The Backyard Babies - "The Backyard Babies"
I keep dragging this one out, since its release last year, for yet another spin.
An eponymously titled release at this stage of a band's career usually means a reassessment of some kind has taken place, leading to a change in direction.
Now, I'm not suggesting the 'Babies have never taken their music seriously, but they just seem suddenly to have grown up here.
This is a mature, accomplished album, still full of vigour and verve and swagger, hanging on to the insouciant cool and seedy glamour that were vital ingredients of the earlier albums.
But the edgy, throwaway extremes have been ditched and the music has now been assembled around a solid central core of amped up, densely packed riffs, barbed axework and punchy, catchy hooks.
Epitaph - "Remember The Daze"
This 2007 comeback album is now an old friend. Always welcome and always a pleasure to listen to.
After all these years in the music business, Epitaph sounds like they should. Weathered and shaped by time and tide. Cliff's voice sounds like it's been carved from slow grown teak, radiant guitars sparkle and shine over a bass heavy, hard rock rhythm section.
And the songs.the songs.oh, the songs - there's some truly outstanding songwriting here.
The opening trio of 'East Of The Moon', 'Nevermore' and 'Cold Rain' are as good as any you'll hear gracing any mhr album, anywhere, anytime.
Days Before Tomorrow - "The Sky Is Falling"
Arriving in a blaze of no publicity, DBT appear to be taking the music industry by storm. Or at least a force 8 gale.
They've already been nominated for Record Of The Year at the Los Angeles Music Awards and are receiving uniformly complimentary reviews in the music press.
And, let me assure you, it's all fully deserved.
Review to follow very soon.
Roger Manning - "Catnip Dynamite"
The ex Jellyfish and Imperial Drag star really hits peak form here.
'Catnip Dynamite' is a glittering, sensory assault, liberally peppered with memorable melodies and pulse quickening hooks.
More than that, it has depth, perception and humour - luxuries that other big name productions apparently can't afford.
Review to follow.
And in short:- Fair Warning's 'Aura' (Metal Heaven). This is the kind of album that the phrase "return to form" was coined for.
Electric Boys' "Dig This" Best of (Universal).20 fantastic, funk filled tracks.
Trick Or Treat's "Tin Soldiers" (Valery Records). A refreshing, entertaining and head turning take on Power Metal.
And lastly, Manigance, The "Original Classic Album Collection". All 5 of the band's releases in one package. Awesome. Criminally underrated French band, Manigance are one of the best power metal outfits of the last ten years.
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