" based band. Yeah it is named after the bands home town and why not. A band that always had there feet on the ground and from the early 90s were pretty much self managed. With the record company poking there nose in much of the time as soon as the deal was over it was time to move on. 1997 the released a self titled album that was for me a cracking return to form and a new start.

Here is an album that I think was not given any real mainstream coverage as people more likely assume the band is passed it or worse still just listen to the first few albums. Well you need to add this to the collection as it is fantastic. A proper all out rock album that pulls many a punch. It is like a mix of old and new with the catchy vocals we have all heard before.

Every track here is a great one and the album opens with "Welcome to the World" it feels like the band are having just as much fun as the listener. "Perfect Stranger" shows a band who can still play so well together. I know this is not just studio production as I have seen the band live a few times now and the are still amazing to see. Rick Nielsen may not run about the stage as much or as fast but hell they can play.

If this was the mid 80s this album would have sold bucket loads but 2006 and on there own label it really did not stand a chance. But I don't think the band care as long as the fans like it.

Any younger person reading this may remember the That 70s Show theme tune? That was this band! Think of that show intro but faster and more fun and you have the first half of this album.

I could review each track on its own but why bother as all have the same sound and it is great. A band that people can't rip off as all bands after them agree they were the most fun.

Those few of you who read this and get this album then you are in for a real treat and if you have never listened to a Cheap Trick album before then here is where to start. It has been well documented the band help influence the likes of Nirvana, the Pixies, Pearl Jam, Weezer, the Ramones and countless others.

By the way album 16 if fantastic as well, still on tour and going strong Cheap Trick, 1973–present

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Classic Album Review, Carcass, Swansong

Carcass, Swansong (Earache-1996)

Up till a few days ago this was the bands last album. Reforming in 2007 for some live shows the band took a while in deciding to enter the studio. It was worth it was the new album is a cracking album all of it's own.

But this band back in the early 90s were a big influence to so many metal fans. But back then metal fans were really just people who liked Metallica and Iron Maiden. This music was really considered to many to be unlistenable even in the metal world. I remember a college friend who wore a denim jacket that had band patches on it like Slayer and others hated this style of music. But the band have up to this album done five quite different sounding albums. This was supposed to me a major label debut with Columbia who were trying to capture some guaranteed money in a band who were going places.

Guess what? The major asked to change the music and the band did in a way. But they were going to do so anyhow. Carcass have been described differently with each album. Death, grind, goregrind and many more. They have if you like invented more genres than studio albums out. This one is called and labeled as the first melodic death metal album. Or death and roll (No joke).

"Keep on Rotting in the Free World" opens the album in a great way. More of a joke song at the time it can if you like have some link to many political problems in the planet. Still the big drum sound from Colin Richardson and the blastbeat drums are fantastic. You get the melodic feel right away, still the sound is just so much more than a metal album.

Next song "Tomorrow Belongs to Nobody" has my favorite riff of the album, the whole intro is just fantastic. Melodic and heavy in such a catchy riff. You feel like you have heard it before but then you realize it has never been done like that. Again nice blastbeat drums carry the song well. Into "Black Star" and I really do not get peoples negativity and labels of being sellouts back in 96. A slower song and still full of riffs and that voice just cuts the speakers open. Jeff Walker has never sounded so good (or bad) his voice is like nothing I have heard before. Heavy but nothing like you can get in this area of metal. His sound is not just a scream or even a grunt as you can clearly hear all the words, it is as if there is some digital trickery but all fans know he can sing like that.

More of the same and a great formula "Cross My Heart" has a great classic rock n roll feel to it. You could almost dance to it. "Room 101" has a little bit of a alt metal feel to it. Little bit less melodic but repetitive to fit well into the album. Later songs like "Firm Hand" and "Go to Hell" are less melodic more so in the vocal area. But still a great sound. The band seem to work very well later on and take over the album. I see why the death roll tag came about "Firm Hand" even has a little acoustic guitar.

"Don't Believe a Word" sounds very negative and it could be linked to the bands fortunes at the time. The album was released after the band split and the title was also given as they knew it was all over. No tour or big goodbye for the fans. Just one last album that at the time was not taken very well by many fans.

But this band on every album made and lost many fans. Those are not the sort of fans a band wants. And as ever time is the judge. They were right, this album is fantastic and a great starter for someone looking into the metal area that may have scared them or if you are just simply ignorant and find all music outside of the classic metal bands just not up to the classic stuff. Now the band have a new album, headlining tours and a legacy that showed so many how to play and also more importantly you can play like this. Some metal fans then would have crossed the street if they were walking down the street. Now they headline the Barrowlands in Glasgow.

Easily available but the 2008 re masters are great value with an added DVD.

Twitter: @29xthefun

Classic Album Review, Ramones, It's Alive

Ramones It's Alive (1979-Sire)

And a first for my blog. Well more than one first. The first band/artist to be in it more than once. The first live album and the first double album.

I can't do my usual and go thorough the album dissecting songs and trying to give you (or convince) a description of the content. I also will not insult anyones intelligence as if you read what I type you have an idea.

The band were on the road for years and due to this the time is right for a live album. Three albums in for most bands would seem a little bit quick. Not quick enough for this band. MC5 had the balls to make the first album they done a live album so nothing remarkable in having one three albums in. But for the casual fan the live record is a bit of a best of and for kids with little pocket money a chance to get em all.

The band fire though 28 songs pretty much the whole catalog the band have.  No bullshit solos, fake chit chat and all that is not here. As Joe Strummer said "people have things to do" in direction at how fast the bad were and agreeing that get it done now as we have other things to do.

Classic song after song is here all sound better and the band sound fantastic. Faster and angrier the LPs they done were fantastic but still after the first album they had to hold back in the studio. For many fans a live show was never going to happen, too far away or what ever. This is as good as a replacement you can have.

The band were recording four gigs in total with the idea releasing the best one. Before listening to the music recorded this was chosen as the fans ripped up ten rows of seats at the Rainbow theater and threw them at the band.

I wrote about the bands last album before as I feel it was a great album overlooked. This album is loved by fans but overlooked by press and even fans outside the UK as it was a UK release. There have been reissues on cheap CDs over the years but the original LP sounds amazing so if you see it in a shop for a few quid get it.

The album for me is a benchmark for live albums. The sound and all out balls on this is amazing. 30+ years later I have never heard a live album like it. Look at all the punk bands now, they rarely do live albums and this is the reason why. Don't bother it has been covered and with extras.

The concert was filmed for VHS but the tapes came out too grainy on VHS as the lighting was too poor. But the DVD format changed that and the Live DVD of the same name has this concert in glorious Technicolor. But only half the concert is present. This band were that good you can't film them.

I could go on for ever but it is a great album, sounds fantastic with an amazing track listing. Punk was said to have died in 78 this came out in 79 and the band had another fantastic album in Road to Ruin out the year between the albums recording and release. So buy Road to Ruin and this and you are covered.

It's Alive is available from Amazon and E Bay but the vinyl LP for me sounds the best.

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Classic Album Review, Roger Taylor, Man on Fire

Roger Taylor, Man on Fire (EMI-1984)

It is not often a band gets that famous the drummer is a household celebrity. Well even in my house my mum would say "oh it's that drummer from Queen" so that is very famous to me. But many people don't know Roger Taylor has to date made four solo albums and another three under a band name The Cross.

This was his second and made at a time where the band were not sure if they would continue. After the shambles of the crap disco album Hot Space the band went on a break. Members went on and made some other music and this was his own hobby. 

The album is to me is simply a fun album, all instruments are played by Taylor. So even he was treating this as fun as if you wanted a serious rock album you would get in the proper deal in a real band. So he could then have some fun in the lyrics as well. 

"Strange Frontier" kick the album of in a great style, very 80s and a sound that fits nicely in 84. Nothing wrong with keyboards and drum machines if done well and with a catchy song. It was a single but the lack of promotion and the hope a Queen album was out soon the record company kept money for promotion. But many people did hear it and got it (Creeping into number 98).

Track two "Beautiful Dreams" was a single in Portugal and I think rightly so, could be the only place this album got some sort of respect. It is a slow number and a nice song of dreaming of finding a cure for something. Track three is another single in the UK anyhow (No 66) "Man on Fire" takes it back to the classic rock feel and again it is well done. The song is full of anger, lyrics depicting someone not working with no money but I think some could have been due to the mistakes that were made in Queen. Decisions that were out of his hands. This song shows his nice production job, not so much a shiny as the big bands but done to his taste. For such a great drummer to walk away from a kit and use a machine it shows how skilled he is in the studio. 

Next two songs are covers, "Racing In The Street" by Bruce Springsteen and "Masters Of War" by Bob Dylan. Both have been done very well with the first making me tap my foot. I all of a sudden want a Telecaster. 

The album feels so well done that as a side project it is a shame it was missed by even the biggest Queen fans. "Killing Time" really shows his alt rock side, some nice lyrics very much science fiction orientated. Some guests are invited to play on this album "Abandonfire" has help from producer David Richards who helps make the song into a real synth free for all but as you would expect in the 80s. "It's an Illusion" welcomes Rick Parfitt" and his classic six sting abilities on board. 

Roger has a fantastic voice but it works best in a rock style and with Parfitt here to help and rock is what you will get. Nice little guitar riffs and that good old sound we all know. Last song "I Cry For You (Love, Hope And Confusion)" leaves you with the hope of another album soon (the next was not for ten years) it ends with a big sound and some lyrics that really show that it may well be a long time to the next album. Not sure what the idea was at the time as after this album Queen went big again after the Live Aid performance and Magic Tour of 86 Platinum albums were on the cards again. Roger decided after Queen were not touring to form the Cross who did have success in Germany for many years. 

The album seems to be called dated upon its re-release and given a low score, I think many of the reviewers really did not listen. It has been out of print for a while but copies are out there. Again the blog is here to show you the albums I feel many people miss out on and this is one that could easily be in many peoples collection. Try putting it on with friend round and having them guess who or what it is. I see a few quid being made here ha ha. 

I hate reviewing album that are out of print and more so not available on download But this can be bought in many second hand stores and e bay for a few quid. If you see it available as MP3 let me know and I will update. 

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Isis, Celestial

Isis, Celestial (Hydra Head-2000)

I still think this is a new sound as there has been so few albums to do this so well. At the time it was called Sludge metal, doom, post metal and many others but it really is just loud rock music at the end of the day.

So ok it is not quite Little Richard but still it is just drums, bass and guitar. In 2000 the music world was being blasted by the likes of Limp Bizkit and Korn and others on the fringes of the metal world we all trying to copy that down tuned bass tone.

Isis were not easily led and with a fairly minimal idea for an album made one the the best metal albums in the 00s. The start of the first track gives and idea what is going on here. Sounds of someone typing on a computer keyboard. Sounds like someone hacking into something, could it be in the future or...

Well track one quickly leads into "Celestial (The Tower)" and the guitar noise begins. more like really big riffs that span the whole spectrum of sound. Like a machine digging away at the earth throwing up chunks or rock and dirt. Scratchy guitar parts add into the atmosphere. Singer Aaron Turner appears with screaming vocals that can barely be made out over the sound of the band. He says the album deals with the erosion of privacy as technology advances.

As track two "Glisten" thunders in you can feel as if the album is being made to hurry up a little, that feeling as if the connection will go. Leading back to what the album is about very well. The band work well together in delivering the big riff like noises. "Swarm Reigns (Down)" feeds off the rest of the album well. Now you feel a sense of desperation in the music. The dynamics on this album are fantastic, you really do feel something on each track. Something you just didn't get back in 2000 with other metal bands.

"De constructing Towers" yet again changes scope in the music, more of a jazz feel to it, guitars and drums are frantic. They keep on rolling as if no purpose, like covering up something. Ending with a single acoustic guitar. The music is so good you feel as if it really must have been done before but not to these ears.

With the end near "Collapse and Crush" sounds like its title, big slow doom guitars and strong guttural vocals accompanying the band. All the time still having the chugging guitar sound. This track goes into a nice clean guitar sound and at the right time too. You welcome it with open arms. The track does build slightly heavier but nothing like before. As I say the feel of this album is just amazing. "Gentle Time" closes the album with guitars and riffs that if sped up I feel would still sound the same.

Back in 2000 I was lucky to see some great metal bands like Pantera, Slayer and Metallica. But I was more exited about seeing this band in 2001. They don't sound that much different live as well. But the power and the simplicity is remarkable. With the world turning to baggy jeans and chains it would have been easy to miss this album. Not now as here it is, thanks to this blog a chance to hear an album that will never age or be cool.

Celestial is easily available but if you get the chance get the double album with the add on EP as this was to be a double album when recorded. One year later the second part was released "SGNL>05" is just as epic and essential. I may even review it later on.

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Silver Ginger Five, Black Leather Mojo

Silver Ginger Five, Black Leather Mojo (2000-Mercury Japan)

Made by the Wildhearts front man Ginger in 1999 and on a Japan label the album was intended to be his first solo album. He had worked with others just before this project like Alex Kane on the Stop Thinking album and the Supershit 666 superband. But this was all cards on the table, only he could make it work or not.

Well it is a funny one as I think he did do something with the album and that was to headline a large venue in London without even having the album out in the UK. It was a Japan only album for quite a while so any fans who wanted it had to pay quite a bit for a Japan import.

The album opens with what I would say is a solid first track “Sonic Shake” has all the ingredients you need for an air guitar fuelled three minutes. Big loud riffs that sound bigger as it gets louder, the drums are tight and the quality is here. The production is spot on and is need to hear all that is going on.

Second track “Divine Imperfection” Continues the riffs, simple and fun. The song has such a great sing a long feel to it, helped with the harmonies and great lyrics. “Anyway but Maybe” comes crashing out of the speakers like a roller coaster that is coming off its rails. Big drum fills and bass that can easily take the roof off. Remember that production? Here it is, after that nice big build up you get Gingers vocals. Great lyrics and all the things needs for me it is a stand out track. 

A little bit of a change in pace “Girls are better than Boys” and “Brain Sugar” help provide more of the glam rock n roll that we all love. The two songs are very infectious and are nowhere near a filler track.  The latter track takes you back to sing along with even more great lyrics.

Again a little change in “Monkey Zoo” it is an all out hard rock song with that has touches of alt rock but still keeps the melodic sound of the album. The track has big keyboards to help give an orchestra sound to it. It is a slow song but never loses any attention.

“Inside Out” is a nice little acoustic number, catchy and melodic it is a nice campfire sing a long number.  The track sounds pretty much a throw away song but after a few listens it is a firm favourite.  It is one of those tracks that could be a big hit on the radio, say if it was on a film or TV show. Nice wee guitar solo here keeps the hands waving.

An all out rocker in “I Wanna be New” nothing fancy but loud rock music and a nice track to lead into one of Gingers oldest songs. Written for a Wildhearts album it has never seen the light till this album. “Church of the Broken Hearted” could make a Bon Jovi fan shed a tear. But add in the the big church Choir he is going for it in a big way. It is a good song and played very well great soloing that would make Slash gulp.

Overall this is a fantastic album and a real mix of rock music styles. With the music business in 2000 being much about Nu Metal bands many rock bands were pretty much not getting a look in. Same with this album it was not picked up by a UK label and even when it did come out it was on a small independent with no promotion. 

I think if this was given a good shot by the right record company there is no reason why it could not have done so much more. It had all the things needed for a classic rock album and easily provided all rock fans something to enjoy. I saw the band live once and it was a real treat. A second album was written but shelved due to lack of interest. 

Black Leather Mojo is easily available but try get the 2CD copy as it has extra demo tracks from the missing second album. 

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Thin Lizzy, Black Rose

Thin Lizzy, Black Rose (Vertigo-1979)

So we have all heard the hits Whiskey in a Jar and The Boys Are Back in Town but most people have missed out on the bands best work and here it is.

With the hits being available on rock compilations I see why most people just skim over the bands catalog thinking they were the only good songs. But here is a chance to get a great rock album.

Opener "Do Anything You Want To" was that good it was a single and a great start. Nice big bass and drums hit you then that trademark twin Lizzy guitar riff comes in. This album welcomes Gary Moore to the studio recording for the first time in the bands history (he had replaced others on tour but left before recording twice). His blues sound is evident but not taking anything from the rock band at all. Riffs are less loud and more melodic. Add in Lynott on Bass the album has plenty of skill here.

"Toughest Street in Town" and " S and M" continue the great rock music and could all easily fill dance floors in any rock pub. "Waiting for an Alibi" has that guitar riffing back again with nice vocals and lyrics from Phil. Classic solos and guitar shapes follow here as well. The outro riff would make most want to pick up a guitar. Catchy and also very raw, the band were known for touring and this can still be heard in the production.

Phil Lynot shows his soft side in "Sarah" written about his newly born daughter. It is a nice slow one with little bits of mouth organ and nice 12 sting guitar. This was released as a single in 1979 and gained some alternative fans who think the band were all about hard rock.

The mellow and less musically serious side from Phil is evident in "Got to Give It Up" a song about his drug problems. You can hear it in his voice he sounds very much unhappy. Classic Lizzy guitars and a great chorus make you forget the real problems.

"Get Out of Here" was co wrote with Midge Ure and could be a small token to all the people who have left the band in the past (Ure was asked to finish the tour as Moore left). "With Love" follows nicely into "Róisín Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend" the album has been named after this stunning song and it is a riff paradise.

The last song is all traditional songs given a rock arrangement. It really should not work but does and so well. The twin guitars work so well here that the reason they were invented is more of skill. For those who do not know why the band have two guitars playing the same riff, the band had and still did have problems with keeping guitar players. So Lynott hired two so that if one went he had another that meant live dates were able to be played. So so simple but it was never done before and let onto the birth of the twin guitar riffs the likes of Metallica and many more guitar bands after them done.

Listen to the song carefully and the lyrics are like a poem to all who are Irish or have have Irish roots. It is really just a tribute to Ireland with Black Rose slang for Ireland other things in the song are famous people from Ireland from James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Oscar Wilde and Brendan Behan are all Irish authors referenced in this song in amazing ways. Van the man is Van Morrison, soccer man is George Best and many many other things. As said it is all done in a traditional style with four songs used in the whole seven minutes in that twin riffing and his voice it is amazing to listen to. It is like mixing a history lesson and a music lesson in one. Simply stunning and I have yet to hear anything replicate it.

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Ocean Machine, Biomech

Ocean Machine, Biomech (Heavy Devy Records/East West, 1997 )

This is more of a side project than a full on band or even a solo album. If you don't know Devin Townsend he has been in my list before with Strapping Young Lad and the City album. That was a great album and his breakthrough to the music selling world. But at about the same time this was being made as well. Devin did form a band for this project but it seems to be more a part time thing as some of it was recorded at home and at various studios. Even mixing was done in other places over a long time.

With his previous album he had the all out metal attack of Strapping Young lad, this is far more mellow and stripped down. Sure the guitars are still there as is the full band sound but it just feels more... modern in a way.

Take "Seventh Wave" now here we have what Devin is about. He starts a metal record with a quote from Alfred Tennyson's, In Memoriam A.H.H. a poem years in the making as this album could have been as well. The first track is a big sounding metal classic. But the changes are very obvious, very slow riffs and so is the drums. All working in tandem playing slower. Much like Tennyson's poem Devin is in no rush to be done.

With the big start has to be more right? Well "Life" is best describes as a pop song. It has the big sounding intro but it falls nicely into a melodic guitar riff and then into Devin's very subtle voice. I mean it sounds rock and metal like but I feel like singing along. Listen to it and you will see.

Some guitar FX and that big band sound help "Nightlife" come to life. It is close to his previous work but still has the feeling of that album and some nice melodic parts to keep the head nodding. "Hide Nowhere" is one of the most upbeat songs here, not that the album is depressing but again that is why I love this album. You can play it any time and feel good. The contents have been done so well even 16 years later I can find a new thing.

"Sister and "3 AM" are more like small snippets with overdubs of other things. It does feel like its half way and "Voices in the Fan" comes in with some nice melodic vocals. Confusing at times as you feel the album has lost some of it's way but as it falls into "Greetings" you switch again to a guitar intro done with some nice multi tracking. This is not prog but it feels simple yet really good. Again no real riffs or even a tune here but it falls in place so well.

With this album done as a side project and self funded the pressure was off and so the creative juices could flow. It is not the sort of album you could tour with "Funeral" gives us our first big riff and I can see elements of this album in all of his music from now onwards. Not so much as copying but he seems to really enjoy this music. "Regulator" sounds much like the first track, in no hurry to get anything done quickly. The last three tracks end the album in a similar way. Very minimalist, noises here and there. A small bit of guitar and an over dub there. The ending is like a journey and possibly the start of something new. As the album opens with a memorandum could it be an album in reverse? Is this a birth at the end?  What ever he was doing it is fantastic and an album that should be in any record collection. I once saw this album in the classical section of HMV (It was even printed on the barcode) it is not often a high street mass retailer get it right but if they sold one copy by mistake it was on good terms.

Released on his own label as Ocean Machine, Biomech the album was re released with Devin Townsend as the project name. Easily available from Amazon  and all good classical shops.

@29xthefun  

Motörhead, Inferno - Kiss of Death - Motörizer

Motörhead, Inferno, Kiss of Death and Motörizer (Steamhammer 2004-2006-2008)

As you can see I have three Motorhead albums as albums you may have missed. Many people think this band started with Overkill and ended with Ace of Spades but the truth is they did have many more great albums. 

I have chosen the three here as I really can't pick between them and I wanted to have one from the bands later career. Inferno was for the band a bit of a change in sound. Not so much a choice as the band switched producers and in came Cameron Webb. 

Sound wise the albums are more direct and far sharper. These albums showcase how great a drummer Mikkey Dee is. Far more attention and time is given to the rhythm section here and that bass sound Lemmy has feels even more louder now than it has ever done. Old school noise recorded in a new school way, it really should not work but does. Mostly as the band are a great live unit and with Lemmy writing the lyrics you have three great albums. 

Inferno was first up and with some changes that may have scared some older fans. "Terminal Show" and "Killers" really show what the change is about. The production is so crystal clear it feels real. "In the Name of Tragedy" is another classic and last track on the album "Whorehouse Blues" is the one that shocked people. More a mix of country and blues, out comes Lemmy and a harmonica with the drummer helping on second acoustic guitar. A great song and one that would go down well in any acoustic night.

The album says its produced, mixed and engineered by Cameron Webb and that seems to be the real key here. 

Onto Kiss of Death and again the album sounds like where Inferno left off but they really cant have any more killer songs like before. But not only that but faster. "Sucker" and "One Night Stand" come blasting out and checking wikipedia you see Lemmy is in his 60s and still making bands about now sound slow and pathetic. 

Both songs have the trademark sound but they just seem faster and that bass sound seems to have evolved a little. You don't feel like head banging but dancing. And that flows all throw the album. Even "God Was Never on Your Side"  a tearjerker of a song could get you grabbing the first dancing partner available for a slow dance as it is a very slow ballad. 

The whole album if again full of great guitar riffs and some amazing solos. The production is fantastic with everything sounding amazing again. So if the relationship between the band and Webb is working so well how about another album...

Motörizer again adds more fast and brutal rock and roll riffing with the opener "Runaround Man" showing that business is indeed back to usual. This album has some great song writing and a favorite of mine is "English Rose" a fantastic nod to the classic rock n roll of bands from the past, hearing Lemmy sing at the start of this song just gives me chills. His voice sounds superb. "Rock Out" keeps the pedal to the metal as always and "Teach You How To Sing The Blues" makes you dust off those dance shows from the last album. 

Three albums in about four years that are well up there with the best of rock music in the 00s. Some people will always say they are not better than the first few albums back in 78-81. Technically these are better, faster, louder and more melodic than them. It is easy to say older music is always better but all who listen properly to music know that is bullshit. This is album number 17, 18 and 19 for this three piece and if they felt that there would never be a better album to make they would have gave up. 

Twitter: @29xthefun

60ft Dolls, the big 3

60ft Dolls, the big 3 (Indolent-1996)

I am glad I do not do a headline on my blog as this headline would just be calling the music buying public a load of swear words. 

Seriously I am shocked why they never made it, they had the chance and the right time was there. Kicking about from 92 and hitting the charts in the mid 90s they only had low end chart hits. But it was hits anyhow and for me that is all you need to be noticed back then.

Here we have a debut album that rocked better than most bands out at the time. It sounded great and had no filler tracks. Add in the band playing great live sets they were the whole package. I have always had a fondness or a better way is more respect to three piece bands but they did sound bigger. 

The album is a classic Brit rocker. All out guitar driver rock n roll but they had some really great slower songs and ones I still play. "New Loafers" kicks the album off on a great positive way. The guitar sounds great on this album and this first track sets this in stone. Great punky rhythms and a great tune. Single "Talk to Me" shows how sing along they can be and they can make a great pop song. "Stay" follows on the great melodic tunes and it is like a smart love song "you have to hear it". 

Now time for a slower song and on first listen "Hair" sound nothing special. But that is the key, simple and melodic. It is a song that any American rock band would have killed for. But it is still rock as the guitars are all there, never being hidden away at the back of the mix they sequel and crunch through the track. "Happy Shopper" gets back to business and at first the intro riff sounds familiar, yes. Last time was when you were having fun. Get ready to sing along and wonder why it only got to number 38. 

"The One" is another one. Another great song and a killer guitar work here as well. "Good Times" takes a step back to the punky feel and as ever great lyrics "let the good times roll" and why not? Some songs can be played to make you feel better so far I have counted seven. How about another one?

"No 1 Pure Alcohol" has a real indi rock feel to it. It was there first single and you can hear how they have progressed but again it is still a great song and one that shows the rest of the band can add something great here. Nice bass guitar here gets the shoes tapping at least. As the album comes to a close it has one song that I discovered the band with "Pig Valentine" all out indie rock at it's best. Not too fast or even too difficult to play but it has the sound of a bigger band in a bigger venue. All the guitar bands now would kill for this song alone never mind this album. 

Last two songs "Terminal Crash Fear" and "Buzz" keep the quality high with the latter a slight change in style ending on a slower song. This album seem to get great reviews in the day and if I remember it was well championed on Radio One. Looking at the rock bands who have made it today this act would slide right in and out do every one of them.

This band were asked to support Oasis as they were making it and you would think the Oasis fans would have seen this and loved it, but sadly no. Why? I have no idea as I have seen the band myself in 96 and I have to put there performance up there with one of the best. The guitar player made that much of an impact on Oasis he was asked to join. But with him favoring the Dolls and hoping they would make it he turned it down. Respect for that I say but what would Oasis be like with him in the band? Get a listen to this and just dream.

I also have to mention the drummer Carl Bevan continued in the music industry and produced Black Junk by Exit_International. Keep an eye on that band and get that album for more fantastic new noises. In Wales this band are regarded as heroes by many music fans and I can only agree. After making the second album they were to split not long after it's release. Too much touring and I think the sales were not high.

I enjoy doing this blog more for stopping boredom and I also find it fun but albums like this have to be heard. I have had the album playing for a week now and I really can't fault it. Great album and go get it now. If you do not like it I will give you the money back. 

Out of print but still on Amazon second hand for 1p (I did say I would give you the money back)

Twitter:  @29xthefun

X Factor, Iron Maiden

X Factor, Iron Maiden (EMI-1995)

So I have been doing this blog for a little under a year and have never had an Iron Maiden album in it. Well that shows you how unbiased I can be. Also the fact is they are one of the highest selling metal bands ever.
Every album up till this one had sold significant numbers and all got a reward in America and the UK. Be it platinum or gold it sold but in 1993 the lead singer choose to leave the band.

I will not go into the departure of Bruce Dickinson now as one of the reason he left is in the sound of this album. The bands sales had diminished a little over the years and in 1992s Fear of the Dark album was to be the last with the singer till 2000. The band had no obvious replacement so advertised for a singer and auditioned many. Enter Blaze Bayley singer of Wolfsbane he had supported the band and was a fan and his voice stood out amongst the other tapes received.

Iron Maiden do not mess about it was right into the studio, the band just wrote it all and got the job done. Bayley was used to demoing music but not for this band. I think a reason I like this album is how raw it is and how loud it is. Sometimes under producing an album can make it better. There is nothing big sounding on here and it does sound very different to all of there other albums. Described as being a darker album by the press, it did sound a little less positive but at the end of the day it is a rock album. If you take the content of the songs over the music the you will be shocked to understand what many other songs are about (for instance Tutti Frutti is about gay sex).

Starting off with "Sign Of The Cross" and over 11 minutes it is the hardest song to take here. But it feels like an intro track with the monks awwwing (real name is a Gregorian chant) and the atmosphere building. The song is about a murder mystery in a monastery based on the book "The Name of the Rose" it is a good start and has some nice riffs and really shows the band are together on this one. "Lord Of The Flies" is a classic all out rock song and a second single (Yes it is based on William Golding's novel) no real surprises and the first single "Man on the Edge" is the first you really hear Mr Bayley. It is the classic Iron Maiden single and a great song, the band really play loud here and I think it is to keep up with Blaze. All the classic stuff is here from solos big bass lines and a great air drum track.

"Fortunes Of War" is a classic tale of war and the loss. The guitar players get a chance to show there skills with some nice little acoustic intros and even keyboards to help it all flow nice and lite. Blaze shows his softer side. The song never builds into the classic Maiden wall of noise but a nice little melodic riff and simple drum sound. All very cozy and I love it. More so "Look For The Truth" keeps that idea going and a similar song, nice guitar arpeggio helped by the odd bass string to build to the band coming in but it is not that big and still very melodic more in a dance sort of way. Choppy riffs and trashy drumming. The band follow the singers melody here and it sound great, simple and fun.

"The Aftermath" feels bigger but it really continues the war theme with vocals concisely singing the words and lyrics like "should we be fighting at all?" make you think. "Judgment Of Heaven" is self explanatory in it's title. But it is a more upbeat sounding song, more like the sound you get on a funny story at the end of the news. Again a classic rock song and again some nice melodic vocals from the singer. My least favorite song "Blood On The World's Hands" is nothing bad but it does not sound quite right on the album. Next track "The Edge Of Darkness" was on the first single as taster to the album and I see where the opinion in the press of a darker album comes from. Based upon the film Apocalypse Now if you have ever seen the film it is real grim stuff but the band pull it off with some classic metal. And a tune that should have been out as a single. The guitars really get an exercise in riffing here. Again the vocals belt over the music and really make you look at the lyrics.

This album clocks in at 71 minutes and even the last two tracks still fit in some highlights "The Unbeliever" has some nice bass playing and the band let rip a few times. The writing for this album seem to go that well they even had some songs left over. The three leftovers were used on singles as b sides.

The album does sound a bit rough by todays standards and a reason that Bruce Dickinson left was the recording studio the band used. They were using Barnyard Studios, a studio owned and in the house of bass player Steve Harris. Bruce felt the quality was not up to the bands level. But listening to the last album done outside the studio 1988s Seventh Son of a Seventh Son I feel that album is way poorer than this. Yeah it has some classic songs like The Evil That Men Do and Can I Play with Madness but the rest are not that great.

At the time this came out the fans hated the album, they hated the new singer and so much so people would spit at Blaze at gigs. Sometimes a change can just throw people who are used to repetitive things. A new singer who at the time really helped keep the band going and so much he is credited on six songs. Ignore the press as they can get it wrong and if like me you like a change give it a go. In 1995 it was all pop punk and britpop. The band took the hard option they really could have called it a day or even just waited longer but not for these guys.

So much about this album is good I love the artwork, done by Hugh Syme it was a model that was photographed and at the time it was decided it was too graphic due to the lifelike Eddie having another lobotomy. It is my second favorite Maiden cover after the Thatcher killing of Killers.  Looking at the cover and listening to the music it does not look sound like 1995 and that is what I like about it.

Classic Album Review, Deckerd, Dreams Of Dynamite And Divinity

Deckerd, Dreams Of Dynamite And Divinity (Cadiz-2004)

I have done this blog for some time now and I am shocked I have not done this album till now. From Glasgow the band was made up from members of a band called Baby Chaos who I have got an album on here already check it out. Again information is low here but it seems to be the same band and from what I can see on there own label so here you have to me is another baby chaos album right?

For this album was there second with Stereo Dream Scene being out in 2000. That album was great but this album is essential. How often do you get a review that is 10/10? Very rare and If i did give marks that is the score I give this one.

First listen the album opens with "To Your Soul" and "We're Aching" to the listener there is nothing special about this. But a close listen you can really feel something happening. Gone are the big riffs and drum sound but a more all rounded pop sound. The vocals come over like they really care and all words are pronounced so well that it should sound like some sort of boy band chart crap but the style and words work so well.

"When Picking Fights" takes you back to the old days of the 90s brit rock sound. Well just for the start of the song, a nice riff and drum intro flow into melodic but spiky guitars and that voice. The album now really starts to get to you and in the best way "Be Nobody Else" has a nice guitar start that slowdowns and has nice almost whisper vocals. Building into that great well produced guitar sound that really makes all the big guitar bands sound tiny. There are no big producers and engineers on this album. All self recorded and produced by Chris Gordon he is also the singer and writer of all lyrics.

"Holy Rolling" was that good the band made a single for it but not just a two or three track cd but a seven track mini album (Check that out as it has more new stuff). Again flowing much like the album has done this song has hit single all over it. Bouncing about the stereo and equally making the listener want to do the same, nothing new but just catchy and one for the rockers and rollers.

"Say Something Stupid" sounds like a ballad but is it a love ballad. Not with that title, again with melodies that could be used as a tractor beam in Star Trek. Some nice little interludes and great drumming the time has been taken for the track to really come alive. I have seen this band live once and I feel this song is as close as you get to them.

Slowing done somewhat for "Fall Down At Their Feet" it is all too easy to use the acoustic guitar or have simple chords to show a change in style to the slower music. How about still using the electric and plucking of some nice melodic shapes instead. Minimal singing is needed but done well, building into a big ending that still sounds and feels the way it started. Great song!

Last few tracks contain a little change in direction "Grace's Estate" is a bit like a demo track from a compilation, more a mix of songs and a little confusing. But that is the effect they wanted I believe.  "I Dream Of Dynamite" ends the album well. More a band effort and a one last song for the fans. Sadly it is still the last song I have heard from the band. I think they still exist but as the music industry really does not pay bands who are good but more ones with a gimmick.

If they had put on masks and got dressed up for a support slot on a Muse tour they could have made it. Well not possible as to support a big tour costs money and there is none here. Seriously if you like Muse, Foo Fighters and QOTSA you will love this album. It is like the best of what those bands can do. But self made music rarely gets much of a break and unless you are "invited" onto a tour the mainstream fans will never see you.

But this album is more for the people who go out there way to get into music. Recommended by a mate who gets you a ticket, good review in Rock Sound and you decide to keep an eye open for it in HMV. That style of music buying has sadly all but left us. It is websites like this and the fans who still hold onto it that keep us all following.

Deckerd, Dreams Of Dynamite And Divinity  is easily still available on Amazon market 

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