Bon Jovi – ‘Slippery When Wet: Liquid Vinyl (40th Anniversary Edition)’ (2025) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

For the band’s 40th Anniversary of the album that made the band rock stars, they decided to release a Liquid Version of the album on vinyl. With a title like ‘Slippery When Wet’ and filling it up with a bluish liquid that resembles water, it is pretty cool!! The liquid will slosh around as you move the vinyl around so it never seems to be in the same place twice. The vinyl itself is really thick to accommodate the liquid and it actually does play, however, I’ve never dropped a needle on it and don’t know if I will. I did spin around on the turntable and the liquid doesn’t actually move much when playing.

My only concern with it is what happens if it leaks? I will be storing it in a plastic vinyl storage sleeve just in case so the liquid doesn’t damage anything else. However, I think the liquid will eventually evaporate, but hopefully years and years later and long after I’m gone. Bon Jovi’s first run of these albums were number and I believe there were 1,300. Mine is #0538. Those sold out extremely quickly and are now selling on discogs for $500 and up. I wonder how long that price will hold because Bon Jovi has reissued it again in a non-number version so people can now get one again for the original $99. I have no intention of selling. Don’t get me wrong, if I would’ve known I could sell it for $500, I would’ve sold it and then been able to buy it again for $99…hell yeah…no brainer. Too many for sale now to think I would even get that price.

ORIGINAL ALBUM REVIEW:

Bon Jovi had two moderately successful albums under their belt. However, they weren’t happy with the fact they weren’t superstars yet. So, changes had to be made. Not in the band line-up as it was still Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, David Bryan and Alec John Such. Nope. They needed to change their approach. One of the first things they chose to do was bring someone in to help with the songs. That person was Desmond Child. Desmond didn’t try to change who the band was with the songs, but he helped refine them, make them better. Jon and Richie wrote well together, but with Desmond’s help, the songs became stories that connected with people, but first they had to record them.

To do that, they changed even more stuff. Jon was listening to Black & Blue’s album ‘Without Love’ and he loved the production of it. So, he reached out to Bruce Fairbairn and he was hired as producer..with some other cat named Bob Rock as the engineer. The band moved to Little Mountain Studios in Vancouver, Canada and the record was started. The album was finished and released on August 18, 1986 and would become a 12,000,000 selling album making it Diamond. It would spark 4 Top 40 singles of which 2 went to #1 and would see the band tour massively. They would start out the tour as an opening act, but by the end they were the headliners. The band got what they wanted and they were now Superstars!

Continue reading “Bon Jovi – ‘Slippery When Wet: Liquid Vinyl (40th Anniversary Edition)’ (2025) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)”

The Collection: Ep. 49 – Airbourne on Vinyl

This week on The Collection, we are talking the Australian band Airbourne. Founded in 2001, however, their first album didn’t come out until 2007. Brothers Joel O’Keeffe and Ryan O’Keeffe along with David Roads and Justin Street bring their musical influences of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Def Leppard and of course being from Australia…AC/DC and create some killer rock music.  The AC/DC influence is the biggest as they are now doing what they did in the late 70’s and early 80’s.  They are delivering some dirty, gritty, sleazy, no holds barred, uncompromising rock & roll.

So go check it out as it is live tonight right now, March 10, 2025 at 8pm. Thanks for stopping by and please click “Like” and hit “Subscribe” as it helps out the site when you do.

The Jive Turkeys – ‘Bread & Butter’ (2010/2022) – Album Review

Did you ever have the feeling that something was missing in your life? I found something that I didn’t realize I was missing and I am so glad I found it. That thing is Heavy Ohio Organ Funk!! You read that right. I had no idea this was a thing, but apparently it is and it is awesome. And it is fairly current although it sounds like it is straight out of the 70’s, this album was original released in 2010 (maybe 2009). Organ Funk is where it is at and I have found it with a band called The Jive Turkeys.

And who are The Jive Turkeys? In their own words, they are the Whitest Guys Playing The Blackest Music. They are Matt Amburgy (organ), Terry Cole (bass), Andrew DeRoberts (guitar), and Rob Houk (drums) and if you notice, no one on vocals and that is because this is an instrumental album. It is as if James Brown decided to do only instrumental music. It is soulful and funkilicious. It is pretty much an homage to the funk of the 70’s, but unique in its own rights. Sit back and get ready for your bread to be buttered with the soulfulness funk that will transport you to another time.

SIDE 1:

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My Sunday Song – “Neighborhood (Feat. Bear Rinehart)” by American Authors

For My Sunday Song #425, we are talking American Authors incredibly beautiful song “Neighborhoods”. The song is off their 2019 album ‘Seasons’ which was released on February 1 of that year. What drew me to the song was that it featured Bear Rinehart who is the lead singer of one of my favorite bands Needtobreathe. The song was written by an army of people Matthew Sanchez, Zachary Barnett, James Shelley, David Rublin who are all apart of the band as well as Scott Christopher Stevens and Gabriel Simon. There was a video for the song, but not sure if it was a single or not.

The song is about growing up and leaving the place where you grew up. The lyrics are very nostalgic and though the person is going off to try and find a better life, but the neighborhood is who they really are and makes them who they are today. Go out and explore the world, but never forget who you are or where you came from. Stay humble. The neighborhood will always be your home. It is really a great story and message that is delivered in those lyrics.

The song itself is a slowed down tempo, starts off with an acoustic guitar and lead singer, Zac Barnett, on the first verse. And what a voice it is. So emotive, so brilliant. Second verse is Bear and damn, this is why I love his vocals. Can he feel a song or what. Zac does most of the chorus with Bear on backings as well. It all sounds so slick and cool. Musically, a great tempo and I love the mandolin (I think) and they even have some whistling. The music feels like home and is as nostalgic feeling as those lyrics.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Neighborhood (Feat. Bear Rinehart)” by American Authors”

Friday New Releases – March 21, 2025

The big release of the week would have to be Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s new album, but that one is not for me. Instead I have on pre-order the new Pop Evil as well as the Rush 50 Set. I’ll stream the new Gotthard release and decide then whether or not to get. But there is still a lot of other releases so something is bound to tempt you. Let me know what you want to hear or what we may have missed. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a great weekend!

  • Pop Evil – What Remains – (MNRK Records)
  • Gotthard – Stereo Crush – (Reigning Phoenix Music)
  • Rush – Rush 50 (Anniversary Super Deluxe) – (Mercury Records / Anthem Records)
  • My Morning Jacket – Is – (ATO Records)
  • Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco – I Said I Love You First – (SMG Music / Friends Keep Secrets / Interscope)
  • Jessica Simpson – Nashville Canyon, Pt. 1 – (Nashville Canyon)
  • Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Young Fashioned Ways – (Deep Rush)
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Robbie Williams – ‘Life Thru A Lens” (25th Anniversary 7×7″ Box Set Edition)

After a very tumultuous time in the boy band Take That, Robbie left the group, recorded an album and went in to rehab. Robbie’s drug problem and ego problem was too much for Take That. He was tired of his creative input being ignored and was ready to branch out on his own. And branch out he did. His first album, ‘Life Thru a Lens’ was released on September 29, 1997 and though it started off slow, it would go on to great heights hitting #1 on the UK charts and selling over 3 million copies in Europe.

Now, we peasants here in the States, knew nothing about Robbie and sadly that would continue throughout most of his career. He had some moderate success with a few songs, but for the most part, the U.S. missed out on a hugely talented guy. I’m glad to say, I didn’t miss out. I discovered him a few years later with the songs “Millennium” and “Rock DJ” and I was hooked. But we aren’t here to talk about the albums those songs were on. Nope. We are here to talk about the 25th Anniversary Edition of his debut album, ‘Life Thru a Lens’ and what a box set he put together. This box set I bought when Udiscovermusic.com had a 50% off sale and I couldn’t pass it up.

What we get with this Box Set are not one, but 7 different 7″ singles. There are so many great songs on here. While Take That was pretty much ballads, Robbie was all Britpop! And he does it pretty fucking well. Not only do you have the five great singles of “Old Before I Die” (written with Desmond Child and The Hooter’s own Eric Bazillian), “Lazy Days”, “South of the Border”, the beautiful ballad”Angels” as well as the Queen-esque “Let Me Entertain You”. All fantastic songs, but the best song on here wasn’t even a single which is the angry, funtastic song “Ego A Go Go”. The box set even has the hidden track “Hello Sir” which is Robbie reciting a poem telling off an old teacher who told him he wouldn’t amount to anything…boy was he wrong. You get the whole album over the singles plus 2 bonus tracks all in the order of the album. Some day I’ll do a proper review of it, but for now, these are the Seven Singles.

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McPhee – ‘McPhee’ (1971/2025) – Album Review

Here we have another review of one of Noble Records Exclusive offerings. This time around we go Down Under to Sydney, Australia with a band named McPhee. The album was originally released in 1971 and has been lost and forgotten through the sands of time. Well, not really as it has been a highly sought after piece in the collecting world and an original LP will cost you well over $2,000 to obtain it. Don’t fret, these reissues by labels such as Guerssen Records help keep these lost gems in the public eye and we are luckier for it.

Guerssen always does such a fine job recreating the original artwork and they use only the best, high quality material. It is reproduced on a stunning green and black splatter vinyl which you will see below. On top of that you get an essay on the band by Ian McFarlane which gives you all the details needed to know about this band.

And speaking of the band, you get Jim Deverell on Organ, piano and vocals; Faye Lewis on vocals and percussion; Terry Popple on drums; Tony Joyce on guitar; and last but certainly not least, Benny Kaika on bass. It is a stellar line-up full of people that now how to use their instruments as you will hear if you check this out, which you should. The album is mostly full of covers but there are 2 original songs out of the 7 on the album. Musically, this is some killer acid rock, psychedelia, prog and pure rock. But enough jibber-jabber, lets get to the music.

SIDE 1:

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My Sunday Song – “Not Over You” by Gavin DeGraw

For My Sunday Song #424, we are going the opposite direction from last week and going from Rap Metal to pure Pop Bliss. The song is “Not Over You” by Gavin DeGraw. It was the debut single from his album ‘Sweeter’ which came out on September 20, 2011. The single came out on May 17, 2011 and went 4X Platinum in the U.S. hitting #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and going to #1 Adult Pop Airplay chart. It also charted throughout several countries across the globe. I remember the first time I heard it and I was hooked.

The song was written by Gavin along with OneRepublic’s own Ryan Tepper who is killer pop songwriter. Ryan also produced it along with Jerrod Bettis. The song is about exactly what the title says. He isn’t over his last love. He says he is over her but he really isn’t. The trigger is when he sits down at a restaurant all by himself at a table set for two. He is then to face it head one that he isn’t over her. I also like the part where he said if he was asked he was doing, he would lie and say he is doing just fine to save his pride that he really isn’t. A thought provoking song that shows how sometimes he can be hard to get over someone. What I really I love is how the video shows that she isn’t over him either and they wind up together again.

The main driver musically is Gavin’s keyboards. They are vibrant and bouncy and so catchy. The drums make the song feel alive. It is all upbeat and fun. Gavin’s vocals are smooth, exciting and emotive. The melody of the song is so freaking catchy and is a pure ear worm gem. This is pop music done to pure perfection. Any song that makes you sing it after it is over, is pure gold.

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Friday New Releases – March 14, 2025

Another week has gone by and thank goodness we are to another Friday New Release post. Some really good ones this week however, there is only one for me and that is Dorothy. Let me know what you want to hear this week or what we may have missed. As always, thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend.

  • Dorothy – The Way – (Roc Nation Records)
  • Coheed and Cambria – The Father of Make Believe – (Virgin Music Group)
  • Steven Wilson – The Overview – (Fiction Records)
  • Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes – Live at the Greek – (Classicber)
  • Jon Anderson – Live: Perpetual Change – (Frontiers Records)
  • Streetlight – Night Visions – (Frontiers Records)
  • ZZ Ward – Liberation – (Sun Records)
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The Police – ‘Every Move You Make: The Studio Recordings’ (2019) – Box Set

Originally released on vinyl in 2018, they smartened up and finally released this on CD on November 16, 2019. I missed out on the vinyl, but luckily did grab this even though it wasn’t until back at the end of December when UdiscoverMusic had a 50% off sale. I think I picked this up for like $25 or so and free shipping. That is always key!! The box set contains every studio album (there are only 5) plus a bonus disc called ‘Flexible Strategies’ which contains all their B-Sides as well. The Discs are all housed in a gatefold vinyl-like jacket made of cardboard and those are all housed in a sturdy box that is decorated inside and out!!

But there is something missing. This isn’t the Complete Recordings released back in 1993 so this isn’t everything they’ve recorded. And it is also missing a booklet that gives us writing credits, song credits, lyrics or anything about the band. That was a little disappointing in my book. But I’m also a casual fan so I still think this set is great as it gives me all I need really which is the music to enjoy.

If you don’t know who The Police are…well…you are missing out. It is made of Stewart Copeland on drums, Andy Summers on guitar and Sting on bass. They all do some vocals but most is handled by Sting. They started in 1977 and were very punk with a reggae swag to their music. They transitioned to a more post-punk and pop sound with their later albums and what I liked about their albums were they were all different and their song writing and playing kept getting better. I always thought of The Police as a “Smart” band as they used words I never heard before (just look at some of the album titles). The songs were so intelligent and they based a lot fo stuff off books and things they read. And I think that was also what made them interesting. It was great songs, great musicianship and they had something to say.

Continue reading “The Police – ‘Every Move You Make: The Studio Recordings’ (2019) – Box Set”