Album Review: The Highwaymen - Highwayman 2 (1990)

The Highwaymen.  Another fine supergroup that you ought to be listening to.  Some of outlaw country's greats are all here - Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson. And together they made some great songs too, such as their best known "Highwaymen."  I'm listening to (and reviewing, of course) their second album, Highwaymen 2 from 1990.  Not a bad album at all - a bit better than their more critically receptive debut album as far as I'm concerned.  I was hoping it would be perhaps a wee bit better, but nonetheless I'm not going to complain.  I've always loved Johnny Cash, and he shines on this album, as do Willie and Waylon, both of whom wrote some great songs as well.  I must admit I'm not so familiar with Kris Kristofferson, however, aside from Cash's exemplary version of "Sunday Morning Coming Down", which quickly became a staple of every reputable Johnny Cash hits album.  Two songs stand out for me here - "Silver Stallion" and "American Remains."  The rest is OK, and are certainly worth exploring.  But they have nothing on the aforementioned two.  Not too shabby at all.  B+

Album Review: Judas Priest - Painkiller (1990)

Grew to like British Steel.  Loved Screaming for Vengeance from the beginning.  And I eventually learned to appreciate (a lot) Ram it Down too - even its fatal mistake, a cover version of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode."  Painkiller from 1990 has some kick ass tracks on it as well - it's fast, furious, metallic, angry, and vengeful.  Which is everything a good speed metal record ought to be.  And Rob Halford's voice never fails to mesmerize - and mesmerize it damn well should, as it is easily one of the best in the heavy metal business.  Along with Screaming with Vengeance, Painkiller is a stereotype of the heavy metal sound, something you'd expect non metal fans to think of when they think of heavy metal music (and usually, quite unfortunately, despise).  Of course, it's a good stereotype.  There's some big hits on this album - if you've owned a best of compilation album (such as The Essential Judas Priest), you'll instantly know "Painkiller", "Hell Patrol", "Night Crawler" and "A Touch of Evil."  And they're the best songs on this album of course.  "Leather Rebel" and "Metal Meltdown" will get some love too on the next few play throughs - the rest will get the play button treatment every now and then as well.  All up, a sterling effort by one of metal's giants.  Love it.  A-

Album Review: J.J. Cale - Naturally (1972)

Listening to this album brings me to Bob Dylan by way of two separate chronological references - The opening track, the brilliant "Call Me The Breeze" hails back in some ways (albeit more polished) to several Bringing It All Back Home numbers - perhaps in particular, "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and "Outlaw Blues" (with a dash of Clapton's "Lay Down Sally" in there for good measure, of course).  Likewise, the rest of the album reminds me of Dylan's more contemporary offerings, especially with regards to his voice.  And how is the album?  Well, it's not a bad album, but for the most part it isn't my cup of tea either.  "Call Me The Breeze" might have me dancing like an epileptic sparrow with one leg and a busted wing that's perching on an electric fence, and "After Midnight" is a classic that belongs on any respectable classic rock play list.  "Clyde" appeals to my need for tempo, but only enough to be played on a few occasions.  The rest of the album, whilst not rubbish in any sense, just doesn't have the momentum to keep me focused.  "Crazy Mama" is certainly worth listening to, although I probably won't be listening to it that often.  All in all, it's not a bad album, but aside for the tracks mentioned earlier, it's unlikely to get much love from me in the long run.  B

Album Review: Chris Rea - On The Beach (1986)

I bought the album that I'm presently reviewing for two reasons; 1) it was cheap ($7.99 to be exact), and 2) it was the only Chris Rea studio album they had on sale.  But for the eight bucks I paid for this album it is fair to say I got something worth ten times that.  It was very much what I was hoping the album might be, and in the process of listening to the album I couldn't help but get excited by my semi-unexpected discovery.  I'd heard all of his greatest hits before - "Let's Dance", "Josephine", "Ace of Hearts" and of course, "On the Beach."  Both "On the Beach" and "Let's Dance" are of historic relevance to me - I remember listening to them, and enjoying them, of course, back in the late 1980s when I was just a wee lad.  I must say however, I do think that the New Light Through Old Windows version of "On the Beach" is vastly superior to the original studio one as found on here.  But I'm not interested in this one anyway - there are some really superb tracks to listen to here.  "Giverny", "It's All Gone", "Freeway" and "Bless Them All" are all my favorites.  I'm very, very glad I picked this album up when I did.  A

Album Review: Dire Straits - Making Movies (1980)

I've always joked that, instead of playing the same old tired, poorly selected local music over the dole department phone system, they should play Dire Straits instead.  Specifically, of course, "Money for Nothing."  And I would still dearly love to see someone actually fulfill my wish.  Even more, I would love to see people's ensuing reactions.  But there's a fat chance of that happening, unfortunately.  But as consolation for my disappointment that such a fantasy is somewhat unlikely to be realized, I nonetheless revel in my surprise and pleasure in listening to Making Movies from 1980.  I liked Brothers in Arms a lot less than I perhaps should, given some of their biggest hits are on that album, and then some.  But in listening to this album I was expecting something a bit more lethargic and less polished than the aforementioned magnum opus.  Of course I knew "Tunnel of Love", "Romeo and Juliet", "Solid Rock" and "Skateaway."  Good songs, all of them.  But I unexpectedly found myself in favor of "Expresso Love", refreshing and yet simultaneously consistent with the previous tracks, the aforementioned trio.  It took round two for me to click with "Hand in hand", but I wouldn't be fooled by the tepid opening to "Les Boys."  It reminds me, and perhaps it should serve as a reminder to everyone else, to not judge a song by the first few moments.  And "Solid Rock" is a reminder to both myself and others that Mark Knopfler, in spite of his critics, knows a good rock 'n roll ditty better than many of his peers.  A-

Album Review: Motley Crue - Girls, Girls, Girls (1987)

Most of my fondest memories of listening to Motley Crue involve me being maggoted on cola and bourbon with a bit of kava on the side.  That was around 12 years ago.  And they were very fond memories indeed - well, what from what I actually remember anyway.  Motley Crue was the soundtrack to a time when I (for the most part) could give a fat rat's freckle about life in general.  Of course, I was tuned in to their Greatest Hits compilation.  But here I'm writing about their 1987 album Girls, Girls, Girls.  Not too bad an album either.  I've been familiar with the title track for a long, long time now, although I couldn't put a finger on the exact number of years I've known about it.  Nonetheless I've come to see it as being representative of the quintessential Motley Crue sound that I loved when I was fitshaced, and of course, also loved when I was sober.  The opening track, "Wild Side" is the best song here, followed by the power ballad "You're All I Need" and the real reason I invested in the album in the first place, "Dancing On Glass."  "All In The Name Of..." is also pretty damn good as well.  Not too bad an album at all, I must say.  B+

Album Review: Rod Stewart - Vagabond Heart (1991)

Rod's done it again!  Yet another great record from Rod the Mod, full of hits, and then some.  Released at a time when many artists of his generation would've have begun to falter, this album is more than just a comeback album, it is one of the best comeback albums out there.  Well, at least that's what I think anyway.  And as soon as I finished the album, I instantly declared to myself that this album was one of the best I've heard from that particular year, alongside Metallica by Metallica and Nevermind by Nirvana.  You'll recognize the brilliant "Rhythm of my Heart", "Broken Arrow", "It Takes Two", "The Motown Song", and "Have I Told You Lately", but my first love here is "Go Out Dancing" - it feels as if I've been looking for that melody for years - and my second is "Rebel Heart", which in itself is a good solid hard rock number, which some of you will know, is right up my alley.  "When a Man's in Love" is also worth a spin now and then too.  Yep, this album is one of the best 90s albums out there, no matter what others might tell you.  People will hark back to the Every Picture Tells a Story and Never a Dull Moment era and tell you that was when he was at his peak, and they may be right.  But you certainly shouldn't discount his later works, as I found out with Tonight I'm Yours, and of course, this album.  Here's my advice - go out and get it!  A

Album Review: Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast (1982)

Master of Puppets by Metallica - love it.  Screaming for Vengeance by Judas Priest - love it.  Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath - love it.  Spreading the Disease by Anthrax - love it.  Ace of Spades by Motorhead - love it.  The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden - love it as well.  These are just some of my favorite heavy metal albums.  And they're all classics.  I haven't listened to Iron Maiden in a long time now, and I recently made the decision to give The Number of the Beast another spin, followed of course, by an overdue review.  I completely forgot just how brilliant this album really is.  No fillers.  No bullshit.  The very best of Iron Maiden is at play here.  This album alone will reinvigorate one's lust for life.  It. Is.  Sooooo goood!  In fact, there is only one bad thing about this album - the pseudo-Vincent Price intro to the title track is not loud enough.  That is it.  And it is easily overlooked anyway.  "Children of the Damned" "Hallowed be thy Name" "Run to the Hills" and the title track are the best of the best if you really need to know.  "Invaders" is pretty awesome too.  But then again, so is the remaining three tracks I haven't mentioned.  If you haven't heard this album, I would highly recommend that you do so, irrespective of whether you usually listen to heavy metal or not.  Bloody magic is all I can say.  A+

Album Review: AC/DC - Black Ice (2008)

It's a real shame what has happened as of late with AC/DC.  Drummer Phil Rudd was ejected from the band for running afoul of the law, Malcolm Young was forced to resign due to dementia, Cliff Williams has made the decision to retire and Brian Johnson has left due to hearing loss.  And of course, Axl Rose has subsequently taken over vocal duties.  For me, the band is as good as dead.  I love Guns N Roses, and of course Axl Rose, don't get me wrong, but the best vocalist for AC/DC is by far Brian Johnson, no questions asked.  It is either him or nobody.  If Phil and Brian get back on board at some point, my interest in the band will most likely be rekindled.  But only time will tell I guess.  But anyway, back to the review.  I have just finished listening to 2008's Black Ice album.  And it is better than what I could have hoped for.  Yes AC/DC still sound the same after all these years - but that's a good thing, in my opinion.  Reinventing themselves simply wouldn't work.  Despite widespread criticism of their perceived musical sameness, I couldn't see them shifting musically toward a Cliff Richard inspired style of softness, nor could I imagine them wanting to sound more like Metallica.  They sound good just the way they are, and Brian's scream sounds just as amusing and enchanting as I thought it did when I was eight years old.  "Rock N Roll Train" is probably the best known song of the album, and of course, it sounds great, although I am also somewhat partial to the Live At River Plate version as well.  "Big Jack" is probably my favorite song here, and "Anything Goes" is probably the least AC/DC sounding song since "Let Me Put My Love Into You."  But I still love it anyway.  A great effort, lads.  A-

Album Review: Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac (1975)

Rumours is without a doubt Fleetwood Mac's greatest album.  But it certainly wasn't the first great album from them.  Their self-titled album from 1975 is yet more proof that over-reliance on 'greatest hits' and 'best of' compilations is always going to be a bad thing.  For a while now I've been pointing out that there is more to a studio album than its greatest hits, i.e. the songs everybody knows, courtesy of the radio stations.  I'm glad I invested in a copy of this album for this very reason.  The album is full of radio playlist staples, but there's the overlooked tracks that are dire need of some attention as well.  "Blue Letter" is a song I've been waiting for for so long now.  And "Sugar Daddy" isn't too bad a ditty either.  "Warm Ways" and "Crystal" are a little too sluggish for my personal preference, and that latter has too much of a Bread vibe too it.  But there's plenty of hits of course - good hits, I should add - to make this album essential buying.  Or streaming, whatever your preference is.  "Rhiannon", "Say You Love Me" and "Over My Head", amongst others, all remind me that the tenner I invested in this record was money well spent.  Stick this album on your next playlist.  A-

Album Review: Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever (1989)

I love it when I get an album that is so easy to listen to.  Something that holds my attention and doesn't dick around too much, something that gets to the point.  And Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty does an excellent job in this regard.  There is only one song on this album that I would skip, and that is "Alright for Now."  Not my cup of tea, but otherwise I would say that the album represents the very best of Tom Petty.  I can't help but feel that this album is a sort of spiritual successor to Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1.  Fair enough I suppose, given that Jeff Lynne, George Harrison and even Roy Orbison (not forgetting Jim Keltner, aka Buster Sidebury) all aided in this album's production in varying capacities.  Some of his biggest hits are here too, "Free Fallin'", "I Won't Back Down" and "Running Down a Dream" will no doubt jog the memories of those familiar with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.  And good songs they are, of course.  But "Yer So Bad", "Love is a Long Road" and "Zombie Zoo" are all pretty good.  Damn good, as a matter of fact.  Don't settle for the Spotify version, go out and buy a physical copy instead.  You won't regret it.  A

Album Review: Parliament - Mothership Connection (1975)

The Commodores' debut album Machine Gun is what got me listening to funk music.  A brilliant album it was - and it blew me away from the get-go.  Of course, the song "Machine Gun" I have loved for a long time now (thank you Lionel Richie) - in fact, it's one of my all-time favorite instrumentals.  But the rest of the album was a real eye-opener, and now if people ask me what album they should listen to that will blow their expectations, I point them straight in its direction.  Another highly acclaimed funk record, Mothership Connection by Parliament, is also bloody good.  Not as good as Machine Gun, but still mandatory listening for those getting into funk.  Another great opening track too - "P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)" will pry your ear canals wide open and leave you well and truly glued to your speakers (or headphones).  "Unfunky UFO", "Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication (Bump the Bump)" "Night of the Thumpasorus Peoples", and my favorite, "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)" all float my boat, with their characteristic bass-heavy, uptempo, upbeat grooves and melodies, whilst "Mothership Connection (Star Child)" and "Handcuffs" aren't quite as funky, but worth a listen anyway, if you insist.  Great stuff all around.  A

Album Review: Dio - Holy Diver (1983)

Ronnie James Dio.  One of the greatest metal vocalists who ever lived.  Saved Black Sabbath's skin when they were looking for a new front man too.  And sadly, he is no longer with us.  But he nonetheless left an incredible legacy - just listen to Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath and you'll see why I think his voice is just the cat's freckle - I love it.  He didn't sound like Ozzy Osbourne at all, but he certainly reinvigorated the band with a refreshingly new sound and unlike Van Halen's Van Halen III, the transition to a new singer was an irrefutably successful one, one that worked perfectly, just as AC/DC's Back in Black refreshed the band for the better.  His debut album with his own band, Holy Diver, opened up further opportunities for metal and hard rock lovers to savor his incredible voice, which to this day is one of the best in the business, sitting up there with the likes of Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson.  And it ain't a bad album either - "Holy Diver" and "Rainbow in the Dark" are the songs I'm the most familiar with.  But there's also "Don't Talk to Strangers" "Straight Through the Heart" and the epic opening track " Stand Up and Shout" that also need a mention here, because they're all you need to listen to in order to get the best of out the album, although the other tracks are by no means fillers of any sorts.  The album does tank somewhat as you play through it, but that's not to say it gets terrible by any means, but it certainly doesn't save the best songs until last.  All up, a good album by a great singer.  B+

Album Review: Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti (1975)

Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti.  What an album.  My two most favorite Led Zeppelin songs are found on this album - but there's no surprises there, given the record is riddled with greatness.  You will probably know my number one, "Kashmir", as well as the funky uptempo "Trampled Underfoot."  "Houses of the Holy", you would think, would be on the album of the same name.  But nope.  Not that it matters really, as I'm very glad that it is here on this double album.  And I am immensely glad I took the time to listen to this album - my attention span is fickle, and my multi-tasking abilities even worse.  But we put aside our differences today to savor an album that, on one hand, doesn't surprise me - after all, it was made by Led Zeppelin.  But amongst the drawn out numbers like "In My Time of Dying", even the slower jams were pleasant and held my attention with no effort at all.  And I'm a tempo man myself, the faster the better.  But well done songs I feel shouldn't have to rely on speed alone.  Great songwriting and that charismatic Led Zeppelin sound we've all come to grow and love make this double album a memorable experience for the better, especially as a double album.  I hate custard as a rule, but I love "Custard Pie."  "The Wanton Song", "Black Country Woman", and "Boogie With Stu" are my other recommendations.  Great stuff from a great band.  A

Album Review: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch A Fire (1973)

Ask anybody if they know of, or have heard an album by Bob Marley & The Wailers, and many are likely to tell you that they've listened to the posthumous hits compilation Legend.  Of course, it's easily the best starting point for getting into the music of Bob Marley and his group, and is easily one of the best hits records ever made.  On the other hand, if you don't want to delve too much into his music, then it's pretty much everything you will need as far as his music is concerned.  But if you're over listening to Legend and want to try one of the studio recordings for a change, then you can't go wrong with Catch a Fire.  A great album, one that you won't regret setting aside time to listen to.  The middle of the album is the sweet spot here - "Stop That Train" is my favorite here, except for the legendary "Stir It up", which sounded great on Legend and sounds just as great on the original album.  "Stir It Up" sits two tracks down, immediately after "Baby We've Got A Date (Rock It Baby), completing the central hat trick of top songs.  But it doesn't end there - indeed the album finishes with "Midnight Ravers", concluding the album on a better note than when it first started.  I checked this album out expecting great things, and I walked away from it not even slightly disappointed.  I hope you find yourself coming to the same conclusion.  A

(Note: The Spotify album is the deluxe version of the album.  CD 2 contains the original recordings, and not the "Jamaican" versions, so if you want the originals, jump directly to track #12).

Album Review: Roxy Music - Manifesto (1979)

Having a great (although somewhat acquired) admiration for Bryan Ferry alma mater Roxy Music's swansong Avalon, I have come listening with a high expectation of greatness listening to 1979's Manifesto.  And I am not disappointed at all.  I first heard this album years and years ago and was initially unimpressed, but like Avalon (and indeed, many albums) I've quickly grown to love this record.  Sure, "Angel Eyes" sounds a million times better on his Ultimate Collection compilation album, but the more noteworthy songs on this album aren't the ones everybody knows about anyway, as is the case with many great albums.  "Dance Away" is a quintessential song about heartbreak that every Ferry fan...hell, every classic hits radio fan should surely know about.  But enough about those two songs, great as they are.  There's even greater numbers to be savored here, notably the opening title track "Manifesto."  "Ain't That So" is enough to make me move - not frantically, however, but "Trash" certainly floats my boat.  "Spin Me Round" is certainly a good enough way to end the album.  All up, I can say with certainty that I'll be firing this album up on the odd occasion.  An unsurprisingly good album in which such certainty is perhaps only surpassed by the odds that somewhere, someone in the world is, or has, more than likely jacked off to the Country Life album cover.  Shudder at that thought.  Smile at the former.  A-

Album Review: Sepultura - Third World Posse EP (1992)

Fact of the day: I have listened to less EP records than pigs have flown.  Well, that may have changed recently.  Having listened to Sepultura's Third World Posse EP, I can add one more to the immensely short list of EPs that I have listened to.  And boy is it a cracker.  A death/thrash metal hybrid, this short collection is, I'm pleased to say, 100 percent filler free.  Originally an Australasian-only release, it's fair to say that us good people of the Antipodes got more than a bargain with this special release, featuring songs such as "Dead Embryonic Cells" and a brilliant live rendition of "Inner Self."  If you can find this on eBay, whatever you do, please don't hesitate to pick it up.  You won't regret it!  And to think this was sitting pretty at the bottom of one of my CD containers, waiting to be listened to.  What planet was I on?!  My final verdict - short and sweet.  A+

Album Review: Bob Dylan - Under the Red Sky (1990)

Bob Dylan's 1990 album Under the Red Sky is surprisingly better than what I had initially anticipated, and this is taking into consideration the purportedly haphazard and less successful decade Dylan had during the 1980s (as many might tell you, but I beg to differ, particularly in light of albums such as Infidels and Oh Mercy).  Looking at the track listing detractors of his 80s work would say he hadn't learned anything from that era, but listening to the album is something altogether different.  And yes the critics mostly bashed this album like there was no tomorrow.  But there's plenty of redeeming qualities about this album to be had too.  It doesn't come across as a collection of the cerebral, pondering lyrical cliches that Dylan is famous for and which everyone has come to expect from him, but that is an admirable attribute - it feels like an attempt at no frills, 1990s popular music, running against his own grain in the process.  And for me at least, it works.  "Wiggle Wiggle", childish by name, fun by auditory experience.  "2 x 2" might also be accused of sounding like a nursery rhyme, and it does somewhat.  But again it's fun, and it's different.  But in the end it's still Dylan.  It also reminds me of a certain Shania Twain song for some reason.  Don't ask me why.  "Handy Dandy", Under The Red Sky", "Unbelievable" are my other recommendations.  All in all, a much better album than what it looks like at face value.  A-

Album Review: Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of The Moon (1973)

Wish You Were Here is probably my favorite Pink Floyd album, and the post-Waters A Momentary Lapse of Reason strikes a chord with me as well.  But neither found their way onto bedroom walls like The Dark Side of the Moon ever did.  It spent fifteen years on the charts, sold 45 million odd copies, and is likely the first album to pop into people's heads whenever it finds its way into musical discourses.  Moving quickly into the track analysis, "Money" is the biggest and most famous track here.  But it certainly isn't the best.  For me, that particular reservation goes to "Time."  I don't play this album very often - the aforementioned albums, plus The Wall, and even The Final Cut get most of the love.  And perhaps I should listen to it more often - its status as a magnum opus-type masterpiece is quickly reasserted as I hear the band at their best on "The Great Gig in the Sky."  "Us and Them", "Brain Damage" and "Eclipse" are the other favorites on this album.  Why I don't play this record as much as I should continues to elude me - after all, 45 million copies sold can't be wrong, can they?  A-

Album Review: Van Halen - 1984 (1984)

Van Halen is a name that frequently comes up whenever somebody tries to conjure up ideas for air guitar songs.  Well, let's be honest - nobody gets up on stage or in front of groups of people and flop about the place pretending to shred to the likes of Lonnie Donegan or heaven forbid, John Denver.  But they often do to Van Halen, on account of the fact that Eddie Van Halen is a well-known guitar legend.  Initially I took little interest in Van Halen on the radio, until I picked up a compilation CD featuring "Jump", which just happens to be track #2 on the album that I'm reviewing here, 1984, released in, you guessed it, 1984.  And from there I picked up a copy of Best Of - Volume One.  I was immediately hooked.  This was the missing link in my life as a music lover.  "Eruption" left me catatonic - it was fast, complex, brutal.  I had never heard anything like it.  And I wanted more.  Within a few years I had all the studio albums, including the legendary album I'm currently writing about.  Van Halen's 1978 album is easily their best record, but 1984 follows not too far behind.  And it's a special album too, on account of the band's decision to incorporate synthesizers into the hard rock/metal mix.  And all up they've done a pretty good job with them too.  The prelude opening track, "1984" has a sort of eerily 80s future utopian feel to it, but it sounds good nonetheless.  Some of the band's biggest mainstream hits are here on this album - "Jump", "Panama", "Hot for Teacher" all made the airwaves down here in the land of the long white cloud, and still do the rounds of the classic rock station playlists to this day.  "I'll Wait" starts off with a bit of synth overkill but settles down and plays out like the good 80s synth rock song that it is.  "Top Jimmy", "Drop Dead Legs" and "Girl Gone Bad" aren't too bad either, but still inferior to the radio hits.  Great album, and one you must own if, like me, you're into Van Halen in a big way.  A-