Astral Groove ~ Astral Groove

 

For my first review of a 2020 album, I’m glad that it was this one. This album has a classic hard progressive rock feel to it, with some great newer depth that lets you know that it’s a newer album. What else would you expect from Lars Eric Mattsson, but great guitar playing. This album really took me by surprise, but, I’m glad that I had the chance to hear this. Almost every song on this album is perfect. There is an an exception or two, but, even those were still good. I give this 5 out of 5 Music Guru stars. This is the 25th anniversary edition of this album. There should still be another 2019 album coming in the reviews, then we put up the Best of 2019.

Bullet Live

 

A live album from Bullet, who sound very similar to AC/DC, but, without the extra fun that AC/DC provide. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good music, it just sounds like another band that you like…or love. This one is live, so you get to hear them even more raw than their studio releases. This swedish band knows how to rock & keep it fun, as well. I rate this 3 out of 5 Music Guru stars.

Dave Soldier ~ Zajal

This album, which has some beautiful music flowing all around it, also contains lyrics in Hebrew, Arabic, Farsi, and 1 song in English. The music is wonderful, the voices sound very nice. If you understand all of the languages above, you’ll be able to get the whole picture, otherwise, you’ll just have to sit back & enjoy the music. I can understand French, Spanish, Hebrew & English, but not Arabic or Farsi, however, the music is enough to get you to enjoy this if you’re a fan of classical or acoustic guitar. I give this 3 out of 5 Music Guru stars.

Coming Soon…

Coming soon… Best of 2019 & still some 2019 reviews

The Who ~ The Who

 

OK, I’ve heard the hype. I love the band, but…this album is not the best Who album since Quadrophenia. That album was a masterpiece with the music being the high point of the Who’s career. “The Who By Numbers” was better than this album, as was “Who Are You”. This album, the first album by The Who since Endless Wire, which came out over a decade ago, does stand along with “Face Dances” & “It’s Hard”. These albums came out over 3 decades ago. Along with Peter Townshend & Roger Daltrey is Pino Palladino & Zak Starkey of course, plus Benmont Tench on Mellotron & Organ, Carla Azar on drums, Gus Seyflert on bass, Joey Waronker & Matt Chamberlain both on drums, Andrew Synowiec & Gordon Giltrap both on acoustic guitar. The album also has a song written by Simon Townshend which is called “Break The News”. My favorite song on the album, which leaves you wanting more is “She Rocked My World”. Pete Townshend writes most of the album minus the one Simon Townshend song & a song that was Co-written by Josh Hunsacker along with Pete. I also noticed that The Who went to the Polydor label, which was done in 1975 with the “Tommy” soundtrack. I give this 5 out of 5 Music stars. After all, what else can The Who get.

Sly Stone With The Viscaynes

 

You can tell that this was originally recorded in analog, as this sounds so fresh. It’s not quite Sly & The Family Stone, but, you can see how this turned into that band. The music is a bit less defined, but, that IS the charm to this. This band was a Doo Wop band. Again part of the charm. The Viscaynes started out in 1966, so this would be the earliest recordings of Sly Stone (then known as Sylvester Stewart). I didn’t know what to expect, but, I’m really glad that I had the chance to hear this. I give this 4 out of 5 Music Guru stars, maybe more if I listen more.

L.A. Guns ~ Another Xmas In Hell

 

For a short EP, this Christmas album is F-U-N. Starting off with William Shatner leaving a phone message to the band which then goes into music. Only 5 songs, of which 1 is the phone call from William Shatner & another 24 second version of “Dreidel”, the other 3 songs are great, including covers from Slade, The Damned & The Ramones. I wish that this album would be longer. The William Shatner goes into a cover of Billy Squire’s “Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You”. It keeps getting better after that as well. A great thing to add to your Christmas collection. I rate this 5 out of 5 Music Guru stars. This is only available in digital format, at this time. I LOVE THIS!