Category: Album Review

Calum Scott – ‘Only Human’ – Album Review

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Calum Scott’s debut release, ‘Only Human’, came out on Friday, March 9th. A day surrounded by albums from some Hard Rock artists such as Judas Priest, Myles Kennedy, Three Days Grace and even Jimi Hendrix, how did this pop artist catch my ear?  Easy, two years ago this former Britain’s Got Talent contestant released a cover of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own”.  That song made me stop and take notice.  It was absolutely fantastic (more on it later).  I have been anxiously awaiting an album from him ever since.

And now, the long wait is finally over.  Calum Scott is a cross between many artists.  I would say he is a little bit Sam Smith (without the depressing ass songs), a little bit Adam Levine (his vocal stylings only), a little Gavin DeGraw (catchy pop love songs) and a little bit of James Bay (his first record and even a little of his guitar sound).  He is the best of all those people rolled into one.

There are 14 tracks on the CD version  of the album (vinyl only has 11) so I won’t go through all the songs in detail, but I will highlight several of my favorites.  First off, there are two types of songs throughout the album.  You get the love song ballads and the upbeat pop songs.  I have to admit, I am a sucker for a good love song and Calum has no short supply.  The ballads are beautiful showcases of his amazing, soulful vocal abilities.

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C.F. Kip Winger – Solo Box Set Collection – Album Review

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Kip Winger finally re-releases his solo albums after a time period where they were out of print.  The big difference this time is he has released them only in a box set simply called the Solo Box Set Collection.  The set includes 5 CD including his 4 solo album as well as a bonus CD of bonus tracks from all the Japanese editions of his albums and one new song.

Before Kip started with his solo albums, you would know he was in the band Winger, obviously.  Winger’s last studio album prior to the solo albums was 1993’s ‘Pull’ (and one of my favorite Winger albums).  After this album, the band sort of dissolved and wasn’t doing anything anymore.  Then in 1996 Kip started his solo career.  That solo career produced 3 studio albums, 1 acoustic album and now some Classical pieces that he did not include in this set.

Before we get into the music, let’s talk about the set itself.  It comes in a very sturdy box that was nice and thick, well made and should last a long time.  The one thing you notice is the sad figure on the cover.  I am sure it is some famous painting or something, but I do not know who it is or what the story is with the picture.  Another thing you notice is Kip’s name.  He now puts C.F. Kip Winger as his name.  He has been doing that with his Classical pieces he has written and now it is spilling over into his other solo work.  The C.F. are his initials for his name Charles Frederick Kip Winger.  Maybe “Kip” didn’t sound professional enough for the classical music scene.

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Stone Temple Pilots – ‘Stone Temple Pilots’ (2018) – Album Review

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Stone Temple Pilots are back with a brand new album and a brand new singer.  As you probably already know the story, their original lead singer was one of the most iconic lead singers of any band, Scott Weiland.  Scott had a lot of troubles with addiction and was in and out of the band several times.  He was replaced with Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, but Chester left to focus solely on his original band.  Since this time, both singers have passed away and will never rejoin the band.

Now STP has a decision to make.  Do they continue as a band?  The answer to that is obviously YES or I wouldn’t be doing a review of their new album.  Do they get a new lead singer that is completely their own person and nothing like the previous singer or do they get one that sounds just like Scott Weiland?  The answer to that will come later, but first let me explain why I asked that question myself.

In history, bands have always replaced lead singers.  There are two types of replacements..1) The singer that sounds nothing like the original singer and 2) the singer that sounds just like the old lead singer.  Depending on which one you choose can have a different impact on the band.  I think throughout history we have seen both work, however, for me there is only one solution.

Let’s look at the first, the new singer sounds nothing like the original singer.  There are many examples of that happening and quite successfully…Deep Purple has done it, Black Sabbath, Rainbow and even Van Halen.  Let’s look at Van Halen…with David Lee Roth (the original singer) and Sammy Hager (the replacement) were totally polar opposite singers and styles.  However, each band  was extremely successful in their own right.  Why you might ask? Because the band sound was still Van Halen and the songs were great.  Also, there was no real comparison between the two.  It was really two different bands that just happened to have the same name.  I personally like both versions (I am little more partial to David’s era just because I liked that sound a little better).

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Ratt – ‘Out of the Cellar’ – Album Review

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After the success of their self-titled E.P., Ratt signed a record deal with Atlantic Records and that deal brought us the incredible debut album ‘Out of the Cellar’.  On March 27th, 1984, the album was released and thanks to MTV, the band became a huge sensation.

The band’s line-up was unchanged from the E.P, consisting of the following members:

  • Stephen Pearcy – vocals
  • Robin Crosby – lead guitar
  • Warren DeMartini – lead guitar
  • Juan Croucier – bass
  • Bobby Blotzer – drums

With the incredible dual guitar combo of Crosby & DeMartini and the bluesy, raspiness of Pearcy’s vocals, the band had an arsenal of great songs that took them to the pinnacle of rock and selling millions and millions of records.  It also didn’t hurt that they looked the part which was crucial for the MTV world that was exploding on the scene at the time.

Take that and add a beautiful woman on the cover your album and there was denying this band.  Tawny Kitaen graced the cover of the debut album as she was the then girlfriend of Robin Crosby.  She also graced the cover of their E.P. but that was just her beautiful legs.  This time, you got the whole package.  For those that didn’t know, Tawny is the video vixen that was dancing on the pair of Jaguars in the Whitesnake videos in the late 80’s when she was dating David Coverdale.

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Reach – ‘The Great Divine’ – Album Review

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I am going to go ahead and say I had no idea who this band was before listening.  I saw their album reviews on other sites I visit and the ratings were really good so I decided to check out the album.  And let me tell you, those reviews were no where close to how I good this album really is.  I will put it out there…this is my FAVORITE album so far this year.  It is unbelievable!!

Now, who is Reach?  Reach is a band out of Sweden and ‘The Great Divine’ is actually their second album.  I completely missed the first.  The band is now a power trio and consists of the following members:

  • Ludvig Turner (Guitars & Vocals)
  • Marcus Johansson (Drums)
  • Soufian Ma’Aoui (Bass)

The album was was recorded at Rocksta Sound Studio, produced by Jona Tee (H.E.A.T) and mixed by Tobias Lindell (Europe, Avatar).  That is the basic summary I have found on the band.  They are labeled as a melodic rock band as it seems most bands from Sweden seemed to be labeled.  Well, that and Glam.  But I feel that label limits them.  They have that sound – the strong hooks and melodies, but their sound is also so modern and varied that I think they are so much more.  Ludvig’s vocal abilities are definitely showcased throughout the album.

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Rick Springfield – ‘The Snake King’ – Album Review

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Rick Springfield has been releasing music since the early 70’s.  You have the teeny bopper music from the 70’s to the pop hits he had in the 80’s including “Jessie’s Girl” which made him very famous. And now at 68, he brings his 20th studio album called “The Snake King”.

He has done many styles over the years and this time he ventures into the Blues genre.  The album is a mixture of Blues Rock and straight up Blues.  Now, this isn’t Blues like you would think with Curtis Mayfield or Robert Johnson, heck it isn’t even Blues like Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang.  This is Rick Springfield Blues.  He can try different genres, but he will always have that Rick Springfield sound and feel to his albums.  You can’t be around for 5 decades in music and not have your own style or vibe.

The Blues can be very depressing and sad at times and you might think, how is Rick going to honestly convey those emotions.  Well, let me tell you he hits the nail on the head with the blues.  Rick has suffered immensely with depression and he has had many issues in his life.  He digs deep and captures the stories and feelings from those dark times.

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Scott Stapp – ‘Proof of Life’ (2013) – Album Review

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Scott Stapp.  Where do you begin?  The Creed frontman has been ridiculed and the talk of much gossip with his numerous personal issues.  He seems to be one of those artists that people love to hate.  I don’t get it.  I will go ahead and say this upfront.  I think he is an awesome singer and a great frontman.  I like Creed!!  I like Scott Stapp!! I like Art of Anarchy!!  I like everything he has done…okay, maybe not everything…but heckuva lot of it.

Scott’s personal demons are well documented…his drinking problems, many addictions and his battle with bipolar disorder.  He has attempted suicide, been in and out of rehab and so many other things that nobody wants to have happen to them.  At the time of this album, he seemed to be doing really well.  But shortly after, he came crashing down again.

‘Proof of Life’ is Scott’s 2nd solo album and is probably his most personal and honest record he has ever done.  It takes you on a stroll through all his struggles and how he somehow is able to get back up and fight back.  There are many Christian overtones in the music, but it is not a Christian album.  It is a mainstream, hard rock album…no doubt.  It is probably the best thing he has ever done.  Yes, I said it…The BEST thing he has ever done!!!

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BØRNS – ‘Blue Madonna’ – Album Review

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I would venture to say that I am not in the same demographic this album is geared towards.  I am a 49 year old male who does not frequent dance clubs or listen to much pop radio, but you what?  I don’t care.  I am really digging this album and the fact I say I am digging this album proves I am not the audience for this music.

The album ‘Blue Madonna’ is BØRNS second full length studio release and a follow-up to his 2015 stellar release ‘Dopamine’.  With a name like BØRNS, the sound of his music and his whole style, I thought he was some European act that was breaking in America.  Boy, I was wrong.  He is actually from Michigan and a full on American.

He has his own style for sure as you can see by that amazing outfit on the cover.  I am no where cool enough to pull off that look.  BØRNS has a whole androgynous vibe about him as well with his hair, his clothes and his very high vocal range which adds to his mystique.  His falsetto will leave Adam Levine very jealous.  Now I guess I should talk about the music.

The sound and sonic vibe of the album is a mixture of pop, psychedelic pop and electro-pop.  The album is a little moody and dark at times.  This is definitely not something I am normally drawn to, but there is something about his songs that attracts me to it.  Ever since I heard his first hit “Electric Love” back in 2016, I have been a fan.  And with his first single off the album, “Faded Heart”, I was anticipating another great album and I wasn’t disappointed.

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RSO (Richie Sambora & Orianthi) – “I Got You Babe” / “Forever All the Way” – Single Review

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Richie Sambora & Orianthi (or RSO for short) have put out two E.P.’s and now give us two new singles just in time for Valentine’s Day (now this is a little past Valentine’s Day, but that was when I first heard it).  They give is the incredible Sonny & Cher cover of “I Got You Babe” and a new single called “Forever All The Way”.

First off, we will focus on “I Got You Babe”.  Now, I have to admit, I have been waiting for a great cover of the Sonny & Cher classic song.  Sadly, this isn’t it.  In fact, no one is waiting for a cover of “I Got You Babe”.  I am sorry to admit this is dreadful.  Is that harsh?  I am sorry, but it is.  I give them credit for trying a few things different with it.  They definitely bring into the modern era for sound and they try to rock it out.  It doesn’t work.  It was a cheesy song before and it is still a cheesy song now.

I know they are happy together and it is supposed to be a fun song, but there is nothing redeeming about it that will make me ever want to listen to this drivel ever again. I liked their last E.P., “Making History”. This goes in completely the wrong direction from what they accomplished with that one.

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John 5 & the Creatures – ‘It’s Alive’ – Album Review

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John 5 & the Creatures bring us a new album to start the year off and this time we get their first live album.  ‘It’s Alive’ was recorded live off the Season of the Witch Tour in 2017 at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, Pennsylvania in April 2017.  The band consists of John 5 on lead guitar, Ian Ross on bass and Logan Miles Nix on drums.  The amount of music that comes out of these there guys for this album is incredible.

In listening to an interview with John 5 on Talking Metal with Emily Strigl, I learned that album was recorded rather spontaneously.  They arrived at the theater the day of the show and someone from the theater asked them if they wanted to record the show as they had a recording booth upstairs.  The band joyfully said yes.  And a little less than a year later, we have a live album released.

John 5 also stated in the interview that there are no overdubs or any re-recordings.  What you hear is what you get.  And what you hear is a live album that is near perfection which is also a little of the drawback.  The album at times doesn’t sound live as the musicianship is absolutely incredible.  There are probably errors, but they are not noticeable (at least to my untrained ears).

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