The Grip Weeds ~ Force Of Nature ~ Live In NYC

 

The Grip Weeds are a fantastic band that sounds like they stepped right out of the early to mid 70’s, but, they are a newer band. Formed in 1988 by brothers Rick & Kurt Reil on guitar (Rick) & drums (Kurt), they called themselves the Grip Weeds, after a character played by John Lennon in a picture called “How I Won The War” which is a title of their 2015 album. This band is awesome & you should listen to them. The DVD titled “Force Of Nature – live in NYC is an intimate concert with the Grip Weeds with the Reil brothers along with Kristin Pinell who plays lead guitar along with some vocals (most of the vocals are done by Rick Reil) and also Dave DeSantis on Bass, who joined in 2012. The band plays their songs & even throw in a part of a cover during their jams. I rate this 5 out of 5 Music Guru Stars.

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Sarah Rogo Live at Lestats West

 

This blond haired blue eyed girl can certainly write some good music. Her vocals are very pleasing. Her style ranges from acoustic folk to rockin’ blues. This is a live set with only 7 songs, but, what songs they are. You’ll want more by the end of the disc. It didn’t catch me at first, but, when I heard “Oh My God”, I started listening closer. A couple more fun songs pass then another great song titled “Loving Her Tonight”. For me, that should’ve been the closing song. Listen to this one with a singer song writer in mind. Is she the next Carol King? No, but, with enough time, she just may be. I rate this 4 out of 5 Music Guru Stars.

Wobbler ~ From Silence To Somewhere

 

I’ve had access to WOBBLER before, but, I never actually heard them before. They knocked me down…in a good way. This band is a Progressive power house. Grooving along from the very first song. Wobbler, while they are a newer Norwegian progressive rock band, they sound like a mix of Yes, Jethro Tull, Uriah Heep & more classic rock bands. At one point I thought that I was listening to Focus, except the swirling keyboards brought me back to realize that it was not Focus. This could be a new band that I really want to follow. Very Yes-like except for it’s missing the high range vocals of Jon Anderson. Either way, this album gets 5 out of 5 Music Guru Stars. This is a must listen to album.

Lee Tiger ~ Tiger Tiger ~ One Earth * One People * Come Together *

 

I’m not sure how I feel about this album. I like the message about saving the world for future generations. I also really like the music. I think it may be the vocals that have me wavering. They’re not bad, I think that they may need more of that Robert Plant kind of sound. I do like the album, I just think that it could be a bit better. The first track titled “One Earth One People” could be an anthem song. It’s that good & positive. Actually everything about this album is good & positive. The album does have a classic Rock feel to it. Most of the music & vocals are done by Lee Tiger. Also included are Mikie Pinara on lead guitar on one track, Ralford Stark on guitar & slide, and Carolena on background vocals on 2 tracks. I rate this album with 4 out of 5 Music Guru Stars.

Various Artists ~ Gnarly Wave Volume Two

 

Bongo Boy records has done it again. Taking you back to a previous time in your life filled with music. This time, for me, took me back to the sixties. Music ruled the radio waves on the AM dial with the Beach Boys, The Lemon Pipers, etc. This, to me is the feel of the album. The music of the summer waves, both music & on the beach. Included in this compilation is The Spy Tones, Los Surfer Compadres, Dylan McGuire, Susan Surf Tone, Les Fradkin, TarantinosNYC, 9th Wave, Agent Octopus, Tsunami Of Sound, Avante Gar, & The Derangers. The album is fun. All of the songs are good. Give this one a listen. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I rate this 4 out of 5 Music Guru Stars. With more listens, it may get 5.

Ivory Tower Project ~ How Much More?

 

This band ROCKS. No, I mean they really ROCK! The passion in the music & the words just make me want to keep on Rocking. Their first album titled “Red Hot” was really good. I was glad to come across their newest album “How Much More?’, & knew that I wanted to hear more. Boy, am I glad that I did. This album was even better than the first one. They take a blend of music from the 70’s & 80’s to make that great “real” sound. This is exhilarating. Go buy this album today. I rate this 5 out of 5 Music Guru Stars.

Leprous ~ Melina

 

The new one from the band LEPROUS, wasn’t what I expected. It was much more toned down from what I thought it would be from previous albums. I think I liked this one better than what I had heard previously. That may be because I was expecting Hard Progressive Rock & got an album full of flowing melodies & lighter music than one might expect from LEPROUS. Not that progressive metal is bad, actually I rather enjoy it. This is not a metal album, but it is a really good pop/rock album. I’d rate this at 4 Music Guru Stars. Give it a listen & tell me what you think.